The Program (Program, #1)

by Suzanne Young

[inlibrisveritas]

The Program was a surprise, because while it had an interesting sound I didn’t really expect to love it as much as I did.

The writing is very strong and it has some very interesting world-building involved. It almost seems like a normal place despite some futuristic advancements, however teen suicide has been labeled an epidemic and if you’re diagnosed you’re sent to The Program. It’s a place where they wipe you clean and leave you with none of yourself. That in itself is really unsettling, but as a person who deals with depression it kind of hits me on a different level. The arrogance of needing to ‘fix’ someone with depression and the fact that everyone is behind it brings out a bit of anger in me at the same time it puts me ill-at-ease. Teen depression is already a hard mountain to climb and most teens don’t have it, it’s just normal angst and stress but this a world where your own family can turn against you. Imagine the amount of stress that causes a person, now add in the fact that if you even look sad you might end up at The Program. It’s just crazy.

I really loved the way the characters are in this one. Sloane is a great character who deals with immense stress and grief from loosing the people she cares about. She also fights even though she’s in a place designed to make her lose, and I found myself rooting for her. I loved how the loss of memories in some of the characters was handled and how slow and progressive it was. It really gives you a certain kind of insight into the situations and at the same time breaks your heart a bit because you can see the loss but they can’t. I was also surprised to see that this was the first ina series because it sort of sounds like it might be a standalone, but the set-up for the future books is clear and the last few chapters really get things rolling.

I can’t wait to see what has happened with Sloane, Lacey, and James in the next book. I’m really hoping that I get some answers that were not touched on in this one and I’m hoping to see what exactly is going on with those who don’t support the mind-washing.