The Program (1)
In this “gripping tale for lovers of dystopian romance” (Kirkus Reviews), 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.
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.
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Community Reviews
I don't like to read others' reviews until just after I've finished the book because I don't want someone else's view - good or bad - influence my perception of the book. With over 4 starts, it must be good. Right?
Some may disagree, but I rather liked the disturbing spin that teen suicide is a contagion that has become epidemic with teens. Parents are so freaked out that the government steps in and creates a solution: The Program. And who decides if these teens get sent to The Program? The handlers - mini Big Brother-ish stalkers that watch for a teen to have an emotional break. Shedding a tear - just one - is considered a sign that someone is "infected" with depression. Then, a handler - or two - swoops in and drags the "infected" teen, kicking and screaming to The Program, where they undergo "treatment" for six weeks. Teen mental rehab, so to speak, except the mental part is wiped out, erased, cleansed of infected thoughts.
Seriously, teens are naturally emotional and angsty and hormonally bi-polar, so holding all that in is liable to make anyone paranoid and on edge.
Sloan, like many of her friends and classmates, fears The Program. Already a suicide risk after her brother "self-terminated," Sloan tries to hold it together with the help of her boyfriend, James, but it's pretty obvious she's not going to make it.
The first couple of chapters were a little slow. I almost quit reading, but I kept going back to that 4+ star rating. I'm so glad I did. Once I got past the first love scene (tastefully written, BTW), *it hit the fan, as they say, and the binge reading was ON!
The characters are well-developed, the plot twists and turns, and it kept me on the edge of my seat frantically turning the pages as quickly as I could, growling at anyone who disturbed my reading frenzy.
Just like my kids, I'm a sucker for a series. Off to read book #2 . . .
Some may disagree, but I rather liked the disturbing spin that teen suicide is a contagion that has become epidemic with teens. Parents are so freaked out that the government steps in and creates a solution: The Program. And who decides if these teens get sent to The Program? The handlers - mini Big Brother-ish stalkers that watch for a teen to have an emotional break. Shedding a tear - just one - is considered a sign that someone is "infected" with depression. Then, a handler - or two - swoops in and drags the "infected" teen, kicking and screaming to The Program, where they undergo "treatment" for six weeks. Teen mental rehab, so to speak, except the mental part is wiped out, erased, cleansed of infected thoughts.
Seriously, teens are naturally emotional and angsty and hormonally bi-polar, so holding all that in is liable to make anyone paranoid and on edge.
Sloan, like many of her friends and classmates, fears The Program. Already a suicide risk after her brother "self-terminated," Sloan tries to hold it together with the help of her boyfriend, James, but it's pretty obvious she's not going to make it.
The first couple of chapters were a little slow. I almost quit reading, but I kept going back to that 4+ star rating. I'm so glad I did. Once I got past the first love scene (tastefully written, BTW), *it hit the fan, as they say, and the binge reading was ON!
The characters are well-developed, the plot twists and turns, and it kept me on the edge of my seat frantically turning the pages as quickly as I could, growling at anyone who disturbed my reading frenzy.
Just like my kids, I'm a sucker for a series. Off to read book #2 . . .
Just so so bad. I was mad at myself for sticking through to the end. Suicide is an epidemic so you can’t have real feelings about anything. People are committing suicide so we have to ward off anything that will cause real emotion. It’s just not a good plot. :(
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