What do you think?
Rate this book
The Program #2
Kuracja Samobójców
Sloane i James podjęli próbę ucieczki przed epidemią i programem, ale zagrożenie nie znikło. Bo program nie chce o nich zapomnieć…
Teraz, dołączywszy do grupy buntowników, muszą uważać na to, komu mogą zaufać, i znaleźć sposób na obalenie programu oraz powstrzymanie epidemii. A to jest bardzo trudne, gdy w pamięci mają tyle białych plam. Pomóc im może tylko kuracja – tajemnicza tabletka, która może przywrócić wspomnienia. Za bardzo wysoką cenę.
I istnieje tylko jedna dawka.
Teraz, dołączywszy do grupy buntowników, muszą uważać na to, komu mogą zaufać, i znaleźć sposób na obalenie programu oraz powstrzymanie epidemii. A to jest bardzo trudne, gdy w pamięci mają tyle białych plam. Pomóc im może tylko kuracja – tajemnicza tabletka, która może przywrócić wspomnienia. Za bardzo wysoką cenę.
I istnieje tylko jedna dawka.
448 pages, Unknown Binding
First published April 29, 2014
1050 people are currently reading
19866 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Young
69 books4,880 followersSuzanne Young is the New York Times bestselling author of The Program, The Treatment, and several other novels. She currently lives in Tempe, Arizona where she teaches high school English and obsesses about books. Learn more about Suzanne at www.suzanne-young.blogspot.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,252 reviews
March 21, 2014
Huge thank you to the publisher for letting me read this advanced copy. I'm writing this honest review to say thank you
1.5 stars
THIS BOOK MADE ME SO ANGRY. I remember reading The Program last year and enjoying it a lot. I loved the tone, the characters, the issues that it dealt with... but wow. WOW. This book was just... wow. Basically the book starts up where the last one left off, and Sloane and James are on the run. They IMMEDIATELY get picked up by "the rebels" (there are two of them) who take them to a safe house and they meet up with Lacey. Lacey is having recall problems and like THE NIGHT Sloane and James are in the safe house the leaders of the "rebels" decide to go out to a club and party. DESPITE SLOANE AND JAMES BEING WANTED FUGITIVES. DESPITE ALL OF THEM BEING ESCAPEES. THIS IS THE BEST IDEA EVER DUH.
So of course drama happens and the "rebel" leader gets drunk and by this point of the book Sloane and James have made out AT LEAST fifteen times and almost had sex twice because that's ALL THEY DO because that's what you do when you're on the run I guess.
And of course the club gets busted and they have to flee the "safe" house and Lacey disappears and somehow ends up back IN The Program even though we have no idea HOW she got found and then Sloane and James end up with the "rebel" leaders (who decide that the rest of the "rebels" should just go off and do whatever somewhere else because OH YEAH Sloane and James are SUPER WANTED and being around them isn't safe. DUHHHHHH!
So then they go off to this countryside house or idek but they're just hanging out and the "rebel" leader is just... always on her phone. And 'doing stuff'. This 'stuff' is NEVER EXPLAINED. And basically I keep saying "rebels" because THEY NEVER ONCE DO ANYTHING REBELLIOUS. EVER. 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.
THEN Realm shows back up and caused love triangle drama because EVEN THOUGH Sloane and James have been ALL OVER EACH OTHER EVERY OTHER PAGE Sloane just ~cannot~ deny that there was ~something~ between her and Realm and even though she ~looooooves~ James so much she can't NOT admit that she ~cares about and missed~ Realm and she lets him basically get close enough to her that James thinks something is going on and OF COURSE this is bad enough that he has to freaking RUN AWAY and leave Sloane. That's REAL mature and shows JUST how much he loves her.
So then there's a bunch of drama and Realm is SO FUCKING CREEPY GTFO OMG. And they go on the run again and finally get caught by The Program and by this point I was just SO sick of this book and SO bored and didn't want to read it anymore but I forced myself to because I was way past the DNF point and I wanted to see if it got better but it just GOT WORSE. So Sloane is back in the program and all of these BIG BAD AWFUL BOMBSHELLS are dropped and people are getting lobotomized and it was just like WHY. Why would this huge company put all of this money into making useless people. It just made no sense. Why waste money on something that is going to give you NO RETURNS. So Sloane is, of course, set to get a lobotomy but she, OF COURSE breaks out just as James and Realm are breaking in to save her and oh yeah, they HAVE A CURE that will bring back their memories, but there's only one pill left and for some reason it's SUPER EVIL and James takes it and then they go to find the scientists who made the pill but because even though The Program took away everyone's memories giving them BACK is bad too???????? WHICH IS IT?! jfc I just had no idea what this story was even trying to say.
So blah blah blah Sloane and the scientists who made The Treatment talk to the press and then... THE PROGRAM IS RUINED.
What.
That's it?
NOTHING HAPPENED.
So if you're with me it was basically:
Sloane and James make out
Realm is creepy and shows up
Love triangle ensures
Sloane is captured
Sloane is freed
Sloane tells the press
END OF ALL EVIL IS ACHIEVED
There's also more making out. And by the end of the book James and Realm are BFFs. Cuz that makes even more sense.
There was no rebellion. There was no real conflict. Sloane being back in the program was BORING AS FUCK to read and the resolution was just... so ridiculous.
1.5 stars
THIS BOOK MADE ME SO ANGRY. I remember reading The Program last year and enjoying it a lot. I loved the tone, the characters, the issues that it dealt with... but wow. WOW. This book was just... wow. Basically the book starts up where the last one left off, and Sloane and James are on the run. They IMMEDIATELY get picked up by "the rebels" (there are two of them) who take them to a safe house and they meet up with Lacey. Lacey is having recall problems and like THE NIGHT Sloane and James are in the safe house the leaders of the "rebels" decide to go out to a club and party. DESPITE SLOANE AND JAMES BEING WANTED FUGITIVES. DESPITE ALL OF THEM BEING ESCAPEES. THIS IS THE BEST IDEA EVER DUH.
So of course drama happens and the "rebel" leader gets drunk and by this point of the book Sloane and James have made out AT LEAST fifteen times and almost had sex twice because that's ALL THEY DO because that's what you do when you're on the run I guess.
And of course the club gets busted and they have to flee the "safe" house and Lacey disappears and somehow ends up back IN The Program even though we have no idea HOW she got found and then Sloane and James end up with the "rebel" leaders (who decide that the rest of the "rebels" should just go off and do whatever somewhere else because OH YEAH Sloane and James are SUPER WANTED and being around them isn't safe. DUHHHHHH!
So then they go off to this countryside house or idek but they're just hanging out and the "rebel" leader is just... always on her phone. And 'doing stuff'. This 'stuff' is NEVER EXPLAINED. And basically I keep saying "rebels" because THEY NEVER ONCE DO ANYTHING REBELLIOUS. EVER. 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.
THEN Realm shows back up and caused love triangle drama because EVEN THOUGH Sloane and James have been ALL OVER EACH OTHER EVERY OTHER PAGE Sloane just ~cannot~ deny that there was ~something~ between her and Realm and even though she ~looooooves~ James so much she can't NOT admit that she ~cares about and missed~ Realm and she lets him basically get close enough to her that James thinks something is going on and OF COURSE this is bad enough that he has to freaking RUN AWAY and leave Sloane. That's REAL mature and shows JUST how much he loves her.
So then there's a bunch of drama and Realm is SO FUCKING CREEPY GTFO OMG. And they go on the run again and finally get caught by The Program and by this point I was just SO sick of this book and SO bored and didn't want to read it anymore but I forced myself to because I was way past the DNF point and I wanted to see if it got better but it just GOT WORSE. So Sloane is back in the program and all of these BIG BAD AWFUL BOMBSHELLS are dropped and people are getting lobotomized and it was just like WHY. Why would this huge company put all of this money into making useless people. It just made no sense. Why waste money on something that is going to give you NO RETURNS. So Sloane is, of course, set to get a lobotomy but she, OF COURSE breaks out just as James and Realm are breaking in to save her and oh yeah, they HAVE A CURE that will bring back their memories, but there's only one pill left and for some reason it's SUPER EVIL and James takes it and then they go to find the scientists who made the pill but because even though The Program took away everyone's memories giving them BACK is bad too???????? WHICH IS IT?! jfc I just had no idea what this story was even trying to say.
