Do You like book Ich. Erinnere. Mich. (2000)?
'The Treatment' is the second part of 'The Program'-Duology by Suzanne Young. That's why a precis wouldn't be free of spoilers. But for those of you who haven't read the first book; I will sum up what this dystopian world is all about. In this kind of future suicide has become some kind of epidemic among teenagers, making the suicide rate increase rapidly. Because the world is scared of losing a entire generation or worse whole mankind, the government invents The Program. Teenager who seem "infected" by depression are forced to pass it. In the Program they memoirs are erased. Therefore everybody needs to hide their emotions, otherwise they would be selected. I really loved the first book, it's definitey under my top ten of this year. The writing style was again really uncomplicated and practical, but still detailed enough. And for this kind of books, that's what I really like. The relationship between the two main characters, Sloane and James, is one of my favourites. They are really easy going and sweet with eachother, and so many jokes and allusions to sex. Since the middle of the first book, and it continues in this, something like a lovetriangle eveloped (and geez I hate them so so much; if you love someone, just love someone!). But I have to admit this one is at least kind of realistic and comprehensible. At the first book I liked the first part the most, it felt like a nice contemporary story(except all the suicide stuff and such)with the camping and visits at the beach. But in 'The Treatment', everything felt kind of slowpaged, not boring, but a bit slow; apart from the last 70 pages. It was epic in my opinion, and I wouldnt have thought so. The only thing missing was an explanation why suicid reached this kind of dimensions. But maybe the spin-off 'The Redemy' will give more answeres to this question ;)
—autumn
Suicide as an epidemic. Now that's a very interesting topic to build a Dystopian story out of. I love the Program; I'm sad I couldn't say the same to the Treatment. I mean I really had a thrilling time reading the first book, but what I got from the last book were sad, depressing accounts of how our characters were very much trying to run away from the Program, with not much luck. It just felt really really sad (not to mention dragging) to read about their escape over and over again. And I also kinda developed a loathing to Sloane, on how she says she loves Realm too and all that shit. I mean really girl. That's just damn cruel, because you know James is in love with you and you know you couldn't be with Realm. Just freaking stop. I just felt like the book wasn't that fun for me to read compared to the first installment. And the ending also kinda sucked. It didn't make logical sense. I mean really. The Program was defeated and closed down because of a news article? That's it? Couldn't you be more creative than that? To be honest I would frankly preferred if they all killed themselves. Then it would all be truly over for them. I even thought the police is in the influence of the Program and that the Program is practically the freaking government. I just think the ending was very idealistic in a sense that it was bordering on unreal. I was fairly disappointed. But kudos to Sloane though, for finally finding herself. About damn time too. I hope the other characters found happiness in their lives too.
—kate
It was a nice conclusion. I'll forever be in love with James...
—KemaTokora
This was an awesome conclusion to the first book!
—BaronessofDisaster