The Testing: Volume 1

Joelle Charbonneau

Jun 2013 · The Testing Book 1 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

The opening volume in the New York Times bestselling Testing trilogy. In Cia's dystopian society, it's an honor to be chosen for The Testing. But it’s not enough to pass the Test. Cia will have to survive it.

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.

“The Testing is a chilling and devious dystopian thriller that all fans of The Hunger Games will simply devour. Joelle Charbonneau writes with guts and nerve but also great compassion and heart. Highly recommended.”—Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Rot & Ruin and Flesh & Bone

The Testing trilogy is:

• The Testing
• Independent Study
• Graduation Day

Ratings and reviews

I thought this would be a little derivative but I was impressed with both the story and the writing style. I blew threw this book in two days and am looking forward to picking up the second.

It's a trilogy about a young girl, chosen by a dystopian government to compete against other children, constant threat of death, a love interest with a fellow competitor from back home, and a secret rebel faction. Sound familiar? Still, this book was so unique that you rarely think about the "borrowed" story line. In many ways it is darker than the Hunger Games, and feels like a more possible future after a destructive global war. This is not a blood support used as entertainment, but the culmination of one man's vision on how to best select and prepare future leaders. There is a lot more for the reader to discover in this book compared to the Hunger Games. I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to continue the series. The wafts of Hunger Games is the only reason I did not give it 5 stars.

I enjoyed the book but I wouldn't pay more than 3-4$ for the sequel since there is nothing new under the sun with this story.

About the author

Joelle Charbonneau has performed in opera and musical-theater productions across Chicagoland. She is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Testing trilogy and the bestselling Dividing Eden series, as well as two adult mystery series and several other books for young adult readers. Her YA books have appeared on the Indie Next List, YALSA’s Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, and state reading lists across the country. Joelle lives in the Chicago area with her husband and son. www.joellecharbonneau.com