The Testing

The Testing, Book 1

By: Joelle Charbonneau

Narrated by: Elizabeth Morton

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The story in which a 16-year-old is chosen by her government to undergo The Testing, which decides if she gets to go to The University. The University is for the country’s best and brightest teens and puts the rebuilding and future leadership of the United Commowealth in their hands. During The Testing, extreme psychological and physical trials pit them against one another to determine which teens have what it takes to become a leader.

©2013 Joelle Charbonneau (P)2013 Recorded Books

Fun Read, But Nothing Exciting

Its got the hunger games scenario, a romantic interest, dystopian government, and kid who are unrealistically too smart. All the elements to a typical YA dystopian read. It does these elements in decently fun and interesting ways, but the story is poorly written and on the nose. Nothing is left to the reader and the author explains everything to you rather than just showing you breaking the golden rule of writing “show don’t tell”.

I probably wouldnt have finished it because of the poor writing if a friend didn’t want me to read it but I found the second half of the book to be entertaining enough to push through the bad writing.

Interesting

Another Dystopian Adventure. Twists and turns, some predictable-some not. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next book.

Love the story - hated the audiobook

This was a great book, but the audio reader's voice was too slow and monotone. She did not get excited during suspenseful parts. My students were unimpressed as well.

Could not STAND the Narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator. Completely took away from the story.
As for the actual storyline I would have made the travel sequences more exciting. I zoned out during the time the traveled because well, it just wasn't that exciting.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The way their society works.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She talked way to slow. Made the characters sound slow or stupid even. Couldn't stand her. I will be forced to read the next book myself if the use the same narrator for the sequel. Absolutely awful.

Do you think The Testing needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

YES! We need to know how she lives with the knowledge that she learns from the device she got from her brother that she recorded info into before her memory got wiped. I know there is a follow-up book coming out in January and can't wait!

Any additional comments?

Good book, not my favorite but worth the read.

Freaking Awesome!

Absolutely loved this book! I read it in 2 days! I cannot wait to continue the series.

Worst Narrator Ever.

Would you try another book from Joelle Charbonneau and/or Elizabeth Morton?

If I see anything else narrated by Elizabeth Morton I'll probably stick to written words instead of spoken. She's terrible.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

It was like she thought she was reading to 5 year olds? WAY too young sounding. Odd, breathy pauses... so much so I thought the book just stopped. I'm seriously disappointed they didn't cast someone else for the remaining 2 book in the series. It's hard to believe they didn't receive harsh enough criticism to rethink casting.

Bad Voice but Great Story

This story was very interesting. The voice actor was awful but the story kept me engaged. I didn't enjoy the instalove portion but I loved the technical portions and all the problem solving. And really diving into what leadership should look like. Definitely worth the read but I hope the next one has a different actor!!!

Good story, Terrible narration

The story was pretty good, very similar to Hunger Games and Divergent, maybe a little more predictable. The author does a good job with descriptions so the stores is very easy to mentally picture. However, this narration is horrible! She is so slow, and uses other voices for people that make them sound unintelligent. Another reviewer suggested listening to it at x1.25 and that made it some what tolerable. The narrator makes the main character seem stupid and childish even though I would compare this character to Tris from divergent.
The story really leaves you hanging in the end so I will be ordering the sequels, only in a paper copy.

great book

if you like Hunger Games you will like this book. It is similar but with enough differences to make it original

awesome

was anawesome book read it before i listenef was grwat both ways i was impressed