Making It Up

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Templar books

Independent Study (The Testing 2) Joelle Charbonneau

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independent study Independent Study is the second in The Testing series by Joelle Charbonneau. I reviewed the Testing last summer, and said at the time I thought that some of the comparisons with the Hunger Games were a little overplayed and a bit harsh.

Do I still feel that way?

Yes and no.

This is a different set of books. Cia is a very different lead character, and in some regards I prefer her to Katniss, who is a bit on the cold side at times. However Cia lacks self awareness in some ways, it seems implausible after everything she’s been through so far that she can still be going around pretending to herself that she isn’t the cleverest person on the planet. And the clues as to this are coming thick and fast now, with everyone else having noticed it.

I found that a bit of a strain to be honest. Other than that, the political machinations are becoming more apparent, *and* more entangled. It would be nice, I suppose, for one of these dystopian series to not end up quite so tangled? And the deaths are coming thick and fast, and somehow quite casually. It’s nowhere near as gruesome or graphic as some of the other YA dystopian I’ve read, but I’m not sure that necessarily excuses the mounting body count.

Do I recommend this? Yes. Though it feels to me that this book is a little weaker than the first. The good news though is that there isn’t all that long to wait for the series finale, which is out in the summer. Much better than having to wait a year for the next one.

If I had to give it a score out of 5, I think I’d be going 3. Slightly strained in places, but engaging lead character and enough going on for me to want to read on. And no, I’m not going to go back and add in scores on all my previously read books.

If you’ve read it, let me know what you think? This is my ninth read this year, so I’m well on track for my Read52 target.

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

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Review of The Testing book 1 in a projected series by Joelle Charbonneau. Release Date 1st August 2013

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

I’ve read a few reviews of this book that slate it for being a Hunger Games rip off. Which I think is unfair and anyway, the Hunger Games is hardly an original story itself is it?

(Ducks for cover. Looks out cautiously.)

But it isn’t, is it? I’ve been reading dystopian fiction for a very long time, and while I thought Hunger Games was really really good, it’s hardly ground breaking. I’ve not read/seen Battle Royale, which is the one Tim likens it to, but I’ve done both with the Running Man, which is pretty much up there.

So why would I go on and read The Testing? And not only read it, enjoy it?

There’s nothing wrong with fiction that works to a formula tbh. If there was, Mills and Boon would have tanked a long time ago. What’s important is the individual treatment, and I found that the Testing worked for me. I liked the main character – more than I did Katniss – by the end of her trilogy I wanted to go after her myself. Cia seems more self aware with less self loathing. And there are definite differences in the overall treatment of the main plot points. While you’ve still got gruelling and deadly testing, there’s the fact that Cia knows if she survives she won’t remember anything – no one ever does. Which sets the scene for an ending that makes me want to get my hands on the next book.

Possibly a book slightly more suited to younger teens than the Hunger Games, The Testing is still gruesome in parts, kind of unemotionally so. Definitely not for the overly imaginative or faint hearted. I will pass it to Big for her opinion, and if she writes it up, I’ll let you know.

Received free for review from Templar Books. Preorder The Testing with Hive – free delivery to your local independent bookshop

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Read 52 – books for children from Templar books

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A reading challenge from https://liveotherwise.co.uk/makingitup

The background: I’ve challenged Big to read 52 books this year. She will probably be mentioning them over here on her blog. I’m also going to have a crack at reading at least 52 books myself, and more importantly, I’m going to keep track of what books I’m reading to the little ones. I’m going to do all of that in a weekly post, and I’ve also set up a google plus community which you’re very welcome to join. (If you need an invitation, leave me a comment using relevant email address – which will stay hidden.)

This week I don’t seem to have had much time to read for myself. But in keeping with my aim to do more things particularly with the younger children, today has been a Big Reading Day.

I was lucky enough on twitter the other day to win a competition to win a parcel of goodies from Templar Publishing. I had no idea at the time I won what a fabulous selection they had to choose from! And the books were sent out by UPS so they got here really quickly. Smallest was thrilled with Naked Trevor from Rebecca Elliott and Sidney, Stella and the Moon, a debut picture book from Emma Yarlett. Both Tim and I have had to read about Trevor (including his naked bottom!), and I’ve read about the Moon three times now. I can see that becoming a firm favourite. It’s a simple story, about siblings who struggle with sharing and accidentally break the moon, and it’s beautifully illustrated, with lots going on in the pictures that you can talk about. As we read the front page she asked me why there were two Os there, so we talked about how you write Moon, and then you get to a page where one of the Os is broken, so that led to a good discussion too.

The real hit of the parcel though was the book for Tigerboy. Touch and Play is described on the website as an activity centre, and they aren’t wrong. Every page has got inviting textures, colours, and pictures. Tigerboy adores it – he shakes it to hear the rattle and has already identified his favourite page, with the squeaky black nose on the teddy bear. I’ve got pictures, but because my phone was charging they’re on Tim’s, so I’ll add them in tomorrow.

So, given today’s post has been all about the children’s books, I think it had better be a children’s book competition. What’s your favourite children’s book? Can be one from your childhood, or one you read to your children now, I don’t mind. But leave me a comment letting me know. The prize will be either a picture book or YA book, depending on what the bookshop down the road has in that I like the look of – I’ll update the post during the week with a title.

The competition closes next Thursday 21 March at midnight so that I can announce the winner next Friday. And you can have an extra entry for sharing this post, using the badge or joining the linky with your own Read52 post – but you must leave an extra comment for each thing you’ve done, telling me what it is. As I’m doing the posting, I’m afraid it’s only open to UK – but if you’re international and happy to arrange to have it posted on you can do that – I’m only sending to a UK address. Draw will be made using the lovely plugin and the winner is, which relies on separate comment entries.

Grab the badge

Enter the linky.

Last week’s winner was Anne-Marie from Child Led Chaos – congratulations!