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This Is Not a Test: A Novel
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It's the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won't stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn't sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she's failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she's forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group's fate is determined less and less by what's happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?
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Commencer à lireInformations sur le livre
This Is Not a Test: A Novel
Description
It's the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won't stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn't sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she's failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she's forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group's fate is determined less and less by what's happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?
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Avis
I had never read anything by Courtney Summers before, but I’d been wanting to for awhile. I also love zombies so this was a great book for me to start with.I thought it was a good story and was well written. However, I didn’t really like any of the characters. I’m not sure why that is. I just didn’t care for them for some reason. I guess it’s just that I didn’t connect with any of them. Other than that, I enjoyed This Is Not A Test, and I will be reading more by Courtney Summers in the future.
Rating: 3This book is about a girl who has decided that it is time for her to commit suicide. Raised by an abusive father Sloane and her sister Lily have been plotting a way they can escape from their father for a long time. When Lily escapes without her sister, Sloane feels that 'her world has collapsed'. To make matters worse, there are zombies everywhere. Soon after Sloane and 5 other students have found temporary shelter in Cortege High. Sloane has given up on life but it is really hard when there is a group of people around you who want to survive. I really enjoyed reading this book. There were a lot of twists which made the novel really interesting. Just reading the first few pages made me want to keep on reading. It had a lot of suspense and I was hooked. Although it was a good book, there were some parts which I didn't like and felt that it was unnecessary to add, such as the overdose of swearing and irrelevant topics that would be unsuitable and inappropriate for younger readers.Overall it was a good read and I would definitely recommend this book to teenagers and young adults.
Rating: 4Although I like zombie books/movies/etc., the real reason I wanted to read this book was because Courtney Summers is an amazing writer and I knew I wanted her take on the genre. I was not disappointed! Yes, this is about zombies, but it's about much more. It is gritty and real and everything that I've come to expect from Summers, and with zombies thrown into the mix, well...bonus points!
Rating: 5Courtney Summers has created a masterpiece in This is Not a Test.It is a page-turner, a zombie apocalypse story, a coming of age novel, a romance, while still being contemporary, realistic, heartfelt, and completely engrossing.I would recommend it to just about everyone. Fans of YA fiction of all ages, fans of zombie stories/movies/video games. Reluctant readers. Teens who read a lot. Adults who have never read YA fiction. Seriously. Everyone.
Rating: 5I've had bad luck with zombie novels. I haven't enjoyed any of the zombie novels I've read. In fact, I've hated them and I was convinced that while zombies work great on screen, there is something about that them that doesn't work in the written form.That's how I felt until "This is Not a Test" changed all of that for me.Courtney Summers has found a way to make literary zombies work. I was captivated by Sloane's story, and I think perhaps the reason that this novel succeeds is because it is Sloane's story -- not a typical OMG ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE story. Sloane is one six teens who have survived a zombie uprising and gotten safely to their high school. The story feels a bit like "The Breakfast Club" ... with zombies. This book amazed me with its dazzling prose. And it also frightened me with a believable depiction of the end of the world, and all of the emotions that go along with it. Sloane's back story and personality were exceptionally heartbreaking. We get more character exploration than we do action. The undead make very few appearances, but the threat of them is always present. But just because there's little gore doesn't mean it didn't frighten the crap out of me. I had to sleep with the lights on every night while reading this, and I admit to have some zombie nightmares, too. This novel succeeded in every way, and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves a good zombie story, or to anyone who loves a good story -- period.
Rating: 5
This was great! A different take on a zombie-book, and I loved it. More than just surviving against the zombies, Sloane has to survive against herself. Great, quick read. Definitely recommend.
