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bookloversofi's review against another edition
3.0
I want to thank NetGalley and Sky Pony Press for providing me with this copy in exchange for an honest review
This is a book that touches on the subject of addictions as a main theme and undoubtedly we need this in more YA books.
3/5 Stars
You can find this one and more of my reviews on my blog A Book. A Thought.
This book follows Adam, his mother has left recently, his sister went with her and he has stayed with his father who has fallen into a deep depression, which prevents them from having a healthy father-son relationship. With all this going on in his life, Adam decides to take refuge in his pornography list, until a family friend teacher discovers his addiction and decides to help him by sending him to a support group to overcome his situation, and although Adam decides to attend, almost force to, he will not be ready to face the seriousness of the situation
I think that the addictions issue, as I said at the beginning, is not a topic that is touched abitually in YA, and I find this as something positive, I think it should be more touched in books, in order to provide readers with more information about it. It was very interesting to know about this topic, in the book we not only follow Adam's addiction to pornography, but we will also meet other characters with other types of additions. I don't have much knowledge about addictions, but from my perspective I think it has been touched in a very respectable way and be able to see the states that Adam goes through and how this affects his life and his relationship with others was really something that I loved about this book
On the other hand, I haven't felt connected with the characters as I would have liked, I feel that some of them, especially Dez, have selfish behaviors. I can understand from the addictions side, how this can change people's personalities and all that, but even so, I would have wanted a different female character, someone more reasonable or empathetic, I don't know, I just couldn't connect with her
I liked Adam a lot, I appreciate the growth of the character during the book and in the end it really seemed to be someone else and that made me understand his actions and behavior at the beginning. So I would say he's a good main character, I even think that the readers can get to feel very identified with him and even so, surely you'll not like him at some point in the book but I suppose that this is the idea, since this whole book is about Adam's mistakes and how he get to overcome them or not
The romantic aspects were too forced for me, if there hadn't be a romace at all, then it would be a thousand times better, I mean, I understand the idea of love and how this helps in Adam's recovery, but I don't think this is the kind of love that he really needed, besides there is no possibility that Dez is THAT perfect, she's literally described as the most beautiful girl of the known universe lol, that is a bit too much for me.I lean more for the family dynamics and how this kind of love and support in the end can change someone, you know? , but it's only my point of view, of course, I think you might like the romantic aspects of the book, because although I didn't like it I think it has pretty fun moments and that's nice
The writing style is great, especially in the first half of the book, you just fly through it, it's very easy to read, besides the book is quite short so it would be a great read to take into account in some read-a -thon or something like that.
Although I have had some problems with it, I feel it's a book with a very powerful and positive message, it's about highlighting honesty, the importance of communication and the support of those who go through the same thing as you. I think that despite touching a delicate topic, it's a very positive reading and I recommend it if you're interested in the addictions topics, it will surely be very interesting for you
This is a book that touches on the subject of addictions as a main theme and undoubtedly we need this in more YA books.
3/5 Stars
You can find this one and more of my reviews on my blog A Book. A Thought.
