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ashleysager's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
A decent book and a good series. Not a great ending at all. Seems like all throughout the series, everything is too easy for Cia. She always has exactly all the tools she needs and easily gets through every barrier.
_beckyzhong_'s review against another edition
4.0
Finally. The long-awaited conclusion to "The Testing" trilogy.
To be honest, I really enjoyed the first two books of this series, but the last book was a bit of a disappointment(I know...harsh). It was still well written, so maybe I was dissatisfied because my hopes beforehand were way too high.
The first two books were full of action and suspense; however, I felt as though the author Joelle Charbonneau purposely dragged this book out and added a large amount of clutter. There were details in the wrong places and she slowed down the parts that I desperately wanted to fast forward the most. I felt like there were a lot of repetitive scenes too, but don't get me wrong, this series was a satisfying read overall. The entire story tied together very well, and I LOVED the story and characters. I just wish it could've ended better. :)
To be honest, I really enjoyed the first two books of this series, but the last book was a bit of a disappointment(I know...harsh). It was still well written, so maybe I was dissatisfied because my hopes beforehand were way too high.
The first two books were full of action and suspense; however, I felt as though the author Joelle Charbonneau purposely dragged this book out and added a large amount of clutter. There were details in the wrong places and she slowed down the parts that I desperately wanted to fast forward the most. I felt like there were a lot of repetitive scenes too, but don't get me wrong, this series was a satisfying read overall. The entire story tied together very well, and I LOVED the story and characters. I just wish it could've ended better. :)
asigler03's review against another edition
2.0
I read this series when I was in late elementary school (probably too young for it but whatever) but only had a physical copy of the first book. So I really didn't remember anything from Independent Study or this book. I finally decided to reread the entire series and truthfully... I was very disappointed. The first book was obviously written in the dystopian craze that followed the Hunger Games, and it shows. However, it was entertaining in its own right. Independent Study I enjoyed but I was able to brush over the plot holes because I just assumed they'd get resolved in this book... they did not.
Overall, a series that started with a bang and ended with a whimper.
[MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD]
Also, Thomas is so boring to me in this book! His relationship with Cia in the first book was very good but he faded kind of into the background in book 2. In this book, all he was was the "perfect boyfriend." His personality from the first book was completely lost. For most of the second book and this entire book, she had so much more chemistry with Raffe, who was a much more compelling character
Overall, a series that started with a bang and ended with a whimper.
[MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD]
Spoiler
I can't leave this review without talking about the ending. With the twist that Dr. Barnes, who had seemed like the perfect proponent of the testing, actually being against it, there could have been so much more to explore. But with his quick death, all of the potential is lost. I would have preferred for this twist to have come at the mid-way point, instead of at the very end.Also, Thomas is so boring to me in this book! His relationship with Cia in the first book was very good but he faded kind of into the background in book 2. In this book, all he was was the "perfect boyfriend." His personality from the first book was completely lost. For most of the second book and this entire book, she had so much more chemistry with Raffe, who was a much more compelling character
wrasea's review against another edition
2.0
This series was...meh. I can't believe I made it through all three; I found them to be a bore more often than not, and the writing style left much to be desired. I would recommend the series to anyone needing something to put them to sleep at night.
kimbapnboba's review against another edition
3.0
Uh, I don't really get the ending. Doesn't make sense to me. It seems a bit left field. And not sure why Cia's brother had any part of this story. He should either have been left out or played a bigger role. The ending was pretty disappointing even though it wasn't as predictable as I first thought.
michalice's review against another edition
4.0
The countdown for this book began the second I finished reading Independent Study. As soon as I could make a start on Graduation Day I did, and after a few hiccups, I managed to finish the book. I am going to try to make this a spoiler free review, I don't want to accidentally let slip what happens, so it's going to be more about my thoughts and feelings, rather than talking about what exact bits I liked.
Graduation Day was another nervous read where I never knew what was going on. The tension is so high, and the risk of being caught only adds to this. How I still have all my nails intact after reading Graduation Day is beyond me. I enjoyed getting to see different sides to characters that I thought I knew, and how they can change my opinion of them. What they do for survival is ingenious but also for self preservation.
Cia really comes into her own into this book. We get to see her in action, making choices that define others futures and what will happen to them, becoming something she didn't want to be, but knowing there is no other choice. She has to find the strength to make choices that may go against the presidents wishes, she has to be stronger, braver, and more determined to survive than the opposition.
While I enjoyed Graduation Day, I don't think it was my favourite. I love the mystery, and the secrets, but I think there was too much political issues for me, I prefer more action and fighting. The ending also wasn't what I expected, while I thought it was the right one for the plot in its entirety, I would have like a more solid, definite ending, rather than the fade to black type of ending.
Graduation Day was another nervous read where I never knew what was going on. The tension is so high, and the risk of being caught only adds to this. How I still have all my nails intact after reading Graduation Day is beyond me. I enjoyed getting to see different sides to characters that I thought I knew, and how they can change my opinion of them. What they do for survival is ingenious but also for self preservation.
Cia really comes into her own into this book. We get to see her in action, making choices that define others futures and what will happen to them, becoming something she didn't want to be, but knowing there is no other choice. She has to find the strength to make choices that may go against the presidents wishes, she has to be stronger, braver, and more determined to survive than the opposition.
While I enjoyed Graduation Day, I don't think it was my favourite. I love the mystery, and the secrets, but I think there was too much political issues for me, I prefer more action and fighting. The ending also wasn't what I expected, while I thought it was the right one for the plot in its entirety, I would have like a more solid, definite ending, rather than the fade to black type of ending.
christinaerickson33's review against another edition
5.0
What a great way to end the trilogy!!! I'm not sure what else to say. I'm sad that it's over.
mellomorissa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mfh1979's review against another edition
3.0
I read it. Slow slow then very fast.. that's the action. Everything comes together neatly, too neatly for me. Some of the English was as if it had been translated by Google translate, not often, just like 2 or 3 times. Odd.
For a peace loving person, the main character murdered many people... lots of gun murder in these books. For a future society there are a lot of wooden handled revolvers mentioned.
For a peace loving person, the main character murdered many people... lots of gun murder in these books. For a future society there are a lot of wooden handled revolvers mentioned.