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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
The writing in this book is shockingly poor. However, I only purchased it because the second and third books in the triology were free on Kindle, and I was able to get this one for less than £2, so I'm not really disappointed. It was engaging enough to read in one sitting whilst I was trying not to think about the awfulness that is the EU ref. I will probably read at least the second book in the trilogy to see if it the writing gets any better. The story isn't horrid, but it's no shakes on The Hunger Games, which it is clearly trying to be.
I loved this book! An amazing dystopian novel that is very realistic and believable. One of the best heroines I have read about in recent years. and a world that, while devastated, is one I almost wish I could visit to see what it it like. Lucky for readers, Joelle Charbonneau does a wonderful job in her deliverance of this world to us.
This book is a first person novel from the view of Cia. Cia is a young teen who is specially selected to join in The Testing. The Testing is about selecting future world leaders or specialists of various fields. Cia's father was previously chosen and warns Cia that things may not be as they seem. Cia is a smart young woman. One of the best and well-written characters is YA fiction I have read. Down to earth, smart, compassionate, high sense or morals, dignity and more. She is not all powerful, super-strong, etc. She is your everyday person who has faith in herself. She is helpful to others yet not naive enough to trust others. She is very observant. This simplistic seeming skills are what has her standing apart from the crowd.
The imagery of this story leaves you feeling how real this world is. You can tell that this is still the US that the story takes place in. We get to see what Chicago is like in the story. We have war ravenged mutants, loss of civilization, loss of plant life, water and more and it is very well laid before us exactly to really live in Cia's reality. The world is fighting hard to correct itself. Signs of hope are everywhere yet government lords over everything with an iron grip.
While Cia makes friends, and confronts other less-than-friends, Thomas is her main constant. There is an element of romance in this book but not over the top. Although it never quite feels very real either. The main story line of the test, and Cia's goals and hope are still the focus. The pace is very consistent. There is a LOT happening in this book, but it is not overwhelmingly done. The personality and style of writing is amazing! Conspiracy, survival, friendship and more collide in the spectacular novel!
Great quote from the book that helps set the stage:
“Things don't always work out the way we hope. You just have to pick yourself up and find a new direction to go in.”
2024- Audiobook. I liked the curiosity Cia shows in this. I wish the narrator did a bit better during some of the more dangerous times to really bring in that fear, anger into those moments. This government does some odd stuff to decide who is worthy of Uni or not. Obviously these kids are bright, but why allowing so much death is beyond me. Have then sent home so they can help their community still. This baffles me.
This book is a first person novel from the view of Cia. Cia is a young teen who is specially selected to join in The Testing. The Testing is about selecting future world leaders or specialists of various fields. Cia's father was previously chosen and warns Cia that things may not be as they seem. Cia is a smart young woman. One of the best and well-written characters is YA fiction I have read. Down to earth, smart, compassionate, high sense or morals, dignity and more. She is not all powerful, super-strong, etc. She is your everyday person who has faith in herself. She is helpful to others yet not naive enough to trust others. She is very observant. This simplistic seeming skills are what has her standing apart from the crowd.
The imagery of this story leaves you feeling how real this world is. You can tell that this is still the US that the story takes place in. We get to see what Chicago is like in the story. We have war ravenged mutants, loss of civilization, loss of plant life, water and more and it is very well laid before us exactly to really live in Cia's reality. The world is fighting hard to correct itself. Signs of hope are everywhere yet government lords over everything with an iron grip.
While Cia makes friends, and confronts other less-than-friends, Thomas is her main constant. There is an element of romance in this book but not over the top. Although it never quite feels very real either. The main story line of the test, and Cia's goals and hope are still the focus. The pace is very consistent. There is a LOT happening in this book, but it is not overwhelmingly done. The personality and style of writing is amazing! Conspiracy, survival, friendship and more collide in the spectacular novel!
Great quote from the book that helps set the stage:
“Things don't always work out the way we hope. You just have to pick yourself up and find a new direction to go in.”
