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Independent Study

(The Testing #2)

Joelle Charbonneau,

Amélie Sarn (Translator)

3.97 · Rating details · 32,875 ratings · 2,551 reviews

In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the governm ...more

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Hardcover, 310 pages

Published January 7th 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers

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Jun 09, 2013 Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies rated it it was ok

Shelves: high-school, mary-sue, dystopian, ya, boring-main-character, sci-fi

In the context of bad sequels, this is Batman and Robin kind of terrible. How on earth did a series go so wrong from one book to the next?

My opinion of this series has changed so much in this book that I feel like I should go back to the first book to see if I had made a monumental error in rating it so highly. Did I miss something outrageously bad in the first book? Was I so blinded? How does a series go from a 5 in one book to a 2 in the sequel?

The Summary: This is the sequel to The Testing, i In the context of bad sequels, this is Batman and Robin kind of terrible. How on earth did a series go so wrong from one book to the next?

My opinion of this series has changed so much in this book that I feel like I should go back to the first book to see if I had made a monumental error in rating it so highly. Did I miss something outrageously bad in the first book? Was I so blinded? How does a series go from a 5 in one book to a 2 in the sequel?

The Summary: This is the sequel to The Testing, in which a group of carefully selected students compete in a Hunger Games type of survival competition to determine who will win entrance to the prestigious University in Tosu City.

Cia is our main character, she is a winner, one of a handful who survived the rigorous, dangerous Testing. Her memories of The Testing has been erased, the process of the Testing is so secretive that nobody is allowed to remember what has happened.

Only Cia does. Through a concealed device, Cia has recorded what happened during the Testing, she remembers the betrayals, the murders, the competition. She knows that her friends, smiling at her in the hallways of the University are willing to be as cutthroat as possible to win placement to the University. One of them is her current boyfriend, Tomas.

A year has passed, and Cia is now in the University, she has been selected to enter a highly prestigious leadership program. As is the case with any competitive educational programs, the competition is brutal. To top it off, Cia is now aware of an underground rebellion taking place against the Testing program. She is unwittingly dragged into the rebellion.

The Plot: What plot? I'm sorry, was there a secret rebellion plot? The book serves one purpose, and one purpose only: to show how completely fucking brilliant and perfect and amazing Cia is in every conceivable way.

LET'S KILL OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST: I'm just fucking sick of dystopians that seem to think "IT'S THE FUTURE. OUR NATION HAS COLLAPSED! LET'S CHOOSE THE VERY BEST OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND GRADUALLY KILL THEM OFF. MAY THE BEST ONE WIN!" makes perfect fucking sense.

What. The. Fuck? Seriously, WHAT THE FUCK? The United States is gone. There have been stages of war. Nuclear war, devastation of natural resources, collapse of the government. This has resulted in mutants, a general lack of resources and agriculture. There are now small, scattered colonies throughout the United States, including Cia's colony, which has 1023 citizens.

1023 citizens. Sure. Let's just KILL OFF SEVERAL OF THE BEST YOUNG PEOPLE. Right.

The Testing procedure, I understand. Ok, survival of the best and the brightest. Up to a certain extent, it's understandable. After the Testing...killing off MORE people who get bad grades? No. That doesn't make any fucking sense.

His head lolls back. His braids drag on the ground. I wait for Obidiah to sit up. He doesn’t. I look for the rise and fall of his chest, but there is nothing.

He is gone. Redirected. Dead. If I am not careful, I will be too.

There are NOT a whole lot of fucking people left in the United Commonwealth. It makes NO fucking sense to kill off the youngest, the most intelligent, the ones with the most to contribute to society. This book tries to sell the fact that it's hard to govern a nation that's too large.

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? Look at fucking China, India, the current United States. Granted, not the best of governments, but people still live, people still manage to survive, most can still make a living. No goverment is perfect, no nation is perfect, no matter how large, how small.

And you expect us to believe that it's ok to kill off the best young people in a nation of, perhaps, several hundred thousand, BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO GOVERN A LARGE COUNTRY?

