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.

Read "The Testing Guide", a prequel to The Testing,  HERE. 

Judy B says:

"Cia Vale has been chosen  to leave her family's small village to go the Capitol and attend the University, ostensibly to build a better world for the communities that are shattered and dystopic.  There at the Capitol, she undergoes rigorous tests both physical and mental and soon it becomes clear to her that she is ultimately fighting for her own survival. A testing mistake can result in death.  The key test is a trek across several states, with very little in the way of survival gear, as each person must choose a few  items most important to them on this trek.

 

There is plenty of action, mystery,  and romance, and a book you won't want to put down.  And the end will make you want to read the next in the Trilogy, Independent Study by Charbonneau, due out January 2014."