This story was so intensely sad and the characters were even more so. But it's not just a story about suicide, it's also about how true love really is a juice worth the squeeze. With a romance that doesn't start with insta love, but instead with a friendship that builds to this realistic and sweet thing.
From becoming friends through her brother, to secretly dating, to being inseparable. Their relationship has to be one of my favorites.
They both perfectly play off each other I think I broke it. It was—" I reach up and put my hand over his mouth, not moving it even after he licks my fingers. When it's quiet, I move my palm and rest it on his chest. And that's After being taken into the program Sloane is left alone and finding out how to beat the system alone.
When they start to explain how the program works they also uncover Sloane and James' past. They play heavy on her and James' memories and it both broke and mended my heart. The memories are amazing and I loved reading them. There is a small introduction of a "love triangle". It really isn't a triangle, but I know that's what most will call it.
The sub characters like Realm, Lacey, and Kevin are also lovely aspects to the story. I loved loved loved Realm even though I hated him at the same time. Even with a minimal amount of scenery being described this book still didn't let me down. My only complaint is that to me the cover didn't do it for me. It's probably the main reason I put off reading it for so long.
Please don't make the same mistake I did and put this book off. View all 10 comments. Jan 31, Cindy rated it did not like it. What could have been potential for great commentary about society's treatment of mental health and suicide is squandered by badly written, melodramatic teenage drivel.
Oct 24, Emerson Forest-angelos rated it did not like it. Probably the worst book I have ever read. Concept is absolutely awful, makes a joke of eating disorders and depression like everyone can magically get infected for no reason.
Suzanne Young's writing is reminiscent of Stephanie Meyer's because it is really just downright awful. Main characters have sex right off the bat in the beginning, and it's pathetic, strange, and sporadic. The opening of the book feels more like an erotica, then the middle turns into this unrealistic stupid crap about the P Probably the worst book I have ever read.
The opening of the book feels more like an erotica, then the middle turns into this unrealistic stupid crap about the PROGRAM, which scientifically and legally makes absolutely no sense. But with all of the legal things aside, and how this would never, ever happen in the future or in an alternate universe, lets consider all of the lazy routes she took with this book.
NO explanation for teen suicide increases. NO explanation for why antidepressants are "banned". NO explanation for why her brother killed himself aside from him being "INFECTED" which dilutes a serious mental illness down to it being contagious or happening at random. Nothing had to do with brain chemistry.
Nothing explained the reason behind her parents reasoning, aside from them from just being 'stupid adults'. Anyone with a normal functioning brain would be able to tell that the PROGRAM is a bad idea, but apparently these adults thought it was just swell to erase the memories of minors? In addition to that, the only way to really remove someone's memories is to give them a orbital lobotomy, but even that pretty cool concept was thrown into the trash.
This is a stupid dystopian book written by someone who never developed their frontal lobe. I pray she doesn't keep writing, because this was downright awful. Where showing signs of depression could get you sent away, and you'd come back as only a shell of your former self.
Where shedding even one tear could wipe away your entire past I've always had a fascination with mental illness and how it works. Sloane, lives in a world where anti-depressants have been banned, after her brother committed suicide she couldn't even mourn because that would've have gotten her flagged and sent away to T 4. Sloane, lives in a world where anti-depressants have been banned, after her brother committed suicide she couldn't even mourn because that would've have gotten her flagged and sent away to The Program.
The Program is the cure for suicide, an epidemic that seems to only be targeting teens. When you come back from the program you come back fresh and crisp, a brand new sparkling person. At least that's what the adults see. For Sloane, going to The Program would be losing her entire life, it would mean losing the only boy she's ever loved. Suzanne Young, the author of this amazing book convinced me that the suicide epidemic was real and that The Program was something to be feared.
The thing about this book is that yes it's a dystopian, but to be quite honest it reads like a thriller. The idea's never felt far fetched, as far as I'm concerned all the stuff that happened it this book could really happen. Suicide is a behavioral contagion. It's old adage "If all your friends jumped off a bridge, then would you, too? I hope my review isn't fooling you into thinking this book was clinical because it really wasn't.
