The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

                                                

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Published June 4th by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Genres: Speculative Fiction, Dystopia, Young Adult

Pages: 336

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Summary: 
“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 and 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.


- The Hunger Games meets Divergent in this astringent novel. It's not that The Testing was a wannabe Hunger Games book, totally not. The Testing completely distinguishes itself from that. I loved/enjoyed reading The Testing, which is the first book of a great trilogy.


I can never get enough of this genre. I completely get lost in dystopian novels. Like I said before: I really love this genre, but they're most likely not all too good for my liking (maybe this is because dystopian is an incredibly difficult genre to write). But let me tell you this: The Testing is one of the good books. It's a book with a lot of action and of course a love story. How can their not be a love story? Luckily there wasn't a love triangle, because I hate love triangles. The Testing was actually a realistic story (except for the last test, but the plot of the story: being chosen as a Testing candidate to prove your worthiness as a University student is actually something that could happen.)


Characters: I normally find the main characters in dystopian novels, sometimes, annoying and bitchy. Thankfully that wasn't the case here. I loved the narrator, Cia. Cia is a kind and caring person, but she knows how to survive and takes care of herself. She never does something without thinking it through. Cia is not a girly character, probably because she grew up with four brothers. You see how she grew and became stronger during the story. And after every page I loved her more and more. Cia has absolutely become one of my favorite YA female characters. In the story you also get to know Tomas really well. Tomas is the main love interest and he grew up with her in Five Lakes Colony. They weren't really close when they were little, but they became very close after Cia told him about her father's warnings. I liked Tomas, he cared for Cia and made sure nothing happened to her, although he also has a dark side. (Everybody has, in this story.) I loved Joelle's characters. They were genuine and I got attached to them really quick. She has a wonderful writing style and I just love this trilogy.


The Testing is a book that you can not put down. So do not read it when you want to go to bed the next hour. If you're looking for a great and beautiful YA dystopian novel, look no further: The Testing awaits.


All by all I give this book 5 stars.



“Things don't always work out the way we hope. You just have to pick yourself up and find a new direction to go in.”