June 6, 2013

The Program by Suzanne Young


Title: The Program (Program #1)
Author: Suzanne Young
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release date: April 30th 2013

Rating: 4/5

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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.
This book reminded me a little of Delirium, so if you are fan of Delirium you might like this book.

Sloane the main character, lives in a world where suicide has become a global epidemic and one in three adolescents commits suicide, that´s why the city in which she lives decides to create a pilot program called "The Program" where young people from 13 to 17 years-old are monitored at home and at school to detect any signs of depression or suicidal tendencies, and once they´re detected as potential suicide are sent to "The Program" where they are subjected to a treatment where they get erase specific memories erased that are the cause of their depression and once they complete the treatment are sent to a special school where only cured teenagers attend and where they will be monitored constantly until they turn 18 year-old. The "cured" live without remembering their friends, boyfriends/girlfriends and other details that can depress them and with the help of their parents and psychiatrists have a life without depression.

But teens who have not gone through "The Program" are terrified of it, they live in constant fear of being reported,  they do not show their feelings openly, they pretend to be happy, so much is the fear of being sent to "The Program" that some prefer commit suicide than go to "The Program ".

One detail that caught my attention is that Sloane is constantly monitored at school and at home, but she can go camping on weekends or go to the river to swim with her friends and no one says anything.

An important part of the plot The Program is the romance between Sloane and James, they have been dating for two years and through the memories of her, we can see a little of how they fell in love and part of their relationship. But the main thing is what happens in "The Program", I really did not expect the story to be that good and is a page-turner, the plot has many sad moments, there are two scenes in particular that where particular sad and it has a very interesting twist that I did not see coming ... just...wow. I really liked this book, the idea is very interesting and is a great dystopian novel. I´m looking forward to read The Treatment, the next book in this series.

Book trailer

18 comments:

  1. my problem would be the flashbacks of how they fell in love.. I like it when the romance is fresh and NO flashbacks at all.. however this book has gotten such amazing reviews so I will definitely pick it up the first change I get.

    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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  2. When I first read the synopsis, I didn't think this book was for me and was going to pass it up. But since then I have heard tons of good things about it and have only seen good reviews. I plan on reading it sometime before summer is over. :)

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  3. The story reminds me of a movie. But i cant remember the title. I haven't read Delirium but I already have it.

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  4. I so want to read this. It sounds a little like Delirium.

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  5. I've read a lot of good reviews about this book and it does sound really good! Thank you for the review!

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  6. I'm so eager to read this. I've heard nothing but great things about it. I was lucky enough to receive a copy for review recently, so I will be diving into it asap. Thanks for the review! :)

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  7. I'm really eager to read this book, it sounds really good! I'm glad that you liked it. Thanks so much for the review, I'm definitely going to get this book soon! :)

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  8. The Program is one of my most highly anticipated reads, and all of the great reviews that I have read for it only make me even more anxious to hurry up and read it. It sounds like such a great story, and the premise is so unique which is HUGE nowadays! Can you even imagine living in a world where you had to hide your true emotions? I would be terrible at it. I am an incredibly, HIGHLy emotional gal. I would be in trouble. Can't wait to see how these characters handle it!

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  9. I joined the past giveaways just to win this one because I really, really want to read this. Unfortunately, I did not win. :( Great review. I'm going to buy my own copy. Haha. :D

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  10. I like Delirium, and looks like i would enjoy this one :)

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  11. I thought this book sounded really interesting, but, like others, I'm not the biggest fan of flashbacks. I'd still like to check it out, though. Maybe from the library, though.

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  12. I loved this book too! You make an interesting point about how Sloane is so closely monitored and yet is able to go out into the woods - kind of strange!

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  13. This sounds like such a good book!

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  14. this looks so good i really want to read it now!

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  15. Hmm, I still have my doubts about this one... Looks like a great concept but I fell it's one of the hit or miss kind of book.

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  16. This book sounds really different and great--I just won it from a contest, so I'm glad to see you enjoyed it! Now I'm even more excited to start reading it :)

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  17. I have not read Delirium and not so sure I can get around the teen suicide theme. Sounds like it is well written and I do love surprises in a read, so I have an open mind and will be checking this out more. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  18. I have heard so many amazing things about this book, that I can't wait to get it in my hands and see what all the hype is about! The characters sound great and I LOVE the unique concept of this book! Glad you enjoyed this! :D

    Great review!

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 

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