The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
Publisher/Year: HMH Books for Young Readers | June 4, 2013
Pages: 352
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Format: E-Book
Source: Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited
Summary (From Goodreads)
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same? The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career. Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies–trust no one. But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.
First Off…
When the review compares a book to a recent best seller, I usually take that with a grain of salt, sometimes it even makes me not want to read it. I’m not sure why I went ahead and picked this book. I think a little part of me was planning on putting it down after two chapters. This series hower truly lives up to the comparison of the hunger games without being a copycat novel and hooked me quick so there was no chance of me putting it down.
Thoughts:
The testing does a great job setting up the world and the characters. Joelle Charbonneau does one of the better jobs of explaining how the world got to the place it was in and does it in a way that makes you believe it would be possible. I like that you get to spend some times getting to know the characters but there is still tention from the beginning, especially since you know from the genre that the testing probably isn’t what it appears to be. I’m not really sure why I liked all the tension that was happening since I was sitting on a beach trying to relax on vacation, but it made me so engaged in the story.
The story wasn’t predictable either. Of course there were some things I guessed happening but Joelle did a great job of not making it obvious. Even when I knew something would happen, the world she created makes you question if you could be right. You’re just as tied up in the confusion as Cia is, which also makes her relationship with Tomas no over the top lovie dovie. Because I’ll tell you this, you’re not really sure how to feel about Tomas or the relationship till the end of the series.
I also enjoyed the characters’ constant struggles to figure out the difference between who they believed they were and who others believed they were. No matter who you are or what age- that struggle remains on some level.
Feels:
I was so confused through this whole series, I wasn’t really sure what to feel. There was definitely panic and heartache. I got very attached to the characters and very protective very quickly. So when everything doesn’t go perfectly, I got a little irate. I may have been the crazy girl on the beach talking to her book.
10 Second Summary:
- This is not a copycat story: When they say you’ll like this series if you liked the Hunger Games that’s totally true. But this story can stand on it’s own two feet. If you like young adult dystopians and want solid characters and a fast paced plot, you have to read this series.
- You’ll have to read the whole trilogy right away: I tried to finish another book I had started. No luck. After a couple pages I dove into Independent Study I had to know what happened next.
- You’ll Question the “Grey Zone”: Charbonneau does a great job of mixing the black and white of life together till there is so much grey you don’t really know what you should believe. I love books that push boundaries and make me struggle through the messiness of life. This series does just that.
Haven’t decided between Hardback or Paperback. This will definitely wind up on the shelves though.