The Testing by Joelle CharbonneauMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau, is yet another dystopian novel. Whenever I feel I have reached a dystopian saturation point, I run across a book like The Testing that I cannot put down. The outline of the book is typical. The world has nearly been destroyed by the Seven Stages of War. Vast areas of the country are desolate wastelands. A select few are chosen by the United Commonwealth to set the country right again. There are a series of tests that chosen candidates must complete in order to attend the United Commonwealth University. Cia’s father was a candidate for the University years ago, but no one has been chosen from Five Lakes colony where Cia lives for many years. Then after high school graduation, when she had given up hope at being chosen, she finds out she is a candidate for the testing, and that she will leave her family and travel to Tosu city. Her father takes her aside before she leaves, and tells her to trust no one and alludes to some terrible experiences that he had that are in his nightmares, if not in his memories. The Testing has a Hunger Games feel to it, but it is unique. I think most will feel themselves totally in the world of Cia and the other candidates. Great read for 7th grade and up.
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