2024- Audiobook. I liked the curiosity Cia shows in this. I wish the narrator did a bit better during some of the more dangerous times to really bring in that fear, anger into those moments. This government does some odd stuff to decide who is worthy of Uni or not. Obviously these kids are bright, but why allowing so much death is beyond me. Have then sent home so they can help their community still. This baffles me.
This is a "scholastic nightmare" version of the Hunger Games--as in certain smart kids are picked to be 'tested' in the hopes of going to college or being community leaders, only most of them never come back because the testing is ruthless and deadly. And then, in the end, the controllers give the kids drugs to make them forget what happened so no one knows about this terrible process.
So...this is predictable dystopia but Hunger Games lovers will probably still enjoy it.
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Malencia (Cia) Vale is chosen to participate in The Testing to attend the University; however, Cia is fearful when she figures out her friends who do not pass The Testing are disappearing.
So...this is predictable dystopia but Hunger Games lovers will probably still enjoy it.
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Malencia (Cia) Vale is chosen to participate in The Testing to attend the University; however, Cia is fearful when she figures out her friends who do not pass The Testing are disappearing.
Overall... It's unoriginal.
The gist of it all:
-The world/physical setting was from The Immortal Rules
-Cia is a copykatniss (reaction to death, romance with Tomas, etc)
-Stage Four of the Testing is LITERALLY THE HUNGER GAMES
I'm not saying that I didn't like the book for these reasons. It was an appealing story, and I didn't enjoy the book mainly because of its writing style. You have your opinions and I have mine.
The gist of it all:
-The world/physical setting was from The Immortal Rules
-Cia is a copykatniss (reaction to death, romance with Tomas, etc)
-Stage Four of the Testing is LITERALLY THE HUNGER GAMES
I'm not saying that I didn't like the book for these reasons. It was an appealing story, and I didn't enjoy the book mainly because of its writing style. You have your opinions and I have mine.
Very similar to Hunger Games, but I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what happens. Will probably read the next book in the series should I come across it but not making it a top priority.
i wish blurbs would stop comparing books to 'the hunger games.' always a recipe for disappointment, imho. this book was fine, but should not have been placed (even by inference) in the same league as 'hunger.' a major gripe i had with this book was the forced and awkward 'love' scenes. note to authors everywhere: if you're going to add a love story to your novel, you have to sell it. it can't come as a surprise every time you mention that your love interests are kissing... 'oh. right. they're supposed to like each other, huh?' seriously! just leave the love part out if you can't commit to developing it and making it work. love is not required, and not even appreciated if it's that awkward.
This didn't draw me in as much as I hoped. The main character was a little too perfect, I think. And the storyline was a little too similar to other books. I'm interested to see what will happen next so I'll continue the series, but I'm not dying to get my hands on the books or anything.
Cia is chosen to be part of the The Testing, the series of tests that will allow her to finish her education at the University. But the night before she goes, she is warned that not everything is as it seems.
This one draws a lot of parallels to The Hunger Games and Divergent. But Cia is her own character. Charbonneau draws her in a very interesting way--delicate, yet strong. Naive, yet canny. The world was interesting to me, but the story is carried squarely on Cia's shoulders. And the ending is a sucker punch. My teens are going to DEVOUR this one.
This one draws a lot of parallels to The Hunger Games and Divergent. But Cia is her own character. Charbonneau draws her in a very interesting way--delicate, yet strong. Naive, yet canny. The world was interesting to me, but the story is carried squarely on Cia's shoulders. And the ending is a sucker punch. My teens are going to DEVOUR this one.
I tore through this book. Perhaps it isn't really unique when it comes to dystopian fiction but that didn't stop me from loving it. This is definitely the best "if you liked Hunger Games read this" find I've read yet. Get me #2 stat!
Surprisingly twisty and unpredictable. Fits well into the books I see my students gravitating to - but I'm wondering how to ladder from it into something more complex. Will be a popular choice from the shelves in my room this fall.