This book follows Adam, his mother has left recently, his sister went with her and he has stayed with his father who has fallen into a deep depression, which prevents them from having a healthy father-son relationship. With all this going on in his life, Adam decides to take refuge in his pornography list, until a family friend teacher discovers his addiction and decides to help him by sending him to a support group to overcome his situation, and although Adam decides to attend, almost force to, he will not be ready to face the seriousness of the situation
I think that the addictions issue, as I said at the beginning, is not a topic that is touched abitually in YA, and I find this as something positive, I think it should be more touched in books, in order to provide readers with more information about it. It was very interesting to know about this topic, in the book we not only follow Adam's addiction to pornography, but we will also meet other characters with other types of additions. I don't have much knowledge about addictions, but from my perspective I think it has been touched in a very respectable way and be able to see the states that Adam goes through and how this affects his life and his relationship with others was really something that I loved about this book
On the other hand, I haven't felt connected with the characters as I would have liked, I feel that some of them, especially Dez, have selfish behaviors. I can understand from the addictions side, how this can change people's personalities and all that, but even so, I would have wanted a different female character, someone more reasonable or empathetic, I don't know, I just couldn't connect with her
I liked Adam a lot, I appreciate the growth of the character during the book and in the end it really seemed to be someone else and that made me understand his actions and behavior at the beginning. So I would say he's a good main character, I even think that the readers can get to feel very identified with him and even so, surely you'll not like him at some point in the book but I suppose that this is the idea, since this whole book is about Adam's mistakes and how he get to overcome them or not
The romantic aspects were too forced for me, if there hadn't be a romace at all, then it would be a thousand times better, I mean, I understand the idea of love and how this helps in Adam's recovery, but I don't think this is the kind of love that he really needed, besides there is no possibility that Dez is THAT perfect, she's literally described as the most beautiful girl of the known universe lol, that is a bit too much for me.I lean more for the family dynamics and how this kind of love and support in the end can change someone, you know? , but it's only my point of view, of course, I think you might like the romantic aspects of the book, because although I didn't like it I think it has pretty fun moments and that's nice
The writing style is great, especially in the first half of the book, you just fly through it, it's very easy to read, besides the book is quite short so it would be a great read to take into account in some read-a -thon or something like that.
Although I have had some problems with it, I feel it's a book with a very powerful and positive message, it's about highlighting honesty, the importance of communication and the support of those who go through the same thing as you. I think that despite touching a delicate topic, it's a very positive reading and I recommend it if you're interested in the addictions topics, it will surely be very interesting for you
booksandladders's review against another edition
4.0
Full review to come on Books and Ladders as part of the blog tour!
scrollsofdragons's review
3.0
I felt the romance which was just okay was a little too prominent for me. And so many messages that made my head spin, just stick to a few please. Other then that, I liked Adam, the overall feel of the book and especially his relationships with the rest of the knights and his sister and dad.
sam_riccio's review against another edition
5.0
It was such a great book, I don't think a contemporary book has left me with this much emotion in a while. It's more than meets the eye, and worth picking up and binge reading.
kbranfield's review
4.0
The Temptation of Adam is a young adult novel about addiction. While pornography addiction takes center stage, Dave Connis also touches on other types of addictions as well.
Sixteen year old Adam Hawthorne's expulsion from school from an undisclosed infraction sets him on the path for treatment for his addiction to porn. A benevolent teacher, Mr. Gratcher, intercedes on his behalf with his school principal and as a result, Adam must spend one on one time with his teacher in addition to attending meetings similar to AA. He also must join Mr. Gratcher and three other young men, Elliot, Trey and Mark in Knights of Vice meetings. Like so many people who have addictions, Adam is not only completely in denial about his dependence on porn, but he is also quite unaware of the reason he relies so heavily on it. With a well-rounded group of people supporting him, (including his romantic interest, Dez Coulter, and his older sister, Abby), will Adam finally open his eyes to the truths that Mr. Cratcher is attempting to show him?
Adam is a highly intelligent young man who was blindsided by his parents' divorce. Now referring to his absent mother as "The Woman", he lives with his dad who is physically present, but emotionally checked out. Adam adores Abby, but since she lives with The Woman, they are not as close as they were prior to the divorce. Since he is deeply in denial about his addiction to porn, Adam refuses to accept responsibility for the incident that resulted in his suspension. He is extremely resistant to Mr. Cratcher's attempts to help him but with the threat of permanent expulsion from school hanging over him, he has no choice but to continue attending meetings and spending mornings with his teacher.
Adam's realization that he is addicted to porn occurs at a realistic pace. He gradually beings to understand the reasons why he turned to porn and despite this self-awareness, he is often powerless to fight his addiction. His romance with Dez also offers him a new perspective on his destructive behavior and provides him with an added incentive to try to conquer his demons. Unlike the young men Adam meets, Dez is a bit of a stereotype and it is rather difficult to take her addiction to addictions seriously.
