a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Malencia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies. The novel contains some violence and mild language.Graduation Day Independent Study is the second book in the Testing Trilogy written by Joelle Charbonneau. The third book, 'Graduation Day,' is scheduled to be released this summer. The Testing series is probably only a few plot twists short of a box-office deal. It's as action-packed as Divergent and as fast-paced as The Hunger Games, with a main character that's almost as intriguing as that of either of those books. In proper fiction fashion, as Cia uncovers one mystery, three more plop into its place - and, of course, the truth is as slippery as a memory wiped clean by Testing officials.Īll the fans of post-apocalyptic, dystopian fantasy out there should take a good look at this series.

With this dystopian fantasy, it's easy to be clamoring to know what becomes of Cia and Tomas, of the city of Tosu and the students at the university. The stakes continue to climb as Cia discovers not only more about her school, her new friends and young love, but also much more about herself. 'Independent Study' is a great novel in a trilogy. As Cia digs deeper into the mystery that clouds her teachers' and the older students' methods, she stumbles into secrets that force her to choose a side and battle for what she believes in. She passed the Testing with flying colors, despite having no memory of its subject matter.īut as her classes and initiation begin, she starts having nightmares that feel all too real and doubts about a school that seems all too perfect. 'Independent Study' by Joelle Charbonneau continues the story of young Cia, an aspiring young student just starting her first year at the university in Tosu City (formerly known as Wichita, Kansas). ' INDEPENDENT STUDY : The Testing, Book 2 ,' by Joelle Charbonneau, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17.99, 310 pages (ages 14 and up)įor some students, failing a test means extra chores, revoked driving privileges or perhaps even an old-fashioned spanking.īut for Malencia Vale, failing a test at her university could very well mean her death.

Independent study by joelle charbonneau