Especially when you can just erase their memory? No. Fuck no. I'm not a fucking idiot.

Now I Ain't Sayin' She's a Mary Sue...: But Cia is so fucking bloody perfect. Shit would turn into flowers if you flung it at her head.

"You figured out the purpose of the final test faster than anyone expected. Professor Holt and Dr. Barnes were disturbed by how quickly you recognized the insolvability of the task. Dr. Barnes said The Testing demonstrated that one of your greatest strengths is your willingness to trust your intuition."

Cia is a genius, awe-inspiringly flawless in every conceivable way. Her intelligence is legendary. The students at the University take pre-emptive tests to see how many classes they can handle. The more classes, the better, the more intelligent the student. Everyone has but a few classes. Cia has nine.

"Your scores were quite impressive.” She takes a sheet of gray recycled paper off the table next to her. “Because of your high examination marks, your class list is more challenging than the others."

During our Early Studies semester, every student was assigned five courses. This schedule has me attending nine.

She not only has nine classes, she excels at every single one.

Cia passes every single challenge. She remembers ancient governing procedures whose incredibly obscure rules allow her to pass a test that nobody else can.

At the end of that lesson, my teacher mentioned an antiquated law that said any citizen may request a hearing on the Debate Chamber floor.

Due to that tremendously obscure law that NOBODY ELSE BUT CIA KNOWS, she is able to singlehandedly pass that challenge.

Fails at Failing: Even her failures are spectacular...which is to say, when Cia chooses to fail, it is the right thing to do in that circumstance, because she was MEANT to fail. Cia is so good at everything, she knows when failure will equate winning.

“We’re not going to beat it.” I nod at the cluster of observers across the way. “They don’t expect us to, so there’s no point in giving them the satisfaction of seeing us try and come up short.”

And of course, she's right! Failing is the right way to do things because Cia just so fucking magical and perfect. She is praised for knowing when to fail.

“This task was designed to be insurmountable.” Professor Holt takes the markers and gives me a small smile. “Ian was told to engage the bridge when we deduced that Cia had figured out that solution.”

And then SHE DOES IT AGAIN. Like what the actual FUCK?

And I understand. This wasn’t a test I was supposed to pass. Just like the final task during the Induction, this was an assignment designed for failure. The president wants me to learn that just because something is created by people in power doesn’t mean it is to be trusted.

It's one thing to be perfect, it's another thing to be so fucking perfect that even your failures are designed to highlight how fucking awesome you are for fucking figuring every single little itty bitty detail out. Spare me.

Magical Leadership!: Cia is so bloody perfect that everyone wants her. She *wails* Nooooooooooooooo! when she's chosen to be a leader. Because of all the fucking BRILLIANT students at the university, nobody is better designed to lead than Cia, right?

Let me explain the University. It is like the fucking Harvard of the future, if Harvard requires both intelligence, physical ability, and skills, and its students are willing to literally murder one another for better grades, you get the drift.

Ok, maybe not. I've been told that it is pretty much murder to get a better grade than your peers at Harvard...but I digress.

My point is that all the students at the University are tremendously capable, are intellectually brilliant, are completely amazing learners, leader in every way. How else could they have passed the Testing? But out of all of these awe-inspiring, brilliant students, Cia is single-handedly selected to be the best, the brightest. She is hand-selected by the President of the United Commonwealth to be her intern.

"After discussing your Testing results and academic achievements with Dr. Barnes and Professor Holt, I asked that you be assigned to intern in my office." The president’s smile widens. “My office has never been included in the University internship program."

Just fucking awesome. The President has never had an intern before, and has never had interest in an intern before...until Cia.

Brilliant.

Insidious Girl Hate: There is no slut shaming, but there is a very strong current of distrust and sly undertones of hate towards the other women in this book. The females in this book, the very brilliant, very capable females, I must mention, are all portrayed as stone-cold, emotionless bitches.