The Temptation of Adam is an engrossing and insightful young adult novel about porn addiction. Adam is well-rounded character who is genuinely likeable and easy to relate to despite his flaws. The storyline is well-developed and Dave Connis's handling of various addictions is exemplary as is his realistic depiction of recovery. All in all, a well-written novel that will appeal to readers of all ages.
Sixteen year old Adam Hawthorne's expulsion from school from an undisclosed infraction sets him on the path for treatment for his addiction to porn. A benevolent teacher, Mr. Gratcher, intercedes on his behalf with his school principal and as a result, Adam must spend one on one time with his teacher in addition to attending meetings similar to AA. He also must join Mr. Gratcher and three other young men, Elliot, Trey and Mark in Knights of Vice meetings. Like so many people who have addictions, Adam is not only completely in denial about his dependence on porn, but he is also quite unaware of the reason he relies so heavily on it. With a well-rounded group of people supporting him, (including his romantic interest, Dez Coulter, and his older sister, Abby), will Adam finally open his eyes to the truths that Mr. Cratcher is attempting to show him?
Adam is a highly intelligent young man who was blindsided by his parents' divorce. Now referring to his absent mother as "The Woman", he lives with his dad who is physically present, but emotionally checked out. Adam adores Abby, but since she lives with The Woman, they are not as close as they were prior to the divorce. Since he is deeply in denial about his addiction to porn, Adam refuses to accept responsibility for the incident that resulted in his suspension. He is extremely resistant to Mr. Cratcher's attempts to help him but with the threat of permanent expulsion from school hanging over him, he has no choice but to continue attending meetings and spending mornings with his teacher.
Adam's realization that he is addicted to porn occurs at a realistic pace. He gradually beings to understand the reasons why he turned to porn and despite this self-awareness, he is often powerless to fight his addiction. His romance with Dez also offers him a new perspective on his destructive behavior and provides him with an added incentive to try to conquer his demons. Unlike the young men Adam meets, Dez is a bit of a stereotype and it is rather difficult to take her addiction to addictions seriously.
The Temptation of Adam is an engrossing and insightful young adult novel about porn addiction. Adam is well-rounded character who is genuinely likeable and easy to relate to despite his flaws. The storyline is well-developed and Dave Connis's handling of various addictions is exemplary as is his realistic depiction of recovery. All in all, a well-written novel that will appeal to readers of all ages.
feldy's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
blueyballoon's review
4.5
Rating: 4.8. Review to come. I need time to process this flipping amazing book.
yvo_about_books's review
4.5
Finished reading: October 28th 2017
"The experience of an addict has its differences, all humans are both broken and holy, and we all have the opportunity to waste our lives looking for wholeness."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Sky Pony Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Every once in a while you stumble across a hidden gem thanks to a fellow book blogger (thanks again Liz!), and this is definitely the case when it comes to The Temptation Of Adam. This YA contemporary read is not widely known and it might just be that it benefits from the lack of hype around it, because it was easy to say I was completely blown away by this story. The writing style and tone of The Temptation Of Adam had me charmed from the first page and I just LOVE the quirky, direct and blunt way the main character Adam Hawthorne bulldozers through his life. Sure, if you don't get along with Adam, you might have a problem enjoying this story. But if you let him take over and tell his story, you will be in for a pleasant surprise. A story about addiction that had me seriously addicted until the very last page... Hilariously funny, serious, emotional, heartwarming and heartbreaking: The Temptation Of Adam will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride that will leave you both satisfied and drained by the last page. If you like quirky, blunt characters, give this story a chance!
breerashel's review against another edition
1.0
*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I appreciate the fact that the author attempted to write a story surrounding the topic of addiction particularly porn addiction. This is not a topic that I have seen done in the YA world and I was interested to see what direction the author would take it in. I would like to see this topic and other difficult topics like it written about in Young Adult books because it is something that some of them struggle with. It felt like the author beat around the bush with the topic at hand which was addiction to porn. I think that is why this book just didn't work for me. Addiction isn't something that you can pussy foot around and expect readers to take something away from it. I'm not saying that I wanted descriptions of what Adam was watching in detail but it would have been nice if the author would have went deeper other than feeling guilty that it happened again.