Rating: 5
this is literally amazing i'm going to make everyone i know read it .the suspense ,character development ,and the emotions .it had me in tears for these characters
Rating: 5I really enjoyed this book. From start to finish, it was really hard to put down. The voice is interesting, the pace is perfect, and I really found myself feeling a great deal for all the characters. Each death was so sad... Summers writing seemed so real, like I could almost be there.Honestly, I didn't have high hopes for this book. I just thought it'd be another zombie read, which I love because I have a mild zombie obsession, but it was deeper than that. And the writing was amazing. I liked how there was romance, yet there was no romance. That there was hope, but no hope. There was a possible future, but there really was no future.The only thing that I didn't like about the book was the ending. I don't mind opening endings, and there was some level of closure to it, but there wasn't really an end. We're left hanging, wondering what will happen next. I would have rather they got somewhere. Or at least something.But I like the book and would recommend it to others. More of my reviews can be found on my site Yound Adult Book Reviews & More.
Rating: 4This was an interesting book in that I have a hard time rating it. It definitely wasn’t one I loved but I can see how others would because I enjoyed the style of writing.I know that Sloane deserves pity I found her difficult to like and even at some point I stopped feeling as much pity because she was so deep in a self-pity party.Despite never coming to like Sloane or really any of the other characters I did find each one fascinating and unflinchingly real. Some of them make choices that sound horrible and it’s hard to believe they could do such a thing and yet it makes you wonder if you would truly behave differently...See full review at Debbie's World of Books.
Rating: 3This review and more can also be found on my blog: The Muses CircleMy Review: This Is Not a Test absolutely blew my mind. There is no other way to say it. I actually went into this book with low expectations. Come on, 6 students stuck in a high school while a zombie horde tries to find a way in? A protagonist who no longer wants to live? In the wrong hands, this story could have turned out a complete mess. But thanks to Courtney Summers, This Is Not a Test is a gripping, frighteningly realistic portrayal of not only human survival, but of finding the will to live.There have been a few reviews floating around that have basically said that This Is Not a Test is not a zombie book, but a story that just so happens to have zombies in it. I would say that there is some truth to this statement. You could take the zombie aspect out and replace it with a natural disaster, an alien invasion, etc. HOWEVER, if you think this somehow makes the book less scary, think again. I had the pleasure (or displeasure depending on how you look at it) of reading the novel during a storm that knocked out my power for about 12 hours. I couldn't sleep since it was so unbearably hot, so I lit some candles and decided to give the book a shot. I finished it in less than 6 hours and it left me shaken. The title of the book combined with the eerie, blood splattered cover only intensified what lie between the pages. To put it bluntly, I was thoroughly creeped out and the feeling didn't leave me right away.Every protagonist in a story has issues to face or overcome. And most of the time, these issues are revealed methodically and are carefully paced to keep the reader engaged. Courtney Summers does something quite different with her protagonist. Before jumping into the novel, I pretty much thought I had the story figured out. Zombies take over, Sloane's whole family is killed, therefore, she has no reason to stay alive. I couldn't have been more wrong because Summers drops a bomb on us within the first few pages of the story. Sloane's nightmare began way before zombies ever entered the picture. It started when her father began physically abusing both her and her sister Lily. What kept Sloane going was her sister's promise that they would one day run away together. However, she was never prepared for Lily to betray her by taking off and leaving her with their monster of a father. We learn this within the first few pages of the book as well as the fact that because of this, Sloane has given up on life. She is ready to commit suicide, preferring to face death than be her father's punching bag. But before she can follow through with her plan, the world as she knows it comes to an end. The dead roam the streets looking for human flesh. If it wasn't for a small group of survivors, she would be zombie food or become one herself. But did them saving her only prolong the inevitable? I guess this is why I find Sloane such an interesting, complex character. While the others have fond thoughts of their parents or a sibling or a significant other, all she has is the painful memories of her dead mother, abusive father, and selfish sister.One of the most heartbreaking parts in the story is