Her close friend, Stacia, is cold. Hard. Determined. Cia is much the same, but somehow, Stacia's determination is portrayed as BAD whereas we're supposed to sympathize with Cia.

Her laugh makes me flinch. It’s cold and practical. Hard. Determined. Stacia is smart, but I’ve often wondered if it’s these other traits that helped her survive The Testing.

She sees competition in other girls, Cia always see something underlying in a common gesture of courtesy.

Himani’s smile is bright, but something about the narrowing of her eyes reminds me of a cat stalking a field mouse.

A girl is "sharp," even when compared to a friendly, smiling boy.

Rawson’s trio is completed by a sweet-faced boy named Enzo and a girl with sharp features called Juliet.

Cia seems to think so much better of the guys than she does her fellow female students. Boys are always described with so much more kindness than other females.

His face is thin and narrow. His smile warm and angelic. Trustworthy.

Boys remind her of her brothers, girls are conniving bitches.

In his fitted black pants, shiny black boots, and deep purple shirt, Ian is more than a little imposing. Until he grins. The sternness disappears, replaced by an exuberance that makes me think of my brother Win.

Red lips. Evil. Scary. The marks of an evil witch that is noted quite pointedly. Even a respected professor is not immune to thecharge.

Her hair is slicked off her face. Her scarlet-painted lips curl into an expression of geniality as she addresses those of us assembled here who are in her charge.

Terrifying.

Dressed in deep crimson, Professor Holt stands near the fireplace. Lips that match the color of her jumpsuit are curved into a smile.

Other girls are giggly, pampered, spoiled. Why paint the University as the penultimate institute of education if you're going to put in dumb female character to be insidiously noted by Cia?Not even the President of the United Commonwealth, the most powerful woman in the country, is immune to being painted in a bad light. She is cold, unmaternal, inhuman in her iciness.

Her face is long and angular. Not what most would call beautiful. But the almond-shaped brown eyes and strong jaw would draw attention anywhere. Almost all the United Commonwealth presidents have been female. It has been argued that women are less aggressive, more maternal, and thus more focused on the well-being of the country’s people. Less focused on politics or power. Perhaps this is true, but there is nothing maternal about President Collindar’s appearance or voice. Both carry a shimmer of absolute authority.

There are many men whom Cia trusts in this book. The same cannot be said about the women.

I completely hate the attitude that there can only be one bright, prevailing female presence in a book. ...more

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Sep 12, 2013 Kathylill rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2014, reviewed, young-adult, dystopian

This is not the fantastic sequel to a fantastic book. This is like waking up next to the guy you met the night before (and who then seemed sexy and attractive) after the alcohol glamour is wearing of, monster headaches cloud your mind and you see that he looks nothing like Brad Pitt, not even remotely. It’s like waking up, going to the bathroom and seeing a female doppelgänger of Heath Ledger ‘The Joker’ in the mirror instead of your usual face, mascara and lipstick inches away from where they w ...more

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May 13, 2020 angela rated it it was amazing

Unbelievable you have to read too grasp just how good this book/series is. It’s full of passion for what’s right, the determination to change the sadistic system. Yet the passion and corruption on the other side, to keep things status quo. It’s unthinkable what these students are put through when excepted to go off to college for their education. They first need to go through a test of wits, bravery, pressure, problem solving, will to survive, compassion and when to have no compassion.

Once they ...more

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Jun 29, 2014 Aj the Ravenous Reader rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sci-fi, dystopia

As a sequel to the Testing, this book is just as amazing. The tests and challenges laid in this story become even more impossible and extremely dangerous as the main characters go through the tests as official university students because this time, the students have to go through the tests while trying to attend every class in their respective fields. They may be already admitted as university students but that does not mean they are safe from severe and life changing punishment of failing a tes ...more

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Jun 21, 2013 Jeff Raymond rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-ya-sci-fi

A friend was kind enough to send me her advance copy of this book, the sequel to my new favorite dystopian series (and perhaps book of 2013), The Testing. There's been a pattern with a lot of the dystopian series titles to fall off in quality significantly in the second book in the series (looking at you specifically, Divergent). Not so with Independent Study.

