I received this book for free from Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Treatment by Suzanne Young Series: The Program #2
Published by Simon Pulse on April 29th 2014
Genres: Dystopia, YA
Source: Simon & Schuster Canada
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Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”
How do you stop an epidemic?
Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.
Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.
Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?
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.
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Nick @ Nick's Book Blog
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy this one, Jenni. I’m currently reading it and I like it, but not as much as I loved The Program. I agree with you on Sloane though. She’s been making some stupid decisions concerning Realm and I really feel for James. But I’m not too worried about Realm because he’s a creepy and I know that nothing will affect my ship.
I do want more from the plot and the rebels though.
Great honest review, Jenni.
Pili
I haven’t read the first book, although I’ve heard pretty good things about it, and the more I read about this one, the less I feel like reading either of them!
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it more, but great & honest review as always, Jenni!
Mary @ BookSwarm
Oh, damn. An annoying love triangle? Nope. Nope. I’m out.
Tara @ The Librarian Who Doesn't Say Shhh!
Ohhhhh no. I didn’t even love The Program that much, so I’ve be extra nervous about The Treatment. Somehow I ended up with an copy in every format (ebook, print ARC, and an audio review copy), so I feel extra obliged to actually read and review the book. I guess I’ll just have to push through!
Kayla @ The Thousand Lives
Oh dear. I was already iffy on whether or not I wanted to read the sequel, since I loved The Program so much and felt that it was kind of resolved enough that I didn’t feel that need to continue. But a crappy love triangle? Count me out! Maybe I’ll hunt it down when I’m feeling particularly bold or when it’s out in paperback..
Savannah
I just bought the first book since I saw lots of peeps reading this one…now I’m not so sure about reading it. Will still give it a try though. Thanks for sharing.
kindlemom1
I am sorry you struggled with this one so much, it was very different from The Program in writing style and feel and I am still not sure how I felt about the three parts to it but I was happy with how it ended.
Stella Telleria
Oh no! I hate it when “rebels” do no planning or have no means to support themselves, but end up living with modern amenities. Drives me crazy! Survival skills, people! It’s so sad when you love the first but hate the consequent books in a series. I hate it when that happens. 🙁
lily
I’m was such a huge fan of The Program that i almost wish it were a standalone.I did manage to enjoy The Treatment but i felt like it was never going to compare to the first book. I pretty much liked it for all the Slaone and James moments but even those didn’t make my heart ache like the ones in The Program. Yes—the love triangle was stupid and absurd and shouldn’t have even been included in the book. The running away got kinda boring and the plot was a bit flat like i just liked being with Slaone and james again. Had the love trialge not at all been included in this book i would have enjoyed it much more.
Lily @ Lilysbookblog
Jennifer Bielman
I pretty much agree with everything you said. The beginning was pretty bad and OMG: Michael Realm Must Die!!!!! I can’t stand him and with how Sloane warmed up to him, it made me sick. However, I still enjoyed the read for the most part.
Missie
I wasn’t fully in love with the first book, so now I am even less excited for this one!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain
I have The Treatment but still haven’t read it, so if I do, I think I’m just going to stick to reading the first book because the second one sounds like it really falls flat with the whole lack of detail and the cheesy aspect of the romance. Fantastic review, though, Jenni! <33
Lauren
Oh no, I’m so bummed to hear this wasn’t as strong as the first one! Almost DNFing three times, very bad sign. I’m really not looking forward to this at all anymore after reading several similar reviews. Perhaps that’s for the best, it seems like #1 is the place to stop. Thank you for your thoughtful, honest review!
Melliane
it’s really sad when the sequel isn’t up to the first book. Unfortunately it happens and sometimes a lot. I didn’t know book 2 was out, I haven’t heard about it, and I’m sorry it wasn’t for you… maybe the next one?
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
I definitely understand. I was a huge fan of Everneath series but then the last one was a total flop 🙁 I haven’t read this series yet though it sounds pretty interesting. Boo for lack of details!
Great review, Jenni! <33
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
I appreciate your honest review Giselle, lack of detail is something that I find frustrating in books because they are hard to connect with or understand things about where the novel is going. I actually had that same problem with the novel I just read, Disruption. Lovely review!
Carina Olsen
Okay, UGH. Love triangle? So not okay. It sounds AWFUL. But thank you. Thank you so so so much for being honest. <3 I'm so sorry that this book didn't work for you, though. I have yet to read book one.. but I have pre-ordered this one. Sniffs. Not sure when I will try reading them.. but I must, one day. lol. Thank you for sharing. <3
Bethzaida (bookittyblog)
Boooo! So sad you didn’t get an awesome sequel.
Faye @ The Social Potato
My co-blogger reviewed this not too long ago, and like you, had the same problems. The love triangle seemed unnecessary most of all. I’m sorry this was a boring read! I tried The Program and DNFed it (it just didn’t work I guess!) so I’m glad I won’t be reading this for a long time ^^ Should save me the trouble 🙂
Amy @ Book Loving Mom
It’s too bad that you didn’t really enjoy this one. I remember how much you liked the first one. I actually listened to the fist on audio and had a hard time with the narrator so it took away from the story for me. Stupidly, I am going to be listening to the audio of this one too… same narrator. And if this one isn’t as good as the first one, that makes me nervous. Thanks for the great review.