Author: Suzanne Young
Published: April 2013
Number of Pages: 405, Hardcover
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance, Mental Health
Setting: Oregon (United States)
Plot: 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. (Goodreads.com)
Personal Thoughts: I started this book based on a recommendation from a very dear friend. After hearing the word "suicide" in her description of the book, I had already pre-decided that I would hate it. But I was going to read it anyway, just because she loved it so much. I needed to know what it was about this book that caught her attention.
So I jumped in, with two feet, and read the thing in just days.
So basically, the plot of this book confused the hell out of me. To start with, depression and suicide are taking over the lives of these teens. It's all over the news, its talked about at school, they have to see counselors and answers these questionnaires every morning before they can even get the day started. I think I would have had issues dealing with my friends killing themselves as well, if no one ever stopped talking about it and worrying about the next kid to take their own life. While the basis of the story is about suicide, they really don't talk about it much. We also get to follow the love story that takes some crazy twists and turns between James and Sloane.
It's really interesting to see how this "world" works. You can't show true feelings - love, sadness, anger... without someone thinking you are going to kill yourself. It's kind of sad!
Spoilers ahead; read at your own caution!
Most of the book is about The Program (or the Solution) that the scientists have dreamed up...they take the kids in (like a mental institution) without their own permission. Typically its a teacher, or loved one that has turned them in for being depressed or showing signs. They are put away in these tiny rooms, allowed to some-what socialize, and also go to these meetings with the therapist who triggers memories from their depressive minds and pulls them to the surface... and then gives them a pill (or if they fight, a shot) to make them forget it. They literally place plot holes in these kids minds, and then send them back to their parents like little perfect zombies and expect things to just be fine.
Well they aren't fine. Not by a long shot. By the end of the book, you find that Sloane and James don't remember each other and their previous relationship... but that they feel that there is a connection there. We get to follow their love story from where it had already existed, to it being taken away, and then developing again after The Program. It's kind of beautiful, in it's own twisted, weird way! Also, Michael Realm is one of my favorite characters and he's a badass. You find out why and who he REALLY is in book two!!
So I jumped in, with two feet, and read the thing in just days.
So basically, the plot of this book confused the hell out of me. To start with, depression and suicide are taking over the lives of these teens. It's all over the news, its talked about at school, they have to see counselors and answers these questionnaires every morning before they can even get the day started. I think I would have had issues dealing with my friends killing themselves as well, if no one ever stopped talking about it and worrying about the next kid to take their own life. While the basis of the story is about suicide, they really don't talk about it much. We also get to follow the love story that takes some crazy twists and turns between James and Sloane.
It's really interesting to see how this "world" works. You can't show true feelings - love, sadness, anger... without someone thinking you are going to kill yourself. It's kind of sad!
Spoilers ahead; read at your own caution!
Most of the book is about The Program (or the Solution) that the scientists have dreamed up...they take the kids in (like a mental institution) without their own permission. Typically its a teacher, or loved one that has turned them in for being depressed or showing signs. They are put away in these tiny rooms, allowed to some-what socialize, and also go to these meetings with the therapist who triggers memories from their depressive minds and pulls them to the surface... and then gives them a pill (or if they fight, a shot) to make them forget it. They literally place plot holes in these kids minds, and then send them back to their parents like little perfect zombies and expect things to just be fine.
Well they aren't fine. Not by a long shot. By the end of the book, you find that Sloane and James don't remember each other and their previous relationship... but that they feel that there is a connection there. We get to follow their love story from where it had already existed, to it being taken away, and then developing again after The Program. It's kind of beautiful, in it's own twisted, weird way! Also, Michael Realm is one of my favorite characters and he's a badass. You find out why and who he REALLY is in book two!!
Recommended Age Level: 17+
Rating: 4.5
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