The genre's obligatory love triangle appears as Realm is introduced and memories of James are erased, but who Sloane truly loves is never really in question, giving even this often overplayed element a new spin. Despite minimal action, the suspense is intense, as readers view the agonizing effects of The Program from inside Sloane's mind. The focus on fears of teen behavior, rather than the fallout from global catastrophes, gives the novel a deeply personal and imminently plausible feel. With this powerful psychological drama, Young contributes a unique, attention-worthy standout from the crowd of young adult dystopias. Upon release Sloane struggles to rebuild her life with Realm's help, but when she inadvertently reconnects with former friends and, more importantly, James, she starts to question what's been done to her and decides to fight for her memories, her love, and her freedom.

Upon entering The Program herself, she fights to keep control of her life and clings desperately to her only ally, a fellow patient named Realm, who may not be as trustworthy as she thinks.

When James is suddenly taken by Program handlers, though, Sloane's state of mind quickly disintegrates. Seventeen-year-old Sloane Barstow, who has already lost her brother to suicide and her best friend to The Program, hopes only to survive into adulthood with her boyfriend James at her side. Desperate to save young people from themselves, the government establishes The Program, which provides treatment but leaves little more than a hollow shell behind. In the near future, an epidemic of depression and suicide is taking the life of one out of every three teenagers.

The Program by Suzanne Young