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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.
kimberlyfaye
Posted June 6, 2013
It's been while since I read a good dystopian fiction. I've fallen into a New Adult hole recently and this was a pleasant break from that cycle. The concept of this book was very interesting to me. It's horrible to think of suicide as an epidemic, but it's certainly intriguing. I liked the characters almost immediately. The story sucked me in. Well done. Can't wait for the next installment.
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Posted May 28, 2013
This book is brilliant!!
Quick Critique
Pros: The Program is a superbly written, gripping tale, full of raw emotion, strong world building, and exceptional character development. This is not your typical dystopian novel. I. NEED. MORE. NOW.
Cons: There were two things that made me go, “Hmmm?” but neither were significant enough to me that I wanted to give it less than five stars.
Overall: The Program is a MUST READ! Even if you don’t enjoy the dystopian genre, I think you’ll love this book. I rarely read a book twice. I don’t know why, it’s just not my thing. This book, though, I will definitely read again. In fact, I just finished reading it and could easily start it again right now.
My Thoughts
Sloane and James live in a world where suicide is an epidemic, where they have to fill out self-assessments daily in school, where they are constantly scrutinized by The Program. They can’t reveal any emotion that resembles sorrow or depression for fear of being flagged. People are dying all around them, or being taken into The Program, yet they must keep a smile on their faces, even in their own homes. Sloane and James are fortunate to have each other to lean on, to love, but how long can they keep up this pretense?
Smiles and small talk equal well-balanced and healthy. I wouldn’t dare show my parents anything else. Not now.
Sure, I can tell you this book is the best thing I’ve read in a long time, but I’ve heard that from others before, about other books, and it’s not always the case. I promise you, this time it’s true. My love for this book could potentially rival the love I have for my husband, my best friend of ten years. I was afraid I may not be able to read it in the remaining two days it was free on Pulseit, but I devoured this book as if it was my last meal. Kids? What kids? I don’t hear any kids. Hon, I know you just got home from work, but can you make dinner tonight? Oh, and fold the clothes from the dryer, too?
The Program is told from Sloane’s POV, and her story will stir things inside your guts you didn’t know you were capable of feeling. The moment I finished page one I knew that I was in this until the end. The author has a way of telling a story that makes you feel like you are deep in it, right from the start. The amount of detail put into each character is impressive. Surprisingly, James had the most drastic character arc, which caused my jaw to drop several times. The changes his character went through were mind blowing. I was filled with compassion for Sloane and James’s situation, was terrified at the thought of either of them being flagged for The Program. My insides crumbled whenever I thought something bad might happen. This book ripped my heart out, then put it back in twisted fragments.
I don’t know what I believe anymore, and really, I try not to think about it. But the psychologists say suicide is a behavioral contagion. It’s the old adage, “If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you, too?” Apparently the answer is yes.
There were two things about this book that caused me to go, “Hmmm,” while reading The Program. The first is in regards to the writing. There were so many “sideways looks” I thought I might get whiplash. If I was playing a drinking game based on the amount of times the author wrote He looked sideways at me, or I gave him a sideways look, I would have been drunk by chapter four, and passed out on the floor by chapter seven. Either it stopped, or the story was so good I didn’t notice it anymore after that. I normally hate repetition, but this story gripped me so tightly I didn’t even care about it. The second issue has to do with the “treatment” at The Program. Based on what I learned, it seems impossible that the people who are forced to go through this would lose so much. It’s hard to explain without revealing too much, but there it is. Again, I overlooked it because this book was SOOOOO good.
I recommend The Program to everyone, whether you enjoy dystopian novels or not. This is not the same recycled dystopian tale that we have grown accustomed to reading. The final few chapters left me with a craving I haven’t felt about a book before. I need more. I would trade a kidney for the next book if I could have it tonight.
I liked this book. The beginning not so much but it improved, it was a little depressing. The first half of the book was letting us see what the teenagers are experiencing with the 'epidemic' (suicide). It was sad to read about it how some of these kids caught it. It just reminded me of Eeyore. Here's a quote I actually found that kinda goes with the book (weird).
Eeyore: End of the road... nothing to do... and no hope of things getting better. Sounds like Saturday night at my house.
The middle is when they were in The Program. We read what they do to 'cure' the teenagers. The the last half of the book is about when they get out and how they kinda cope.
Overall I think i did like it. I really like Sloane and James. I also liked Realm.
writeawaybliss
Posted May 7, 2013
I gave The Program 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Program is a Dystopian Young Adult novel, written by Suzanne Young. The world she has created is incredibly dark and bleak. Where teen suicide has become an epidemic and the only way to keep kids alive, is to send them to The Program if they are showing any signs of depression, self-harm or suicide.
Sloane, a young teenage girl has witnessed her brother's suicide and is unable to grieve, knowing that any amount of instability will get her sent into The Program. She struggles on a daily basis, watching as those she loves are taken away, commit suicide and betray her. Constantly, I found myself turning the page wondering what would happen next and who Sloane could ever truly trust.
Young's Dystopian world is filled with questions from the moment you start reading until the very last page. Some are answered but many are not, making you wonder exactly what is going on in the world - not just in their community. The Program is a constant page turner, leaving you always wondering what will happen to Sloane and James. I would recommend this book for mature older teens, as it deals with some very dark subject matter including sexual abuse, self-harm and teen suicide.
Brilliant! I was not expecting it to pack such an emotional punch, but man, did it ever. It is so chilling to think about a teenage epidemic of suicide! My father did it back in October, so I know all too well the ramifications of family and friends left behind. Suzanne did such a good job portraying that.
The twist-- Sloane (the main character) and the other teens in this chilling world are being monitored for any signs of depression so they can't outwardly express their grief. I can only imagine not being able to cry for fear of losing all my memories.
Because that is what happens to the teens who are deemed at risk of suicide. They are sent through the program, and while it erases the depression it also erases all memories from their life before. So, I can't decide which they mourn more, the ones who are gone through suicide or their friends or boy/girl friends that have gone through the program but don't remember them anymore. So sad!
The dynamic of the characters was so well written and layered. Sloane and her boyfriend James used to run around with Lacey (taken into the program) and her boyfriend Miller. But James used to be a close friend of Sloane's brother Brady. So there is so much complex history and emotions driving their interactions.
One of the scenes that really got to me was when Sloane injured herself just so she would be free to cry because she missed her brother who died and her best friend Lacey who just came out of the program and didn't remember Sloane or her boyfriend Miller.
I adored the romance in this one. James and Sloane and their dynamic had me right away. I loved how they looked out for each other and provided the strength for the other when they were falling apart a bit, and glued them right back together. James is devoted and I was swooning all over him. Their teasing, banter, and loyalty had me cheering for them.
Each part of this book hooked me in even more, and made me realize how much I liked Sloane's character. There are new characters that I didn't know whether to trust, and even by the end of the book I have no idea what their angle is on everything, and how this person will play into things in the next part.
I love the line that if it is meant to be, it will happen. The first time I heard it I rolled my eyes, but I love how that is a theme, and the people that show up to prove that right, and things that happen more than once. I know that is vague, but I think that once you read it, you'll understand what I am talking about. It is so hard to review a book like this sometimes because so much happens that I want to talk about but, I also don't want to spoil anything. So I try to talk about what you can figure out from the synopsis or within the first couple of chapters.
The pacing was amazing, and kept me in suspense waiting for the next bit of action, or seeing how the characters are growing. I loved this first book and will definitely be continuing this series.
Bottom Line: Intense and emotional. I connected with Sloane and swooned over James.
Anonymous
Posted May 31, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted May 2, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
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 ...