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

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

So I'm through chapter 14, and it's a little hard weeding through the spoilers I haven't gotten too lol.

Definitely Hunger Games meets Divergent feel to it, but I like it better than both of those books already!

There was a mention above about Cia (view spoiler)[not being likable, but considering the main characters in some of the other dystopian books I've been reading lately (Divergent and Matched, cough cough), she's plenty likable to me! If I heard her dad's stories about The Testing, I would be grabbing and stocking up on food too. I don't like how her favorite brother just vanished from the story with very little information. It seemed like a cop out way for her to get the transmitter compass thingy, and I feel like if her dad had been more up front with his family about the memory nightmares he has, the brother would've willingly given her the device to keep her alive! I realize the risk of mentioning anything the dad remembers could mean his life, and probably theirs too for hearing about it, but that whole beginning section before she left for the city just felt a bit weak to me. I really started getting interested and feeling emotionally attached during the third test when she had to evaluate that mean dude and make the decision to not participate in the challenge. And I've been hooked since! (hide spoiler)]

I had to tear myself away to come on and write this so maybe I'd make the smart choice and get some sleep. I'm definitely going to finish tomorrow though! Also, I'm interested in buddy reading the 2nd book with whoever is interested after this :)

[(Liene)]

Nicole, I think (view spoiler)[ I have just read or listened to too many flawless perfect characters lately, that it is getting annoying, so when Cia thought of everything and figured everything out and was able to save her friend, and make things in the last test and shoot straight and all sorts of stuff, I just got annoyed, because I'm a bit fed up with characters who know everything.
It's not that I think she isn't likable. She isn't as perfectly flawless as some others in other books lately, but it was just not the right time for that kind of character for me. (hide spoiler)]

I hope that makes my thoughts more clear on that :D

[(Liene)]

I finished the book I think almost 20 hours ago. But I've had a busy day.
So end thoughts (view spoiler)[Yeah, I wonder if Tomas knows!

I don't think Cia will fall for Will, making it a triangle. I am SURE that she wouldn't have erased what Will did from her recordings. It was probably the most important thing. To know who to be wary of. Even though, i don't think she intended for herself to find the recording. So maybe she didn't mention that.. I guess we will see!

I hope Tomas didn't kill Zandri, but if he did, I hope it was for a good reason. I really don't believe he would do something with cruel, evil intentions.

So she's becoming friends with Stacia, who was one of the ones, who seemed fine with taking others down if needed.

(hide spoiler)]

Well, it was good overall, and I would like to read the next book :)

[Emma]

(view spoiler)[ I think she did mean for herself to find it, she marked so she would, if she just wanted her brother or her dad to find it then there was no need to mark it. That will be why they weren't allowed to take in any paper. We shall see what happens (hide spoiler)]

Nicole, I think we all are wanting to buddy read the second, cannot wait, want to know what happens, so many questions.

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

Lieniitte wrote: "Nicole, I think I have just read or listened to too many flawless perfect characters lately, that it is getting annoying, so when Cia thought of everything and figured everything out and was able ..."

Finished the book!

That makes sense lol. It was a bit unbelievable that (view spoiler)[Cia was such a good shot when she had never shot a gun before. I own a 9mm and know that without a LOT of practice, it's hard to hit a target accurately even as close as 20 feet. And hers had serious recoil, if I recall correctly.

About the "sexy smile" debate, I think it's possible that the adrenaline masked the pain enough to make this possible, but I agree it was weird to read in that moment. (hide spoiler)]

Overall enjoyed the book immensely!

[(Liene)]

Nicole, are you finished as well? If so, we could all set a date for the next book!

Emma, (view spoiler)[Hmm, you're probably right about her meaning to find it herself, but when she was recording, she was thinking about how she hopes maybe her father or someone in her family will find it and know the truth. So that's why I thought maybe she marked it so her father would notice the button if he was the one to get it or something. But, it is her symbol, so yeah. :D (hide spoiler)]

[(Liene)]

Nicole, I guess (view spoiler)[adrenaline could cause that, even so, like you said, it was weird in that moment :D (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

Do you you want to set it for a week or two, I think there a couple of people still reading it.

