Upcoming Release & Review: Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young

Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young 

Expected publication: November 3, 2015

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Stay Tonight. Stay Forever.

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.

My Thoughts

Stay tonight. Stay forever... 

Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young was one of the novels I picked up at my last ALA visit in June 2015. I was looking forward to this book that I anticipated would be a great Halloween read. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite what I expected. I was hoping for a more quick paced novel where the characters would suck me into their sinister surroundings and have me explore their story at the edge of my seat. That didn’t quite happen…

In this novel, we meet Audrey Casella, who is being carted off to live with her grandmother after the sudden death of her mother. She and her family, including her father and brother Daniel, are struggling after this loss, so when they stop off at Hotel Ruby for a brief detour, they suddenly find themselves enjoying the hotel and attempting to reconnect in small ways. However, Audrey quickly realizes that the hotel is not all that it seems. She’s left off of the invitation list for the evening ballroom events, where her brother and father are welcomed to attend.

Audrey ends up hanging out with the hotel staff and learning about the history of Hotel Ruby, including the devastating fire that occurred back in 1937 where sixty seven hotel guests were killed. The ghost stories and mysterious concierge are all fun and games until Audrey begins to experience hallucinations and visions. Staying on the thirteenth floor away from her father and brother, she begins to wonder what is real and what is not.

Overall, I found the story was a bit too slow paced for me for more than half the book. There seemed to be endless wondering around the hotel, conversations with people that didn’t go anywhere and just a cloudy, nebulous experience that if you’re anticipating the twist, which I did, you find it to be somewhat laborious. I think if I connected a bit more with the main character Audrey, I would have invested in her plight more than I did.

Also, I was anticipating something a bit more creepy, but it never really got there for me. I figured out the twist well before the half and just coasted to the ending for the sake of just finishing the book.

Interesting fact… the advanced readers copy of Hotel Ruby does not have a chapter thirteen… It doesn’t exist… I won’t say more than that because I’m sure it’s intentional and ties into the story. At least that’s how I interpreted it.

Regardless... I think others will find Hotel Ruby more entertaining than I did. Just didn't quite get there for me…

3 Snowflakes

Upcoming Release & Giveaway: The Program by Suzanne Young

The Program by Suzanne Young

Expected Publication: April 30, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

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.

My Thoughts

Okay, I’ve put this off long enough, so I’m just going to power through this… See, I’ve struggled for over a couple of weeks putting into words what The Program is truly about. My hesitation lies with the possibility that when I say, …This book is about suicide, but it’s really not about suicide... someone will take that one statement and not only get irritated with my lacking analogy but also not give The Program a chance.

So allow me a few moments while I try to convince you not to make the same mistake I did. I put this book off for so long because of the subject matter. I mean, who gets excited about reading something so dismal when you can pick up a love story? That was my first error in judgment. This book is really good and it’s truly not just about depression and suicide, but more about hope.

The Program is quite unique in its own right. In the book, we learn about a society that faces a teen pandemic, where suicide rates are out of control and society has responded with an aggressive treatment strategy with The Program. There are handlers that keep their eye out for at-risk teenagers between the ages of 13 – 17, and at the first signs of depression, they enroll them in The Program that erases their memories and emotions. After the six weeks of treatment, they are carefully immersed back into society with a fresh start and a clean slate.

Brilliant right?!?! Not so much... Teenagers fear losing their memories and the emotions tied to friendships that are meaningful to them.

Sloane’s brother and best friend have both committed suicide and her friend Lucy is taken into The Program after attempting the QuickDeath. When her boyfriend James, who promised to never let them fall victim to The Program, is taken by the handlers, Sloane is left to fight, scheme and sacrifice to hold on to what’s hers.

Overall, The Program is about fighting society in an attempt to hold on to what’s yours… your memories, your emotions, and your feelings that make you - you. The writing is flawless, and the message is clear. If I had to sum up in one short statement what Suzanne Young is trying to convey, I’d have to say she was clear about sharing how important it is to not lose sight of who you are and what you cherish.

The concept is pretty severe; and like I said, it took me a while to get into the right frame of mind to jump into the book. But, once I read a few short chapters, I quickly experienced that “tell me more!” feeling. My only regret is that I feel this book would have made a magnificent stand-alone, but I understand that it’s part of a series. As much as I was awed by Young’s writing and impressed with her plot, I can’t see myself buying into the propaganda of “the story continues…” I appreciated my time with Young’s characters and I applaud her writing skills, but I can pretty much figure out the rest from here.

Overall, though, The Program is truly a story not to be missed. It may seem daunting, but not without a good serving of hope. Color me impressed!

4 Snowflakes

If this sounds like a book you would enjoy, WinterHaven Books is giving away a copy of their ARC edition of The Program by Suzanne Young. Simply fill out the rafflecopter and share a thoughtful comment about the book, review or anything bookish you'd like to share. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday, #15

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we can't wait to get our hands on.

Here's my selection for this week...

The Program by Suzanne Young

Expected Publication: April 30th 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse

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.

So what caught my attention about this book? Well a couple of things… First being that Jay Asher describes this novel as “Suspenseful and touching… feels frighteningly real.” Now those are some serious words! When a dystopic novel borders on the side of realism, sign me up. Because anytime we consider a world gone so disturbingly wrong yet it's not far off in terms of possibility, my brain jumps into overdrive.  Second, the premise feels neither light or fluffy. I’m getting the sense that The Program tackles some heavy topics that will grab my attention and hold me captive. Despite the somberness of the subject matter, I’m curious about the underlying themes Young plans to deliver in her book.

Lastly, just a fun fact: Did you know that the color yellow is visually the most difficult color for your eyes to focus on because it’s actually brighter than white and stronger in its emotional impact? Also, according to studies, yellow has a stimulating impact on your memory. So I’m wondering, does the color of those banana suits on the cover represent something? Curiouser and curiouser... :D

Sooo, what book are you waiting on?