The premise did not hold up to scrutiny, although readers who want a fast-paced plot may be able to ignore it for the stakes.

A world where candidates must pass the Testing to determine whether they can attend university and get a college education.

Cia Vale has been chosen for the Testing, and she'll have to prove whether she's good enough to attend university and become a future leader of the United Commonwealth. During the testing, it seems like she can't trust anyone else except for Tomas, her childhood friend.

I've been meaning to read this book since 2013, so it's been a long time coming. I saw the audiobook was available at my library and decided to check it out because I had a RARE craving for a YA dystopian book. In the beginning, I didn't really like Cia or any of the characters and it was really hard to get into. I almost DNF’d it, but the story really picked up when the Testing started!

The Testing part definitely kept me interested, and I was surprised there was so much action and death in this book. This book was compared to the Hunger Games, but I don't think it was as good although it did exceed my expectations. Overall a decent read and I'm a little curious about reading the sequel!

A fun series opener for students who enjoy Veronica Roth's "Divergent" series, Jeanne DuPrau's "City of Ember," or similar Utopian/Dystopian SF or fantasy stories.

I was unable to read this. due to it being archived before I got around to it. I will be looking into reading it at a later date. It has such an interesting premise. I'm disappointed i didn't get to it sooner, but a 2013 release oops '
I can't believe I am that behind on these. It sound super fun.

Finally got around to reading this one, even if it was 7 years too late. I think if I read it back in 2013 I would've really love it. It reminded me of The Hunger Games but it was less interesting. While I know it's not fair to compare books just because their plots sound a bit similar, I couldn't not do it. I actually liked Cia as a main character and that is not something I usually do, I rooted for her all through the book and I liked how much she grew by the end.
The part that kept me from giving it 5 stars was that it all felt very predictable , like I was not even in the middle of the book and I knew exactly what would happen. The best part was about last 20-30 pages which really kept me on the edge of my seat and I will maybe give second book a try, even though I'm okay with stopping here too.

I did not have a chance to read this book, but it is effecting my feedback rating. I am giving books 5 stars that I haven't read to improve my feedback rating. I am not recommending the book for my classroom or students since I have not read the book. There needs to be a better system of leaving feedback for books not read.

I did not receive this book so in now way is this a reflection of my opinion of this book.
I did not receive this book so in now way is this a reflection of my opinion of this book.
I did not receive this book so in now way is this a reflection of my opinion of this book.
I did not receive this book so in now way is this a reflection of my opinion of this book.
NetGalley says my review is too short so apologies for copy/paste.

The Testing a Dystopia book that is in the same vein as the Hunger game books and is just as good, fast paced and keeps you hooked.

I'll break from my usual reviewing style of starting off with a plot summary here, for reasons which will shortly become obvious, and just start by saying The Testing is an interesting dystopian read, with a wonderful narrator, which I'd definitely recommend.

So, that plot summary. Some time after a war has ravaged the world, the post-war government has created a system of colonies. Taken from her home colony, along with a male teen as a love interest, our resourceful heroine is thrown into a situation where a bunch of teenagers are forced to try and kill each other in order to survive. With mutated animals to deal with, as well as the government she'd always thought was trustworthy but now is starting to doubt, can Katniss win out?

I meant Malencia, of course. Can't imagine why the name Katniss sprung into my mind there, can you?

Okay, to say this owes a lot to the Hunger Games would be putting it mildly. Having said that, there's been an awful lot of stuff published recently which owes a lot to the Hunger Games, and this succeeds where the vast majority of the rest has left me cold. The major plus points The Testing has are a fantastic narrator in Cia and the way we're introduced to her world, with the author doing her world-building with great skill. It also stands out as surprisingly brutal, even compared to many of the other dystopians out there today.