So blah blah blah Sloane and the scientists who made The Treatment talk to the press and then... THE PROGRAM IS RUINED.
What.
That's it?
NOTHING HAPPENED.
So if you're with me it was basically:
Sloane and James make out
Realm is creepy and shows up
Love triangle ensures
Sloane is captured
Sloane is freed
Sloane tells the press
END OF ALL EVIL IS ACHIEVED
There's also more making out. And by the end of the book James and Realm are BFFs. Cuz that makes even more sense.
There was no rebellion. There was no real conflict. Sloane being back in the program was BORING AS FUCK to read and the resolution was just... so ridiculous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2014
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!
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!
May 5, 2015
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 interesting information on both ‘the program’ and ‘the treatment’ in this story though, along with she very interesting questions raised over what would happen to the people who took ‘the treatment’ – would they all become suicidal again?
We did get a little bit of romance in this one, but unfortunately things weren’t even running smoothly for Sloane and James in that respect.
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!
6 out of 10
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 interesting information on both ‘the program’ and ‘the treatment’ in this story though, along with she very interesting questions raised over what would happen to the people who took ‘the treatment’ – would they all become suicidal again?
We did get a little bit of romance in this one, but unfortunately things weren’t even running smoothly for Sloane and James in that respect.
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!
6 out of 10
February 27, 2017
I wish I was kidding that I already finished this one. Woops.
Want to read
August 3, 2013There is a sequel...THERE IS A SEQUEL?!?! My life=complete.
April 11, 2014
There’s always something nerve wracking about going into the sequel to a book that you loved. I was a huge fan of The Program so my hopes were high that The Treatment would follow in it’s awesome footsteps. I am saddened to report that it really didn’t. 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.
I’ll start this out by talking about what didn’t work for me because the beginning was just a train wreck in my eyes and then the novel started to get better in the final part. 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. I remember loving Sloane and James’ relationship in the first novel but it was so over the top and cheesy in this one. 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. The action gets going and the twists start coming but as far as I’m concerned it was just too little too late. 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. I am so sad that the series is going out on such a negative note with me and I kind of wish I had not read this sequel so I could have remembered The Program much more fondly, but unfortunately I can’t unread this one. I do hope that other readers aren’t as annoyed as I am by these things and maybe my word of warning will help you go in with a bit of trepidation so you come out liking it more than I did.
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
I’ll start this out by talking about what didn’t work for me because the beginning was just a train wreck in my eyes and then the novel started to get better in the final part. 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. I remember loving Sloane and James’ relationship in the first novel but it was so over the top and cheesy in this one. 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. The action gets going and the twists start coming but as far as I’m concerned it was just too little too late. 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. I am so sad that the series is going out on such a negative note with me and I kind of wish I had not read this sequel so I could have remembered The Program much more fondly, but unfortunately I can’t unread this one. I do hope that other readers aren’t as annoyed as I am by these things and maybe my word of warning will help you go in with a bit of trepidation so you come out liking it more than I did.
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
June 20, 2014
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 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 . . . not. Hmph. I'm disappointed. Really disappointed. *le sigh* I totally miss the awesome first book now since the plot was focused on more and not on the romance stuff.
With the first book I was all like this . . .
And now with the sequel I'm all like . . .
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 . . . not. Hmph. I'm disappointed. Really disappointed. *le sigh* I totally miss the awesome first book now since the plot was focused on more and not on the romance stuff.
October 17, 2013
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 extra drama and stretching out over three books. Eagerly awaiting whatever Mrs. Young decides to write next!
Want to read
July 18, 2013If I close my eyes and rub my hands together and chant out loud "there is no book like The Treatment" x3 and then I open my eyes; in my hands I will find the ARC of The Treatment ?_! I think yes please and thank you Suzanne Young :D
Sincerely your newest "The Program" fan,
Victoria <3
Sincerely your newest "The Program" fan,
Victoria <3
August 13, 2025
— 2.5 ★
nothing changed and sloane and james' constant pda was getting on my nerves here as well. overall, it was slightly worse than the first book — if i'm being honest, i found myself to be bored at parts. and just be like "???" like wdym you're hiding from the program people, but you go to the parties? that doesn't make any sense whatsoever. also OH GOD, did the michael x sloane thing make me tired!! i wish they stayed "friends" or whatever was suitable in their situation (stop talking to each other) because each one of their conversations was leading to michael saying how he loved her, and that james would never love her as much as he did — romeo, calm down! she's not your person. and thankfully, at the end he came to his senses 🙏🏻 anyway, the love triangle unironically was giving twilight and the chaos of edward x bella x jacob.
⭑𓂃 ⌗ quotes
"wrapped around him, i feel safer — like i can hold on to both of us."
"it's just us. forever, just us."
"but as he talks, i rub absently at the empty space on my ring finger, thinking about replacements. and wondering if i'm just a replacement of the girl i used to be."
"you don't matter, dallas. you don't matter the way she does and you know it. i love her. and that's all i'm going to say about it." MICHAEL WHEN I CATCH YOU!! it kinda reminded me of "bad blood" and the scene where michael told lia he didn't love her as much as celine. what's with those michaels?! 🤨
⊹ "everybody lies, sloane. we just happen to be better than the others. it's why we're still alive." ៹࣪⭑𓂃 ⌗ my thoughts
nothing changed and sloane and james' constant pda was getting on my nerves here as well. overall, it was slightly worse than the first book — if i'm being honest, i found myself to be bored at parts. and just be like "???" like wdym you're hiding from the program people, but you go to the parties? that doesn't make any sense whatsoever. also OH GOD, did the michael x sloane thing make me tired!! i wish they stayed "friends" or whatever was suitable in their situation (stop talking to each other) because each one of their conversations was leading to michael saying how he loved her, and that james would never love her as much as he did — romeo, calm down! she's not your person. and thankfully, at the end he came to his senses 🙏🏻 anyway, the love triangle unironically was giving twilight and the chaos of edward x bella x jacob.
⭑𓂃 ⌗ quotes
"wrapped around him, i feel safer — like i can hold on to both of us."
"it's just us. forever, just us."
"but as he talks, i rub absently at the empty space on my ring finger, thinking about replacements. and wondering if i'm just a replacement of the girl i used to be."
"you don't matter, dallas. you don't matter the way she does and you know it. i love her. and that's all i'm going to say about it." MICHAEL WHEN I CATCH YOU!! it kinda reminded me of "bad blood" and the scene where michael told lia he didn't love her as much as celine. what's with those michaels?! 🤨
December 1, 2015
The ending felt rushed and the love triangle was ANNOYING.
August 7, 2017
4.2/5 ITA~ENG -NOW ADDED!-
Direi di partire subito con quello che non mi è piaciuto.
Ricordo a tutti che il primo libro della serie ha il titolo di miglior libro letto nel 2016 e quindi le aspettative per questo erano veramente alte e il confronto veniva spontaneo durante la lettura.
Allora, ci sono delle parti tra James e Sloane che sono veramente troppo smielate, con delle sceneggiate di gelosia da parte di James che ho trovato troppo esagerate.
La prima parte in generale poi, l'ho trovata un po' pesante, non stava succedendo nulla di così eccitante.
Ero tutta pronta a conoscere di più sul Programma in sè e invece all'inizio mi sembrava di leggere una puntata del Segreto.
Fortunatamente questa fase è durata poco. Ho ritrovato infatti l'eccitazione del libro precedente quando in questo le cose hanno iniziato a complicarsi. Quando il tutto diventa un lotta contro il tempo.
Il Programma e tutto quello che ci ruota attorno torna a diventare il vero protagonista e si ritorna, grazie anche allo stile di scrittura che continuo ad amare, nella mente confusa e senza ricordi di Sloane.
Anche se ho trovato l'avventura meno eccitante della prima non mancano assolutamente i colpi di scena, delle rivelazioni che lasciano a bocca aperta e un finale con la F maiuscola.
Soprattutto nell'ultima parte, l'azione non manca mai e le pagine si divorano che è una meraviglia. Ce la fanno o non ce la fanno? Questa è la domanda costantemente presente nell'ultima fase.