Taking place not long after The Testing, where Cia is now in the University, taking classes, and otherwise trying to keep her head down wh ...more

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Oct 21, 2015 Rachel Maniacup rated it it was amazing

Recommended to Rachel by: Sarah

Shelves: heart-pounding, action, my-favorite-dystopian-series

This is indeed a great continuation of the first book! It may not be as action packed as the first one,and a bit slower,but there were heart-pounding moments(especially on the Testing games they went through once again).

In this book,Cia and Tomas,along with their fellow freshmen Colony students/candidates were about to meet the students of Tosu when they were sent to University in Tosu City.
In this new environment,Cia gained new friends and perhaps,some enemies that she's struggling to decide w ...more

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Oct 20, 2013 Kassidy rated it liked it

Shelves: 2014-release, library-books

Not much better than the first one, this book is pretty much what I expected.
This series is almost like dystopia brain candy. It's just fun and entertaining, but not much substance. The main character, Cia, is just too perfect, but not in a good way! She never does anything wrong and doesn't have any flaws, this gets kinda annoying, it's unrealistic, and I can't connect to her. She is an ok character to read about, and it's interesting how she figures out all of the tests, but there's not much m ...more

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Oct 02, 2013 Ellie M rated it it was ok

Recieved an ARC from The Book Twirps giveaway :)

I had the same problem with the second book as I had with the first-
Cia is the bestest most brightest person in the world.
Seriously.

She is surrounded by the most brightest students in the country.
And yet she is FAR superior. If the brightest were ranked a 10 out of 10. She's be a 100. If you're going to writes a book about everyone being smart, you have to make everyone actually smart.
The only time other student's show that they're smart is if they ...more

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Jan 07, 2014 Emily rated it liked it

Shelves: feel-free-to-borrow, recently-purchased

I'm giving this three stars because overall, it was a perfectly "fine" second book. It wasn't super terrible like Crossed (my go-to example for disappointing second books), but then again it didn't really wow me.

Since almost everyone had their memories wiped at the end of the first book, the author pretty much just uses the same recipe all over again in this one -- some dangerous tests, a whole lot of untrustworthy people and a heroine that can do no wrong (like literally, she's unrealistically ...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Erica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Joelle Charbonneau has written another enticing read that is filled to the brim with exictement and action and stabbed me in the gut, time and time again. With everything a good dystopian should be, Joelle Charbonneau has continued to raise the stakes and expand this brilliant world.

The questions this book raises are so thought-provoking and powerful, and I love the ease at which they are incorporated into the plot. The stakes are raised in Independent Study to a new high, and I was completely e ...more

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Jan 16, 2016 Skip rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, science-fiction

A good second book. Our heroine Cia continues to dazzle all with her smarts and her intuition, which saves her and her teammates time and again. Having passed the Testing (Book One), Cia and Will (who tried to kill her in book one) are assigned to the Government specialty department. Cia is selected to lead a team, after solving her first challenge there. Surprisingly, she chooses some local Tosu City ahead of some classmates from her territory. Cia is not trusted, and is saddled with the heavie ...more

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Jan 18, 2016 Nikita rated it it was amazing

It's just as great as the first book. The challenges required more intellectual prowess than physical which I enjoyed even more. It's plot is fast-paced and the writing is engaging. I can't wait to read the third book.

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Apr 02, 2014 Melanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-love-it, relationships, awesome-heroines, action-and-stuff, dystopian, why-you-do-this, twists, girls-being-girls, sci-fi, the-hunger-games-duplicates

Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau is the second book of The Testing trilogy. The book leaves off a few months after the events in book one. Cia is now a student at the university in Tosu City. Everything is suppose to be fine now that Cia is at the university, but Cia still has vague memories about her time in the Testing causing her to question the motives of her friends and the Commonwealth's leaders. I absolutely loved The Testing and was very excited to start this book.