It's heartbreaking and scary because imagine a society that isolates they're youth to the point where they are too scared to show emotion of any kind. Then there's the love story between, James and Sloane. I'll even go as far as saying it's an epic love story, that it knows no bounds, and never fades with time. Yes, I know it's corny but true. James is the sweetest, jerk you'll ever meet, he loves Sloane with all his heart, and I felt that from just reading the book.
I lick my lips and smile. It's not annoying, it's excruciating, it got so bad that at one point I asked myself, "Was I honestly ever this bad? Besides the teen angst, this book is incredibly depressing. Just when you think things couldn't get any worse, you find out that they can, they can get a lot worse.
If you'd like to try dystopia, but don't want something to heavy then I think this would be the perfect book. Just be warned that it is a very emotional read. View all 48 comments. Jan 20, B rated it really liked it. View all 11 comments.
Suicide rates are higher than ever in the time period for this book. Seems mostly similar to current time but medical technology is higher and civilization control it tighter. Right from the beginning the program annoys me in how high risks are decided.
I see why people are concerned But they are asked these daily questions such as "Are you overwhelmed or lonely? You can't cry in public that is bad. The Program is there to take away teens that an adult considers a suicide risk see the paragraph above for what can quickly get you there.
The take you in and six weeks later you are re-introduced to society, happier than ever. Sounds good, right? Except for one major catch.
The Program strips you of many of your memories. So students return not knowing their classmates and friends. Sloane has had one of her good friends taken away. Not she only has 2 left. One of them is her steady boyfriend James. But when she losses them what happens to her?
You got it For this I hate her mother. I understand not wanting to lose your daughter but just because others are gone does not okay what she does. I can't say too much without spoiling things so I will leave it off there.
Now I get that suicide is bad. I get wanting to get it under control but there is one thing that is in this book adults seem to have no control over. A drink you take that will kill you in minutes. Why don't adults work harder to get rid of something students can buy even at school that can easily kill them? The lock windows and ask you questionnaires and have you living in constant anxiety but can't work to remove a drink or get better control of it?!
In the program Sloane is harassed be a scumy handler, moniterd by nursed, questioned by therapists and makes a few new friends. But the ultimate questions are what is going on and who is being honest with her and does she have any hope of remembering when all is said and done This book was emotionally hard for me at times. Having to deal with a loved one with amnesia once. It is beyond a horrible feeling to look at one you care for and see a totally blank stare and know they have no idea who you are to them.
I think this alone could break a person. No wonder suicide is one the rise! Sloane is actually a very strong character. I feel so bad for all she has to endure. There were many times I was cheering her on, others biting my fingernails out of worry and others smacking the book for her reactions or lack thereof or those moments she is too naive for her own good.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It hits on levels of adult and government control, fear, love, loss and so much more. Lots of depth. Suzanne Young did an amazing job in getting me to empathize with Sloane.
I will be sure to read the next book! Dec 03, Renata rated it it was ok Shelves: dependent-female-characters. This book was an entertaining read, I will give it that. Unfortunately, I had some major problems with it.
For one thing, you didn't get any good descriptions of anything really besides James. It is true it leaves the reader to his or her imagination, but a better writer would give you some of both. Secondly, Sloane was very dependent on boys. She depended on James to get her through Brady's death, she depended on Realm to get her through the program, and she even depended on Roger to help her r This book was an entertaining read, I will give it that.
She depended on James to get her through Brady's death, she depended on Realm to get her through the program, and she even depended on Roger to help her remember one memory. And that memory was about two boys. Third, Sloane doesn't love Realm, she states that to the reader but she stays with him and lets him call her "sweetness". Even after she is reintroduced to James and starts to have feelings for him, she stays with Realm. It is like she wants to insure one boyfriend before she leaves the first.
Fourth, besides from boys Sloane's character wasn't that great. She couldn't even figure out how to not eat the pills she was given when she knew they were erasing her memories. Personally, I don't like reading books that depict the main character as a needy, dependent on boys female, who can't think for herself.
I understand that it might have been intentional, but if it was the author should at least use her character then. I felt as though the only reason her character was like that was to express how true love will find a way. Apparently the only way to express that is to wipe a naive girls memory and make her fall in love with her boyfriend again.