L'ambientazione mi è piaciuta molto, non è quasi solo nel Programma come la volta scorsa, si spazia un po' di più.
C'è anche l'introduzione di nuovi personaggi, cosa che fa sempre piacere se ben inseriti ecc e questo è il loro caso. Sono entrati non a casaccio e in determinate situazioni.
Appunto: Sarò io strana ma con un concetto del genere il lieto fine l'ho trovato un po' strano, ma vabbè son gusti haha
Chissà se verrò mai accontentata con un bel finale spietato dove vincono i cattivi ù.u
Però dai, a parte tutto, il finale è super carino, in tutti i sensi e ci si ricollega anche a eventi del passato presi da episodi successi nel primo libro che mi hanno fatto molta tenerezza :')
Il mio prossimo passo sarà leggere la short story in ebook su Realm che tra tutti rimane per me il personaggio più interessante, anche se lui in sè non mi piace, ha comunque una storia veramente interessante dietro e spero di trovare ancora più informazioni di quelle che vengono fornite in questo secondo libro.
____________________________
Let's start with what I didn't like.
Friendly reminder that the first book has the award for me as best book read in 2016 so my expectations were very high and the comparison was inevitable while reading.
Well, there are some parts between James and Sloane that are way too sweet - in a bad way, with way too many jealousy scenes of James. Too much drama sometimes.
The first part in general was pretty "heavy", nothing too exciting was happening.
I was so ready to know more about the Program but I found myself instead in a comedy/drama episode of a tv series.
Luckily this didn't last long. I found in fact again the excitement of the first installment when everything gets complicated. When our characters start a fight against time.
The Program and everything correlated to it is back as the main protagonist and thanks to the writing style that I still loved, we are back into Sloane's confused and with no memories head.
Even if I found this adventure less exciting than the first one, there were so many plot twists, some revelations that will leave you open mouthed and a final with a capital F.
Especially during the last part, the book was full of action and it became a page-turner. Will they make it or not? That's the question that is constantly present during the last part.
I loved the setting, it's not fully set in the Program like the first one, the are different places to explore.
We have the introduction of new characters too. It is always good to have new people in series but only if well described and inserted, and this is our case. They entered the story during specific situations and thanks to that it's not a mess.
Note: Maybe I'm odd but a happy ending in a context like that it's a little strange, tastes haha
I hope I'll get a book where everything is messed up and at the end the big baddie wins ù.u
The finale though was super cute, I loved how is connected to the very beginning of this series :')
My next move will be to read the short story of Realm. He's still the character that I find the most interesting to discover. I don't like him as a person etc but he has a very interesting story to tell. I hope to find there more infos about him.
"Varrebbe davvero la pena rischiare la vita per recuperare i ricordi?"
Direi di partire subito con quello che non mi è piaciuto.
Ricordo a tutti che il primo libro della serie ha il titolo di miglior libro letto nel 2016 e quindi le aspettative per questo erano veramente alte e il confronto veniva spontaneo durante la lettura.
Allora, ci sono delle parti tra James e Sloane che sono veramente troppo smielate, con delle sceneggiate di gelosia da parte di James che ho trovato troppo esagerate.
La prima parte in generale poi, l'ho trovata un po' pesante, non stava succedendo nulla di così eccitante.
Ero tutta pronta a conoscere di più sul Programma in sè e invece all'inizio mi sembrava di leggere una puntata del Segreto.
Fortunatamente questa fase è durata poco. Ho ritrovato infatti l'eccitazione del libro precedente quando in questo le cose hanno iniziato a complicarsi. Quando il tutto diventa un lotta contro il tempo.
Il Programma e tutto quello che ci ruota attorno torna a diventare il vero protagonista e si ritorna, grazie anche allo stile di scrittura che continuo ad amare, nella mente confusa e senza ricordi di Sloane.
Anche se ho trovato l'avventura meno eccitante della prima non mancano assolutamente i colpi di scena, delle rivelazioni che lasciano a bocca aperta e un finale con la F maiuscola.
Soprattutto nell'ultima parte, l'azione non manca mai e le pagine si divorano che è una meraviglia. Ce la fanno o non ce la fanno? Questa è la domanda costantemente presente nell'ultima fase.
L'ambientazione mi è piaciuta molto, non è quasi solo nel Programma come la volta scorsa, si spazia un po' di più.
C'è anche l'introduzione di nuovi personaggi, cosa che fa sempre piacere se ben inseriti ecc e questo è il loro caso. Sono entrati non a casaccio e in determinate situazioni.
Appunto: Sarò io strana ma con un concetto del genere il lieto fine l'ho trovato un po' strano, ma vabbè son gusti haha
Chissà se verrò mai accontentata con un bel finale spietato dove vincono i cattivi ù.u
Però dai, a parte tutto, il finale è super carino, in tutti i sensi e ci si ricollega anche a eventi del passato presi da episodi successi nel primo libro che mi hanno fatto molta tenerezza :')
Il mio prossimo passo sarà leggere la short story in ebook su Realm che tra tutti rimane per me il personaggio più interessante, anche se lui in sè non mi piace, ha comunque una storia veramente interessante dietro e spero di trovare ancora più informazioni di quelle che vengono fornite in questo secondo libro.
____________________________
Let's start with what I didn't like.
Friendly reminder that the first book has the award for me as best book read in 2016 so my expectations were very high and the comparison was inevitable while reading.
Well, there are some parts between James and Sloane that are way too sweet - in a bad way, with way too many jealousy scenes of James. Too much drama sometimes.
The first part in general was pretty "heavy", nothing too exciting was happening.
I was so ready to know more about the Program but I found myself instead in a comedy/drama episode of a tv series.
Luckily this didn't last long. I found in fact again the excitement of the first installment when everything gets complicated. When our characters start a fight against time.
The Program and everything correlated to it is back as the main protagonist and thanks to the writing style that I still loved, we are back into Sloane's confused and with no memories head.
Even if I found this adventure less exciting than the first one, there were so many plot twists, some revelations that will leave you open mouthed and a final with a capital F.
Especially during the last part, the book was full of action and it became a page-turner. Will they make it or not? That's the question that is constantly present during the last part.
I loved the setting, it's not fully set in the Program like the first one, the are different places to explore.
We have the introduction of new characters too. It is always good to have new people in series but only if well described and inserted, and this is our case. They entered the story during specific situations and thanks to that it's not a mess.
Note: Maybe I'm odd but a happy ending in a context like that it's a little strange, tastes haha
I hope I'll get a book where everything is messed up and at the end the big baddie wins ù.u
The finale though was super cute, I loved how is connected to the very beginning of this series :')
My next move will be to read the short story of Realm. He's still the character that I find the most interesting to discover. I don't like him as a person etc but he has a very interesting story to tell. I hope to find there more infos about him.
November 19, 2013
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. Gah.
The ending was phenomenal and the epilogue was perfection. I can't wait to have a finished copy in my hands
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. Gah.
The ending was phenomenal and the epilogue was perfection. I can't wait to have a finished copy in my hands
February 4, 2014
OOOOOKAY
So many things happened in this book, I don't even know where to start! 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!
So many things happened in this book, I don't even know where to start! 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!
August 28, 2014
*4.5 Stars*
"I won't lose you, Sloane," he whispers. "I'll kill him if I have to."
"I'd rather die."
Realm turns away. "That's what I'm afraid of."
I'm mixed on this one-right up front I'll say that I contemplated quite a bit on what to rate this because I felt like there were two different paces of story going on. 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 4.5, the main one being that at the end I never really felt like they weren't going to make it. 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? But, and I can't believe I'm going to say this, I needed that angst from the first book/the first half of this book to continue to the end of it all. 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. Literally. 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....and to make sure they even had a forever to pursue.
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.
"It's just us," I whisper into the fabric of his shirt. "Forever, just us."
I'm skeptical as to what I think should have happened to end this series (The addition of a third book or end it on book two as it did). On the one hand, I was happy to see this author didn't fall into the 'trilogy hype.' Not everything needs to be drug out for three installments. 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??
"Human beings are cruel creatures. And what we don't understand, we tamper with until we destroy it."