I wish that I would have been able to feel the struggle within Adam more so throughout the story. He was a bit of a meh character for me. He seemed to be in denial about a lot of things for the majority of the book. I also didn't like the relationship between him and Dez. I felt that it was toxic for him and I wanted him to kick her to the curb. The only character that I can say that I liked was Mr. Cratcher. He was caring and straightforward about his own flaws. He genuinely wanted to help others especially Adam.
I wanted the story to focus on Adam and what he was going through but it focused quite a bit on the backstory of Cratcher as well as other characters and their issues (Dez). I liked Cratcher but the book was supposed to be about Adam and I wasn't sure why the author took that direction. It didn't seem like anything was really resolved with the characters in the end with the exception of Cratcher. It felt like the author was forcing conclusions for each of them in such a way that it didn't feel realistic but rather rushed instead. I think the book was trying too hard to be different by adding certain elements like Adam's formulas and the pixie manic dream girl crap (Dez). I know that I have been beating the author up about her but she annoyed me with her "I'm so unique" and "I don't really have ONE problem like the rest of you".
https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-temptation-of-adam-by-dave-connis.html
I appreciate the fact that the author attempted to write a story surrounding the topic of addiction particularly porn addiction. This is not a topic that I have seen done in the YA world and I was interested to see what direction the author would take it in. I would like to see this topic and other difficult topics like it written about in Young Adult books because it is something that some of them struggle with. It felt like the author beat around the bush with the topic at hand which was addiction to porn. I think that is why this book just didn't work for me. Addiction isn't something that you can pussy foot around and expect readers to take something away from it. I'm not saying that I wanted descriptions of what Adam was watching in detail but it would have been nice if the author would have went deeper other than feeling guilty that it happened again.
I wish that I would have been able to feel the struggle within Adam more so throughout the story. He was a bit of a meh character for me. He seemed to be in denial about a lot of things for the majority of the book. I also didn't like the relationship between him and Dez. I felt that it was toxic for him and I wanted him to kick her to the curb. The only character that I can say that I liked was Mr. Cratcher. He was caring and straightforward about his own flaws. He genuinely wanted to help others especially Adam.
I wanted the story to focus on Adam and what he was going through but it focused quite a bit on the backstory of Cratcher as well as other characters and their issues (Dez). I liked Cratcher but the book was supposed to be about Adam and I wasn't sure why the author took that direction. It didn't seem like anything was really resolved with the characters in the end with the exception of Cratcher. It felt like the author was forcing conclusions for each of them in such a way that it didn't feel realistic but rather rushed instead. I think the book was trying too hard to be different by adding certain elements like Adam's formulas and the pixie manic dream girl crap (Dez). I know that I have been beating the author up about her but she annoyed me with her "I'm so unique" and "I don't really have ONE problem like the rest of you".
https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-temptation-of-adam-by-dave-connis.html
liisp_cvr2cvr's review
5.0
Hi, my name is Liis and I’m addicted to… hang on!… we’re not here to talk about me. This is all about Adam and the Knights of Vice.
I bet you’re expecting me to use all sorts of sticky (ahem) words in this review but no… minds out of the gutter, because- for me- The Temptation of Adam is one of those YA books that sits up there with The Serpent King by Zentner and I LOVED The Serpent King. Yes, the topics and themes are quite different, but TToA had a different kind of ‘beautiful pain‘ to it… The addictions in this book range from porn to drugs to self-harm, but the focus is more on the journey of healing. There are no graphic descriptions on how one or other character indulges in their personal vices. Anyway, I’m not going to assume everyone is going to like this book because we all take away and nitpick on things based on our personal preferences. In the end, it’s up to each reader to make of the book what they will.
