The Testing Series By Joelle Charbonneau - Reading 'Independent Study (The Testing, #2) ' from December 1st 2017

[Abi]

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

Sarah and i will be reading this on the 29th. Everyone welcome to join! :)

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Starting now ☺

[Abi]

Me too. :)

[Abi]

7% - (view spoiler)[ Wonder why Zandri doesn't want to go? (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

12% - (view spoiler)[ If you don't succeed, you die... No wonder Zandri didn't want to go! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

I'm kind of bored so far.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

28% (view spoiler)[ wasn't expecting ryme' s death. I'm still a bit bored though. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

34% (view spoiler)[ another one bites the dust. Kind of sad that it's Malachi though :( (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

40% (view spoiler)[ is Roman so callous that he would purposely send them into a trap? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

50% (view spoiler)[ 3-4 weeks?! (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

How is it so far?
My pans got cancelled for tonight, but then everyone decided to come round, so i'm still at 12%. :(

[Sarah Elizabeth]

It's okay. There's nothing majorly wrong with it, but I had trouble really connecting with the story in the beginning. It's better now but I'm still not really loving it. Maybe it's because I read so many bad reviews when it came out, I just don't know.

[Sophie]

OK! Just starting it!

[Abi]

Sarah wrote: "28% [spoilers removed]"

Me neither.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

80% (view spoiler)[ what's the point in discussing how to avoid the memory wipe when they are being listened to? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

82% (view spoiler)[ not freaking Roman again! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

94% (view spoiler)[ OMG. Thomas killed Zandri? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Finished. It definitely got better towards the end!

[Abi]

Sarah wrote: "Finished. It definitely got better towards the end!"

That's good to hear!
I'm still at 30%, I'm going to read a bit more later. (:

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Think I will go back to which looked quite promising ☺

[Abi]

Sarah wrote: "34% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Me too, i liked him. :( (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Sarah wrote: "40% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I wouldn't be surprised, It's only a step up from poisoning people! (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Sarah wrote: "50% [spoilers removed]"

I was thinking that too..

I'm at 79% right now.

[Abi]

Sarah wrote: "94% [spoilers removed]"

I was shocked by that!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Abbie wrote: "Sarah wrote: "94% [spoilers removed]"

I was shocked by that!"

I hadn't guessed that at all. I really want to know what actually happened!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting July 14th. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
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[Marie]

Can't wait to read this book!

[These Violent Delights]

Marie wrote: "Can't wait to read this book!"

Me too :)

[Marie]

Chapter 4 - (view spoiler)[ I'm enjoying the book so far.
I wonder what they will have to do for the testing and I wonder if Cia's dad's dreams were memories or just dreams. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ I can't believe they let the people that are taking the test die. They let ryme kill herself and they let the test kill Malachi. I hope Tomas and Cia get through it alive (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ the fourth round reminds me a bit of the hunger games haha (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ I like will, I think they can trust him.
I wonder how the gray haired man knows about Cia's family (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

The ending
(view spoiler)[ I'm hoping she warned herself about will because I don't like the idea of Cia being friends with him after everything he has done.
I don't want to believe that Tomas killed Zandri because I think he Is a nice guy. I wonder if she mentioned her suspicions about Tomas on the recording.
I really liked the book and I can't wait to read the next one! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting July 14th. Happy Reading ☺

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[phoebe]

Are we still starting this on April 10th?

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

phoebe wrote: "Are we still starting this on April 10th?"

yep we're still on but I was busy to post updates, sorry :)

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[it reminds me so much of Divergent. All these test, what are they for? and what with Michael's weird glances and support for Cia?

Ryme and Malachi's deaths are horrible :( (hide spoiler)]

[phoebe]

Oh haha it's totally fine! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't on the wrong thread or something :)

[Rachel]

I'm a bit behind, i'll be starting this soon

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[Poor Malachai .. these test reminds me so much of other books like THG and Divergent.. & I don't understand why they're doing it yet (hide spoiler)]

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[uh-oh Will is a sociopath :( memory wipe aside, doesn't the testing committee know about Cia's father without asking her??!! (hide spoiler)]

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥]

Ending (view spoiler)[meh! I knew she'll be the one to get in but I feel her father is up to something along with Michal.. And I bet the second book is going to drag us into some boring University stuff.. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 10th of January 2016

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[Olea]

I'm starting now

[Mary]

Abbie wrote: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wast..."

Hi Olea,
How far have you read? I'd love to start discussing the first 50 pages by Thursday. If this works for you, I'll post some questions tomorrow for us to think about!

[Olea]

I'm on page 25 but I will be past 50 pages by tomorrow.

[Noella]

Hi girls
Hope I can join in this discussion

Up to Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[Looks like of the people chosen from Five Lakes not all of them will survive the Testing. Cia's dad must have witnessed something horrific that his memories got wiped. Would the dreams be the memories trying to resurface?? (hide spoiler)]

[Noella]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[It's so eerie that in a classroom setting they continue the tests as people fall dead around them!! The separation of the poisonous and harmless plants was twisted. Who knew the emphasis of penalties apply meant that they had to eat the plants they thought were safe? (hide spoiler)]

[Noella]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[Getting strong Hunger Game vibes now that they're in the 'wild'. The bit where Tomas got injured and they shared a kiss was major dejavu and then the whole thing about cameras and their conversations being recorded! (hide spoiler)]

[Noella]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Hmmm I found it quite boring towards the end. Cia and Tomas struggling towards the finish line was dragged on for way too long. I think whether I enjoy a dystopian largely hinges on whether I get attached to the characters. In this case I didn't. I was disappointed that we didn't get answers about why the tests were held in the first place. Why get rid of talent people by pitting them against each other? Why the need for casualties? (hide spoiler)]