It's not five star - for a start, some character motivations seem seriously weird; why on earth are the government willing to wipe out so many promising youngsters? Additionally, there's a slow start which meant it took 50 pages or so to hook me (and another 75 pages or so to check I wasn't rereading The Hunger Games by accident.) It is, however, significantly better than most in the genre, has got one of my favourite heroines of the last twelve months, and features what's quickly becoming the Holy Grail of teen series for me. Yes, it has a cliffhanger ending that actually works perfectly - a few months after reading it, I'm still stunned by how brilliantly Charbonneau set up the next in the sequence.

As stated earlier, definitely recommended for fans of dystopian fiction.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! It is very reminiscent of The Hunger Games but not enough to turn me off. I can't wait to start the next book because there were so many loose ends that I need answers to. I also felt like the main character because I was so paranoid reading this book trying to gigure out who we could actually trust.... Oh wait no one. I don't want to give any spoilers but I loved this book and I would absolutely recommend it to everyone.

LOVED this book! Anyone who likes a good dystopian with an intelligent and compassionate heroine, this one is for you! Can't wait for the sequel!

Charbonneau writes really great characters: interesting, identifiable, complex. The pace is great, the action really moves the story along. Meet Malencia Vale, Cia to her friends and family. She lives in the Five Lakes Colony of the United Commonwealth, the world that she lives in was shattered by the Seven Stages War. The earth is mostly dry and barren, poisoned and scorched by the bombs that killed off most of the world's population. Cia lives in a small colony but all her life she has dreamed of being chosen for the Testing, which calls all the best students from around the nation to Tosu City. No one from her colony has been chosen in over ten years though so the odds are not in her favor. On the day of her graduation, though, there are rumors that an official from Tosu City will be coming, which can mean only one thing. For fans of Divergent, really great teen dystopian.

I liked the main character and her intelligence. She was smart and her moral compass was something that was impressive without being boring. But I didn't really care for the writing style or the supporting characters. The overall events were awesome though. Lots of intrigue. It was a really fast read. I'm going to continue the series to see what the rest has to offer.

I apologize for the delay - I thought that I had submitted feedback regarding this book, but it appears that I did not. I read it a long time ago and I am sorry that I do not recall the specifics of the book. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book and I apologize for any confusion.

Yeah, yeah - it's very similar to "The Hunger Games." But that is NOT a bad thing. Dystopia fiction is the Big Thing right now and it's cool if an author can put a slightly different spin on the genre. Which this one does. It was engaging and interesting and enjoyable. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have finished it (heaven knows I have plenty of other things to read - I don't waste my time on things I don't like). Yes, there's a bit of a love story, but it's upfront and feels like a natural part of the action. Cia and Tomas act as a team during part of the Testing, which is something that's quite refreshing to see in YA fiction. There's no love triangle (though there could be in the next book - thanks, memory wipe trope) - they were good friends before the main action of the story gets going and their relationship doesn't bog down the narrative. The world building is quite good too - not too heavy, but not too weak either. It balances out well. You feel like you know what's going on and what this world as a whole is like. All in all, an enjoyable read. Fans of dystopia will like it very much. Not saying it's the Next Big Thing, but it's a good enough story.

Cia is one of a few students selected for the “testing” from her area. The first time students have been selected from her area in years. In this dystopian society, being selected is an honor – but is a good thing? Only the best candidates can continue to the university – but what makes someone “best?” Murder, self-defense, strategy, compassion, or all of these qualities?

Very similar to the Hunger Games, this is a good story with great characters, a fast paced story line, and an ending that leaves you ready for the second book.

The blurb for this sums up the plot perfectly...... 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 honoured 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.......from those words Cia realises that things aren't as they seem. What is the Testing and what happens to those who don't make it??

I love a good dystopian read and this was really good, if a little typical. The plot was decently paced and action packed. I enjoyed the world building and the intrigue the author created and read this quite quickly. I really liked Cia too. She was smart, canny and loyal and a great heroine. I'm looking forward to seeing where the author takes it from here!

In all, this book rocked! That ending!!!! I need the next book asap.

