The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau Book Review

Looking for a new dystopian novel to add to your collection? The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau combines all the classic components of dystopian novels (corrupt government, some catastrophic event that destroyed the world, survival of the fittest mindset) as well as elements that are uniquely her own. I don't think anyone can disagree that the most popular books at the moment are the dystopians, and because there are so many of them right now it's hard to find one that actually stands out. Ms. Charbonneau creates a strong character with a voice that refuses to be ignored and a future world that is completely believable. It took me a little bit to actually get into the book (as it usually does for me) but once I made it past the first couple chapters I was hooked! This is definitely going on my Christmas wish-list (*hint hint, Mother*)

After all the nations of the world are destroyed by the Seven Stages War, what's left of the United States picks itself up and builds itself back up with whatever is left over (I must admit, authors have a lot more faith in the American people than I do, even though it always ends in a corrupt government. If you ask me, we're all just going to die. Why yes, I do see the glass half empty. Why do you ask?) Obviously the smartest step to take is enlisting those with special talents in areas where they will be the most useful. Even those who don't stand out are used to help rejuvenate the land. But just because no one is useless, not everyone is cut out for higher up positions. Those who show promise will be sorted out through their high school grades, and those who are cut out for the University will be sorted out through The Testing.

It has always been Cia Vale's dream to follow her father's footsteps and be accepted for The Testing - not to mention that her sector of the United Commonwealth hasn't had a Testing candidate in so many years. But even though her sector is small, it's not like there aren't geniuses around. One of Cia's brothers is probably the smartest person she knows, and she was sure he would have been chosen for The Testing... but he wasn't. And when the time comes, he isn't even acknowledged as having a huge part in one of the most important rejuvenation projects. It isn't until she's already in too deep that Cia realizes that maybe someone had deliberately kept them from being recognized by the United Commonwealth. Because no one ever remembers their Testing - their memories are wiped afterwards - and the candidates never see their families again.

But Cia's father thinks he remembers bits and pieces from his Testing. And what he remembers isn't what any of them are expecting, or prepared for.

The Hunger Games had a love triangle, but it wasn't the focus of the books. Divergent has a stand-alone plot, but there's also a strong love interest. The Testing falls somewhere between the books when concerned with love: although there is a love interest, it isn't the focus of the book. And I think that is what I liked the most about it. When you're faced with life or death situations, your first thought isn't "Oh my goodness, that boy is cute!" But the idea isn't completely lost in this book, and love is what motivates some, if not most, of Cia's decisions.

I think I'll give The Testing 4.5 out of 5 stars.

And again, if you love dystopians: Read it. You'll thank me.

Prodigy by Marie Lu Book Review

I must say, I enjoyed Marie Lu's debut novel Legend enough that I took the time to read its sequel, Prodigy. I've found myself becoming pickier and pickier with the books I'm reading - what with school and writing my own books and keeping up a social life - so I haven't picked up a genuine YA novel in a while. I was reading Life of Pi when I decided I was in the mood for something else. I think I was actually looking up another novel's release date when I remembered "Oh yeah, wasn't Prodigy supposed to come out around now?" So I got on my library's website, searched for the title, and put the book on hold. I think I finished it in about four days.

Legend wasn't one of my favorite books, but it held my interest enough that I wanted to know what happened next. Remember how I said I haven't read anything for a while? Well reading Prodigy in four days was a feat for me, so take my word that it held my attention.

Marie Lu stays true to her writing style by switching point of view every other chapter. First you're in June's head, then Day's. The novel picks up basically where we last left off, and our protagonists are both on a Las Vegas-bound train. Circumstances don't leave them with many options, so they must rely -again- on the people that Day swore he would never join: the Patriots. Soon they find themselves enlisted in an assassination attempt on the Elector. But it's not the Elector Primo that we were introduced to in the first novel - that Elector has died. In his place is his son, Anden.

To carry out the plan, June and Day must be separated for the time being with no contact. During that time Day finds himself enjoying his new position with the Patriots, and June feels her loyalty for the Republic begin to renew. Day has sworn that he will be the one to kill the Elector and start the revolution, but June cannot help but feel that this new Elector is not like his father and that he may be the one to bring about the revolution.

Everything works out in the end, obviously. I just won't tell you in which way. Do the Patriots succeed, or does June convince Day that Anden is their only hope?

I'm kinda bummed. One of my favorite characters dies.

Oh, and the last couple chapters will have you gaping at the pages. Just a warning.

If you love dystopians, Legend and Prodigy are books for you.

I give this novel three and a half stars.

