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kkdemarco's review against another edition
3.0
To sum it up in one word, this book was: eh. I almost abandoned it after the first 80 pages (so boring, so much of Cia's thoughts going in CIRCLES, pretty terrible writing), but I stuck it out once the action picked up. It was a really quick read, but I really didn't care about it; I was just reading to finish the series.
vikingwolf's review against another edition
4.0
When Cia wanted to go to University, she never imagined that attending there could be so lethal. After surviving the test, a murder attempt and sneaking off campus to consort with rebels, worse is to come. The rebellion is close and the President has entrusted Cia with a dangerous task that requires her to risk her life for the greater good-and she will need others to help her. The question is, who amongst her group can she trust for the mission? Cia decides that there is one way to test their loyalty and that is by doing a Testing of her own.
Raffe tells Cia that their trip off campus was noted by her Professor's spies and Cia decides that the time is right to gain a powerful ally and tell the President everything that she needs to know. Nothing can prepare her for what the President then asks her to do and she knows the task will be impossible unless she gathers a team to help her. The obvious issue is who to trust other than Tomas? Ian has too much to do in organising the on campus rebellion ready for an attack so Cia must look at her 'friends'-Will, Raffe, Stacia and Enzo. She will need to find a way to test them that will not expose her to danger should her targets fail so should she plan something with lethal force if they fail her test or does that make her just as bad as those running The Testing? There is also the question of what to do about the Professor's spies who still watch her.
When her test goes badly wrong, Cia realises that it is no longer safe to stay on the campus and she flees for her life with a little bit of help. Now she needs to gather her allies and carry out the mission before they are captured or killed, while her brother is about to learn exactly what he is dealing with. As well as being unsure of her group's loyalty, Cia is told new information that makes her wonder if the mission is actually the right thing to do but it seems too late to start backing out. The rebellion is beginning with or without her and it is time to take a stand for what she believes in. Cia is in for a few surprises as the long night begins and everything she thought she knew is about to be turned on its head.
I can't say anything about the mission without wandering into big spoilers so I'll leave that as a surprise for anyone planning to read the books. I admit to being surprised by the request of the President and I don't think a 'good' leader should have asked teenagers to do it at all. It did make the final book very tense and exciting as Cia and her friends try to complete the mission. I was just waiting to see if anyone was going to betray her and I wasn't greatly surprised by the way that part of the plot unfolded. it was so much fun to follow these characters in the final mission as rebellion breaks out around them.
I mentioned before that Cia was in for a night of surprises. It starts with Symon's story which I wasn't quite expecting and it all leads back to her own performance in the Testing. She is about to get the chance to confront Barnes and she will be shocked by what she actually finds out. I really loved the twists that came out in this subplot. I like it when the author can surprise you at the end of a trilogy like this and I wasn't expecting these events to happen. I did like the way the story came to an end and the way the rebellion finished. It was a satisfying end to the series and I very much enjoyed reading it. It is resolved but there is no doubt that there could easily be other books if the author decided to do that at a later date.
I always find it hard to write a review on a final book as I want to talk about the exciting events but I'm not one to put big spoilers in my reviews so I had to restrain myself! All I can say is that there continues to be action and tension, with a big focus on the characters interactions throughout. This was an excellent YA dystopia series with a Hunger Games vibe in the first one. It does have its own identity and this is not a copy of The Hunger Games but hopefully if you enjoyed one series you'll enjoy the other. I certainly recommend The Testing!
Raffe tells Cia that their trip off campus was noted by her Professor's spies and Cia decides that the time is right to gain a powerful ally and tell the President everything that she needs to know. Nothing can prepare her for what the President then asks her to do and she knows the task will be impossible unless she gathers a team to help her. The obvious issue is who to trust other than Tomas? Ian has too much to do in organising the on campus rebellion ready for an attack so Cia must look at her 'friends'-Will, Raffe, Stacia and Enzo. She will need to find a way to test them that will not expose her to danger should her targets fail so should she plan something with lethal force if they fail her test or does that make her just as bad as those running The Testing? There is also the question of what to do about the Professor's spies who still watch her.
When her test goes badly wrong, Cia realises that it is no longer safe to stay on the campus and she flees for her life with a little bit of help. Now she needs to gather her allies and carry out the mission before they are captured or killed, while her brother is about to learn exactly what he is dealing with. As well as being unsure of her group's loyalty, Cia is told new information that makes her wonder if the mission is actually the right thing to do but it seems too late to start backing out. The rebellion is beginning with or without her and it is time to take a stand for what she believes in. Cia is in for a few surprises as the long night begins and everything she thought she knew is about to be turned on its head.
