Independent Study

October 28, 2013
Charbonneau continues the trilogy that began with The Testing with this densely plotted follow-up, a tense, paranoid story in which layers of treachery, deceit, and danger are peeled away one by one. Having survived the lethal Testing, which forces the best and brightest of a ravaged and rebuilding future America to fight for survival, and having completed her initial courses at the University in Tosu City, Cia Vale is ready to discover what field of study she’ll be assigned. Like all survivors, her memories of the Testing have been wiped, but she retains vague impressions of the past and a certainty that things are not what they seem. Before she can settle into the punishing workload, she must endure the Induction, a weeklong series of tests and challenges, knowing that any mistake can be fatal. Cia struggles to do the right thing when she uncovers a conspiracy against the government and a rebellion in the making. Charbonneau makes excellent use of her dystopian theme in a twisty story that hits its mark. Ages 12–up. Agent: Stacia Decker, Donald Maass Literary Agency.

February 1, 2014

Gr 6-10-In this sequel to The Testing (Houghton Harcourt, 2013), Cia is drawn deeper into the political machinations of Tosu City as she enters the University. She is accepted into the Government course of study, much to her disappointment. Now, joined by students from the City who did not have to endure the Testing, she must go through a hazing process that forces her to once again rely on her wits to survive. Cia must win an internship to continue on at the University; the alternative will be her death. Her love for Tomas takes a backseat in the narrative to make way for descriptions of how the factions are fighting for control of the capital and the Testing. The action is fast paced and the story line compelling. Fans won't have time to wonder why those who run the Testing place such a low value on the lives of their teen charges or why parents have asked so few questions about where their children end up. Readers will root for the likable and capable heroine. While the adults' motives are suspect and often inexplicable, Cia struggles to make good decisions, both ethically and intellectually. Fans of The Testing will be thrilled with this new installment and will be anxiously waiting for the story's conclusion.-Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2013
Grades 7-12 Cia is now a first-year student at the University. Her memory of the Testing has been erased, but the messages she left herself in her communicator nurture her unease and distrust as she enters this new phase of her education. Although hoping to study engineering, she is instead assigned to the government studies program, where she distinguishes herself during the induction period. But what should be a sign of achievement is actually an indication that she is marked as suspect by the professors who control the Testing process. The biggest unanswered question from The Testing (2013)why is the Testing so brutal?is addressed in this follow-up, which is fast-paced and full of crosses and double-crosses, right to the cliff-hanger ending.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)

November 15, 2013
Having survived the gladiatorial university entrance exam in The Testing (2013), Cia and her childhood friends begin studying to become leading rebuilders of their post-apocalyptic society. Cia's demanding academic schedule is punctuated by a series of inventive and harrowing hazing challenges that deliver a combination of physical and psychological dangers that are reminiscent of The Testing. Success (and survival) again requires physical strength, mental clarity and recall of academic information. Unsurprisingly, some of Cia's fellow students resent her consistently strong performances and her steady refusal to win by sacrificing others. The school's cutthroat culture breeds opportunities for betrayal, and Cia must constantly be wary, even of offers of assistance. However, because her potential enemies are basically strangers, the prospect of betrayal is less traumatizing than her experience during The Testing, when she suspected her childhood friends of treachery and violence. In fact, returning readers anticipating a fiery confrontation among Cia, Tomas and Will may be disappointed to find these previous conflicts largely relegated to the background. Regardless, a charged atmosphere still results from the compelling mix of new lies, double crosses and increasingly menacing government figures focused on destroying Cia. Though this novel feels at times a bit too much like an extended setup for the final installment, shocking last-minute revelations about a potential rebellion against the government will leave many readers eagerly anticipating the series conclusion. (Dystopian adventure. 12-18)

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July 1, 2014
Despite Cia's unease over several issues (the ethics of the University, her choppy memory of the testing, and her boyfriend's secrets), she remains committed to being part of a solution to repair the damaged Earth. Occasional moments of philosophizing slow the action in this second series entry, but the vivid character development and sharp plot twists easily get things back on track.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2014
Cia managed to pass the grueling trials she endured in The Testing (rev. 7/13), and now she is one of the elite few chosen to study at the University. In spite of her unease about several elements of her life (the ethics of the program, her choppy memory of the testing itself, and the secrets her boyfriend may be keeping are a few pressing issues), Cia remains deeply committed to being part of a solution to help clean up the damaged Earth and set the world right. Occasional moments of belabored philosophizing posing as conversation slow the action a bit, but Charbonneau's talents for character development and sharp plot twists easily get things back on track for the upcoming third book in the trilogy. april spisak

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)