Review: The Testing

Here's the deal with this book, I don't know how I feel about it. It's a toss up. I read the second book and I'll read the final book in the trilogy because I must know what is going to happen. There's no telling what is coming next in this book. Even if you wre to guess that there would soon be action the reader would have no clue as to what it is.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

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 honored 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.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.  

There's no telling what is coming next in this book. Even if you were to guess that there would soon be action the reader would have no clue as to what it is. It's entertaining enough, and well-written, those are the two reasons I kept reading and will continue to read her book. I was very happy with the strange(ish) nicknames that the characters had, like "Cia." Those names didn't sound unusual or forced as some science fiction names often do. Though I'd never heard anyone called Cia, it made perfect sense and fit her character, a carefree young woman who was motivated but still could enjoy the company of others.

Something that did bother me, however, was the reasoning behind for elimination of the Testing candidates and the final physical test that would determine whether or not they would move on to the University. My Uncle had it figured out, that the physical tests determined who was worthy by weeding out the weak that couldn't figure out how to survive.

Cia is a talented young woman who knows how to survive. It's her quick thinking and planning ahead that move her toward the University. Cia is the kind of woman I want to be; she is an incredibly strong and a wonderful role model for young women.

I'm always looking for books that portray strong, smart, confident women that would be a wonderful role model for other young women. Cia fits the bill. That being said, this book can also be enjoyed by men. It has action throughout the book and short little surprises throughout that keep the reader on the edge of the seat. However, it's clear that Cia will move on to the University, no surprise there; I think that'd be a great opportunity for Charbonneau to keep people on their feet, to make us worry that she won't succeed.

Sure, I'd recommend this book. Along with books like Alana or Divergent that have strong female leads. The last thing I want is for a young woman to pass up books like these for--god forbid-- Twilight.