I can't say anything about the mission without wandering into big spoilers so I'll leave that as a surprise for anyone planning to read the books. I admit to being surprised by the request of the President and I don't think a 'good' leader should have asked teenagers to do it at all. It did make the final book very tense and exciting as Cia and her friends try to complete the mission. I was just waiting to see if anyone was going to betray her and I wasn't greatly surprised by the way that part of the plot unfolded. it was so much fun to follow these characters in the final mission as rebellion breaks out around them.
I mentioned before that Cia was in for a night of surprises. It starts with Symon's story which I wasn't quite expecting and it all leads back to her own performance in the Testing. She is about to get the chance to confront Barnes and she will be shocked by what she actually finds out. I really loved the twists that came out in this subplot. I like it when the author can surprise you at the end of a trilogy like this and I wasn't expecting these events to happen. I did like the way the story came to an end and the way the rebellion finished. It was a satisfying end to the series and I very much enjoyed reading it. It is resolved but there is no doubt that there could easily be other books if the author decided to do that at a later date.
I always find it hard to write a review on a final book as I want to talk about the exciting events but I'm not one to put big spoilers in my reviews so I had to restrain myself! All I can say is that there continues to be action and tension, with a big focus on the characters interactions throughout. This was an excellent YA dystopia series with a Hunger Games vibe in the first one. It does have its own identity and this is not a copy of The Hunger Games but hopefully if you enjoyed one series you'll enjoy the other. I certainly recommend The Testing!
wendyskeenan's review against another edition
3.0
Ending was definitely left open for another book should she desire to write one!
jolantheerb's review against another edition
4.0
As much as I loved the other two books in this series, this one felt like it needed a little more fleshing out - more abrupt ending and it's all done. Otherwise not bad and an enjoyable series. For teens, some kissing, but nothing else (keeps it clean). Violence = yes (dystopian society and rebellion is on the rise), but not overly graphic - although if they made it a movie, I'm sure it would be crazy.
linzpeterson13's review against another edition
1.0
The first book was okay. The second book was okay (I guess). This one made me want to light the whole series on fire. The unoriginal plot bored me to death, and I don't know how this series got published. I've always said that, among other things, an author's ability should be judged on their ability to make you feel. The writing and all of the characters were incredibly flat, and the only real emotion I felt throughout was annoyance.
The main thing that bugged me was lack of character development. Cia's character was especially disappointing because she was already perfect. She didn't learn or progress at all; she was already too smart for the system. To make things worse, everyone else was an idiot compared to her. Real people are not like this!! The best protagonists are riddled with flaws, but they're loved anyway because they remind us of ourselves, have the best intentions, and develop like real people do. But I guess we don't need to make our fictional characters the slightest bit realistic as long as we're giving girls "positive role models." *big eye roll*
Another big issue for me was lack of plot originality. On the back of the book, it says that fans of the Hunger Games will devour this, or something like that. I'm a Hunger Games fan, and I certainly didn't. Why do we need another Hunger Games, again? Yeah, it's a great series, but I'd appreciate it if uncreative people would stop using it to make money. But hey, as long as there are fighting scenes, death, a strong female character, and romance. The dystopian genre has just become a big gimmick at this point.
The main thing that bugged me was lack of character development. Cia's character was especially disappointing because she was already perfect. She didn't learn or progress at all; she was already too smart for the system. To make things worse, everyone else was an idiot compared to her. Real people are not like this!! The best protagonists are riddled with flaws, but they're loved anyway because they remind us of ourselves, have the best intentions, and develop like real people do. But I guess we don't need to make our fictional characters the slightest bit realistic as long as we're giving girls "positive role models." *big eye roll*
Another big issue for me was lack of plot originality. On the back of the book, it says that fans of the Hunger Games will devour this, or something like that. I'm a Hunger Games fan, and I certainly didn't. Why do we need another Hunger Games, again? Yeah, it's a great series, but I'd appreciate it if uncreative people would stop using it to make money. But hey, as long as there are fighting scenes, death, a strong female character, and romance. The dystopian genre has just become a big gimmick at this point.
abikale's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this series and the plot but some how I just couldn't see Cia and Tomas together. I always felt like he was holding her back and didn't contribute anything of value to her like the other male characters. Her world was never for him and the fact that they stayed together throughout really bothered me. She definitely drifted away from him the second and third books and I really though Michal had a chance but nope and then I thought Ian, Raffe or even Enzo could have made a better ship than Cia and Thomas. Otherwise it was great though.
pitmanj18's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. I hope to see it made into a movie trilogy in future.
chocolatesandchapters's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
izumisano's review against another edition
2.0
Perhaps I have read too many books in this genre lately, but conclusion to this series was pretty boring. I didn't feel there was really a climax. More people die but no one I feel you had time to grow attached to. What a surprise the president lied and had an agenda of her own but she still keeps her word even though no one is there to stop her. I always thought the driving force of this series was a little weak. Yes the Testing is bad but there wasn't enough opposition in the books to really justify or produce an amazing revolution. But everything ends nicely. Go Cia.