Independent Stud ...more

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Feb 05, 2018 Becky_C1 rated it really liked it

“Because sometimes the best leaders are the ones who have no interest in leading. Those are often the ones who are most interested in doing what is right, not what is popular.”

“A cage that cannot be seen is no less there than if the walls were made of steel.”

“History shows that it takes only a spark to start a fire that cannot be easily checked.”

“The best leaders make mistakes and then learn from them. The best leaders never make the same mistakes again. The only way you can learn is if you und ...more

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Sep 06, 2014 Callie *Fights Censorship* rated it liked it

2 1/2 Stars

I have mixed emotions about this one. I'd say that the first third of the book was great and then there was a noticeable decline until we got toward the end a.k.a. the set up for the next book. Yes, this book felt like mostly filler, wrapping up the previous book and setting up the next one. I guess it's difficult to make going to class and doing your homework interesting, especially when you start the book with an exciting and interesting dangerous game full of explosions and snakes! ...more

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Oct 27, 2015 Kelly Brigid ♡ rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopia, science-fiction, young-adult

Not quite as good as the Testing, but still really entertaining.

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Feb 16, 2017 Patricia Crowther added it · review of another edition

DNF'd at page 118 because it's very meh! And life's too short.

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Jun 02, 2014 Serena (The Book Comedian) rated it liked it

Shelves: it-was-aight, series-going-downhill, reviews

I feared when I read some of the low rating reviews on this book, but now that I have finished it, I conclude that it's not bad.

The first book was filled with so much adrenaline pumping moments that I think it's pretty hard for a second book to exceed that. I can tell the author tried to add action packed elements to this one and I would say I wish there was more, but really, the plot just wouldn't work if there was any more action.

One con I'd mention would be the amount of suspicion that goes o ...more

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Jun 07, 2013 Chelsea ❤Peril Please❤ rated it really liked it

Shelves: terrifying, awesome-heroines, serious-cliffhanger, could-read-over-and-over-again

I feel like I am looking for myself. Staring into the rocky void is like peering into a reflector of my emotions.
Shadows.
Emptiness.

Wow. And once again Joelle Charbonneau has managed to creep me out and keep me on the edge of my seat. I think it goes without saying that terror comes in many forms. But Joelle has mastered the less apparent and infrequently used disquieting terror. It's really hard to get under my skin when it comes to telling a story where we are supposed to be scared becaus ...more

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Jan 18, 2017 Mike (the Paladin) added it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-fantasy

Well, again I wish i could give a 3.5 rather than a 4. We pick up here where we left off in the first book.

(view spoiler)

The book is still pretty fast moving and the characters (view spoiler) are pretty much themselves. Also the plotting works pretty well with some twists (you m ...more

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Mar 28, 2020 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian

4.5 Quick read, can't wait to see how it ends.

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Jun 11, 2013 AH rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-edelweiss, bl-reviews, dystopian, young-adult, babr-reviews, science-fiction, zzread-dec-2013

Initial Thoughts: The first book was OK and I was curious as to how the events would unforld. Now, I'm on the fence about this series. It's kind of like a Hunger Games meets Junior Survivor with the end game - a university education. These poor kids are thrown an impossible bunch of tests to see if they are suitable to continue their studies. Failure is not an option as it leads to Redirection (most likely death). Not sure that I could buy into this any more. What kind of society would take its Initial Thoughts: The first book was OK and I was curious as to how the events would unforld. Now, I'm on the fence about this series. It's kind of like a Hunger Games meets Junior Survivor with the end game - a university education. These poor kids are thrown an impossible bunch of tests to see if they are suitable to continue their studies. Failure is not an option as it leads to Redirection (most likely death). Not sure that I could buy into this any more. What kind of society would take its brightest potentials and kill them off at the slightest mistake? Not sure if I will continue this series.