when Sloane is talking to Rhys after he discovers her desire to end her life. She says to him, "I wouldn't have left you like that. Not like [Lily] did to me...She always said I'd die without her and she left anyway.""But you didn't die," [Rhys] says."I did," I say. "I'm just waiting for the rest of me to catch up.”Here is another line that gives you a clear view of Sloane's despair. “Waiting around to be saved is like waiting to die and I have done more of both than anyone else in the room.”This Is Not a Test is an extremely well written story that has a beautiful flow to the writing style. The chapters are short which compliments its somber tone. What absolutely amazed me about this book is the fact that not once did I wonder how the epidemic started nor was it ever mentioned or explored. 9 times out of 10, when I am reading an apocalyptic tale, I want to know why, when, and how. I think the reason it never crossed my mind with this book is because the story's main focus is not on the zombies scratching at the door. This is Not a Test is a character driven novel that focuses on the human psyche in extreme circumstances. It's about the decisions and sacrifices that have to be made, the trust that is formed and broken, etc.That being said, I must warn you this book is not for the faint of heart. It will test you emotionally, ethically, and morally. It covers an array of controversial topics such as abuse, suicide, abandonment. But as the story progresses, and hidden truths come to surface, a whole new set of topics are introduced. If pushed to the extreme, would you sacrifice one life for another? Would the guilt of split second decision making be too much weight on your shoulders? Would you rather take your own life than try to survive in a world overrun by the dead?If you are looking for a book that will give you a few hours of mindless entertainment, this one is not for you. However, if you want a story that will touch you emotionally, challenge you morally, and keep you on the edge of your seat, then I recommend This Is Not a Test. If you are a fan of The Walking Dead tv series or the Aftertime book series by Sophie Littlefield, then you are in for a treat. If you haven't, you definitely need to check them out, especially since Sloane reminds me of both Andrea (The Walking Dead) and Cass (Aftertime). I thank LibraryThing.com and St. Martin's Griffin for giving me the opportunity to read and review this riveting novel.Reviewed by: Mia @ The Muses Circle
Rating: 5I've wanted to read this book for nigh on forever. Well, since May 10, when I gushed about the cover for my second Cover Love post, anyways. I don't consider myself a zombie person simply because of my limited experience with the genre. I know the fake zombies on Scooby-Doo, the freakishly fast zombie-like things from I Am Legend... and that's about it. I was excited to broaden my horizons a bit.Even more exciting was the news that this wasn't really a zombie book. Instead, supposedly, it's a book about a girl named Sloane that just happens to have zombies. Great! What an awesome way to ease myself into the genre, right?Ooooor maybe not.I carried some misconceptions going in, and I want to be sure you don't make the same mistake. It's true, this is not a book about zombies. It's also true that this book, ultimately, is about the six survivors stuck in Cortege High. I thought that would mean harrowing adventures, deep soul-searching, and some interesting interpersonal moments.This Is Not A Test did have all that, but what it really is is best summed up by a quote from one of the characters - "The apocalypse: one big existential crisis."This book is so depressing, you guys. Not it's-bad-but-there's-hope kind of depressing. I mean deep, dark, the-human-race-is-doomed kind of depressing. Remember how I guessed this book was a zombie apocalypse + Lord of the Flies mashup? I was dead-on. If this book hammers home anything at all, it's the depth of human depravity.The story opens with Sloane at home with her father, recuperating from a particularly violent beating that's kept her at home for several days. Human depravity. Then zombie wackness breaks out, Sloane runs away, and we pick up with her again with the five other kids, shortly after two members of their group have been eaten by zombies.The two eaten members were Mr. and Mrs. Casper, the parents of twins Grace and Trace. The twins blame the group's de facto leader Cary (boy Cary, like Cary Grant but nowhere near as awesome) for their parents' death, and they don't let him forget that fact for the entire book. The. Entire. Book. Human depravity.Okay, so here's what this story doesn't have:- Humor. There might be a few semi-lighthearted moments here and there, but there's nothing to balance out the gloom.- Heroic, good-guy characters. Everyone looks out for themselves to the utter detriment of the others. I kept expecting someone to step up, to show they really weren't that bad. But the characters that I thought might be the good guys end up being selfish and disgusting. The ones that I knew were going to be bad ended up being worse.