Helpful Score: 1
If you liked/loved the Hunger Games and are looking for another series look no more because here it is! This book has the same "Fight to the death" scenario with a larger group continuing on to the next challenge and these challenges are more real life. Take it from me... you're gonna love it!
Helpful Score: 1
It has taken me forever to get around to reviewing this book, even though I read it ages ago. And why is that you might ask? I rated it 4 stars, so I must have liked it! And the truth is yes, I did like it, but the issue that "The Testing" has, is that it is basically "The Hunger Games: Reloaded". It has almost all the same elements, it has the same setup. The difference between "The Hunger Games" and "The Testing" as far as I can see is the characters.
When I read "The Hunger Games", I laughed, I cried, I got mad. The characters and situations elicited emotions from me. I responded to the book, I cared about the "people" in it. When I read "The Testing", I recognized that situations were stressful and dangerous, I realized that people were evil and frustrating, but while I had those realizations they did not really affect me as a reader in any way, shape, or form. I am not sure if it is due to a lack of development of these characters, or maybe I just did not connect with them for some other reason. Maybe it is the way the plot is structured or the way obstacles are introduced. Whatever the reason, this book just did not live up to the book that it was essentially copying.
All those things being said, I did enjoy this book a good bit. I think that is because I liked "The Hunger Games" series so much that anything similar I can read as a "bonus" makes me happy. I have not read any additional books in this series but I really hope that Charbonneau finds her own voice in the subsequent books and diverges a little from the path that Collins has already taken.
I'd recommend this book to fans of "The Hunger Games" with the caution that you need to not expect anything new, and it would help to not compare this book and its characters to "The Hunger Games" if you can help it. It just will not live up to those kinds of expectations.
When I read "The Hunger Games", I laughed, I cried, I got mad. The characters and situations elicited emotions from me. I responded to the book, I cared about the "people" in it. When I read "The Testing", I recognized that situations were stressful and dangerous, I realized that people were evil and frustrating, but while I had those realizations they did not really affect me as a reader in any way, shape, or form. I am not sure if it is due to a lack of development of these characters, or maybe I just did not connect with them for some other reason. Maybe it is the way the plot is structured or the way obstacles are introduced. Whatever the reason, this book just did not live up to the book that it was essentially copying.
All those things being said, I did enjoy this book a good bit. I think that is because I liked "The Hunger Games" series so much that anything similar I can read as a "bonus" makes me happy. I have not read any additional books in this series but I really hope that Charbonneau finds her own voice in the subsequent books and diverges a little from the path that Collins has already taken.
I'd recommend this book to fans of "The Hunger Games" with the caution that you need to not expect anything new, and it would help to not compare this book and its characters to "The Hunger Games" if you can help it. It just will not live up to those kinds of expectations.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book for middle schoolers. It was similar to Hunger Games and the distopian genre but seemed less graphic. I enjoyed it, and I am a middle school reading teacher.
If you enjoyed The Hunger Games, this would be a great book for you! Earth is recovering after a world war has devastated it. Students are screened and those found worthy enough are honored with a chance to undergo Testing to determine whether or not they can attend the University. Cia is chosen, as was her father before her. However, his parting words to her are "trust no one." Lots of action (including murder), a little bit of romance (kissing), and thought provoking questions make this a great read.
First things first, I'm totally gonna miss Cia till January... She became a friend, over the pages... I will give you this book, that I had the privilege to read as an advanced copy, is along the lines of the Hunger Games. However my personal opinion is that The Testing is so much better than the Hunger Games on so many levels. One it's not as girly, and two it's is more adult focused... Not that I'm putting down Hunger Games in anyway at all... If you liked that book you will love The Testing. If you don't read this book, you are missing out on an amazing tale... Get it Read it!!!!
Cia Vale is honored to one of the very few chosen for The Testing. If she can complete the testing, she will be given the opportunity to attend the University, where she will learn how to lead and bring the country back to a revitalized state. No one has been chosen from her colony in over ten years, this year four are chosen. Knowing she probably won't see her family again, Cia is sad yet excited about her future. She quickly becomes close to Tomas, a boy from her colony and they partner up to get through the Testing together. But Cia is unprepared for the trials and tribulations she is about embark on.
The Testing starts with over a hundred candidates and it's broken into four parts. The competition is stiff and the pressure is high. If a student fails, they are never seen again. Exhausted, Cia does her best to trust no one like her father told her to, try and keep her wits about her and stop at nothing to succeed. But it is in the fourth testing that makes or the students. A wasteland, they must travel miles and miles to get to the finish line and knowing there are only a few spots for the University, the students will do what ever it takes, even kill, to make sure that slot is theirs.
I almost read this book in one sitting. It was very hard for me to put down. It's fast paced and the world building is well thought out and riveting. There's a love triangle alluded to but it didn't happen in this installment. I felt that Cia was a strong, complex character who is just coming into her own. There are some unexpected moments and some plot points I look forward to being further examined in the next installment. Fans of Matched or the Hunger Games are sure to enjoy The Testing! With pressure to succeed in our society, The Testing pushes the boundaries on how far someone will go to achieve those goals. I loved it!!
The Testing starts with over a hundred candidates and it's broken into four parts. The competition is stiff and the pressure is high. If a student fails, they are never seen again. Exhausted, Cia does her best to trust no one like her father told her to, try and keep her wits about her and stop at nothing to succeed. But it is in the fourth testing that makes or the students. A wasteland, they must travel miles and miles to get to the finish line and knowing there are only a few spots for the University, the students will do what ever it takes, even kill, to make sure that slot is theirs.
I almost read this book in one sitting. It was very hard for me to put down. It's fast paced and the world building is well thought out and riveting. There's a love triangle alluded to but it didn't happen in this installment. I felt that Cia was a strong, complex character who is just coming into her own. There are some unexpected moments and some plot points I look forward to being further examined in the next installment. Fans of Matched or the Hunger Games are sure to enjoy The Testing! With pressure to succeed in our society, The Testing pushes the boundaries on how far someone will go to achieve those goals. I loved it!!
I enjoyed this book! It kept me guessing and reminded me of the Hunger Games!
