Showing posts with label Suzanne Young. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suzanne Young. Show all posts

Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young

Title: Hotel Ruby
Author: Suzanne Young
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: November 3rd 2015

Summary from Goodreads:
Stay Tonight. Stay Forever.

When Audrey Casella arrives for an unplanned stay at the grand Hotel Ruby, she’s grateful for the detour. Just months after their mother’s death, Audrey and her brother, Daniel, are on their way to live with their grandmother, dumped on the doorstep of a DNA-matched stranger because their father is drowning in his grief.

Audrey and her family only plan to stay the night, but life in the Ruby can be intoxicating, extending their stay as it provides endless distractions—including handsome guest Elias Lange, who sends Audrey’s pulse racing. However, the hotel proves to be as strange as it is beautiful. Nightly fancy affairs in the ballroom are invitation only, and Audrey seems to be the one guest who doesn't have an invite. Instead, she joins the hotel staff on the rooftop, catching whispers about the hotel’s dark past.

The more Audrey learns about the new people she's met, the more her curiosity grows. She’s torn in different directions—the pull of her past with its overwhelming loss, the promise of a future that holds little joy, and an in-between life in a place that is so much more than it seems…

Welcome to the Ruby.

Review

Hotel Ruby is a fast paced mystery that kept me intrigued through the very last page.  After facing a tragic loss, the elegant and extravagant parties, setting and guests at the Hotel Ruby captivated both Audrey and myself.

The enchanting characters and wild events have such an odd vibe to them, it was easy to tell something was not right but I could not place what exactly was off about the characters.  I wanted to know more and understand what the book had in store, I read Hotel Ruby in one sitting.  At times it reminded me of The Shining, if The Shining met The Great Gatsby.  It was such a different and unique blend of glitz and creepiness that made for a complex, well done story.

Hotel Ruby is unlike most books I have read before, it gives off an almost movie-like vibe to it.  As the mystery unfolded, I guessed some aspects but overall I was surprised until the very end. Even though the characters are develop and parts of the story focus on relationships, Hotel Ruby is ultimately a plot driven book.  There are hints of romance, sadness, loss and an overall good vs. evil vibe throughout combining a wide array of emotions.   I recommend it if you are in the mood for something different and  a bit darker and heavier.

divider

Stacking the Shelves (144) - October 3rd

Stacking the Shelves - hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews - features books that you bought, borrowed, rented from the library, received for review, etc.

Upcoming Reads



What books are stacking your shelves??


divider

The Treatment (The Program #2) by Suzanne Young

Title: The Treatment
Series: The Program #2
Author: Suzanne Young
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date:  April 29th 2014
Pages: Hardcover, 352 pages
Source: ARC from ALA Mid-winter

Summary from Goodreads:
Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”

How do you stop an epidemic?

Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.

Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.

Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?


Review

The Treatment is the second book in a fast paced, action filled, two book series.  I am definitely a fan of the fact that it did not just fall into becoming a trilogy.  Unlike some of the other books and series I have been picking up lately, The Treatment did not make me feel like I was lost in the beginning.  There was no sense of 'What is going on in the story?'; the book did pick up right away while still giving a bit of background to ease the reader back into the crazy lives of Sloane and James.

The weaving story line and the way the characters all had some direct or indirect connection to each other, maked for some interesting surprises along the way.  The overall premise, a suicide epidemic, remained a dark and heavy theme throughout the book which I continued to enjoy.  Even though it is kinda scary to think of something so terrible happening, the author excelled at making the story real and believable.  

My main issue was the terribly abrupt ending.  The ending could have easily used another 25-50 pages.  I felt so unfulfilled.  The epilogue was a nice touch but I felt like so much was left untold. Between the ending and the epilogue I felt like I was left with more questions than when I had started the book.  The only other slight issue was the love triangle; it felt a bit forced at times and just took away from the rest of the suspenseful plot.   

    Bottom Line ♥

    The Treatment is a book full of high stress, high stakes, and high tension.  I would recommend the series if you are in the mood for a serious, darker read about a terrifying world full of characters who just won't stop fighting.


    divider

    Stacking the Shelves (70) - May 3rd

    Stacking the Shelves - hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews features books that you bought, borrowed, rented from the library, received for review, etc.  

