The Testing (The Testing #1) by Joelle Charbonneau → Start Date: September 6, 2014

[Mandiann]

Join Rachel, v.v and I as we start The Testing series.

[(Liene)]

I'm not sure how I will be doing with other books then, but I might join for this one if I am done with a buddy read from the 3rd! :)

[Emma]

You mind if I join in with this?

[Rachel]

The more the merrier :)

[Vicki]

Such a GREAT series!

[Emma]

I am at 19%- really racing through it, it's really good.
(view spoiler)[ What is the testing really going to be about? What would be need to harm these kids? And why wipe their memories? Is Michael trying to help or harm? Is Tomas to be trusted? (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Emma, you have the same questions I had as I read the book. I LOVED this book so much! It's unbelievable!

[Emma]

Vicki, It is so good so far, i really want to just keep going, but I really should wait. The rate I am going I will finish it today lol

[Vicki]

Emma wrote: "Vicki, It is so good so far, i really want to just keep going, but I really should wait. The rate I am going I will finish it today lol"

Is that a bad thing?

[(Liene)]

Emma, you go ahead and finish it! I will be reading slower, but it will be just as fun reading your spoilers when I get to those parts :)

If you want, just come back and comment when we get as far as your spoilers :)

I really like being able to read other people's spoilers while reading!

[Vicki]

I love that too, AND I love being able to sit down and express my questions, opinions, predictions, etc. I HAVE to "talk" to someone about my books at times. Lol

[Emma]

I know, it is when a bad thing when I have other things to do lol. I arranged another buddy read starting today as well so will read a little bit of that too. I like going slow too and seeing what other people think. I am enjoying it way too much just now.

[(Liene)]

Yeah, I recently was the first to finish a buddy read, posted my spoilers and I keep hoping to now to see that thread in my notifications :D I was to know what others think!! I'm sure it will come, and I will certainly be posting here as well :)

Btw, where can we post something we have to say about a book, that isn't a buddy read? Or a question or something?

[(Liene)]

I completely agree, Vicki, I sometimes just HAVE to talk about a book, but I don't know a single person in real life who reads young adult books. :(

[Emma]

I am like that too, not many people I know like reading and talking as much as I do.

[Vicki]

Lieniitte wrote: "I completely agree, Vicki, I sometimes just HAVE to talk about a book, but I don't know a single person in real life who reads young adult books. :("

Isn't that the sad truth? No one I know, not even other English teachers, read nearly as much as I do. What is really disheartening is that my students (for the most part) HATE to read ANYTHING!!! I still require one book per quarter that they can choose. At least they will most likely read some of the book (I provide time in class), and those who like reading are blessed by having to read it. I got one girl interest in and she'd come to class and start reading and she'd reading every time there was "down time." Next thing I knew she'd finished it and was reading and now she is reading . I think when someone reads those huge books and they can read them fast, it's encouraging PLUS Hopkins always writes about things that teens like to read about.

[★ℕłℂØℓҾ★ (Nix), snowflakes and eyelashes]

I'd like to join this buddy read! I've had this book checked out from the library for a couple weeks, and now I have the motivation to finish it before it's due. So thanks, guys! :D And I am totally in agreement about discussing and reading other people's opinions about books. Sometimes I wish I had a second me who read all the same books as me at the same pace so we could discuss everything as we went! Lol

[(Liene)]

Vicki, that's awesome that you can be an influence on teens to read more!

I recently saw a post on Facebook from an aunt of mine where she asked people to comment and write their 14 favorite books. No one could do it, it seemed no one had even rad 14 books that they could think of. Maybe some of the classics, but not really anything else.

Maybe I am alone on this, but I think The Kiss of Deception is a book that would intrigue even those teens who don't read at all. AND get them excited to read the sequel. And maybe get them to read something else while waiting :D It was gripping right from the start.

But I feel I am getting off topic here.. :D
Though, I would like to know, what kind of books do the students usually choose to read, when they pick it for their quarterly read?

[(Liene)]

Nicole, We're glad to have you!
Lol, that would be awesome to have someone reading all the same books!! :D I'm sure there are people who have friends they do that with, at least somewhat. Sounds nice.. :)

[Emma]

That's why I like buddy reads so much, you can usually find someone who reads a few books the same as you.

Has anyone else started it yet?

[(Liene)]

Not yet, I have about 30 pages left in a book and then I will be starting this, so soon! :)

[Emma]

That's cool, my pace will be slowing down, got a few books to read.

[Mandiann]

I have not started yet either.

[(Liene)]

5 chapters (25%) in and all I have to say is (view spoiler)[ there is definitely a very corrupt government running this whole thing and I agree, WHY hurt the kids??

I don't trust Thomas yet either and I think Michal is, well, I dunno. Maybe he will help her out in some way behind the scenes. I hope.

IT'S THE SAME ROOM. So... evil!