And if you are to express it in that way, it could have been just fine done with a more independent character, while making the story a more entertaining read. View all 4 comments. Aug 01, Rachel Reads Ravenously rated it liked it Shelves: 3-stars-aint-the-devil , audiobook , dystopia , young-adult , library-checkout , science-fiction.
And true things are destined to repeat themselves. In response to this, the US government has created a program which saves the life of a suicidal teen. The onl 3. The only problem is, it basically erases all their memories, and takes away who they are. I almost gave this book 4 stars, but then I realized if I really liked this book I would have the desire to read the rest of the books in the series. The plot of this makes me think the author saw The Happening and Girl Interrupted at the same time and thought a combo would make a great YA book.
I thought the author did an excellent job creating authentic relationships with the characters, every single one of them felt genuine when reading. The relationships between the characters are what I enjoyed most about this book. I felt that this book was three books shoved into one. I liked that the author gave it all to us in chronological format. With a story like this I could see many other authors starting it with the characters knowing nothing, but I felt it was more effective the way Young told it.
Aug 23, Arlene rated it really liked it Shelves: arc , ya-dystopic , read , young-adult. So allow me a few moments while I try to convince you not to make the same mistake I did. I put this book off for so long because of the subject matter. I mean, who gets excited about reading something so dismal when you can pick up a love story? That was my first error in judgment. The Program is quite unique in its own right. In the book, we learn about a society that faces a teen pandemic, where suicide rates are out of control and society has responded with an aggressive treatment strategy with The Program.
There are handlers that keep their eye out for at-risk teenagers between the ages of 13 — 17, and at the first signs of depression, they enroll them in The Program that erases their memories and emotions. Brilliant right?!?! Not so much Teenagers fear losing their memories and the emotions tied to friendships that are meaningful to them. The writing is flawless, and the message is clear.
The concept is pretty severe; and like I said, it took me a while to get into the right frame of mind to jump into the book. Overall, though, The Program is truly a story not to be missed. It may seem daunting, but not without a good serving of hope. Color me impressed! View all 6 comments.
I felt quite sorry for both Sloane and James in this story. I found the pace really quite slow though, and the whole thing just dragged. There was some romance though, and that kind-of saved the book for me. Warren as tears run down my cheeks.
The Program is set in the not-so-distant future in a world where suicide has become an epidemic. Seventeen year old Sloan lost her older brother to suicide, which makes her high risk herself.
When Sloan ends up being sent in for treatment, she vows to fight every step of the way. I really loved The Program, and the concept when you think about it is incredibly sad for so many reasons.
The thought that anyone under the age of 18 basically has no control or say over their own minds, memories, and thoughts is horrifying. They are expected not to grieve for losses because otherwise they might get flagged for being sick.
They have to live their lives walking on eggshells and hiding their emotions. The topic of suicide hits really close to home for me, and in the beginning of the book, one suicide is retold through memories and another happens in real time. I cried through both. I was diagnosed with depression in and started medication for it, and in when I was 17, I attempted suicide.
I can relate to the feeling of complete and utter hopelessness that makes you feel like ending your life is the best option. I still struggle with depression and anxiety, but overall am doing well and am in a good place, so no worries there in case you were wondering. Okay, so enough about me and back to the book. Aside from the book being written really well and triggering a lot of emotions in me, I loved the characters. I adore Sloan and her boyfriend James.
They had such a cute relationship and I loved how it felt like they were only completely comfortable and open around each other, and no one else. My heart broke with they both went thorough The Program and had their memories altered.
Overall, I adored the book and recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the YA genre. It was a 5 star book for me! View all 5 comments. Nov 27, Nina rated it really liked it Shelves: young-adult , release-date , read-in , series-i-have-quit. That ending This book was simply amazing. The only thing that I didn't like about this book was the romance, and the repetition that occurred in the first pages. After finishing the book, I understood why Suzanne Young wrote those scenes, and I loved that she did.
The idea for The Program was actually quite brilliant, but also a bit frightening. This book is not a dystopia, it's more or less the exact same government that we have today.
It's scary that something as horrible as suicide could That ending It's scary that something as horrible as suicide could become an even bigger issue than it is right now, so much so that something like this has to happen. The fact that it could happen in a mere years from now is also so mind-blowing.
