Is it another Hunger Games?

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is it another Hunger Games?

The Testing, at first glance, could be considered a Hunger Games wanna-be, but I believe the message is quite different. Cia Vale is chosen along with three other candidates of the Five Lakes Region to participate in the testing. Once the candidate successfully complete the four parts of the test, they are chosen to study at the University and become a United Commonwealth Leader. Similar to Katniss and Peeta, these candidates must perform to survive the test, but that is as far as the similarities go. The first three parts of the test symbolizes what any student would encounter for an entrance to a prestigious school with written exams, hands on applications, and group collaboration. However, these tests are a step above, because if they are not careful, someone may die. The fourth test is based on survival where the candidates are placed many miles from the Tosu City, and with limited supplies, they must transverse the scarred nuclear-destroyed terrain and hollowed cities back to the original testing site.

Cia is a intelligent empathetic person who values family, friends and life. Trust in herself and others is challenged and brings doubt to her abilities and values engrained in her being by her loving parents and four brothers. She begins to doubt the leadership of the Commonwealth. She states "...I may not want to be a Leader if my country values murder over compassion." Trust is the overlying theme of this story. She questions love, friendship and leadership; eventually herself.

The story is a quick read with excitement around every corner. As Cia and friends move though the test, I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of what may happen. The writing is simple and clearly describes the setting. I especially enjoyed the secondary characters with questionable motives who may be brought to the surface in the next book. Luckily we only have to wait until the fall! If you enjoy action and adventure dystopian novels, than I would recommend this one. It will definitely go on my library shelf.

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Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

And the suspense continues. I actually enjoyed this book over the first. Although it was the typical middle book, I found the suspense nail-biting and a touch more romance. This is a good mixture for me. I am looking forward to reading Graduation which comes out in June 2014. Thanks Edelweiss.

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Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exciting ending to a good dystopian series. I enjoyed these books with nail-biting suspense and courageous characters. If you like YA dystopian fiction similar to Divergent and Hunger Games, this is a series for you. All three books draw you into the experiences of Cia and her friends as they embark on heroic situations that challenge their abilities and question their rights as a human.

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