I adored this series. I adored these characters. I lost countless nights of sleep due to the imminent doom these guys continually faced....and I loved every minute of it. The Program is by far the strongest installment for sure with it's devastating occurrences and star-crossed love between James and Sloane, but as a whole, this series is unforgettable and I'm so ecstatic I finally decided to read these. So now I will go order the hardbacks to add to my ever-growing collection, and I can't wait to come back and read them again and again...their love is just that addicting.
For more of my reviews visit
"I won't lose you, Sloane," he whispers. "I'll kill him if I have to."
"I'd rather die."
Realm turns away. "That's what I'm afraid of."
I'm mixed on this one-right up front I'll say that I contemplated quite a bit on what to rate this because I felt like there were two different paces of story going on. 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 4.5, the main one being that at the end I never really felt like they weren't going to make it. 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? But, and I can't believe I'm going to say this, I needed that angst from the first book/the first half of this book to continue to the end of it all. 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. Literally. 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....and to make sure they even had a forever to pursue.
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.
"It's just us," I whisper into the fabric of his shirt. "Forever, just us."
I'm skeptical as to what I think should have happened to end this series (The addition of a third book or end it on book two as it did). On the one hand, I was happy to see this author didn't fall into the 'trilogy hype.' Not everything needs to be drug out for three installments. 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??
"Human beings are cruel creatures. And what we don't understand, we tamper with until we destroy it."
I adored this series. I adored these characters. I lost countless nights of sleep due to the imminent doom these guys continually faced....and I loved every minute of it. The Program is by far the strongest installment for sure with it's devastating occurrences and star-crossed love between James and Sloane, but as a whole, this series is unforgettable and I'm so ecstatic I finally decided to read these. So now I will go order the hardbacks to add to my ever-growing collection, and I can't wait to come back and read them again and again...their love is just that addicting.
For more of my reviews visit
September 9, 2019
Ilk kitaptaki Realim e söylediğim adam kelimesini geri alıyorum 😬 çoğu yerde içim karardı çünkü böyle distopyalarin çokta uzak olmayan ihtimal dahilinde olduğunu düşünüyorum helede söz konusu hafızasaysa😤 birde James gibi erkeklerin hayal ürünü olması durumu beni çok üzüyor..
August 15, 2014
The Treatment, meet you’re extended kin: The conventional, and overextended YA dystopia family.
I’ve pretty much lost the plot by now. If you say read a YA dystopia, most likely I'll grant you a “bleh” in return. The dystopia and I were alright; friends, acquaintances, call it what you will. The relationship was amicable. Until only one side was giving it their all (shocker here guys, that side was me) and the other just cruised by, taking our friendship for granted. I ain’t stupid. I know when you’re feeding me the same formula. And as we were friends, I’m going to lay it to you nicely:
I want integrity, ingenuity, and inspiration. I got “You may remember me from such dystopias such as Legend, Delirium…”* (Yes, do the Troy McClure voice, please).
The Treatment was a fairly bumpy ride for me. I preach realism like it’s going out of fashion. While I personally believe that the plot is irrational, it does make a valid attempt at justifying it’s dystopian world. It’s not perfect, and probably forgets to factor in the rest of fucking humanity, but it’s a cute attempt. However, what this book managed to do is create a dystopia that exists logically in society. It’s nothing highly implausible such as oppressing human traits (you know who you are), or creating a state of enslaved citizens who regress back to the prehistoric ages.
Outside The Program life functions just the way it would; thriving with capitalism, sensationalisation, and the fear of the unknown. It still maintains a lifetime of development and it just fucking makes sense.
Certain dystopias like to think that society is just going to take a beating lying down, give up all their knowledge, weapon and machinery like fucking wusses. We are humans; different, confusing and opinionated as hell (this review is a perfect case study), and as if we would allow ourselves to be subjugated by some Republic without a damn hard fight. What I loved about The Treatment is that life goes on. Newspapers still sell, dogs still get walked, and Wall Street still makes fucking money. So it was nice; an unrealistic dystopia in a realistic world.
But it ends there. The writing is utterly typical of a YA dystopian. Short, concise, with lots of fucking rhetorical questions to portray the protagonist as they go through some metaphysical experience (thanks to the dystopia, I’ve come to hate the 1st POV). If the question has no answer, then I don’t have the time. Stop asking such questions like they mean jack shit.
Here, Sloane. Let me give you a clue. You don’t live in a civilised world. If you did then parents wouldn’t let their fucking children be carted off, conditioned, and brainwashed just to live and breathe air. Civilitiy is to be given a choice and a chance. In this case choice is stripped and chance is measly.
From memory there was a little humour snuck through, but don’t expect anything comedic—this dystopian world is based upon a depression epidemic.
There were so many damn times when I cried, exasperated. Sloane is just so incredibly boring and pretty much sad all the damn time. And I couldn’t even fucking complain about it because the book is about a damn depression epidemic. I picked it up, I’ll deal with it.
That doesn’t excuse Sloane from being a damn special snowflake. Damn the fucking love triangle. This book could have squashed that stupid idea in the first book, but what the fucking heck, go for it anyway. Who the fuck died and made Sloane an irresistible goddess. This book is just about her love story. HER LOVE STORY.
Are you motherfucking kidding me?!
First off, James does absolutely nothing for her (except arouse her, I suppose), and yet their love is undeniable. I’m not saying that Realm is some prince (and I’m highly insinuating that his damn infatuation with Sloane is unrealistic. She’s a fucking special snowflake and nothing about her justifies his kindness), but he might as well be, with all the slack and opportunities he presents to Sloane.
He saves her, time and time again and yet she fucks him over in the end. I felt absolutely no connection to this fucking love triangle so in essence I didn’t get as passionate. I did get angry, however, at the utter stupidness (way to go Jess, you're so literate) of the whole thing. There is this thing called gratitude and Sloane should consider getting some. I don’t want them to fall in love. I want none of that. What I do want is for her to respect and acknowledge all the fucking chances he has given her.
But instead, we get this:
Just brilliant Sloane. Sloane is the kid at Christmas who makes a beeline for the presents on Christmas Day. She expects a ridiculously expensive Barbie doll, only to get a beautifully handcrafted scarf made with love, effort and care from her Grandmother, and still she throws a fissy hit. She is ignorantly ungrateful. It’s James this, James that, or James nothing.
News flash Sloane! Life doesn’t revolve around James.
You couldn’t even say that Sloane and James compliment one another. They in no way make each other better.
Not sure if serious, or if fucking with me. If that was being smart then I would fucking triumph Einstein. James meet Common Sense, Common Sense, meet James (but you’re better off staying far away from such stupidity).
The thing is, this entire book lacked the minimum quota of common sense. Were you robbed, The Treatment? I’ll happily give you some of mine.
James and Sloane are scolded merely for standing out on the street for a little too long. So it’s safe to assume that secretion is best used, right? Well wrong.
What possesses these idiots into thinking that going out at night would solve anything? Don’t fucking believe every idiom there is. The dark of the night is not the equivalent to a fucking cloak.
That’s all fun and games, but you’re all fucking rebels who are being hunted. Their priorities are misplaced. James and Sloane can’t rendezvous in daylight, but come fucking night everyone’s begging them to lose their fucking inhibitions. What a fucking joke. It was such a sad attempt by the author to inject a plot wherever it was convenient, despite the fact that it made no logical amount of sense.
The book revolves around The Program and it’s attempt to trace an elusive Treatment pill in order to destroy and blacklist it’s ingredients.
Have we not learnt anything in our expansive time on earth? There’s this thing called illegal trafficking and criminal activity. If someone was fucking desperate to procure this pill, a fucking patent and a group of pretentious governmental dicks are not going to stymie them. Take the Prohibition of alcohol in the 20’s. That was like a free mass marketing plan on a fucking golden dish, served straight from the government. If something becomes illegal, it becomes more inciting. It’s inherent in the human to desire what he can’t have.
Once again, like all YA dystopias, we have our rebels—working hard for their righteous cause. Liberation! Except they all secretly care more for self-preservation and that in itself conflicts with their cause. They go nowhere (which is not typical at all. I’ve got to get some icepacks for my eyes, because they’ve out rolled themselves).
And that, ladies and gents, is why rebellions do not work. A group preaching freedom and achieving rights selflessly cannot be derived out of a group motivated by selfishness. We get it. Stop trying to spin this idea like a rebellion could actually work (if you minus a deus ex machina, because God knows, that solves everything).