- Answers. That's the thing about existential crises. There are no answers. Everything - from how the apocalypse started and how it works to a rather major mystery concerning a character in a parking lot - remain unanswered.- One page that doesn't have some kind of profanity. Heavy, heavy profanity.- Romance. Nope, no romance. There are a couple teens who hook up, but that is NOT romance. That's just a couple of kids being incredibly stupid.Here's what this story DOES have:- A pretty epic start to the zombie apocalypse. I mean, it's just Sloane and her dad sitting at their kitchen table and then WHAM! I loved that there wasn't any buildup, any warning. One minute Sloane is mulling over soggy cereal, the next minute her neighbor is ripping out another person's heart. Oh yeah, that's something else this story has...- Violence. Lots and lots of violence. The zombies don't show up very much in the book, but when they do, they're sure to turn your stomach. I didn't think any book would surpass Hunger Games gore-wise. I was wrong.- A depressingly realistic look at the depraved side of humanity. Everything you worry about in time of crisis is right there. A hysterical piece of cannon fodder who can't make up his mind? Check. Chillingly logical decisions regarding human life? Check. Shattered families? Check. Really, really bad decisions made because of stress and adrenaline? Check. Division and warring factions? Check.- Sloane. I liked Sloane. She's broken, foul-mouthed, and depressing, but (to me), she was the most rootable (is that a word?) one of the bunch. She's intent on killing herself, but she's selfless enough to refuse to do it in any way that might endanger the others. She has moments of strength (rare, but they're there), and her willingness to accept death makes her refreshingly less frantic than the others.- A game of I Never. Geez, I thought people stopped playing that in middle school. Still, it's an easy way to let us know secrets about the characters.- One instance of genuine sacrifice. And boy, after all the selfish choices made in this book, you better believe I held onto that moment.I probably won't ever read this book again. I don't mind books that make me feel gloomy and bleck as long as they pick me up in the end. That didn't happen here. I also really disliked the amount of language and sex in this book.BUT that's just me. I can very easily think of several different types of people who will adore this book. Anyone who revels in graphic violence, anyone who doesn't mind extreme profanity, anyone who likes to ponder deep questions like "What would I do if I were in _____'s place?" Those people will like this book. In fact, fellow blogger Christy (I follow her on Twitter) reviewed This Is Not A Test just yesterday and LOVED it! A quick Google search brings up many other bloggers who are all raving about this book (examples include A Good Addiction and Reading Writing Breathing).So there you have it. This is not a book for me, but that's okay. It wasn't written poorly or given sloppy characterizations or anything like that. I'm not familiar with Summers' other works, but according to the other reviews, her fans will adore This Is Not a Test. So make up your own mind. Go for it or don't. But no matter what you choose, y'all better come back and let me know what you think. :)Points Added For: A wicked awesome cover (I'm still in love), the way the zombies introduced (talk about going 0-60), having twins named Grace and Trace (helped me connect them as twins before we were TOLD they were), some heart-stopping revelations, that one genuine sacrifice.Points Subtracted For: No romance (I really like romance), an abrupt ending, being overall depressing.Good For Fans Of: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, Blackout by Mira Grant, other Courtney Summers books, existential crises.Notes For Parents: Extremely heavy profanity, graphic violence, no sex but everything right up to it (and not for lack of trying - yeesh), drinking, illicit substances, murder, domestic abuse.***Disclaimer: I was given a free paperback copy of this novel by St. Martin's Press.
Rating: 2This Is Not A Test soared to the top of my reading list as soon as I found out that it was a zombie book, and done by Courtney Summers. I'm sincerely convinced that she can do no wrong. I wanted to see what her take on the zombie apocalypse would be! I can say, without a doubt, that I was pleasantly surprised at what I found between the pages! Hold on tight, let's get this review started.
When the book opens the world goes from normal, straight to all out crazy. I'm not entirely certain how the zombie apocalypse actually comes about but it definitely hits hard. What I loved more than anything was the survival aspect of This Is Not A Test. This isn't just a book about zombies. This is a story about six teens that are just trying to make it as far as they can. Six people who are trying to keep their sanity in an otherwise insane world. I really enjoyed watching them find their inner strength, and eventually learn what was most important to them.