Personally, I found TToA to be perfectly balanced. There’s hurt but also joy, there’s denial but also acceptance, there’s sadness but also fun. It’s life in a book, brilliantly delivered. If there’s one thing I admire seeing is how people… creators… poets and writers and musicians, take their pain, past hurt, struggles and turn it into something beautiful and worthwhile. Dave Connis has used his experiences***(see author's review for the book) and transferred it into a book about addiction with a hopeful and ‘can do’ attitude.
It took me no time at all to warm to Adam. Even filled with all the hurt over feeling rejected and the addiction, he’s a young intelligent lad and there’s nothing mean about him. He’s just lost. He’s lost when he does something that justifies the Anti-Adam Order at school.
It took me no time at all to warm to all the other characters either. They’re youngsters but there’s (thankfully) none of that ‘popular girl’ gang shebang or the ‘I’m so rich I’m better than you’ stuff. Well… there is that rich character but they rebel against it. Instead, they’re all someone you like and root for. They have their addictions to fight but being the Knights of Vice, they can do it together. Each member of the support group adds their little personality quirk to the mix and they bounce off each other nicely.
Outside of the teenagers, we have Adam’s dad and Mr. Cratcher as the main adult characters. It comes as no surprise that even the adult characters in this book are fighting their own personal battles. By now it might start to sound like everyone in TToA has a problem and it might be too much to take… but, no. It never gets suffocating or depressing… Yes, there’s death involved, but it’s also life.
More importantly, all the characters, adult and teenage, are like standing domino pieces and with Adam’s addiction coming to light, he gives that nudge to make the whole row fall into a path of a connected journey towards something better.
From addiction ⇒ new-found freedom ⇒ relapses ⇒ accepting the lifelong fight ahead was fantastically peppered with the blossoming friendships, loveships and family dynamics. Just like life is messy and unpredictable, so were the moments where it felt like they were all going to be perfectly OK, to moments where all fell to pot again. Moments where the fight just got too much and hopelessness kicked in, to moments where friendship offered a supporting hand to crawl out of denial towards acceptance.
What I most enjoyed was the positive effect Dez had on Adam. Dez is also in Knights of Vice. A storm in a teacup and frustrating at times as a character but let’s not forget that she has her own addiction and the way she acts, is her escape. She’s the entirety of a teenage chaos!
Dez is also the only living and breathing female that makes Adam look up from the gripping haze of porn. Yes, you could argue that love does not fix anything. No, it doesn’t. It will always be up to our very selves to fix ourselves, but love does give us that little kick up the backside to try. Love does give us that motivation and hope for the future.
I enjoyed the writing in this book a lot and it’s mostly down to Adam’s character. The way he sees Dez is not your dry account of she looks hot jibber jabber. It’s not some kind of teenage puppy love pining either. It’s something more.
Here you may ask me- is this all there is? Addiction and teenage love? No. There’s the mysterious and wise Mr. Cratcher. With his own story to tell, he is the selfless mentor the teenagers need. I can’t say much about him but there might be some music involved! In fact, the music element adds nicely to the plot development and sends our KoV on a road trip.. how they get along there, all the way from home with their addictions? You’ll just have to find out for yourself.
Overall– I am so happy I decided to read this book. Themes and characters aside, I truly enjoyed the prose. It was just perfect to create the atmosphere, whether melancholy, sad, bordering philosophical or point blank light-hearted. There is a lot of Adam’s inner monologue but it never get’s dull… the kid has substance!