    Upcoming Reads:



    What books are stacking your shelves?


    divider

    ARC REVIEW #151: Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young

    Title: Just Like Fate
    Author: Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young
    Publisher: Simon Pulse
    Release Date: August 27, 2013
    Pages: 304, Hardcover
    Source: ARC obtained at BEA

    Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life.

    The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two separate paths--and she's about to live them both.

    Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted.

    Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending...


    Fair or not, it's kind of impossible not to draw a comparison between Just Like Fate and Kasie West's Pivot Point, which was released earlier this year and has a similar concept. And I'm gonna say it and get it out of the way - Pivot Point is the better of the two - but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy Just Like Fate. I did. I actually really like the idea of comparing two futures based on a single choice. It makes for an exciting read. 

    Caroline's life takes two very different paths based on her decision to stay by her grandmother's side or leave and go to a party with her friend. If she stays, she makes amends with her family, but makes a mistake on boy. If she goes, she pulls away from her family, but she reconnects with her father and she meets Chris. Both futures had their ups and downs, and both were interesting to follow. But I clearly had a favorite. 

    I've realized that the surefire way to my heart is to have a character like Chris:
    "'Hello?' I ask.
    'Sweet Caroline. Bah da da. Good times never seem so good-'
    I hang up and cover my mouth as I laugh. I told him not to sing that damn song. He must have continued his chorus for a while because my phone doesn't ring again for a few minutes.
    'I thought we had a deal,' I say the minute I answer.
    'I said I would try. I have amazing willpower, but tonight, I just couldn't resist.'
    'You're a terrible singer,' I say. I stop in front of my dresser mirror, sliding my hair behind my ear; there's already a blush high on my cheeks.
    'Since karaoke's out,' Chris says, 'where would you like to go on our date?'
    'I don't remember agreeing to a date.'
    'You don't remember asking me out?' He pretends to be surprised. 'You seemed pretty insistent, and I interpreted that to mean that you're completely and hopelessly in love with me. Did I read too much into it?'
    'Wow.'
    'In fact, I thought we both decided this was fate. And believe me, Caroline. You don't want to tempt fate.' He sighs. 'I think we have no choice but to see this thing through. It will be difficult, but I think we'll preservere in the face of-'
    'Oh my God. If I say yes, will you shut up?'
    'Yep.'
    Isn't he the cutest? He was my favorite part of the story and I enjoyed every moment he and Caroline were together. 

    Another thing I really liked about this book was seeing Caroline's two futures bring her to a similar place, meaning that one choice is not going to drastically alter our path. We still end up sort of where we where meant to be. I find solace in this and I liked how it was executed in this book. 

    But I had a few qualms. The first thing I noticed was that the choice itself was rather weak. From the sounds of it, Caroline was extremely close to her grandmother, as am I. If my grandmother had a stroke and was "sick, maybe dying" there is no way in hell I would leave her side, let alone to go to a stupid party. And she left almost immediately. She was not in the hospital for long. It felt almost forced.

    In fact, there was a bit of a dramatic/exaggerated feel to the story with the events that happened/decisions that were made. And I think this was closely connected to Caroline herself. I can't say I understood her well, or her choices. Actually, beside Chris, the characters were just 'meh'. 

    It wasn't the strongest of books, but Just Like Fate was still pretty enjoyable. If you are interested in a story about choices and fate, with chapters alternating between futures, then I imagine you'd like this one too.

    divider

    REVIEW #113: The Program (Program #1) by Suzanne Young

    Title: The Program
    Series: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. 
    divider

    I'm Waiting On The Program (The Program #1) by Suzanne Young

    “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine to shine a spotlight on upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

    This week I chose...

    Title: The Program (The Program #1)
    Author: Suzanne Young
    Release Date: April 30, 2013

    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.

    The Program (The Program, #1)

    This isn't my typical pick but the idea sounds kind of interesting. It also kind of reminds me of Delirium.

    What are you waiting on?
    divider
    Copyright © 2014 The Quiet Concert
    Template and Design by New Chapter Designs