The one wrench in my otherwise total enjoyment of this book was Sloane's character. I liked her, but I found it a little hard to believe that there was literally nothing that she wanted to live for. The back story to Sloane's character makes sense. I won't spoil, but you can definitely see why she is hurting so much. Still, it became a little over dramatic after a while. I thought she had so much more potential.
If you've read Courtney Summers, you know how amazing this book is. It's her type of book, just with the addition of a zombie spin. I'm extremely happy to say that This Is Not A Test takes its rightful place on my shelf of re-reads! I only wish that there was more of the story, because at the end I just couldn't let go.
Rating: 4When the book opens the world goes from normal, straight to all out crazy. I'm not entirely certain how the zombie apocalypse actually comes about but it definitely hits hard. What I loved more than anything was the survival aspect of This Is Not A Test. This isn't just a book about zombies. This is a story about six teens that are just trying to make it as far as they can. Six people who are trying to keep their sanity in an otherwise insane world. I really enjoyed watching them find their inner strength, and eventually learn what was most important to them.
The one wrench in my otherwise total enjoyment of this book was Sloane's character. I liked her, but I found it a little hard to believe that there was literally nothing that she wanted to live for. The back story to Sloane's character makes sense. I won't spoil, but you can definitely see why she is hurting so much. Still, it became a little over dramatic after a while. I thought she had so much more potential.
If you've read Courtney Summers, you know how amazing this book is. It's her type of book, just with the addition of a zombie spin. I'm extremely happy to say that This Is Not A Test takes its rightful place on my shelf of re-reads! I only wish that there was more of the story, because at the end I just couldn't let go.
Dear Zombie Obsessed Friends,The first time I heard about this book, I was reading a review of the sequel on Caffeinated Book Reviewer’s blog. I was so eager to read the first book, I quickly placed it on hold at the library and raced to pick it up as soon as I was able. The premise isn’t something that’s new in this age of zombie apocalypse pop fiction, but it’s told from a prospective I’ve never read before: surviving the apocalypse through the eyes of a suicidal survivor. I really enjoyed reading This is Not a Test even though it may or may not have given me nightmares. *cough*Three reasons to pick up a copy of This is Not a Test:❤ Plot twists take a deadly turn in this book. There aren’t a lot of surprising twists in the book, but when they happen wham! I’m completely blown away.❤ I know I mention this too much, but I have to say I really enjoy books like this that aren’t afraid to use the “z” word. It’s something I search for when I read or watch zombie books.❤ The characters are realistic portrayals of teenagers trapped in a school with no way out. Sometimes when I read post-apocalyptic fiction I shake my head and think “you don’t stop being human just because the world ends.” Doesn’t mean cold water isn’t cold water or teenagers are suddenly less horny little twerps. They might not be happy-go-lucky and have a lot of painful decisions to make, but let’s be honest, when are we ever people don’t suddenly change their colors just because the world ends. I would argue people show their true selves when they are put in-between a rock and a hard place.This book was so good, I forgot to take notes half the time. When a notes obsessed book reviewer forgets to note take, you can bet the book is worth checking out! This is Not a Test was a spine tingling good read. If you haven’t read it, you are missing out! I recommend this book for fans of science fiction or horror. There was a bit of romance, but it wasn’t all that big a part of the book. I cannot wait to get my hands on book two!Your friend the zombie fanatic,☠One Curvy BloggerCheck out more reviews and bookish content @ One Curvy Blogger
Rating: 5
Originally posted on The Poetry Novelist's Goodreads page.
4.5 Stars
I have an obsession with darkness. I crave tragedy and despair in my fiction.
This book absolutely delivered. Near the end I even found myself wondering how many times the author was going to strangle all the light out of poor Sloane's ragged soul before she finally called an end to it. It was like Courtney Summers had a personal vendetta against her own character and created Sloane with the explicit intent of making her suffer.
This Is Not A Test opens with a violent despair and finishes on a feverish note of melancholic anguish. This is not your standard YA novel. Be forewarned. It gets gruesome. I wish I hadn't waited so long to read it.
Rating: 54.5 Stars
I have an obsession with darkness. I crave tragedy and despair in my fiction.