I bet you’re expecting me to use all sorts of sticky (ahem) words in this review but no… minds out of the gutter, because- for me- The Temptation of Adam is one of those YA books that sits up there with The Serpent King by Zentner and I LOVED The Serpent King. Yes, the topics and themes are quite different, but TToA had a different kind of ‘beautiful pain‘ to it… The addictions in this book range from porn to drugs to self-harm, but the focus is more on the journey of healing. There are no graphic descriptions on how one or other character indulges in their personal vices. Anyway, I’m not going to assume everyone is going to like this book because we all take away and nitpick on things based on our personal preferences. In the end, it’s up to each reader to make of the book what they will.
Personally, I found TToA to be perfectly balanced. There’s hurt but also joy, there’s denial but also acceptance, there’s sadness but also fun. It’s life in a book, brilliantly delivered. If there’s one thing I admire seeing is how people… creators… poets and writers and musicians, take their pain, past hurt, struggles and turn it into something beautiful and worthwhile. Dave Connis has used his experiences***(see author's review for the book) and transferred it into a book about addiction with a hopeful and ‘can do’ attitude.
It took me no time at all to warm to Adam. Even filled with all the hurt over feeling rejected and the addiction, he’s a young intelligent lad and there’s nothing mean about him. He’s just lost. He’s lost when he does something that justifies the Anti-Adam Order at school.
It took me no time at all to warm to all the other characters either. They’re youngsters but there’s (thankfully) none of that ‘popular girl’ gang shebang or the ‘I’m so rich I’m better than you’ stuff. Well… there is that rich character but they rebel against it. Instead, they’re all someone you like and root for. They have their addictions to fight but being the Knights of Vice, they can do it together. Each member of the support group adds their little personality quirk to the mix and they bounce off each other nicely.
Outside of the teenagers, we have Adam’s dad and Mr. Cratcher as the main adult characters. It comes as no surprise that even the adult characters in this book are fighting their own personal battles. By now it might start to sound like everyone in TToA has a problem and it might be too much to take… but, no. It never gets suffocating or depressing… Yes, there’s death involved, but it’s also life.
More importantly, all the characters, adult and teenage, are like standing domino pieces and with Adam’s addiction coming to light, he gives that nudge to make the whole row fall into a path of a connected journey towards something better.
From addiction ⇒ new-found freedom ⇒ relapses ⇒ accepting the lifelong fight ahead was fantastically peppered with the blossoming friendships, loveships and family dynamics. Just like life is messy and unpredictable, so were the moments where it felt like they were all going to be perfectly OK, to moments where all fell to pot again. Moments where the fight just got too much and hopelessness kicked in, to moments where friendship offered a supporting hand to crawl out of denial towards acceptance.
What I most enjoyed was the positive effect Dez had on Adam. Dez is also in Knights of Vice. A storm in a teacup and frustrating at times as a character but let’s not forget that she has her own addiction and the way she acts, is her escape. She’s the entirety of a teenage chaos!
Dez is also the only living and breathing female that makes Adam look up from the gripping haze of porn. Yes, you could argue that love does not fix anything. No, it doesn’t. It will always be up to our very selves to fix ourselves, but love does give us that little kick up the backside to try. Love does give us that motivation and hope for the future.
I enjoyed the writing in this book a lot and it’s mostly down to Adam’s character. The way he sees Dez is not your dry account of she looks hot jibber jabber. It’s not some kind of teenage puppy love pining either. It’s something more.
Here you may ask me- is this all there is? Addiction and teenage love? No. There’s the mysterious and wise Mr. Cratcher. With his own story to tell, he is the selfless mentor the teenagers need. I can’t say much about him but there might be some music involved! In fact, the music element adds nicely to the plot development and sends our KoV on a road trip.. how they get along there, all the way from home with their addictions? You’ll just have to find out for yourself.
Overall– I am so happy I decided to read this book. Themes and characters aside, I truly enjoyed the prose. It was just perfect to create the atmosphere, whether melancholy, sad, bordering philosophical or point blank light-hearted. There is a lot of Adam’s inner monologue but it never get’s dull… the kid has substance!