Granted I was in quite the book slump, this was the only thing that could drag me out (not because of that quality, but mostly out of obligation. I mean, I read the damn first book. If time is wasted, it’s going to be done in entirety.) I have a heinous memory and I had vague notes written about the first book. But nothing serious. And I payed for it. Normally the short recap that comes in a sequel isn’t that welcomed by me, but I could have killed for one in The Treatment. I remembered close to nothing. All the characters had memory lapses, but the person with the biggest missing chunk? Me.
*By no means am I comparing the exact plot to these certain books, but the essence is the same. Love triangle/problems, rebels, special snowflakes etc etc etc
Immediate review, post completion:
That beautiful piece that I wrote about the conventional YA dystopia has gone. Shocker, I know. I was bloody damn proud of it. Relax, it'll arise once again, perhaps on my blog. Did you really think I would wash that beautiful half an hours worth of time down the drain?
The Treatment began well (despite me missing a suspiciously large chunk of my memory). Hell, I was even going to break the three star and below cycle and give it a four. Until the last 20 pages where shit hit the fan, just for the sake of it. Must we be drama queens? I was going to praise you, The Treatment for doing what other dystopias fail to do—retain realism—and yet you got ahead of yourself, lost the plot and ended in the most convenient way possible. I guess the formula really is reverberant. There’s a better ending out there, but fuck it, let’s just end it conveniently.
This isn’t my full review. It would be cruel for me to offload my frustrations onto this otherwise ok YA dystopia. If anything, this piece of anger belongs elsewhere. A detailed review should be coming. For now, have my satirical bitterness. Hopefully it should sate the onslaught of complaints I have.
P.S. The rating is being considered. I don't feel that particular anger so its a three and above, but I don't feel the elation of a four either. I do like how the epilogue tied things together. Young does a better job than most at reaching for all her loose ends and tying them up into one big knot. Kudos.
I’ve pretty much lost the plot by now. If you say read a YA dystopia, most likely I'll grant you a “bleh” in return. The dystopia and I were alright; friends, acquaintances, call it what you will. The relationship was amicable. Until only one side was giving it their all (shocker here guys, that side was me) and the other just cruised by, taking our friendship for granted. I ain’t stupid. I know when you’re feeding me the same formula. And as we were friends, I’m going to lay it to you nicely:
If you’re just going to be repackaged (in an ugly cover, no less) then please stop selling your multiple selves to me. One relationship will do. Don't take it beyond it's worth.
I want integrity, ingenuity, and inspiration. I got “You may remember me from such dystopias such as Legend, Delirium…”* (Yes, do the Troy McClure voice, please).
The Treatment was a fairly bumpy ride for me. I preach realism like it’s going out of fashion. While I personally believe that the plot is irrational, it does make a valid attempt at justifying it’s dystopian world. It’s not perfect, and probably forgets to factor in the rest of fucking humanity, but it’s a cute attempt. However, what this book managed to do is create a dystopia that exists logically in society. It’s nothing highly implausible such as oppressing human traits (you know who you are), or creating a state of enslaved citizens who regress back to the prehistoric ages.
Outside The Program life functions just the way it would; thriving with capitalism, sensationalisation, and the fear of the unknown. It still maintains a lifetime of development and it just fucking makes sense.
Certain dystopias like to think that society is just going to take a beating lying down, give up all their knowledge, weapon and machinery like fucking wusses. We are humans; different, confusing and opinionated as hell (this review is a perfect case study), and as if we would allow ourselves to be subjugated by some Republic without a damn hard fight. What I loved about The Treatment is that life goes on. Newspapers still sell, dogs still get walked, and Wall Street still makes fucking money. So it was nice; an unrealistic dystopia in a realistic world.
But it ends there. The writing is utterly typical of a YA dystopian. Short, concise, with lots of fucking rhetorical questions to portray the protagonist as they go through some metaphysical experience (thanks to the dystopia, I’ve come to hate the 1st POV). If the question has no answer, then I don’t have the time. Stop asking such questions like they mean jack shit.
How can any rational human being inflict this on another? How can this happen in a civilised world?
Here, Sloane. Let me give you a clue. You don’t live in a civilised world. If you did then parents wouldn’t let their fucking children be carted off, conditioned, and brainwashed just to live and breathe air. Civilitiy is to be given a choice and a chance. In this case choice is stripped and chance is measly.
From memory there was a little humour snuck through, but don’t expect anything comedic—this dystopian world is based upon a depression epidemic.
There were so many damn times when I cried, exasperated. Sloane is just so incredibly boring and pretty much sad all the damn time. And I couldn’t even fucking complain about it because the book is about a damn depression epidemic. I picked it up, I’ll deal with it.
That doesn’t excuse Sloane from being a damn special snowflake. Damn the fucking love triangle. This book could have squashed that stupid idea in the first book, but what the fucking heck, go for it anyway. Who the fuck died and made Sloane an irresistible goddess. This book is just about her love story. HER LOVE STORY.
Meet James, my childhood hotty hot hotty who is my soulmate forever and ever.
Even though we don’t remember what joined us together we were in love in our previous lives and that love will fucking transcend the boundaries of our completely jello memories and reunite us once more.
Realm, my bffl from the Program makes a return, and oh! He reminds me off that pill he gave me, and only fucking me, that promises to bring my memories back. Because I’m so important, naturally.
Oh Realm, stop giving me all those longing gazes. We used to be together, but we can’t. Because I love James like he’s the other fucking half of my soul. But I’ll tell you I love you anyway. Platonically. I don’t mind leading you on even though I clearly know where your feelings lie. I get a high out of being a bitch.
James, no, don’t go! There’s nothing between Realm and I! I was just teasing him, baiting him for later, you know. But I’ll always love you and forgive you, no matter what.
Realm saves my fucking arse a multitude of times. But fuck him, I want James.
Reunited with the love of my fucking life, and Realm means nothing.
Even though Realm risks his entire life for me, I could never TRUST him, let alone love him. James, you are the only one for me.
Are you motherfucking kidding me?!
First off, James does absolutely nothing for her (except arouse her, I suppose), and yet their love is undeniable. I’m not saying that Realm is some prince (and I’m highly insinuating that his damn infatuation with Sloane is unrealistic. She’s a fucking special snowflake and nothing about her justifies his kindness), but he might as well be, with all the slack and opportunities he presents to Sloane.
He saves her, time and time again and yet she fucks him over in the end. I felt absolutely no connection to this fucking love triangle so in essence I didn’t get as passionate. I did get angry, however, at the utter stupidness (way to go Jess, you're so literate) of the whole thing. There is this thing called gratitude and Sloane should consider getting some. I don’t want them to fall in love. I want none of that. What I do want is for her to respect and acknowledge all the fucking chances he has given her.
But instead, we get this:
I’ve never been able to trust Realm again, and I don’t know if I ever will.
Just brilliant Sloane. Sloane is the kid at Christmas who makes a beeline for the presents on Christmas Day. She expects a ridiculously expensive Barbie doll, only to get a beautifully handcrafted scarf made with love, effort and care from her Grandmother, and still she throws a fissy hit. She is ignorantly ungrateful. It’s James this, James that, or James nothing.
News flash Sloane! Life doesn’t revolve around James.
You couldn’t even say that Sloane and James compliment one another. They in no way make each other better.
“We’re going to keep the pill in case we change our minds later, right?”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“You’re so smart,” he whispers, and kisses me.
Not sure if serious, or if fucking with me. If that was being smart then I would fucking triumph Einstein. James meet Common Sense, Common Sense, meet James (but you’re better off staying far away from such stupidity).
The thing is, this entire book lacked the minimum quota of common sense. Were you robbed, The Treatment? I’ll happily give you some of mine.
James and Sloane are scolded merely for standing out on the street for a little too long. So it’s safe to assume that secretion is best used, right? Well wrong.
“So we’re on the run from The Program, but we’re going to a club?” James asks, pointing out the obvious flaw in this plan. “Why not just call the handlers ourselves and ask them to meet us there?”
What possesses these idiots into thinking that going out at night would solve anything? Don’t fucking believe every idiom there is. The dark of the night is not the equivalent to a fucking cloak.
“We don’t want to die, but it’s fun to explore our dark sides when the rest of the world is intent on burying it.”