I swear, if anything like The Program comes into society, I will never let anyone send anybody there. I loved to hate the "cure". Continued on my blog! View all 12 comments. Mar 14, Rachel E. Carter rated it really liked it. I would recommend this book to fans of All Our Yesterdays. I thought at first I wouldn't enjoy because the protagonist was already together with the guy The romance was spot on. I fell in love with James just like Sloane.
I just didn't love some of the plot elements in the Program itself honestly I had a hard time with how convenient certain elements were view spoiler [how she is just special enough to attract attention from the I would recommend this book to fans of All Our Yesterdays.
I just didn't love some of the plot elements in the Program itself honestly I had a hard time with how convenient certain elements were view spoiler [how she is just special enough to attract attention from the people who can help her hide spoiler ] and I didn't understand the world at all.
That was downright gross. But despite the parts I didn't like, I did enjoy this book. I know it's a mixed review but I think the romance is worth giving this book a shot. May 11, Ben Alderson rated it it was amazing. Feb 22, Brooklyn rated it it was amazing Shelves: series , 5-stars , made-me-cry , so-much-emotion , tab-books , reviewed. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I had seen it before and it'd sparked my interest, but I was in the middle of several other books.
When she lent it to me, I let it sit for about a day before I picked it up. Why I ever waited to read this book I don't know. Let's just say that the overall idea for this book, the plot, and the Program, and the characters is just so amazing. I really want to know how people come up with this kind of stuff. First off, I love the name Sloane for a girl.
I thought that it was refreshing, definitely unique and edgy, but like a cool glass of water in the world of novel heroines. Sloane herself is different, unlike your atypical female power character. For one, she actually has to save herself, instead of mostly relying on the men. Not only that, but she also actually fails at saving herself, a path that most authors dont usually travel.
Her character is all sorts of contrasting; shes rebellious on the inside, but is afraid to bring attention to herself; she is naive when it comes to some people, yet is able to see the corruptness is that even a word? I mean, what? I liked James For starters, I like my guys to be good looking.
James was good looking. I like my guys to be rebellious. James was rebellious. I like my guys to be what I call "troubled souls". James was most definitely a troubled soul.
But he seemed so possessive. I guess I could say sexist. I'm not sure what Suzanne Young's views are on gender roles, but it seems to me that she believes men are superior to women. Or something. I mean, think about it. All those times that James literally ordered Sloane to kiss him or made overly sexist jokes that were just a little too much? Especially near the end when she invited him in I believe that was the situation and he asked if she would make him a sandwich?
I mean, come on, how much more stereotypical can you get? Get up and make the sandwich yourself! You got legs, use em! So I really like James, but at times he made me a bit uncomfortable. Whenever he and Sloane began to get all lovey-dovey, I just kind of wanted to be like, no get away from her, shes a person not a thing. Oh god. He just made me sad all over. I was rooting for him the whole time, just wanting him to be happy again, wanting him and this Lacey girl to get back together, for her to remember hiim even a little bit.
But, I guess they're relationshp wasn't as solid as Sloane's and James's. Good gracious, I cried. I cried even harder when I realized that James was messed up after that. It just killed me inside, no pun intended. By Suzanne Young. About The Book. Reading Group Guide. By clicking 'Sign me up' I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the privacy policy and terms of use. Must redeem within 90 days.
See full terms and conditions and this month's choices. About The Author. Photo credit Dawn Goei. Suzanne Young. Product Details. Related Articles.
The Program Series Giveaway! Raves and Reviews. To ask other readers questions about The Treatment , please sign up. Is it okay if I read the sequel before the first book? Margaret Mae Why the hell would you do that? That defeats the purpose of reading Tricia Burg I love them! The author writes with such detail and I love her use of words. See all 11 questions about The Treatment…. Lists with This Book. Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 4. Rating details. More filters. Sort order.
Start your review of The Treatment The Program, 2. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here. Huge thank you to the publisher for letting me read this advanced copy. I'm writing this honest review to say thank you 1. I remember reading The Program last year and enjoying it a lot. I loved the tone, the characters, the issues that it dealt with This book was just Basically the book starts up where the last one left off, and Sloane and James are on the run.