I have to read more to know what I think, 25% in and the testing is just beginning. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

My internet has been down today so not managed to post, but been reading lots.
50% (view spoiler)[ I still don't know if I trust Tomas, I think he is keeping something from her, I think the knife was something he took from home and not from the store which means he has an item he is not sharing. Who was trying to kill her? And why would Michal and others want her to do well, what could they possibly gain? What Roman did is horrible, he was happy for his fellow team mates to die so he could get all the glory and go on ahead. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

69% (End of chapter 15) (view spoiler)[ Oooh what's in the bag? Can Will be trusted? It wasn't really a maze if there was only one they could go was it. I still don't trust Tomas, not sure why maybe I just don't like him very much. It's a got very hunger games feel to it, like they want them hurt or kill each other for enjoyment. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

73% - (view spoiler)[ are my suspicions about Tomas correct? What did he do? Poor Cia killing those almost humans, it was an emotional read with them crying as their loved ones died. (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

I'm at the end of chapter 9. (45%)
(view spoiler)[ So is it just me or does this feel like The Hunger Games to anyone else? :D

Not completely, of course, but I can't help but draw parallels between the 2.

I must say, I don't much like gory scenes in books, and sort of skimmed over the parts where bulging eyes and things were described, but it seemed that they weren't as gory in this book as they could have been so that's nice, so far.

I so very much like that Michal seems to be helping her in some way. I wonder who those others are who are rooting for her.

I don't really much like Cia. Well, she's not bad or anything. But she seems to be able to foresee everything and know what to do in all situations, like randomly grabbing food, though i'm sure a lot of people would. I guess this isn't the most extreme case I've read but I would like to feel her more. For her to be more real to me.

I think I might trust Tomas, though, I don't feel like I know him.

I'm not connecting much with the story, though it is interesting and I want to know what happens.

Maybe Brick will help her out since she helped him out. Kind of like that one guy did in the Hunger games for Katniss. :D (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

Lienitte (45%) (view spoiler)[ I do the Hunger games comparison, it's probably the officials not caring if they die or not. I am not finding it very gory, but a little doesn't bother me. Never read the Troop if gory bothers you, I read 10% and had to stop it was horrific.

I think Michal's help also gives it a hunger games feel, some officials were helping Katniss.

I don't mind Cia but I don't find myself upset when she is in danger, I am not relating to her greatly. I do like how she is trying to help others too.

I find I am connecting with the story more than the characters and for a great book it needs to be both.

Maybe, I had forgtten about him Brick, we will see what happens. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

83% (end of chapter 19) (view spoiler)[ Aww Brick why did you do that? There was no need. And why leave him, he was obviously trying to help, they should ahve taken him with them. It's strange I think I trust Tomas more because Will doesn't. Strange logic I know. What else is waiting for them? They must be almost finished now. (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

I'm at 52% and, Emma, (view spoiler)[ I thought of that too, that Thomas is hiding something about his items. Though I hadn't considered that he brought it from home, though now thinking about it, it seems obvious in the way it was described!

I'm thinking maybe Michal and some others are sort of rebels in the government. Kind of like some were in The Hunger Games.
Maybe he singled her out to help her because he knew that her father was in the games and assumed she would know something about it all, that her father had told her.

I'm quite sure she will communicate somehow with him or something, she did say in the beginning that the communications device she took can contact the other one that her father has. (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

the beginning of chapter 12, (53%), That was completely out of place. (view spoiler)[ Seriously, Tomas is lying with a 3 inch deep wound in his back and grins in a sexy way when Cia says he has to take his pants off?! And Cia is even thinking about that, when he lies there, bleeding and wounded so seriously? Umm... yeah. I don't like that at all. It's really, really out of place. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

Lienitte 53% (view spoiler)[ Ye I guess him giving her a sexy smile whilst he is badly hurt is a little odd. i suppose it's what YA books want now. I can personally take it leave it. (hide spoiler)]

I am almost finished. :)

[(Liene)]

I have a theory.
I am a bit further, but I'm just wondering about something, that is ok to read for anyone who has read up til she leaves for the testing

(view spoiler)[ I still am trying to figure out why they want them to do so much and such risky things. I would assume it's something more than just to be able to go to university, if it weren't for her father having been a part of the testing and going to university afterwards.

So, one theory I came up with. Maybe the only reason they wipe people's memories isn't so they don't tell anyone about what happens in the testing. Maybe they make them do some really sketchy work or do something terrible and bad or something after they are done with the testing, and it wasn't really just 4 weeks that her father was in the testing. Maybe they lied to them and it was really a year or something.
Of course, I doubt I am right, but I am just trying to figure out what's going on. Because if it wasn't something more than University, there would be no need to kill people. Maybe they need them for some super secret tasks.. (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

I am reading a bit slowly, because I have to study History for an exam I have soon. So I keep doing a bit of that, a bit of this. Helps me concentrate on both somehow, I might be weird like that. :D

[Emma]

100% - (view spoiler)[ Where to start. I really enjoyed this. I want to know what happens next. I also want to know if Tomas killed Zandi and why? Seems like Will has a crush on Cia I do not want a long triangle, I was happy when this one didn't have one.