That’s all fun and games, but you’re all fucking rebels who are being hunted. Their priorities are misplaced. James and Sloane can’t rendezvous in daylight, but come fucking night everyone’s begging them to lose their fucking inhibitions. What a fucking joke. It was such a sad attempt by the author to inject a plot wherever it was convenient, despite the fact that it made no logical amount of sense.
The book revolves around The Program and it’s attempt to trace an elusive Treatment pill in order to destroy and blacklist it’s ingredients.
“If The Program finds the pill before we do…the formula will be lost. They plan to extract the ingredients, patent them, and make their production illegal”
Have we not learnt anything in our expansive time on earth? There’s this thing called illegal trafficking and criminal activity. If someone was fucking desperate to procure this pill, a fucking patent and a group of pretentious governmental dicks are not going to stymie them. Take the Prohibition of alcohol in the 20’s. That was like a free mass marketing plan on a fucking golden dish, served straight from the government. If something becomes illegal, it becomes more inciting. It’s inherent in the human to desire what he can’t have.
Once again, like all YA dystopias, we have our rebels—working hard for their righteous cause. Liberation! Except they all secretly care more for self-preservation and that in itself conflicts with their cause. They go nowhere (which is not typical at all. I’ve got to get some icepacks for my eyes, because they’ve out rolled themselves).
We have to protect Lacey, because in this world, you can’t know who to trust. All we have is each other.
And that, ladies and gents, is why rebellions do not work. A group preaching freedom and achieving rights selflessly cannot be derived out of a group motivated by selfishness. We get it. Stop trying to spin this idea like a rebellion could actually work (if you minus a deus ex machina, because God knows, that solves everything).
Granted I was in quite the book slump, this was the only thing that could drag me out (not because of that quality, but mostly out of obligation. I mean, I read the damn first book. If time is wasted, it’s going to be done in entirety.) I have a heinous memory and I had vague notes written about the first book. But nothing serious. And I payed for it. Normally the short recap that comes in a sequel isn’t that welcomed by me, but I could have killed for one in The Treatment. I remembered close to nothing. All the characters had memory lapses, but the person with the biggest missing chunk? Me.
*By no means am I comparing the exact plot to these certain books, but the essence is the same. Love triangle/problems, rebels, special snowflakes etc etc etc
_________________________________
Immediate review, post completion:
That beautiful piece that I wrote about the conventional YA dystopia has gone. Shocker, I know. I was bloody damn proud of it. Relax, it'll arise once again, perhaps on my blog. Did you really think I would wash that beautiful half an hours worth of time down the drain?
The Treatment began well (despite me missing a suspiciously large chunk of my memory). Hell, I was even going to break the three star and below cycle and give it a four. Until the last 20 pages where shit hit the fan, just for the sake of it. Must we be drama queens? I was going to praise you, The Treatment for doing what other dystopias fail to do—retain realism—and yet you got ahead of yourself, lost the plot and ended in the most convenient way possible. I guess the formula really is reverberant. There’s a better ending out there, but fuck it, let’s just end it conveniently.
This isn’t my full review. It would be cruel for me to offload my frustrations onto this otherwise ok YA dystopia. If anything, this piece of anger belongs elsewhere. A detailed review should be coming. For now, have my satirical bitterness. Hopefully it should sate the onslaught of complaints I have.
P.S. The rating is being considered. I don't feel that particular anger so its a three and above, but I don't feel the elation of a four either. I do like how the epilogue tied things together. Young does a better job than most at reaching for all her loose ends and tying them up into one big knot. Kudos.
November 26, 2019
My review of "The Program" series will be live on December, 25th, 2019 here: https://youtu.be/MyVFNNOc32g
3'5★
The first time I began reading it I DNF'ed the book.
This 2nd time I actuly devoured it, finishing it in a day. There are still moments that for me are cringe-worthy concerning the personal relations described on the book, i.e. how Realm can be such an ass and be forgiven every time or have Sloane chosing not to remember things so they can hold a truce, or how Dallas needs Realm's validation, even at the end. I mean, it's cool to have someone to care for you, but it's vetter than you can do the fighting and validation yourself. The book was written on 2014, so I am thinking this is the kind of books which were common back then, and now we have stronger female leads, which I honestly prefer.
3'5★
The first time I began reading it I DNF'ed the book.
This 2nd time I actuly devoured it, finishing it in a day. There are still moments that for me are cringe-worthy concerning the personal relations described on the book, i.e. how Realm can be such an ass and be forgiven every time or have Sloane chosing not to remember things so they can hold a truce, or how Dallas needs Realm's validation, even at the end. I mean, it's cool to have someone to care for you, but it's vetter than you can do the fighting and validation yourself. The book was written on 2014, so I am thinking this is the kind of books which were common back then, and now we have stronger female leads, which I honestly prefer.
August 4, 2015
Imagine this.
You live in a world similar to ours, with one exception: Suicide is an epidemic. If you show any signs of depression, you will be taken into the Program.
They will strip you off your memories and personality until you are nothing but an empty shell of a human being.
You will be rid of your passions, the people you love and completely disconnected from your old life. The doctors are passive-agressive and put on forced smiles and calm you down, to put a shot in your arm the next moment.
Once you’re in, you never get out.
Sounds like a far-fetched idea, right? One that's not too serious and only wants to be original, but actually makes no sense?
Think again.
5 reasons why you should read this duology:
#1 Brain-washing. It’s a dystopian, so who wouldn’t expect manipulation to be such a big part of the story?
Young perfectly captures that cold, clinical and impersonal feeling of this world. The world-building is very simple, but this is not a story about the science and technology like many from the genre.
The concept of these books sounds bizarre, but portrays mental illness in a delicate way that isn’t pushy or looking for pity.
There’s no obvious antagonist to point fingers at, which makes this war even more difficult to fight. It is not a story of good and bad, but about the grey areas and blind belief in what you’ve been taught.
#2 Character-driven dystopia. Hell to the yes.
The characters are what makes this duo shine. These people are so well-written, relatable and lovable. The book is full of desperation and grief, and the author weaves a compelling story starring some of the most heartfelt and realistic characters I've seen in this genre.
#3 It’s a very addicting read that I flew through. The writing is straight-forward, with fast pacing and a plot where the stakes get higher and higher. I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough.
#4 Fantastic relationships. Sloane and James have known each other for a long time, so we skip that awkward fumbling and angst. They are so comfortable with each other, with huge chemistry and wit. Their dialogue is clever and funny and light up the otherwise dark tone.
There are some lovely friendships here as well.
#5 No second-book curse.
This series remains steady and well-written all the way through. Every new character we meet is well-rounded and adds something exciting to the story. It follows the typical dystopia concept, with a twist.
I love my strong duos, and everything is neatly wrapped up in this book. It’s bittersweet; we know they’ll never get back the people they’ve lost to this epidemic and things aren’t magically solved. But then again, this isn’t your typical dystopian. It is now my favorite after Julie Kagawa's Blood of Eden trilogy.
I had a few quibbles with this sequel like the pacing of the first half and the predictable plot, but this was so entertaining that I could look past those cons.
You live in a world similar to ours, with one exception: Suicide is an epidemic. If you show any signs of depression, you will be taken into the Program.
They will strip you off your memories and personality until you are nothing but an empty shell of a human being.
You will be rid of your passions, the people you love and completely disconnected from your old life. The doctors are passive-agressive and put on forced smiles and calm you down, to put a shot in your arm the next moment.
Once you’re in, you never get out.
Sounds like a far-fetched idea, right? One that's not too serious and only wants to be original, but actually makes no sense?
Think again.
5 reasons why you should read this duology:
#1 Brain-washing. It’s a dystopian, so who wouldn’t expect manipulation to be such a big part of the story?
Young perfectly captures that cold, clinical and impersonal feeling of this world. The world-building is very simple, but this is not a story about the science and technology like many from the genre.
The concept of these books sounds bizarre, but portrays mental illness in a delicate way that isn’t pushy or looking for pity.
There’s no obvious antagonist to point fingers at, which makes this war even more difficult to fight. It is not a story of good and bad, but about the grey areas and blind belief in what you’ve been taught.
#2 Character-driven dystopia. Hell to the yes.
