The Program
Author: Suzanne Young
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Pages: 416
Series: The Program, book one
Source: ARC for book club/review
About the Book: In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.
Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.
My Thoughts: I already talked a bit about this one in my post about our The Program book club meeting. It was the perfect book for discussion. There are so many different aspects to talk about.
One of the things I liked most about this book was that it kept me guessing. I had many ideas about what I thought might happen or what certain things meant but I never knew for sure. I also liked the way the author subtly changed my mind about people and events in the book. I would jump to a conclusion about something and then suddenly realize that I was seeing it in a totally different way.
Sloane was an interesting character in a world that was just different enough from our reality to be disturbing. I loved that it was so similar that I could picture it happening yet different enough that I was captivated.
Suicide, especially teen suicide, is not a comfortable topic. Add a very controlling “Program” with a big brother feel and you have a book that kept me reading! I had to know what was going to happen to the characters I had grown to care about.
The Program is a promising start to a series that will make you feel all the things! I highly recommend reading it along with someone else so you have someone to talk to! Plus, the ending! You’re going to want to see what your friends think!
Giveaway: The Remedy - YA BibliophileYA Bibliophile
[…] I have a pretty great giveaway for The Remedy by Suzanne Young. I loved The Program (which is set in the same world!) so much! Thanks so much to Simon & […]