This book absolutely delivered. Near the end I even found myself wondering how many times the author was going to strangle all the light out of poor Sloane's ragged soul before she finally called an end to it. It was like Courtney Summers had a personal vendetta against her own character and created Sloane with the explicit intent of making her suffer.
This Is Not A Test opens with a violent despair and finishes on a feverish note of melancholic anguish. This is not your standard YA novel. Be forewarned. It gets gruesome. I wish I hadn't waited so long to read it.
Sloane is from a troubled home. Her father physically and emotionally abuses her and her sister, Lily. So when her Lily runs away from home, she feels like her world has ended. Then the zombie apocalypse happens and Sloane, already wrestling with depression, is left with conflicting feelings of whether she wants to live or wants to die - by zombie infection.
It might sound a little campy when put that way, but Courtney Summers’s This is Not a Test was a good read. Sloane is already considering taking her own life when she finds herself trapped in her old high school with five other students. The story reveals the characters of each student, how they react under pressure, with each other and ultimately their will to survive.
It’s a fast-paced novel, that kept me up, reading into the wee hours of the morning, trying to see when Sloane’s life would be revealed and her motives understood. I found it to be well written; the struggle that Sloane was experiencing was captured well on page.
It didn’t end the way I expected it to, however, I was happy with the ending. I did find Trace’s character a bit annoying, but I begun to understand him closer to the end of the book. The fact is, the characters are very rounded, they sometimes act in unexpected ways, and I was able to appreciate that. The zombies themselves didn’t have a lot of screen time, though the threat was always there, and I liked that it was done this way, so the focus was more on the characters pulling through a dangerous time than an actual zombie apocalypse.
I don’t think this was a very scary read, since it focused more on what was happening inside the school than outside, which is important to remember in order to enjoy this book.
Rating: 4It might sound a little campy when put that way, but Courtney Summers’s This is Not a Test was a good read. Sloane is already considering taking her own life when she finds herself trapped in her old high school with five other students. The story reveals the characters of each student, how they react under pressure, with each other and ultimately their will to survive.
It’s a fast-paced novel, that kept me up, reading into the wee hours of the morning, trying to see when Sloane’s life would be revealed and her motives understood. I found it to be well written; the struggle that Sloane was experiencing was captured well on page.
It didn’t end the way I expected it to, however, I was happy with the ending. I did find Trace’s character a bit annoying, but I begun to understand him closer to the end of the book. The fact is, the characters are very rounded, they sometimes act in unexpected ways, and I was able to appreciate that. The zombies themselves didn’t have a lot of screen time, though the threat was always there, and I liked that it was done this way, so the focus was more on the characters pulling through a dangerous time than an actual zombie apocalypse.
I don’t think this was a very scary read, since it focused more on what was happening inside the school than outside, which is important to remember in order to enjoy this book.
Sloane did mean to survive the zombie apocalypse. In fact, she'd been planning to kill herself when it broke out. Caught up in the panic and chaos, she let classmates lead her to relative safety in their high school, where she and five others have barricaded themselves in. They want to survive, but Sloane, carrying her suicide note in her pocket, still isn't sure she does.
Rating: 4I thought the idea of a suicidal girl who was dead inside surviving the zombiepocalyse really ironic. Obviously, the author thought so too but this book is not funny. It is story drenched not with a bit of terror but more bleakness and melancholy. Everyone stayed hopeful but the main focus of the story actually deals with the resiliency of the characters after wringing them through the nightmare. With 6 kids, the author shows the each type of reaction and how each one deals with the mental scarring from zombie encounters. There's always someone who a. Cries b. takes initiative/leadership c. Causes problems through rash impulsive actions or d. This story has all these people who incorporates these characteristics. I somehow couldn't bring myself to care enough about anyone. The violence and animosity built increasingly between people after being cooped up with each other in the same place. It was interesting to see how everyone all lost their shit and broke down eventually. This isn't a book about love (although there sort of is) or romance (there's a bit of that too). As far as zombie books go, the presence of zombie was always there but not as important as the feelings and assorted psychological damage dealt upon the high schoolers. No one really comes close to a resolve with themselves and everyone is in emotional turmoil while keeping their forethoughts on survival. Except for Sloane, that is...about survival. It was interesting to see how the desperation and determination of her peers influenced her to want to live for something. She's still on the mend and I see her slowly making progress throughout the book. I was right about to comment on a loophole regarding the high school's penetrability when it was later resolved near the end of the book. There aren't any loose ends really except for the fate of the survivors and whether or not they reached their destination. The cliffhanger isn't really one because it does leave questions that can be expanded in a sequel. However, the book doesn't need a extension because I'm content with knowing that the suicidal part of Sloane is a chapter of her life that is closed. Whether they made it to a safe haven is not crucial to know. Their journeys with coming to terms with themselves is more important.