The characters are what makes this duo shine. These people are so well-written, relatable and lovable. The book is full of desperation and grief, and the author weaves a compelling story starring some of the most heartfelt and realistic characters I've seen in this genre.
#3 It’s a very addicting read that I flew through. The writing is straight-forward, with fast pacing and a plot where the stakes get higher and higher. I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough.
#4 Fantastic relationships. Sloane and James have known each other for a long time, so we skip that awkward fumbling and angst. They are so comfortable with each other, with huge chemistry and wit. Their dialogue is clever and funny and light up the otherwise dark tone.
There are some lovely friendships here as well.
#5 No second-book curse.
This series remains steady and well-written all the way through. Every new character we meet is well-rounded and adds something exciting to the story. It follows the typical dystopia concept, with a twist.
I love my strong duos, and everything is neatly wrapped up in this book. It’s bittersweet; we know they’ll never get back the people they’ve lost to this epidemic and things aren’t magically solved. But then again, this isn’t your typical dystopian. It is now my favorite after Julie Kagawa's Blood of Eden trilogy.
I had a few quibbles with this sequel like the pacing of the first half and the predictable plot, but this was so entertaining that I could look past those cons.
March 26, 2022
"The only real thing is now."
I can't even put into words how incredible and amazing this series is. It has affected me emotionally on so many levels, and this story is so exciting and sad and suspenseful. The Program is one of my favorite books of all time and this couldn't have been a better sequel to it. It had the same feel as The Program and it brought out the same emotions in me. I absolutely love Sloane and James, and I even liked all the new characters introduced in this book. Dallas was an amazing new character and her development was incredible to see throughout the story. I am so sad that this series is over because this is one of those books that I'll be talking about forever, and I'll always consider it one of my favorite series and books of all time.
Another great thing about this sequel is that we finally get answers to why the suicide epidemic began in the first place, and the story concludes in such a beautiful, perfect way. The last line in the epilogue gave me chills and it was such a perfect, and symbolic way to end this series. I seriously can't emphasize enough how emotional and suspenseful and amazing these books are! I miss reading them already. This is easily the best sequel I've ever read. Suzanne Young is freaking amazing, and I'll never get over how awesome this series is.
I can't even put into words how incredible and amazing this series is. It has affected me emotionally on so many levels, and this story is so exciting and sad and suspenseful. The Program is one of my favorite books of all time and this couldn't have been a better sequel to it. It had the same feel as The Program and it brought out the same emotions in me. I absolutely love Sloane and James, and I even liked all the new characters introduced in this book. Dallas was an amazing new character and her development was incredible to see throughout the story. I am so sad that this series is over because this is one of those books that I'll be talking about forever, and I'll always consider it one of my favorite series and books of all time.
Another great thing about this sequel is that we finally get answers to why the suicide epidemic began in the first place, and the story concludes in such a beautiful, perfect way. The last line in the epilogue gave me chills and it was such a perfect, and symbolic way to end this series. I seriously can't emphasize enough how emotional and suspenseful and amazing these books are! I miss reading them already. This is easily the best sequel I've ever read. Suzanne Young is freaking amazing, and I'll never get over how awesome this series is.
May 3, 2016
Bleh. This felt like a forced, unnecessary sequel to The Program. I loved that book and The Remedy as well, but this book is giving me the same feeling as After You after Me Before You. It just doesn't add anything.
I recommend The Program and The Remedy, I'm certainly going to read The Recovery, but I don't recommend this book.
I recommend The Program and The Remedy, I'm certainly going to read The Recovery, but I don't recommend this book.
August 22, 2019
The ending doesn't really make a whole lot of sense. Will I say it was rushed?
Absolutely, it came a lot faster and more abruptly than I thought possible, with the help of a seemingly deux ex machina.
But this book has made me selfish, and I cannot complain with the results. Given that this is, as I care to classify, an action-romance novel, there was quite a bit of action and in most romantic novels the happily ever after is always desirable. So when Young left us with a happily ever after, who am I to complain.
I'm admittedly still confused the epilogue in the first novel where Realm messes up Sloane's name calling her Allison, but that's an end I don't really need tied up.
I will say though, I am explicably happy that this duology ended, with the ends (at least the ones I was concerned with) nicely wrapped up. I was about to go read the third book should there be one for me to find the end I wanted.
Absolutely, it came a lot faster and more abruptly than I thought possible, with the help of a seemingly deux ex machina.
But this book has made me selfish, and I cannot complain with the results. Given that this is, as I care to classify, an action-romance novel, there was quite a bit of action and in most romantic novels the happily ever after is always desirable. So when Young left us with a happily ever after, who am I to complain.
I'm admittedly still confused the epilogue in the first novel where Realm messes up Sloane's name calling her Allison, but that's an end I don't really need tied up.
I will say though, I am explicably happy that this duology ended, with the ends (at least the ones I was concerned with) nicely wrapped up. I was about to go read the third book should there be one for me to find the end I wanted.
September 25, 2019
Serinin ikinci kitabıyla devam ediyoruz. Epey hızlı okudum. Çünkü kitap çok yüzeysel. Sıkmıyor, yormuyor, bilgi vermiyor, düşündürmüyor. Akıp gidiyor. Ergenlerin ilişkilerini ve aşklarını okuyorsunuz.
Program’dan çıkan Sloane ve James artık kaçmaya başlamış ve asilere katılmışlardır. Dallas ve Cas ile tanışırlar. Michael Realm ile olan bağları hiç kopmaz. Sloane’un James ve Michael arasında bocalaması inanılmaz sıktı. Gençlik dramalarından gına geldi. Onu seviyorum ama onu daha çok seviyorum diyor. Aynı Alacakaranlık. Şaka gibi.
Sizi yormayacak ve kolay okunacak bir bilimkurgu arıyorsanız buyurun. Düpedüz basit bir kitap bu. Güle güle okuyun.
Program’dan çıkan Sloane ve James artık kaçmaya başlamış ve asilere katılmışlardır. Dallas ve Cas ile tanışırlar. Michael Realm ile olan bağları hiç kopmaz. Sloane’un James ve Michael arasında bocalaması inanılmaz sıktı. Gençlik dramalarından gına geldi. Onu seviyorum ama onu daha çok seviyorum diyor. Aynı Alacakaranlık. Şaka gibi.
Sizi yormayacak ve kolay okunacak bir bilimkurgu arıyorsanız buyurun. Düpedüz basit bir kitap bu. Güle güle okuyun.
July 30, 2018
3.5 stars
July 16, 2016
Quick review for a very sluggish read (on my part, even if it only took me a day, realistically speaking). I honestly didn't like "The Treatment" much at all, but I'm giving it credit for some moments that were harrowing enough for the characters to invest me in pursuing it to the end. The problem is that there really wasn't a lot happening in this book with respect to the central conflict. It begins where it leaves off - the promise of Sloane and James taking off and making their escape from the Program in order to find a way to take it apart and possibly recover their memories. Only this book is one example of the plot driving the characters rather than the characters driving the plot. The supposed love triangle is uber forced and the relationship drama is what takes center stage over any of the dystopian or hefty elements the story had to offer. It felt very weak in overarching delivery and emotion in places. It wasn't until after the first third of the book was over that I started to find my footing with the plot. Even then, it felt thinly drawn and mostly constructed for convenience. It was frustrating because I knew what was going to happen well before it happened and while I did applaud that certain characters were called out and realized for the crummy things they pulled, I still didn't feel as invested in the character journeys as I was hoping for.
I may check into the companion novels, but while this book gave a definitive ending for the characters contained within, I wouldn't cite it as one of the more memorable YA dystopian series I've read. I can say I've read it once at least, but it doesn't make me want to pick it up again after the initial read.
Overall score: 2/5 stars.
I may check into the companion novels, but while this book gave a definitive ending for the characters contained within, I wouldn't cite it as one of the more memorable YA dystopian series I've read. I can say I've read it once at least, but it doesn't make me want to pick it up again after the initial read.
Overall score: 2/5 stars.
October 15, 2015
The Treatment is the second book in The Program duology/trilogy? Someone clarify please!
June 15, 2015
O.M.G
This was super good!! Super fast and intriguing !!!
Although the last few chapters were not as good, which is why i prefer trilogies- you could fit more plot and a better ending in a third book!
