Review- INDEPENDENT STUDY by Joelle Charbonneau

INDEPENDENT STUDY (The Testing#2)

Joelle Charbonneau

Release Date: January 7, 2014

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers 

ISBN:  978-0547959207

Source: ARC from the publisher

Rating: Obsessed!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

From Goodreads.

In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the government has tried to erase her memory of the brutal horrors of The Testing, Cia remembers. Her attempts to expose the ugly truth behind the government’s murderous programs put her—and her loved ones—in a world of danger. But the future of the Commonwealth depends on her.

 I was lucky enough to get both INDEPENDENT STUDY and GRADUATION DAY (the final book in the series) at the same time so I can tell you right now that THIS series will go down as one of my absolute favorite dystopian/post-apocalyptic series of all time! Joelle kicked The Hunger Games ass in my opinion especially with her finale! Ok so enough of that on to what we’re here for…

My review of INDEPENDENT STUDY!

I LOVED this book so, so much! Cia is an amazing, smart, kick ass heroine and I admire her greatly! After the Testing is over she moves to the University to start her studies in what she thinks will be the field that she wanted (engineering) but the people in the University have different ideas about her future and that’s where the trouble begins. Cia knows there’s something bad going on and even though she doesn’t have most of her memories from the Testing, she has an idea from the recording she left herself. She doesn’t know who she can trust and not even her childhood crush and now love of her life Tomas is innocent. Oh and my favorite character Will! He’s at the University too and I love the part he plays in this book!

I loved the introduction of so many new characters! Some are super cool like Raffe (trust me on this one) and some are just diabolical like crazy evil! What I loved the most about this installment in the series is Cia thinks The Testing is over, but what she comes to realize is that unless she can figure out who to trust it may never be! I really can’t wait for you all to read this book and fall in love with Joelle’s writing and this awesome world!

I didn’t choose a swoony scene because honestly even though there are some I don’t really like Cia with Tomas lol and this series is about so much more than romance!

Damone lashes out with the hammer, and I scramble back out of it’s path. “Are you crazy?” I yell.

He starts to swing again and is brought up short by a hand grabbing his wrist and yanking the hammer free.

Will’s jaw is clenched and his eyes glitter with violence. This is the Will from The Testing. “Move away from her now, or you’re going to be sorry.”

“Let go of me.” Damone tries to yank his arm free. “My father is going to hear about this. Do you remember who my father is?”

Will holds fast. “I don’t care who your father is, but he might care that his son is so weak he had to be saved by a colony girl. She saved your life, she’s smarter than you. Than all of us put together. And you can’t stand it.” He releases his grip on Damone’s wrist, but keeps the hammer tight in his fist.

Damone rubs his arm where Will’s fingers dug into his flesh and scowls.

“Now if you’re done demonstrating your lack of control to our viewing audience, Cia will explain why she thinks we can’t get across. I know I’m dying to hear it. I mean, while I’d love to impress the professors, I don’t plan on risking my life in order to do it.” His mouth curves into a half smile. “But I would be happy to risk yours, Damone, if you want.”

Want to know what happens next? You’ll just have to read the book to find out!