[(Liene)]

Sure, I can't read it before something like the 20th or later, so I was thinking if you guys want to start earlier than that, I would just go slower with it and read as much as I can each day, because I will be a bit busy.
So I was thinking we set a date for sometime in a while but not too far away, and maybe it motivates people to want to read the second book too, and gives plenty of time to finish this one :)

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

My copy is available at the library, but I've got a bunch of other books to read too, so I'm ok with starting a bit later. September 20th would be fine with me!

[(Liene)]

That would be great for me, but it's completely fine if you all want to start earlier, to know what happens, I don't want to make everyone wait!

[Emma]

20th is fine with me :)

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

I created the post for book 2 buddy reading! Here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Emma]

:) Thanks for that Nicole. I will probably be a little slower reading the second one, will be busy during that week.

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

No time limit on these things! I'm ok with read-at-your-own pace again for that one :)

[(Liene)]

Thanks for making the thread :)

[Mandiann]

I just finished Chapter 6. Wow I was certainly not expecting that!! (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Ryme is dead. I hope they don't suspect Cia. (hide spoiler)]

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

Mandiann wrote: "I just finished Chapter 6. Wow I was certainly not expecting that!! [spoilers removed]"

I know, right?? I was worried about the (view spoiler)[corncakes. Thought for sure Ryme was gonna start poisoning the crap out of people. One second she was so cocky and annoying, the next second she's dead! I totally understand Cia's beating herself up mentally, even though she did absolutely nothing wrong. You just never know if what you say is going to send someone over the edge. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

(view spoiler)[ I thought Ryme was going to eat the corncakes and intentionally make Cia look guilty. (hide spoiler)]

[Mandiann]

I just finished. I will read the spoilers tonight and come and comment.

[Emma]

Did you enjoy it Mandiann?

[Mandiann]

I did. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next. I have so many questions and would love to find out more about the world.

[Emma]

Ye me too, there is lots left to find out which is good. :)

[Mandiann]

Nicole wrote: "So I'm through chapter 14, and it's a little hard weeding through the spoilers I haven't gotten too lol.

Definitely Hunger Games meets Divergent feel to it, but I like it better than both of those..."

I agree with your thoughts on Cia. I would be doing the same thing in her place.

[Mandiann]

Emma wrote: "Did you enjoy it Mandiann?"

I liked it. It was easy to get drawn what was happening but I felt the world was of more interest than the characters. I like Tomas (view spoiler)[ right from the start although the book had me doubting him near the end. I think he would have had to have a good reason to kill Zandri and I am glad it seems he was able to retain his memories. (hide spoiler)] What has me really confused though is how a world (view spoiler)[ that is barren and ruined and need to be revitalized can have so many easily found edible plants growing everywhere and in so many different varieties. (hide spoiler)]

I am not sure if I will be able to get book two in time for the BR.

[Emma]

We can push it back a week or two if want :) (If everyone else is okay with that too )

[Mandiann]

I may get it earlier. The person who has it has until 10/2 to return it. So I may just join late on this one too.

[Emma]

okay :)

[v.v]

Sorry, I couldn't do this, I've got way too many things going on right now. But I'll try and catch up if someone wants to read the next book.

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

I'm ok with pushing out the date if everyone wants. I have my copy already, but I work at a library so I can easily renew it since there are a bunch of copies available right now.

[Emma]

It's okay v.v. we planning to read the next book at the earliest 20th of this month but we thinking about pushing it back so people can join in.

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

Just let me know if we need to push it back, and I'll make the change in the thread! We can be accommodating :)

[(Liene)]

I'm fine with pushing it back too :)

[Emma]

Push it back until the 28th? Is everyone okay with that?

[v.v]

Thanks so much guys!