Slammed by Colleen Hoover Book Review

Here's a little back story for you: I've been homeschooled my entire life, up until this year. This is my senior year and I decided to do an online school this year. This is the first year that I've actually had teachers. My teachers are awesome. And the book that I'm reviewing in this post was recommended to me by one of these awesome teachers. Typically I don't like to read things suggested by others - a "conditioned response" according to my psych class, but why it's a conditioned response is another story entirely. I decided to read Slammed for several reasons: my teacher is awesome; I had nothing else to read; the book actually sounded interesting; I needed a break from all the vampires/werewolves/fallen angels/questions concerning a fence.

Layken "Lake" Cohen has been "slammed" with so many challenges and obstacles: first, her father's death. Second, a move across the country due to "financial strains." Third, a sneaking suspicion that there's a different reason that her mother moved them from Texas to Michigan. Fourth, a sudden halt to the relationship with Will, her new neighbor from across the street, the only thing that might have made the move bearable for Lake. Fifth, a revelation that threatens to tear her family - and her life - apart.

A girl just can't catch a break, can she?

Slammed is pretty easy to read: I read it in about a week, as opposed to about the three weeks that I usually take when I'm busy. It was short, to the point, didn't bother with non-essentials and the characters were easy to get along with (in my language that means their actions and words were justified). The only thing that I had a hard time grasping was the relationship between Lake and Will. It came upon them suddenly, ended even more quickly, and began a certain roller coaster ride that may have made it more believable, while at the same time not so much so.

The strength of this book, I believe, is in its characters and their relations to each other. Slammed will open yours eyes to reality, make you question what it really means to be a family, and put you in a perspective to put the emphasis on life rather on death - the one thing in life that is inevitable.

I give this book three stars out of five.

Now let's see if I can get some extra credit out of this review ;)

On a side note (cuz ya'll know I always need something random in my posts)... my best friend is trying to come up with some words that describe one of her book characters. She has large, intimidating, and brawny. Her character is pirate-y like. Anyone wanna help out? (And if the only thing you can come up with is "scurvey," don't bother; she needs his physical appearance described.)

Happy New Year! (2013)

It is now officially 2013. A lot of people will be making their New Year's resolutions: spend more time with family, spend less money, lose weight. I don't exactly make New Year's resolutions, because the things that people usually resolve to do are things that can and should be done at any point during the previous year; they shouldn't wait until the start of a new year to begin. But I decided this year my "resolution" will be more of a mindset upon entering the new year. I "resolve" the enter the year 2013 not knowing what is going to happen, but holding on to the hope that inspires my dreams, having faith that my future is in God's hands, and trusting that everything will work out for the better in the end. Because if there's one thing I've learned from life, it's that you never really know anything: you only have faith.

Here are some quotes that I've found inspiring in the last year:

"Seeing is not always believing, but also sometimes deceiving."

"Unless you believe, you will never understand."

"Faith, trust, and pixie dust."

I can honestly say that 2012 was a successful year for me, as well as a trying time for me. I had to take plenty of leaps of faith and learn to trust others (including God himself). There were times when I was pushed to my breaking point and beyond: sometimes I didn't even get a chance to restart before I was pushed further and further past my breaking point. So I've learned two things about myself this year: I am a lot stronger than I think, and I have a lot more patience than I ever thought I would ever have (I give God credit for both).

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again because it is something that we could all do to be reminded of: if there is one thing that we have, it is faith. We might not all have it in the same things, but we all have faith. We never know anything. Here's an example that I like to use: We don't know that we're going to wake up in the morning; we just have faith. There are a lot of things we all have faith in, but maybe we don't notice it. So I challenge you to take a minute to sit back right now and think: what do I have faith in? Is it God? Is it yourself? Is it your family or friends? What do YOU have faith in?

I think we all need to be reminded of simple things every once in a while. Because they're so simple, we forget to remind ourselves and others of them. So here you go, to start off the new year.

Life always offers second chances; it's called tomorrow.

Never give up. You never know what's around the next bend. Always remember that miracles happen; hold on tight, because one might be headed your way.

It is never too late to change.

Change happens when you make it.

Your past does not define you; nothing defines you except you. YOU define you.

Don't look at how far you have to go still; look at how far you've come.

Quitting is for losers. Remember that the defining point for you between "Loser" and "Winner" is that point where you just want to give up. Are you going to give up or are you going to give it all you've got?

This is your life. Do what you want to do with it.

If you're not happy, then you're probably doing something wrong.

You can't expect anyone to respect you if you don't respect yourself first.

You are loved. You are not alone. Your existence counts.

Just because things aren't working out for you right now doesn't mean they won't work out in the end.

Just because today was a bad day doesn't mean tomorrow won't be the best day of your life. You've just got to get there.

I hope you all have a wonderful year! And remember: You were blessed to be a blessing.

God bless!

Molly Maurer