David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! discussion

David, Karen, and I are doing a buddy read for the sequel to The Testing starting Friday, Feb. 28th! Everyone is welcome to join!

There are no set chapters per day, we just read at our own paces and start each post with how far along you are, i.e., Chapter #, %, using spoilers where needed. Have fun!

YAY!! Can't wait :)

I put Friday, but whenever you all want to start :) I'll probably start tomorrow!

Cool beans :) I'll read a little tonight and then more over the weekend!

I love this series! I liked it just as much I did the first book. it does reference what happenend in The Testing, however be prepared that this book is totally its own, and while it has a small part that reminds us of why we loved the first book, its teaching us more how The Testing started. Cant wait for Graduation Day! hope you all enjoy it!

Thanks for the background info, Cindee! I hope I love it too! :)

David wrote: "Cool beans :) I'll read a little tonight and then more over the weekend!"

I figured you'd start right away ;)

Cindee wrote: "I love this series! I liked it just as much I did the first book. it does reference what happenend in The Testing, however be prepared that this book is totally its own, and while it has a small p..."

Thanks so much, Cindee! Great to hear it's unique but still awesome :)

Jenny wrote: "David wrote: "Cool beans :) I'll read a little tonight and then more over the weekend!"

I figured you'd start right away ;)"

Hmph *acts offended* :P

Oh whatever :)~ You know I love you, even when your a cheater ;)

:P *sticks his nose in a book*

LOL

I'm up to 47% so far and liking it! (view spoiler)[Its taking a bit to really get going, but I'm pretty into the story. Cia being with Will so much is giving me the creeps! I like that she is questioning everything now, and not taking the easy outs to her character and standing up for what she believes in. So far, this team challenge they are in is wild! I really like that we are getting to see some of the "old world" (hide spoiler)]

I'm at 17% and also enjoying the read! (view spoiler)[I wonder why Cia got chosen for Government? There's some reason I bet! And now she's undercover! How weird to know something her classmates have no clue about. That must be hard for her to listen to herself telling the real story, which even includes Tomas! (hide spoiler)]

I'm getting an idea (view spoiler)[as to why she was chosen. the Government track is really hard, so I'm thinking the leaders want to get rid of her, and that will be the easiest option. That's my guess, anyways! (hide spoiler)]

Jenny wrote: "I'm getting an idea [spoilers removed]"

I think you're right! That's my feeling too!

Sorry I read a bit a day and a half ago and haven't had time to read more. But I'm at 24% and just love these books and Cia as a character. (view spoiler)[ I think it's great how she continues to dominate at all the challenges. She's so smart and capable, a great role model! Agree about the government track, they probably want to keep as close an eye as possible on her! (hide spoiler)]

I'm about 25% - and (view spoiler)[That snake! Gave me the heebee jeebees! (hide spoiler)]

53%. I also am loving this book! Cia is so strong and intelligent! (view spoiler)[The snake scene was definately wild! I think Enzo will become a good ally to Cia. Will is too. Wonder what Ian's story is? Why is the university so intent on making Cia fail? (hide spoiler)]

Finished it up, and wow. This is a great setup for the last book. Talk about world-building! (view spoiler)[Cia seeing her brother as part of the rebel camp was interesting - especially when Simon is revealed to be working for Halt! (Halt? Hult? The audio makes it difficult). So is Rafe an ally? Ooooh, the plot thickens! (hide spoiler)] Great book!

I'm at 76%. I got stuck last night and read the same page 10 times. Not because I wasn't enjoying the book, but because I couldn't get my brain to stop focusing on life. I read to give my brain a break from the real world, but last night I just couldn't get into my read. :(

Hopefully tonight! Good to know, Jen! ;)

So I'm wondering if (view spoiler)[Cia working for the President is good or bad? (hide spoiler)]

I'm at around 70% :) Such a good series, already one of my faves! (view spoiler)[ I HATE SNAKES! That freaked me out, especially when it was chasing them LOL. And what was that with Olive knocking the kid into the pit? That whole scene was hard to picture as it seemed too unbelievable to accidentally knock someone in. Sickening. Love that Cia is still DOMINATING! (hide spoiler)]

I will probably finish this one today--sorry guys, I have not read AT ALL in 3 days!!! Its been pretty crazy around here, and by the end of the night when I have time to read its all I can do to sit in a chair and try to keep my eyes open! lol

BUT today is a FREE DAY for me, FINALLY!! I need a break!

I finished in the wee hours last night (this morning?). Did not see that coming!! (view spoiler)[Zeek in the rebel camp! And woah... Symon with Holt!!? Seriously? Yea, both those items blew me away as well, Jen!! (hide spoiler)]

Definitely want to read when it comes out!!

I also finished late in the night! LOL this was just one of those kind of books :) I was quite surprised by the same events you all mentioned, great twist! I am dying to know (view spoiler)[ what Redirection really means? Halfway through I was getting frustrated because I realized we had no clue as to the motivations behind the Testing and putting all the kids through everything (and even killing them!). But now I'm really thinking there must be a big mystery (and I'm hoping a plausible one) as to WHY Holt is clinging to the Testing and what exactly he's doing it for. Can't wait for book 3!!! (hide spoiler)]

Just finished it!! WOW, that ENDING!! Holy Snikes! Loved it, can't wait for the final book! I agree completely with you all! (view spoiler)[ I am still unsure about Raffe, and I just KNEW that something bad was going to happen with those recordings. Cia should know by now not to trust ANYONE, and taken them directly to the president herself!! (hide spoiler)]

Oh and I was relieved (view spoiler)[When we FINALLY found out what happened with Tomas in the Testing, it was not as bad as I had thought. It wasn't good, and I understand his guilt and Cia's sense of betrayal, but it was an accident, he didn't purposefully kill her, thank goodness! (hide spoiler)]

Jenny wrote: "Oh and I was relieved [spoilers removed]"

Ah yes, glad you brought that up, I was very relieved it wasn't as bad as Cia thought it could've been.

I think I trust Raffe, but it's really hard to tell, especially after Will. It is getting somewhat annoying how Cia is always reminding herself that her dad told her to trust no one, and then she seems to trust everyone rather quickly LOL. But other than that, she's really likeable.

I think she just is a very good person, and has trouble believing that people could manipulate her. Just very innocent with a good heart :) But, yes, at the end of this one I just wanted to shake some sense into her!! Ah, well, no one is perfect :)

If they were perfect, we wouldn't have a good character!

Well said, Karen! And it wouldn't be much of a story, either lol ;)

Jenny wrote: "I think she just is a very good person, and has trouble believing that people could manipulate her. Just very innocent with a good heart :) But, yes, at the end of this one I just wanted to shake..."

And at least (view spoiler)[ She killed that arrogant prick (I already forget his name). Self-defense, yeah, but he had it comin'! (hide spoiler)]

Damone? I think that was it. Yup, agreed!! Sometimes (view spoiler)[ killing is necessary, especially in dystopians! (hide spoiler)]

Aw yes, that's right!