Rating: 3I'm not really sure what to make of this one. It was a good read and it was well written but maybe I was expecting more zombies? Or explainations? Or a resoloution? I'm torn.
I really liked the story and couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to them all... but I didn't get closure. I'm not saying all endings have to always be neatly tied up but if they had been I'd have been happier and would have given 5* instead of 4*.
A handful of kids end up in a school, sheltering from the zombie hoards outside which roam their town relentlessly. Why are there zombies? I have no idea and I suspect the kids don't either but since they never ask each other those simple question's, "Why?", "Where?", "How?" I'm left wondering if maybe they do know, in which case - why don't I?
Sloane is the narrator and we get an insight into her life before the zombies came although I felt that I never really knew the whole story of what went on there either. It's frustrating. There's only one viewpoint really and I only found out what Sloane wanted me to know. Since Sloane herself was mostly fixated on her sister and her need to end it all I didn't get to know half of what I needed (wanted) to know. Enquiring minds need to know.
So, accepting that I didn't find out all that I wanted (needed), how was the story? It was good actually. Dark and sinister and creepy and scary and all the stuff you come to expect from a zombie book...just without many zombies. One or two popped up every now and then and they were the jacked up crazy kind but because I didn't see much of them they were more of a psychological fear than a physical fear. It was scary wondering where they where going to come from...if they were going to come...when they were going to come. Sometimes that's scarier than the actual event of them coming. It's the not knowing.
Anyway, it's a good story which is well told. Sloane's voice is right for the telling of it but I just wish she'd been a little more forthcoming with the stuff I needed to know...
I'd even be happier if I knew there was a follow on book which might fill in some of the details for me (there's not, is there?).
*Sigh* It's a hard one. Good story, well written I just wanted...I'm not sure what I wanted. More? Better? Fuller?
Rating: 4I really liked the story and couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to them all... but I didn't get closure. I'm not saying all endings have to always be neatly tied up but if they had been I'd have been happier and would have given 5* instead of 4*.
A handful of kids end up in a school, sheltering from the zombie hoards outside which roam their town relentlessly. Why are there zombies? I have no idea and I suspect the kids don't either but since they never ask each other those simple question's, "Why?", "Where?", "How?" I'm left wondering if maybe they do know, in which case - why don't I?
Sloane is the narrator and we get an insight into her life before the zombies came although I felt that I never really knew the whole story of what went on there either. It's frustrating. There's only one viewpoint really and I only found out what Sloane wanted me to know. Since Sloane herself was mostly fixated on her sister and her need to end it all I didn't get to know half of what I needed (wanted) to know. Enquiring minds need to know.
So, accepting that I didn't find out all that I wanted (needed), how was the story? It was good actually. Dark and sinister and creepy and scary and all the stuff you come to expect from a zombie book...just without many zombies. One or two popped up every now and then and they were the jacked up crazy kind but because I didn't see much of them they were more of a psychological fear than a physical fear. It was scary wondering where they where going to come from...if they were going to come...when they were going to come. Sometimes that's scarier than the actual event of them coming. It's the not knowing.
Anyway, it's a good story which is well told. Sloane's voice is right for the telling of it but I just wish she'd been a little more forthcoming with the stuff I needed to know...
I'd even be happier if I knew there was a follow on book which might fill in some of the details for me (there's not, is there?).