The Review:
2.5 stars
Book 2 of The Testing series finds our main character Cia attending university having made the cut in the previous book. The tests are not over and as our university students write their examinations for their fields of study, Cia is surprised to find out that she has been assigned to Government, rather than her first choice – Engineering.

The exams don’t end there. The first week of classes the new students undergo further examinations with almost impossible tasks to complete. Failure is never an option. Failure is cause for Redirection. Redirection is fatal.

I’m having a hard time with this series. I enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to this installment in the series. Is it trying too hard to be a Hunger Games clone? Maybe. I can’t see why a world ravaged by warfare, environmental disasters and the like would sacrifice their best and brightest hopes for the future. Why would you cull any student?

The whole rebellion side was a little iffy for me as well. Why bother rebelling when you live in the relative comfort of Tosu city?

The writing was OK. I did find the pacing slower than the first book and at times a little boring. This book felt like a filler book, moving our main character from point A to point B in the overall plot.

I’m not sure that I will be continuing this series. On the one hand, I am curious to see what happens. On the other hand, I am not sure that I will have patience for it.

Review posted on Badass Book Reviews.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for a review copy of this book. ...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Jillian Heise rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian, yr-2013-reads

First Thoughts: Just as addictive, heart-pounding, and smartly twisty as the first book.

Final Thoughts: I really enjoy reading this series through the intelligent eyes of Cia, and the scary version of a future world portrayed.

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Dec 30, 2017 Kendall rated it really liked it

WHOA things happened....
RTC

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Jun 02, 2017 Kelly Roberson rated it it was amazing

I loved this book just as much as the first! It still had some really exciting elements, but I also enjoyed that it dove deeper into what exactly is going on with the government! I think it was really interesting to see this book really bring into question doing what is right and what is necessary for the good of everyone, and I feel that will definitely play a huge part in the final book. It was a nice change as well that the romance wasn't a huge part of the story. I can't wait to continue on ...more

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Apr 24, 2017 Sharon Mariampillai rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-books, library-books, ya, suspense, 4-stars, 2017-reads, sci-fi, female-povs, must-read, tbr-finished

This was a great read. The story is similar to the Hunger Games. However, it is still and enjoyable read. I did feel like the story dragged a bit in the middle of the book and it was not as exciting as The Testing. I did love the characters, maybe just as much as I did the first time. I just felt that the plot was not as engaging and interesting. The ending was my favourite part and it made up for the dragging. I hope that Graduation Day is better and I cannot wait to read the conclusion to this ...more

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May 22, 2013 Shelley rated it liked it

Shelves: edelweiss-arc, young-adult-dystopian, 2014-release

*Genre* YA Dystopian
*Rating* 3.0

*My Thoughts*

Independent Study is the bridge between The Testing, and Graduation Day. The second installment, in any trilogy, is usually the more challenging one to create and put forth to your readers, especially when the first one was so amazing. You see my lovely followers, The Testing was a heart stopping, action packed, thrill ride from the start to finish, whereas I am left grasping for words to express my true feelings about Independent Study.

Charbonneau's *Genre* YA Dystopian
*Rating* 3.0

*My Thoughts*

Independent Study is the bridge between The Testing, and Graduation Day. The second installment, in any trilogy, is usually the more challenging one to create and put forth to your readers, especially when the first one was so amazing. You see my lovely followers, The Testing was a heart stopping, action packed, thrill ride from the start to finish, whereas I am left grasping for words to express my true feelings about Independent Study.

Charbonneau's characters in the Testing, especially Cia, Tomas, and Will, were interesting, intelligent, and fun to watch as they got out of sticky situation, after sticky situation. You actually cared what happened to these characters as they made their way through a maze of danger. I even agreed that the story did have comparisons to the Hunger Games in that only the strong willed survived to move onward to the next step. Unfortunately, Independent Study left me highly disappointed and perhaps a little bit pensive about continuing to read the final installment.