I felt distant from the characters as well :/ I really only felt bad for them, I did not get all emotional over the horrible things that were happening to them because the author did not give me enough to like them
However, all in all i recommend this series to everyone !! EVERYONE! It's really that good!
This was super good!! Super fast and intriguing !!!
Although the last few chapters were not as good, which is why i prefer trilogies- you could fit more plot and a better ending in a third book!
I felt distant from the characters as well :/ I really only felt bad for them, I did not get all emotional over the horrible things that were happening to them because the author did not give me enough to like them
However, all in all i recommend this series to everyone !! EVERYONE! It's really that good!
January 20, 2016
Мне понравилось продолжение, даже при том, что главная героиня меня безумно раздражала. Очередная супер-чувствительная дама, которая ноет, плачет и всех винит. Ну да ладно. В сочетание с другими героями ее можно переварить и наслаждаться историей. Рада что автор не стала растягивать историю на еще одну или даже несколько книг. Знаю, что есть еще рассказы к серии, обязательно прочитаю в ближайшем будущем.
March 9, 2015
More like a 3.75? Hmmmmmm
January 13, 2014
Early ARC review
I first want to start off by saying that I love the pill cover, I think it works really well with the first book cover and ties in with the story. I thought the case cover was a really cool idea, like on the first book but I wasn't the biggest fan of the one for The Treatment. Now they're using it as the actual book cover and I'm even more disappointed.
Reviewing this book is really hard for me, especially since I loved the first book so much. But I can't lie, I was really disappointed by The Treatment. It wasn't a very satisfying ending and the rushed conclusion really left me feeling deflated and let down. As always, I will try to be as honest as possible and explain why this was without giving away spoilers.
James and Sloane are now on the run, unwilling to let The Program find them and take away their memories. They must trust Realm and the rebels he leads them to, to keep them safe and to keep them out of The Program. The Treatment, a pill that can bring back the memories The Program took away, seems like the exact thing they need. But it's not that simple, memory recall can come with it's own problems. Do they really want to take it if it just makes them sick again?
I thought the main storyline was really good and interesting, the idea that they could get their memories back really appealed to me. Sloane, without her memories, isn't anywhere near as likeable as the girl we met in book one. In fact, most of the time she was absolutely intolerable and infuriating and I wanted to hit the girl. My favourite character is still James. I thought he was brilliant in the first book and I really wish he had more time to shine in this. I also began to realise that I didn't like Sloane half as much when she wasn't around James, he definitely brings out her better side.
Realm was one of the biggest issues for me when it came to this book. The whole forced love triangle just felt silly and really grated on me the entire book. I couldn't understand the way Sloane acted or why she had such strong feelings for Realm. If you've read my review of The Program you will know that I hate the guy. He is strange, manipulative and really creepy. He knew Sloane for about three weeks in The Program and is insistent that he is head-over-heels, would-die-for-her in love with her. That just makes zero sense and wound me up constantly. Every time I had to sit through another one of his speeches about how he loves Sloane more than James ever could, I was about ready to throw my Kindle across the room and give up entirely.
The story moved along nicely and there was a lot going on. This did keep me guessing, which I enjoyed and I wasn't able to predict what was going to happen. I was a little bored at times but for the most part I thought it was a really entertaining sequel. I didn't want to put the book down, I had to keep turning the page which is always a good sign.
Something that I didn't get from the book was answers. In the first book I didn't think the suicide epidemic was explained well enough. Why do hordes of teenagers suddenly start killing themselves? I was really upset that you don't get any real explanation to that in this book. It seems like suicide is just something teenagers start turning to as the answer to everything, or just because someone else did. I couldn't get over that, it seems so ridiculously silly to me. I feel it portrays suicide as some really flippant issue, and that teenagers are just hormonal, overly emotional people incapable of finding another solution to their problems. It doesn't work that way and I don't think it's good to show suicide or depression in that light. It makes the whole issue seem trivial. It was very 47 Ronin in that sense.
The ending was way too rushed for my liking. And something that you would expect to have a whole chapter written for it, is actually just summed up in two or three paragraphs. It does have the added bonus of showing you what's happening six months later, which is always quite nice. But then adds on an epilogue that just didn't seem to fit. The rushed ending just made this all seem very anti-climactic and I was left unsatisfied. I didn't feel this packed the same punch as the first book, it fell a little flat for me.
3/5 Stars
Disappointing and anti-climactic rushed ending. Sloane isn't very likeable in this book, Realm is infuriating and James needed more time to shine. The love triangle was just way too much for me. A good book, but not the satisfying ending I was hoping for.
*I received a copy of this novel from the author/publisher/publicist via Edelweiss in exchange for a free and honest review and received no monetary compensation for this review.
I first want to start off by saying that I love the pill cover, I think it works really well with the first book cover and ties in with the story. I thought the case cover was a really cool idea, like on the first book but I wasn't the biggest fan of the one for The Treatment. Now they're using it as the actual book cover and I'm even more disappointed.
Reviewing this book is really hard for me, especially since I loved the first book so much. But I can't lie, I was really disappointed by The Treatment. It wasn't a very satisfying ending and the rushed conclusion really left me feeling deflated and let down. As always, I will try to be as honest as possible and explain why this was without giving away spoilers.
James and Sloane are now on the run, unwilling to let The Program find them and take away their memories. They must trust Realm and the rebels he leads them to, to keep them safe and to keep them out of The Program. The Treatment, a pill that can bring back the memories The Program took away, seems like the exact thing they need. But it's not that simple, memory recall can come with it's own problems. Do they really want to take it if it just makes them sick again?
I thought the main storyline was really good and interesting, the idea that they could get their memories back really appealed to me. Sloane, without her memories, isn't anywhere near as likeable as the girl we met in book one. In fact, most of the time she was absolutely intolerable and infuriating and I wanted to hit the girl. My favourite character is still James. I thought he was brilliant in the first book and I really wish he had more time to shine in this. I also began to realise that I didn't like Sloane half as much when she wasn't around James, he definitely brings out her better side.
Realm was one of the biggest issues for me when it came to this book. The whole forced love triangle just felt silly and really grated on me the entire book. I couldn't understand the way Sloane acted or why she had such strong feelings for Realm. If you've read my review of The Program you will know that I hate the guy. He is strange, manipulative and really creepy. He knew Sloane for about three weeks in The Program and is insistent that he is head-over-heels, would-die-for-her in love with her. That just makes zero sense and wound me up constantly. Every time I had to sit through another one of his speeches about how he loves Sloane more than James ever could, I was about ready to throw my Kindle across the room and give up entirely.
The story moved along nicely and there was a lot going on. This did keep me guessing, which I enjoyed and I wasn't able to predict what was going to happen. I was a little bored at times but for the most part I thought it was a really entertaining sequel. I didn't want to put the book down, I had to keep turning the page which is always a good sign.
Something that I didn't get from the book was answers. In the first book I didn't think the suicide epidemic was explained well enough. Why do hordes of teenagers suddenly start killing themselves? I was really upset that you don't get any real explanation to that in this book. It seems like suicide is just something teenagers start turning to as the answer to everything, or just because someone else did. I couldn't get over that, it seems so ridiculously silly to me. I feel it portrays suicide as some really flippant issue, and that teenagers are just hormonal, overly emotional people incapable of finding another solution to their problems. It doesn't work that way and I don't think it's good to show suicide or depression in that light. It makes the whole issue seem trivial. It was very 47 Ronin in that sense.
The ending was way too rushed for my liking. And something that you would expect to have a whole chapter written for it, is actually just summed up in two or three paragraphs. It does have the added bonus of showing you what's happening six months later, which is always quite nice. But then adds on an epilogue that just didn't seem to fit. The rushed ending just made this all seem very anti-climactic and I was left unsatisfied. I didn't feel this packed the same punch as the first book, it fell a little flat for me.
3/5 Stars
Disappointing and anti-climactic rushed ending. Sloane isn't very likeable in this book, Realm is infuriating and James needed more time to shine. The love triangle was just way too much for me. A good book, but not the satisfying ending I was hoping for.
*I received a copy of this novel from the author/publisher/publicist via Edelweiss in exchange for a free and honest review and received no monetary compensation for this review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,252 reviews