There is a lot of Hunger Games to this story; the life or death trials, the eagerness of the testers versus the eagerness of the participants. I guess its the ambitions of the participants that really distinguished this story and that it was all for higher level jobs spoke to me as someone who grew up post union, post career retirement funds. I could see people like me doing this to safeguard themselves and their families. especially after reading another stupid article that says retirees need at least $1 million to retire on and I'm making daily choices about which medication or medical treatment my family can afford and wondering if we will pay off our student loans before dying.

Also, there wasn't any romance in this book, at least not anything that took over the story or motivated a character. I'm not opposed to romance in stories and often the lack of it really bothers me since I am pro-romance, but in this story it really, really made sense to me and was more realistic.

I am sorry, I was unable to finish and review this title. Leaving a neutral 3 star rating as this may be a better fit for a different reader.

After a devastating war nearly wiped out the entire population, those left are struggling to pick up the pieces. New colonies are sprouting up in the ruined husks of once-thriving cities. Both food and water are scarce, but civilization has pressed on and remain hopeful for their future.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one already.

Malencia – Cia – Vale has reached Graduation Day, the day when she’ll be recognized as an adult in the eyes of her colony. Unfortunately for Cia, the day is not as joyful as she had hoped. After years of her colony being passed over for Testing candidates, four children are chosen and Cia is one of them. Those chosen for the Testing are required to undergo multiple tests and not everyone reaches the end. Not everyone survives. Those who do pass are then able to attend the University and learn skills to better their society.

Cia knows there’s a possibility she’ll never see her family again. What was originally an exciting affair is now solemn and filled with unsaid thoughts. Before she leaves, Cia’s father shares his own Testing experience – and it’s not what Cia wants to hear. Her father sometimes has flashbacks, wiped memories have been resurfacing. Cia is warned not to trust anyone, but will she follow that advice?

The Testing was hailed as the next Hunger Games – a title nearly every new dystopia series has held at one point or another. In my eyes, The Testing is The Hunger Games meets Divergent meets Battle Royale. In the worst way possible.

The book reads as though the author (who has written a few adult mysteries before trying her hand at YA) compiled every dystopia trope into story form. Threadbare backstory about a terrible (& unexplained) war: CHECK. Colony in Chicago: CHECK. No food sources or clean water, but still able to have things like cake: CHECK. Big Brother-type organization/government: CHECK. A select few chosen to compete in a series of tests/battles to determine who’s fit to move up in the world: CHECK. A childhood friend who’s possibly more: CHECK. A bad guy who is more than he seems: CHECK. A good guy who isn’t everything he seems: CHECK. I could go on.

The most frustrating part of the book surprisingly wasn’t the over-abundance of tropes. Instead, it was the utter lack of explanation. Why were these kids going through these tests? What was the point? These are supposed to be the best and brightest students in the colonies, yet the government aims to pit them against one another, provide them with weapons, and sit back while they kill each other. How does that further society? It seemed to me Cia’s colony was doing just fine without any Testing candidates for those years.

Once the Testing begins, the book read like the worst parts of Harry Potter‘s camping scenes: Cia and Tomas are wandering around catching fish and rabbits, eating berries, cleaning and dressing their wounds. Repeat ad nauseam for the next two hundred pages. Occasionally there’s a mutant creature/human (the aftereffects of the War) and a few times the pair crosses paths with another candidate. There are also groups of people living outside the borders, people who refuse to live by the government’s rules. Again, I’ve read this same story way too many times now.

The author did very little – if anything – to bring a new aspect to an overwritten genre. The killing and brutality these children partake in is accepted because their memories are wiped at the end of the Testing. SO IT’S OKAY GUYS, SEE!

The Testing was one eyeroll after the next. The only interesting part was at the very end – and I mean the very end. In the last two or so paragraphs Cia discovers a recording she made before her memories were wiped. Suddenly she realizes what she went through and who she shouldn’t trust. And there the book ends. I really ought to learn my lesson by now – Dystopia as a genre just isn’t for me. The Testing only confirmed that.

Die-hard fans of the genre and those looking for a familiar (extremely!) story will most likely enjoy The Testing. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me. There were too many questions left unanswered and plot points left unexplained.