Time for another giveaway hop! This one features the hot of the press, dystopian release: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau. I reviewed it recently, here's the link: The Testing Review. We'll be featuring an interview with the author, Joelle Charbonneau, and the giveaway will be open internationally to wherever the Book Depository ships for free.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?
The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.
Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.
But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.
Interview with the Author: Joelle Charbonneau
The Testing is an absolutely thrilling new dystopian that has been getting a lot of great reviews, so we're very excited to be interviewing you at Looking for the Panacea, Joelle!
To start, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm from Chicago, Illinois in the USA. Since I still can't decide what I want to be when I grow up I've had a number of careers: waitress, model, opera singer, musical theater performer, report analyst (don't ask), voice teacher and now author. Currently, I teach voice lessons, run around after my 5 year-old and write. But I'm betting I might try to find time to do some performing again when he gets older. Only time will tell!
For our curious readers, could you describe your novel in three words.
Worst SAT ever.
What I think set The Testing apart from other dystopians is it's large emphasis on the importance of leadership, and what that means. It also seems to be a lot darker than the other books you've written. What inspired you to write in that direction?
YAY! I hope that the theme of what it means to be a leader does come through in these books. I've asked that question of myself a lot while writing them. Because I teach voice lessons to (mostly) high school students, I work a lot with teens who are going through the college acceptance process. Every year the bar seems to get set higher. More and more is expected. More tests. More essays. more auditions and applications. Some students deal with the stress better than others. I found myself wondering if there could come a time where we push students even harder and under what circumstances we as a society would allow the process to become even more intense. The need to explore those questions was what started me writing The Testing.
Could you tell us a bit about what you're planning next?
Well, I am currently finishing revising GRADUATION DAY--the third and final book in The Testing Trilogy. After that...I'm not sure. I have a new story idea that I'm hoping my editor will like. If so, I have a feeling I'm going to be writing on the dark side again. Fingers crossed!
Now onto some miscellaneous questions! What sorts of grades did you get in school? Do you think you could have passed the testing?
I was a pretty good student, but there is no way I could have passed The Testing. Me and calculus did not get along in high school so I doubt I would have made it to the second test. Cia is WAY smarter than I am. Although, I think I might have had a good shot at surviving the fourth test. I've traveled that stretch of the country a lot. I think I could have found a way to make it back to Tosu City in one piece!
What's your guilty pleasure?
Eating Lucky Charms right out of the box. Yep...it's my version of potato chips.
Do you have a favourite gif?
Am i supposed to? I admit I'm not one to seek out gifs. But my husband makes lots of really fun ones.
I'm from Chicago, Illinois in the USA. Since I still can't decide what I want to be when I grow up I've had a number of careers: waitress, model, opera singer, musical theater performer, report analyst (don't ask), voice teacher and now author. Currently, I teach voice lessons, run around after my 5 year-old and write. But I'm betting I might try to find time to do some performing again when he gets older. Only time will tell!
For our curious readers, could you describe your novel in three words.
Worst SAT ever.
What I think set The Testing apart from other dystopians is it's large emphasis on the importance of leadership, and what that means. It also seems to be a lot darker than the other books you've written. What inspired you to write in that direction?
YAY! I hope that the theme of what it means to be a leader does come through in these books. I've asked that question of myself a lot while writing them. Because I teach voice lessons to (mostly) high school students, I work a lot with teens who are going through the college acceptance process. Every year the bar seems to get set higher. More and more is expected. More tests. More essays. more auditions and applications. Some students deal with the stress better than others. I found myself wondering if there could come a time where we push students even harder and under what circumstances we as a society would allow the process to become even more intense. The need to explore those questions was what started me writing The Testing.
Could you tell us a bit about what you're planning next?
Well, I am currently finishing revising GRADUATION DAY--the third and final book in The Testing Trilogy. After that...I'm not sure. I have a new story idea that I'm hoping my editor will like. If so, I have a feeling I'm going to be writing on the dark side again. Fingers crossed!
Now onto some miscellaneous questions! What sorts of grades did you get in school? Do you think you could have passed the testing?
I was a pretty good student, but there is no way I could have passed The Testing. Me and calculus did not get along in high school so I doubt I would have made it to the second test. Cia is WAY smarter than I am. Although, I think I might have had a good shot at surviving the fourth test. I've traveled that stretch of the country a lot. I think I could have found a way to make it back to Tosu City in one piece!
What's your guilty pleasure?
Eating Lucky Charms right out of the box. Yep...it's my version of potato chips.
Do you have a favourite gif?
Am i supposed to? I admit I'm not one to seek out gifs. But my husband makes lots of really fun ones.
Since our blog is named Looking for the Panacea, would you tell us some of your panacea candidates?
Wow...this is such a tough question. The Fault in Our Stars is the first book that comes to mind. I'm also very fond of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None (originally titled Ten Little Indians). I think everyone should read Agatha Christie!
Giveaway Details:
- The giveaway is open to wherever The Book Depository ships free. Check here.
- There will be one winner. This person will win a copy of The Testing from The Book Depository
- You must be 13 or older to enter, and have your parent's permission if you are younger than 18.
- Giveaway ends on the 20th July
- Winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.
- ALL ENTRIES WILL BE CHECKED. So don't cheat. Yeah, we're watching you....
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway!
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