Just when you thought Cia's journey couldn't get any better, it does, in this finale to the Testing trilogy, which recounts the culmination of Cia's studies and battles in the dystopian United Commonwealth.
After conquering the Testing process to become a student at Tosu City University in the capital, Cia realizes that the life of a citizen is not one of rebuilding a damaged nation and society. Rather, the true nature of citizenship revolves around death, deceit and control of the unsuspecting. Cia joins rebels intent on destroying the Testing process--but even rebellion is not straightforward. Dr. Barnes, the Testing designer, mounts an attempt to wrest control of the government from President Collinder, Cia's internship mentor. Cia believes the Testing must be stopped. But can she trust the motives of President Collinder when she orders Cia to act against her core beliefs? This moral dilemma forms the heart of the final volume of the trilogy. "This is the most important test I have faced thus far in my life," Cia thinks. "Too much is riding on the correct answer. I cannot fail."
Joelle Charbonneau ends her first young adult series on a high note. Cia's love story with Tomas takes a back seat to the hero's journey. Much of Cia's role in the revolt involves a mechanical and technical knowledge that allows her to build devices out of scrap to aid the revolt. It's this attention to detail in Charbonneau's writing that engages readers in the action and draws them into Cia's world. --Jessica Bushore, former public librarian and freelance writer