Title: The ProgramSeries:The Program #1
Author: Suzanne Young
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: April 30th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 408 pages
Summary from Goodreads:
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.
I LOVED this story. The entire book flew by. The world in which Sloane and James live in is faced with a serious suicide epidemic something one would never think would plague a society. The whole concept of the story was fascinating yet surprisingly not depressing. The characters were easy to connect with and to root for.
James’s cocky but romantic nature paired with Sloane’s demeanor so well. Their relationship was quite cute and believable. When tragedy struck, the relationship was really tested and pushed to its limits. Sloane and James believed that death was better than going through the program; the thought of having a clean slate was not worth it. Not only was the plot fast paced, there were no holes in the story. The world created by Young while serious was excellently crafted and explained. The romance between Sloane and James just made your heart ache, so intense but yet so delicate. If you are meant to be, you are meant to be :)
The only thing that really confused me a bit that forced me to give it 4.5 stars instead of 5 stars was the epilogue. WHAT? Can someone tell me what I was supposed to gleam from that? I also could have used more on the description about the rebels but I guessed that was being saved for the second book.
Overall I would definitely recommend The Program; it has unique traits which step away from the traditional architecture of a dystopian book. The fast paced plot had memorable characters who had to face unthinkable challenges and subjects.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Sloane and James too - it felt real and was very intense. Can't wait to see what happens next!
ReplyDeleteI've heard nothing but good things about this one! I'll have to read it sometime!
ReplyDeleteI have this one to read still! I can't wait to get to it when I want something a little darker. I'm all into light books right now for some reason, which is kinda weird for me. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI agree! I loved this one too! I read it on pulseit in the span of a few hours, LOL. I agree, the epilogue, was a bit disappointing. I hope she will tie up the loose ends in the next book! Sloane and James's relationship was just precious! And you're right- if it's meant to be, it will be! Great review Ashley!
ReplyDeleteJessica@Lovin' Los Libros
Yea, the epilogue just threw me a bit so it will be interesting to read the next one.
DeleteOooohhh! I think this is the first review I've read of this book (I THINK), so I'm super excited that you loved it so much! It sounds super good and I've been dying to read it since it came out. I'm going to have to schedule a trip to the bookstore soon. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! I look forward to reading what you think
DeleteThis sounds really great! Thanks for your review, I just might give it a go!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read this book! Thanks for sharing your thoughts now I know I'm in for a good read.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this book too and I actually really liked the epilogue. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil it for people who haven't read the book yet, but basically the epilogue showed that EVERYTHING was fake not just the one person that we knew was. Also, if he (you know who I'm talking about) was back at The Program, does that mean that Sloane is being set up when she's sent off at the end? Can't wait to find out in the next book!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
It was just that the epilogue confused me. What did that mean that he was back and that one comment he made.
DeleteThis looks like a great book. Glad to hear that it is a different take on the more typical dystopian genre.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea this book was even out yet. It was put on my wishlist a while ago. I'm just curious, how do you do your star system? I've been trying to figure out one to do for my blog but I seem to be blog-illiterate. =(
ReplyDeleteHmm... do you mean what do each of our ratings mean? It is on the about page :)
DeleteI'm really curious about this book. Thank to your reviewing this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you gave this book a good review - I've been eyeing it for a while but haven't heard any good feedback yet. :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it!
DeleteI keep debating about this one. I just can't decide if I want to read it. I have added it to my TBR pile now though after your review! :) We shall see.
ReplyDeleteI think the whole idea of suicide as an epidemic is really interesting, and that would probably make me want to pick up this book! I also adore the cover, just because it really stands out to me whenever I see it. I'm glad you ended up liking it a lot, even with that confusing epilogue.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is pretty cool and under the book jacket is the two of them facing forward which I thought was awesome.
DeleteI abso-fucking-lutly need someone to talk about the epilogue, PLEASE! It just...It just blew my mind in two thousand pieces and i need someone to help me reorginize them!!!!
ReplyDelete(i reeeeeally liked the book btw ;) )
What does the epilogue mean??
ReplyDeleteI actually think that this epilogue meant that not only R. , but also S. and D. Had a contract, just as T.. That means that everything Sloan said to them was known by everyone. And that explaines everything L. been saying. But I don't think that it was only set up for "her". There must be a lot kids at the program 40-50. But then there is one thing I don't understand why S. And D. Did not say goodbye to here nor changed their look like R. Did, that definitely took me of guard. Also I think that Rleam was serious with S. Not because he called A. S., but because he starred in the window what he didn't do when S. was there.
ReplyDeleteAnd if he really had a two year contract then this would be one of his last cases. What really confused me that he kept on calling A. "Honey" what makes it really uncomfortable for me because maybe he tries to get over S. Cause of her unmutual feelings.