So then they go off to this countryside house or idek but they're just hanging out and the "rebel" leader is just And 'doing stuff'. They just talk. And the leader and her BFF practice knife fighting and mysteriously have money whenever they need it and nothing happens. James and Sloane make out more and OOPS forget the condoms and actually talk about not having them so they can't have sex. Because again that's all you do when you're on the run.
Why would this huge company put all of this money into making useless people. It just made no sense. So blah blah blah Sloane and the scientists who made The Treatment talk to the press and then That's it?
Cuz that makes even more sense. There was no rebellion. There was no real conflict. View all 31 comments. Emotional characters, shocking plot, and amazing ending.
Very relatable and real. I learned to love and hate the characters with a passion, and the plot twists drove me crazy. This book also had a lot more obvious themes and messages in it. Absolutely fantastic! View 1 comment. This was an okay story, and there were some interesting twists. Sloane and James were both on the run in this book, and still undecided if one of them should take the pill which will allow them to regain their memories.
I could see where they were both coming from, but it really seemed like the odds were against them all the time. The storyline in this had a few twists which were good, but once again the pace was quite slow and it was a bit of a struggle to get through this. We did get some intere This was an okay story, and there were some interesting twists. The ending to this again had a little bit of action, and we also got some surprise deaths and even some lobotomies in this book!
View all 7 comments. I wish I was kidding that I already finished this one. There is a sequel View all 5 comments. This novel fell so flat with me that I almost DNFed it about 3 times. But then I would think about how much I loved The Program and how since this is a duology this was the last book in the series and I just had to see how everything played out. The Treatment is broken up into 3 parts, in the first two we catch up with James and Sloane as they are on the run from The Program and join the rebels out in the wild.
Every moment between them felt like the sweetness was just laid on far too thick, so much so that I started to be annoyed by them instead of buying into their romance. Things get even worse when Michael Realm makes his reappearance and we are treated to one of the most annoying love triangles I have ever read. James becomes an annoying, whiney baby and Sloane loses who she is by flip flopping between the two in a matter of moments. I mean there are no doubts in my mind that she wanted James, and only James all along, but she would allow Realm to kiss her hand, or hold her hand and think about the love she has for him and it was so annoying!
Another thing that annoyed me was the lack of detail as to how the rebels were surviving and living the life that they were. Dallas had a cell phone that she was constantly on, no talk of her buying minutes or paying a monthly bill so I wonder how the heck she was always using it.
Also, driving these vehicles all around the countryside, how were they paying for gas? At one point, when James is throwing his big temper tantrum, he takes the Escalade from the safe house and ends up driving for days. Where did he get money to keep going at that time? It was mentioned that Cas one of the rebels had connections to get money so maybe that would explain how they got money to buy information but James would not have had access to that when he was out on his own. Also, they go to all these abandoned places that have working power, running water and even hot water at that.
Who is paying the bills at these places? For rebels on the run they lead a pretty cushy life and I would have liked some explanations as to how they have these luxuries at their fingertips. Things do pick up in the final part of the novel. Also the final jab at the program that makes everything end the way that it does seems so trivial and simple that it makes the series feel like it went on for no reason if it all could have been ended by something so simple. View all 4 comments. I don't know what happened here with this sequel whether it was the character's themselves or their sometimes stupid decisions that they would make, but man.
I'm disappointed with this book. I mean, don't get me wrong here, this book still had some interesting moments here and there, but honestly what the hell happened to the awesomeness that I experienced from the first book???
With the first book I was all like this. And now with the sequel I'm all like. Then leaving me wi I don't know what happened here with this sequel whether it was the character's themselves or their sometimes stupid decisions that they would make, but man.
Then leaving me with a face like this. So yeah. I still don't know what happened. But what I can definitely say is that the first book was the best and this sequel was. I'm disappointed. Really disappointed. Such an amazing book! This reader isn't going to spoil the book for those waiting with spoiler laden synopsis. Just know that James and Sloane and Realm are the focus of the story and there are a few familiar faces that reappear along side new ones.