Independent Study finds our heroine Malencia (Cia) Vale at the University in Tosu City having survived the Testing and looking forward to a future. For the past 6 months while taking preliminary courses, she's been trying to figure out what is real, and what is not, or who she can actually trust. Thanks to her brother Zeen's Transit Communicator, there are a whole lot of questions, and not enough answers. There is the feeling that no matter what she does, it won't be good enough to survive to see Graduation Day.

Now, Cia, Tomas, Will, Stacia and a whole new cast of secondary characters including Ian, Raffe, and Michal who we met in the Testing, must find a way to survive and advance before they are "Redirected" out of the program. Cia is still stubborn, perhaps a bit pensive about her own abilities even though they have saved her life more than a time or two. She becomes aware of the fact that people are watching her each and every move to see if she screws up so that they can "redirect" her out of the program.

Of course, Independent Study leaves readers hanging in the balance wondering what Cia and others will do next. Will Cia be strong enough to stop The Testing from continuing? Will see and Tomas have a future together, or will they find disappointment and sadness instead. I'll just say, stay tuned if you will.

*I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!*

*Recvd via Edelweiss 06/04/2013* Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children ...more

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May 02, 2015 Liz Barnsley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bought-in-a-book-shop, ya-dystopia-favourites

Really enjoyed this second novel in "The Testing " series - the first one had a very Hunger Games feel to it, in Independent Study the action moves from one kind of test to another - the university hopefuls may have passed the first hurdle but it has come at a huge cost that they cannot even remember. And if any of them thought passing The Testing meant safety and security then they are in for a bit of a rude awakening.

Once again we follow Cia - she cannot remember her testing but she knows more Really enjoyed this second novel in "The Testing " series - the first one had a very Hunger Games feel to it, in Independent Study the action moves from one kind of test to another - the university hopefuls may have passed the first hurdle but it has come at a huge cost that they cannot even remember. And if any of them thought passing The Testing meant safety and security then they are in for a bit of a rude awakening.

Once again we follow Cia - she cannot remember her testing but she knows more than most and will also discover more during the course of this story - now working secretly for the resistance she has no idea who to trust, even amongst those she counts as friends. She's also a little bit too clever for her own good and some very bad people are wondering if maybe she has some help..

I liked the often claustrophobic feel the author brought to this second novel - the action is fairly low key in a lot of ways, now Cia must fight and learn on a more cerebral level. I thought the handling of her relationship with Thomas was great - especially as she grows suspicious of him, indeed of everyone. In her new environment she has new friends and enemies and telling one from another is not easy, it creates a great underlying tension in the reading that sat very well with me.

The world building is expanded nicely and we learn more about how the government works, where it has its roots and it becomes apparent that Cia may have an even bigger fight on her hands than she thought. I do like the blurred lines the author has drawn between the good guys and the bad - there are several "factions" if you like, all who think their way is best, as things progress you wonder whether actually there is anyone that you could entirely root for. Cia herself faces some tough choices in order to ensure her own survival. Its intriguing stuff.

The ending was really great - well great if like me you have the third book immediately to hand - as Joelle Charbonneau has set the scene for a really tense and excellent finish - assuming she can keep up the momentum for "Graduation Day" I'm sure I'm going to be adding this to my list of favourite YA Trilogies.

Happy Reading folks! ...more

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Nov 28, 2015 Toby rated it it was ok

Shelves: dystopian

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Jan 26, 2015 Mike (the Paladin) rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-fantasy

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About Joelle Charbonneau

Joelle Charbonneau

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I am a storyteller at heart. I have performed in a variety of operas, musical theatre and children's theatre productions across the Chicagoland area.

While I'm happy to perform for an audience, I am equally delighted to teach private voice lessons and use my experience from the stage to create compelling characters on the page. I am the author of the Rebecca Robbins mystery series (Minotaur Books) ...more

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“Because sometimes the best leaders are the ones who have no interest in leading. Those are often the ones who are most interested in doing what is right, not what is popular.” — 92 likes

“It takes a lot of courage to choose to do nothing when you aren’t certain of the outcome.” — 63 likes

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(The Testing #2)

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