Review: Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young

Summary:

When Audrey Casella arrives for an unplanned stay at the grand Hotel Ruby, she’s grateful for the detour. Just months after their mother’s death, Audrey and her brother, Daniel, are on their way to live with their grandmother, dumped on the doorstep of a DNA-matched stranger because their father is drowning in his grief.

Audrey and her family only plan to stay the night, but life in the Ruby can be intoxicating, extending their stay as it provides endless distractions—including handsome guest Elias Lange, who sends Audrey’s pulse racing. However, the hotel proves to be as strange as it is beautiful. Nightly fancy affairs in the ballroom are invitation only, and Audrey seems to be the one guest who doesn't have an invite. Instead, she joins the hotel staff on the rooftop, catching whispers about the hotel’s dark past.

The more Audrey learns about the new people she's met, the more her curiosity grows. She’s torn in different directions—the pull of her past with its overwhelming loss, the promise of a future that holds little joy, and an in-between life in a place that is so much more than it seems…

Welcome to the Ruby.

Publication Date: November 3, 2015

I liked the concept of Hotel Ruby and I definitely find hotels a very creeping setting for horror novels, but I didn’t fall in total love with the characters in the novel. I normally don’t continue with a book when I don’t connect with at least one of the characters, but the mystery kept me reading.

The main problem I had with the characters were that I found them to be very, very bland. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember their names when I picked the book back up. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with Audrey and Daniel and they had a tragic back-story, but I felt no emotional pull to them; even the “mysterious” stranger Elias came across as a yawn.

Hotel Ruby did have a good atmospheric vibe going for it. I’m not a fan of blood and guts horror, so ghost stories are definitely more up my alley. The pace was slow, but I kind of liked gradually learning about the devastating history that took place at the hotel years ago. There was also a really good twist that helped save the book for me.    

Although Hotel Ruby wasn’t my favorite book, I still enjoy the author’s other works immensely. I would highly recommend her series’ The Program to YA dystopian fans.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book for review!

Review: The Program by Suzanne Young

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

Publication Date: April 30, 2013

The Program was a strange read for me. After finishing it, I can’t really tell you how I feel about the novel as a whole. There were parts I really loved and others that were just okay. I think the series has a lot of promise and with improvements in the world building and character development it can be truly exceptional.

The setup was intriguing—a suicide epidemic has brought into existence The Program, a government run mental health project that forces teens into a treatment program that erases their memories. Sloane begins to lose those close to her to either suicide or The Program. Her emotional outbursts due to these losses make her fearful that she’ll be locked away in one of The Program’s treatment facilities.

The Program had a strong start. I actually liked that Sloane and James were already a couple. Often I love the development of a new romance, but this was almost like witnessing the process in reverse. Although I liked the romance between them, I wished Sloane had her own identity. I appreciated the deep bond and how much James and Sloane loved one another, but it would’ve been nice to see Sloane have her own hobbies and interests outside of her boyfriend.

The secondary characters were all interesting, except for the unnecessary inclusion of a few baddies. I liked that the story was told from Sloane’s POV and I thought the author did a good job of portraying the emotions of someone who had lost someone close to them to suicide.

What I felt the book was lacking is that it didn’t delve enough into how the Program came into existence and what the reasoning was behind the us (teens) versus them (parents, therapists, etc) mentality. I could almost empathize with the parents. If the alternative were death, why wouldn’t I want to do everything in my power to hold onto my child? What is the basis for the resistance? Plus, wouldn’t facilities use proven treatment methods to cure the teens, not wiping all of their memories away?

The Program was thought provoking for sure and I’m curious to see how the series continues. There were some mature scenes and I’d recommend this book for older teens and adults.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!

Waiting on Wednesday #8

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine and highlights an upcoming release we're eagerly awaiting.

The Program by Suzanne Young

Publication Date: April 30, 2013

Goodreads Summary:

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

I haven't read the author's other works yet, but I heard good things. This sounds like a cool dytopian with a unique twist.

What books are you waiting for?