MILF fantasies and mental health

[Laura Lee]

That was the only part of the book I didn't like. If it had not had the sexual undertone then I would have dismissed the jealousy being equal to a spoiled person saying " me me me ."

Yeah, but even jealousy of his father is weird, in my opinion!

[Laura Lee]

I found it quite off-putting too. I think it was the result of the well-known writer's advice: hook your readers with the first 10 pages. But I think she messed it up, because it didn't hook me at all, quite the contrary.

Thanks for your response! Yes, she did well in hooking my attention, but (for my personal taste) it went too far; way too far. Personally, I didn't think it was an essential plot point, but I'm looking forward to hearing others opinions on the matter.

[Laura Lee]

What are your thoughts on Adam's fantasies of his mother and jealousy of his father?

There's a psychological theory behind this called the Oedipus Complex. The idea is that in childhood, kids get attached to the parent of the opposite sex and find the parent of the same sex to be a "rival" of sorts. Now, this was initially produced by Freud who is, at this point, generally ignored because his theories were so sexually based.
The point of bringing this up is because your above question reminded me of it. I'm curious is the author is aware of the complex and tried to work it in the book. I'm also not a dude, so I can't attest to this, but perhaps it happens more often than we realize and the author decided to draw attention to it rather than avoid it?
Either way, it is definitely uncomfortable for me to read. The other comments I'm reading seem to feel this way too.

That's a good point. Very insightful response. It would be interesting to know if this is more common than typically admitted to. I felt very uncomfortable with it and, personally, felt the insight into his character as well as his DNA differences were handled sufficiently otherwise.

[Brenda Creech]

Frankly, it almost caused me not to read the book! I found it disturbing and a strange way to start the story! I don't feel that it had any relevance to the story at all. I felt much better about continuing with the book when Carly caught Adam's eye right away and his focus started shifting from his mom to Carly! At least in intensity.

[mariana90]

What are your thoughts on Adam's fantasies of his mother and jealousy of his father?

I'm curious is the author is aware of the complex and tried to work it in the book. I'm also not a dude, so I can't attest to this, but perhaps it happens more often than we realize and the author decided to draw attention to it rather than avoid it?

I'm pretty sure the author is well aware of the Oedipus complex, and was very consciously using it.

In regards to you "not being a dude", don't worry! Carl Jung postulated the Elektra complex so we wouldn't feel left out (it's pretty much the same as Oedipus but with inverted genders).

[Laura Lee]

In regards to you "not being a dude", don't worry! Carl Jung postulated the Elektra complex so we wouldn't feel left out (it's pretty much the same as Oedipus but with inverted genders).

LOL -- So, do such attachments supposedly occur in healthy or unhealthy relationships? There was never any danger of my feeling that way about my own father as I was afraid of him.

[sevencrows]

I think it added another depth to him as a character and get across his mental state. However, it absolutely adds shock value, and the book could have survived pretty well without it. Regardless, it's most definitely a strange thing to see in a YA book.

[thaservices1]

What are your thoughts on Adam's fantasies of his mother and jealousy of his father? Based on the various elements of the book (such as how his repulsion of Vikki was explained as being genetic), would you consider this integral to the plot? Or did you get the feeling this was added for just shock value and not essential for the overall development of the story?

I agree with shock value. I feel the author wanted Adam to be edgy, but went way too far. His disturbing kidnapping scene at the beginning mixed with the uncomfortable incestuous sexual desires seemed over the top for a teenage superhero romance.

[Misael Carlos]

Though the this MILG issue is controversial and sensitive at the same time, it is also very intriguing and unusual to be tackled in a novel. I would like to read this book and probably do my research also regarding this issue on mental health.

This is true, that it is unusual to be tackled in a novel--particularly a young adult novel. Not sure, IMO, if it's appropriate for teens.

I agree with you on this. It is too much for teens.

[Howlan]

I think that first of all it was a subtle hint that he may be adopted. I mean the way Carly thought that Jo-Ann was a stepmom because of her youth was a real indication that he was adopted. And secondly, it developed a great twist from the conventional main character designs we are used to.

[Howlan]

Frankly, it almost caused me not to read the book! I found it disturbing and a strange way to start the story! I don't feel that it had any relevance to the story at all. I felt much better about continuing with the book when Carly caught Adam's eye right away and his focus started shifting from his mom to Carly! At least in intensity.

Yes, it certainly was a turn-off. The way Adam character was developing at first I thought Adam was definitely an anti-hero character in this book.

[Howlan]

I found it quite off-putting too. I think it was the result of the well-known writer's advice: hook your readers with the first 10 pages. But I think she messed it up, because it didn't hook me at all, quite the contrary.

Yes, definitely one of the weirdest ten pages I have ever read.

[mariana90]

LOL -- So, do such attachments supposedly occur in healthy or unhealthy relationships? There was never any danger of my feeling that way about my own father as I was afraid of him.

In theory, it is normal that between the ages of 3 and 5, little boys and little girls compete with their fathers and mothers respectively for the undivided attention of the other parent. It eventually goes away and we don't really remember anything about it. Obviously there are exceptions, like cases of abuse or traumas for example.

But it was not really about having a sexual relationship with the parent, rather it was about monopolizing them, possessing them.

It is not a mere coincidence that "mama's boy" and "daddy's girl" are very well known tropes in our society.

[Snowflake]

Thanks for your reply. Honestly, I find this element quite off-putting. Just curious to hear from others.

I found that element quite off-putting too. It helped me choose not to read the rest of the book...

[Elizabeth Pass]

I found it really disturbing. I've had this book for over a year and haven't made it very far. I thought I'd really enjoy it since I love fantasy novels, but the whole beginning was about his inappropriate thoughts about his mother and how much he resented his father. It made it really hard for me to want to open this book to continue to read.