The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

            If The Hunger Games and Divergent had a baby it would be this novel. The Testing is a rare blend of action, intrigue and thought provoking drama that made it almost impossible to put down until I was finished. I thought that the development of Cia Vale over the course of the book was perfect, at her core she never shifted from her ideals and morals, but she grew as different obstacles were encountered. Dystopian YA has become the new “it” genre thanks in large part to novels like The Hunger Games, and while everything nowadays is being touted as the new Hunger Games, this novel is actually one of the few that I think can make the cut. Its well written and I can’t wait until the next book comes out, in fact I have already preordered it.

            The future has claimed much of the Earth, they call it the Seven Stages War. While man was responsible for the first few stages (nuclear bombs, wars and the such), the last few stages were Earth’s retaliation. Tidal Waves, radiation, new animals, and dry spells have devastated the landscape. What is left of humanity has divided itself into colonies. There are many, and all with varying degrees of populations and abilities, located where Earth has been least damaged.

            Cia Vale lives in the Five Lakes region, an area that was once the Great Lakes (although through drought and radiation not much is left). Cia works alongside her father trying to regrow crops in the contaminated soil that can be eaten. Cia’s father was one of the lucky few in his youth. He was chosen to participate in the Testing. After the Seven Stages War, an elite group was set up to help lead the land. This elite group is chosen from the smartest and most potential students from each colony after they complete their education between the ages of 16-18.

            Not much is known about the testing, other than after testing and qualification into University people are placed where their talents can best be used, and that is never in their original colony. The Five Lakes hasn’t had a candidate in over ten years, but Cia’s year four people were chosen to go through the testing. The night before they leave, Cia’s father takes her aside to tell her that the testing isn’t all its cracked up to be. She learns that after the testing her father’s memory was whipped clean, all he knows are his nightmares. Nightmares of his friends dying horrible deaths in the testing, dreams of starvation and injury, and always the feeling of emptiness and horror whenever he thinks about the testing whipped from his memory. The last thing he tells Cia is not to trust anyone, not the testers or the other candidates, not even her friends from Five Lakes heading to the testing with her.

            Cia is not one to distrust where she feels it isn’t deserved. She looks out for her friends, especially Thomas who she’s been friends with and had a crush on since childhood. Its more than that though, Cia sees others scared and alone, and invites them to sit with her. During testing she goes out of the way to look out for her friends, and keep them out of trouble and in the testing, even when it is risky for herself. But Cia has noticed some strange things about the testing facility. Camera’s have been hidden everywhere, not just in the halls and testing rooms, but in the candidate’s bedrooms, gardens, and relaxation areas.

            Some students take the testing seriously; Cia’s father was right to warn her about trusting people. Cia’s roommate poisoned cakes and then offered them to Cia and her friends, hoping to get rid of them. During one of the group tests, one of Cia’s members lied and caused some of the team to be killed. Cia knew something was wrong during that test and tried to warn the other members, managing to save one. Throughout the testing people keep dying, committing suicide and just fail out.

            Cia has watched her friends die, be tortured, and scared. But because they have been looking out for each other, more than half have survived to the final test. Dropped in the middle of a red zone, days and days away from the testing facility, the remaining candidates have to use their skills and knowledge to get through the radiation areas, contaminated water and crops, deal with the mutations of people and animals torn apart during the Seven Stage War. Not to mention some of the other candidates who believe that killing each other is the best way to win and prove themselves during the last test. This last test is not just about making it to University, but will put a strain on the friendships that Cia has formed.

            This book was just amazing, and the ending I did not see coming. It was an ending that made total sense, but not one that I could have predicted. The action lasted throughout the entire book, with no lag or boring sections. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes Hunger Games, Divergent, Delirium, The Program, young adult novels, dystopian books, or novels by Eve Silver and Cristin Terrill.