Overview
It’s graduation day for sixteen-year-old Malencia Vale, and the entire Five Lakes Colony (the former Great Lakes) is celebrating. All Cia can think about—hope for—is whether she’ll be chosen for The Testing, a United Commonwealth program that selects the best and brightest new graduates to become possible leaders of the slowly revitalizing post-war civilization. When Cia is chosen, her father finally tells her about his own nightmarish half-memories of The Testing. Armed with his dire warnings (”Cia, trust no one”), she bravely heads off to Tosu City, far away from friends and family, perhaps forever. Danger, romance—and sheer terror—await.
My Thoughts:
I wasn't sure at first how this book was going to go for me. I found it easy to read and the characters flowed well, it just took a bit to figure out where the writer was heading with the story. Once it did though, I admit It got my attention and reeled me in.
Cia is a strong character who may be a tad too trusting at times, but I found myself connecting with her. I mean who wants to see the bad in people. Don't we all want to believe that everyone is a good, honest person? Thomas I don't know I can't quite put my finger on it but the character makes me wary and I'm not sure I trust him. The testing folks are just plain creepy. Always there, always watching and knowing. It's like big brother peering over your shoulder constantly.
In the end, I found I really enjoyed the book. I'm sure I'm not the first reviewer to say it's very reminiscent to Hunger Games and I'm sure I won't be the last. That aside, the story itself is interesting and I'm keen to find out what happens next.
Author's website: Joelle Charbonneau
Series Website: Testing Trilogy