The Treatment wraps up all the loose ends from The Program and gives readers both a chapter six months after the main action of the book and an epilogue. This reader appreciates the decision to end the series in two books instead of manufacturing ext Such an amazing book! This reader appreciates the decision to end the series in two books instead of manufacturing extra drama and stretching out over three books. Eagerly awaiting whatever Mrs. Young decides to write next!
View all 6 comments. This was a fantastic ending to the series and a perfect example that not everything needs to be a trilogy. Love love loved the plot, there were so many twists and turns, I never knew what was going to happen next. And the swoons! I wasn't expecting there to be so many.
The ending was phenomenal and the epilogue was perfection. I can't wait to have a finished copy in my hands This was a fantastic ending to the series and a perfect example that not everything needs to be a trilogy. I can't wait to have a finished copy in my hands I loved the first book and I think I loved this one even more!
It took me a little while to get into the story but once I did, I couldn't put the book down! I felt myself second guessing everything and everyone while reading.
I feel like I can't say anything without giving away spoilers, yet there is so much to talk about! New characters were introduced and I really liked most of them and the old characters stories just grew so much and it was awesome. The book wrapped up at the very end a bit abruptly but after reading the epilogue I was pretty satisfied with the way it ended.
If you haven't already picked up The Program I suggest you do so in anticipation for this sequel, I loved it! View all 3 comments. Or maybe it's the fact that I got to read the first half in one chunk so all the emotions were raw and natural whereas the whole second half I was forced to read in bits and pieces when I got the time to do so. Regardless, my feelings are mixed for whatever reason and there was just something that kept me from making it a solid five star.
We're addicted to each other-no matter what the consequences. Maybe, upon further inspection, there were many reasons why I gave this a 4. I won't say how it ends, obviously, but I wanted a little more suspense and maybe a lot more angst. I know, right? How much more angst could this author have shoved into the story?
I know for a fact that it was loud when I was reading, it was annoyingly difficult to focus on the words forming before me, that it inevitably altered my reading experience-and that sucks. I will never know what it felt like to be fully immersed at the finale of this wonderful series.
But who has the time or the willpower to fight tired eyes to wait until the house is dark and quiet? I sure don't. So, that effected the end a ton. And that little fact broke my heart. But, let me tell you, the first half of this book?? It's Phenomenal. The tension was so thick in the beginning half of this book you could cut it with a knife.
I had butterflies, I had doubts, I had fears, I was scared to death for them and I physically couldn't breathe. I was so into this story that I was choking on butterflies, pulling my hair out in frustration and aggravation. I found that the beginning was completely on par with what I expected as a companion to book one, and for that I could rate no less than above.
It earned those stars even if the end was sub par to my perilistic expectations. I realize he's the biggest liar I've ever known. But he does it with the best of intentions. I must say this now: James was off the charts sweet and completely, utterly, madly in love with Sloane. If there's one thing this author excels at, it's the beautiful and heartbreaking relationships she built in this story. If I had to sit and take out all the bad stuff, all the things that made this dystopian and action filled and read it only as a romance novel I'd do it with absolutely no hesitation whatsoever.
It's raw, it's beautiful and it completely ripped my heart out more than once even as Sloane and James ride along on this journey together. There were some hiccups that didn't need to happen I'm sure, but it only added the angst I was talking about and made me feel giddy and breathless as James fought to make Sloane his and only his James puts his hand on my cheek and turns me toward him; his touch is gentle, so serious. When I meet his eyes, my body relaxes slightly.
James draws me into a hug, resting his chin on the top of my head, his arms tight around me. On the one hand, I was happy to see this author didn't fall into the 'trilogy hype. But, on the other hand, I can see where she would have benefitted from having an extension after this story. In the end, it did seem a tad rushed.
More so when 'the final battle' came to pass. The end end eleven weeks after, epilogue was awesome. I loved both of the final chapters. But, leading up to these final moments, I missed some of the grit that could have been added to make it more dangerous and, I'll admit it, peril-filled. There's a fine-line between dragging something out and stunting the growth before it's fully developed, and I do think she made the right decision, albeit a little rushed.
I mean, how many more horrifying events can these teens tromp through before they go even crazier?? And what we don't understand, we tamper with until we destroy it.
I adored these characters. I lost countless nights of sleep due to the imminent doom these guys continually faced
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