Let's start with 'The Program' by Suzanne Young
small summary:
'The Program' is set in a world where teenage suicide and depression is see as an epidemic. The book is centered around Sloane, a girl who seems to lose everyone she genuinely cares about to the epidemic and after losing her brother she must put a brave face on her parents and her school as she knows if she slips up the handlers will be coming to take her to the 'the program'. The only person she can be herself around is James, he has promised that he will keep them both safe but they are both becoming weaker and the depression is tightening it's grips on them. The only thing Sloane knows about 'the program' is that everyone who has been taken comes back as a blank slate with no memories of their depression and no memories of their old life, she doesn't want that, she can't end up like that but it's getting harder to hide the truth...how much longer can she run for her demons before they catch up with her?
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When i first started this book i was instantly hooked, that doesn't happen to me that often and i usually have to will myself forward but there was something about the realness and the vulnerability of Sloane that i was able too relate to and sympathize with. The first few chapters of the book are an introduction into the universe and the way Young has gone about describing this new society makes it very believable that this is something that could possibly happen if people don't start trying to understand mental health issues properly. Another thing to praise Young on is the way she handled delicate subjects such as depression and suicide as these things can very easily be portrayed in the wrong which i think was the worry for some people before reading the book but i was happily proved wrong.
By chapter 7 you will be fully invested in the book after some twists that i never ever saw coming, you will cry and you will most likely throw the book across the room because how could that happen?!?! Well read on and you will find out as it is a very very important catalyst for the story and the characters to develop. Now, the cliffhanger at the end had me reaching for even more tissue, you have been given answers but those answers have formed new questions. Don't worry though as there is a sequel called 'The Treatment' which will most likely be my next recommendation!
I would seriously recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian settings, YA novels or just wants a good cry over fictional characters (who doesn't?).
LINK TO BUY 'THE PROGRAM' BY SUZANNE YOUNG
I hope you enjoyed this post, please leave any books you want reviewed in the future!!!
-Lauren
-Lauren