I hope Cia becomes a doctor, that would make sense and hopefully give lots of opportunities to the story.

(hide spoiler)]

I am up for reading the next one when is everyone is reading, if anyone else wants to.

[Emma]

Take as long as you want, I read it quickly because I didn't have much to do over the weekend. If it ahd been a week day I amy have taken a little longer.

(view spoiler)[ they may wipe memories so they still trust the government, would you trust one who lets you kill each other? (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

I'm 63 % now.

On what you wrote in the last post.

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, probably that's a reason. But I can't help but think it's not the only reason.
I mean, why would they kill them off in the first place? I think it has to connect somehow.. Of course, I'm just speculating :D (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

I would probably be open to reading the next book too. I'm not finished with this one, but I know I am going to want to know what happens next and I already have all 3 books.

[Emma]

(view spoiler)[ i just think they want ruthless leaders not afraid to kill to get what they want. Hopefully we will find out later (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

I have bought the second, but going to wait until I read it to buy the third.

[(Liene)]

73% (view spoiler)[ I think that Tomas killed the guy. Or, something anyway.
I still want to trust Tomas. I want to think it's Will who is plotting something.
Tomas has known Cia all her life. I want to think that he at least doesn't mean her any harm.

I can't help but read Will's words as perky and upbeat. I don't know why.. but I would think after his twin brother hasn't appeared and he knows what happens to people who don't pass.. I would think that he might be a bit more upset about everything. Maybe he is just an optimistic person.

I don't know who to trust. :D (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

85% middle of chapter 19 (weird how you were at 83 and were at the end of that chapter and I am at the middle and 85%)

(view spoiler)[I don't think I trust Will, because what reason could he really have for sticking with them when he could be at the end soon?

I wonder why those mutated people are there. Are they previous candidates who have been scratched and turned into one, and Cia has/would have had the same fate? Or are they just mutated over generations of radiation and things after the wars?

I am getting nervous. I have to finish tonight so I'm not so nervous about what's going to happen. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

That is strange, my last few percent were about the book I think, maybe your one doesn't have that. Or I read it wrong.

[Emma]

85% (view spoiler)[ I think the mutation of past contestants would be too much like Hunger games. I think it is people contaminated by radiation, people who live out in the wild. (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

Still at about maybe 86 or 87% still chapter 19, but I had a thought
(view spoiler)[ Isn't it weird, that the people are still trying to kill each other at the very end ? I mean, why do they think so many people will have survived this? And Wouldn't the Testing committee not want them to kill at the end? Because the people who have made it so far are obviously the ones they want for the University. So wouldn't they like to have a larger number of people who actually made it so far? I would think that if more than 20 people survive, that they will choose the ones who thought of the Commonwealth and what it needs instead of themselves near the end.
But, I don't like any of it. It's all corrupted, so I don't actually want any of them to go there.. eh. I don't know what I think. (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

(view spoiler)[ I wouldn't be too surprised if it really was more like The Hunger Games :D

(hide spoiler)]

I keep putting my progress in my currently reading to see what % I am at to post, so it is weird. If you're doing the same, is the version you have marked as currently reading the same one you are actually reading? If not, it might explain the difference. I just double checked and mine is the same.

[Emma]

(view spoiler)[ I want Cia to go there so she can bring it down from the inside. Her dad went and he seems like a good character, but you don't know what really went on in his time though. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

I honestly do not know. I live in the UK so if you live somewhere else it might be a different version.

[(Liene)]

I'm at 92%, that's the end of chapter 20. Yes, I now understand how this is split up into books. (view spoiler)[
I'm sure that the second book or 3rd at least, will be in the University.
And I agree, she should take it down! I think that Michal and the White haired guy are working together and maybe Michal is also a survivor of the testing and university and was singled out like Cia was. They might single out 1 person each year who they think will agree with them and build up their ranks from the inside like that.

I'm starting to think maybe they wipe memories at University too? Because if the University will have testing, wouldn't her father have remembered and told Cia? The gray haired man implied that the tests wouldn't be over now. They continue in University. (hide spoiler)]


We might have different versions. Though, I don't live in the UK, but I do have the First UK edition paperback.
It's just when we enter what version of the book we are currently reading into Goodreads, that version has a set page count in this sysem and if that page count isn't the same as the one you are actually reading, the % will be off when you enter how many pages you have read.
My version has 384 pages and the Currently Reading thing for me also shows 384 pages because it's the same version. So the % will be correct when I enter what page I am on. It depends on what version of the book we enter into Goodreads :)
I hope I explained that understandably. :D
I must read the last 8% of the book!!