*Sigh* It's a hard one. Good story, well written I just wanted...I'm not sure what I wanted. More? Better? Fuller?
I will start by saying that this book was very hard for me to get into. I kept waiting for all of the action and death and blood and gore. The beginning starts off quite slow. Sloane and some other adolescents are holed up in a school while the zombies are waiting outside the doors. This is so not your typical zombie story. This is more a novel about how we survive and what we choose to do when confronted with our past and our future. The story is gritty and the characters all have flaws, what teens don't? The zombies themselves are background characters. Most of the time they don't even figure into the story. The zombies don't enter the storyline itself until about half way through the book. They make a brief, very brief showing, and then we are back to the drama of adolescence. The book is not bad, not by any means. The characters are easy to relate to and will stir your emotions. Some of them you want to hug, others you want to shoot. The zombies are not really even needed for the main part of the story. They are just a backdrop for these teens to confront their hidden fears. There is a very small smattering of zombie violence, but not enough to consider this an action novel. If you are looking for your typical zombie book, don't look here, because that is not this book. There is very little going on, except for in the hearts and minds of these teens. Their world is crumbling around them, while they worry about who will kiss who, and if they will ever leave the school.What will happen when an adult enters their closed in world? Will they stay at the school or move on? Who will live and who will die? You will have to read the book to find out the answers to those questions. I did see that there will be a sequel to this book. So if you like this one then look for the next one in January 2015.
Rating: 2This is not a test like Zom-B was yet again centered around a group of teenagers, fighting for survival after a zombie outbreak hits their town. And just like Zom-b its not exactly what I would call a Zombie book. More a book with a zombie background.Warning: May contain spoilers The main Character in this book is Slone, a young girl with an abusive father and absent sister. Slone had planned for years to run away with her older sister Lily, to be free of their father. But when Lily decided to do it alone, without warning, Slone is let alone with no one else who understands. Contemplating suicide when the outbreak happens, she finds her self barricaded in the local school with 5 other teenagers, only difference with her and them? they actually want to live. She tries to cut herself off from the rest, something that isn't as subtle as she thinks, but when she finds her self falling for someone unexpected, part of her wants to survive. For him.The teenagers are constantly battling with the outside, and themselves. And this book is filled with a lot of hard subjects such a abuse, suicide and death. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the way Slone was always constantly talking about killing herself. I know that's the way she was from the start, it just got slightly annoyingFirst Courtney Summers book and I'm happy to say it wont be my last. I thought it was very well written and I loved that she had managed to mix contemporary with paranormal. I would have loved to see it as a series, but it worked really well as a stand alone.
Rating: 4This book kinda seemed like the Breakfast Club meets the Zombie apocalypse.
Six teenagers are hidden in the school and its the end of the world as we know it.
The main character Sloane had decided before the end of the world happened that she was done. She had been abandoned by her older sister to an abusive father. She keeps looking for her out to end her life several times in the book.
I really did enjoy this book. It's fast paced and there is no down time where you are waiting for something to happen. It keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I started it in an afternoon and couldn't go to bed until I finished it.
Rating: 4Six teenagers are hidden in the school and its the end of the world as we know it.
The main character Sloane had decided before the end of the world happened that she was done. She had been abandoned by her older sister to an abusive father. She keeps looking for her out to end her life several times in the book.
I really did enjoy this book. It's fast paced and there is no down time where you are waiting for something to happen. It keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I started it in an afternoon and couldn't go to bed until I finished it.
As someone who loves zombie books I really had high hopes for this one. I feel so let down.
I found the writing flat. I couldn't get a good feel for some of the characters - it seemed they just morphed whichever way the author needed them to go. And I really could have done without all of the language. It didn't really fit in with the conversations - just seemed thrown in there for spice. And the spice was horrible.
I'm kind of sad I spent money on this, but hopefully there are some who will like it.
Rating: 2I found the writing flat. I couldn't get a good feel for some of the characters - it seemed they just morphed whichever way the author needed them to go. And I really could have done without all of the language. It didn't really fit in with the conversations - just seemed thrown in there for spice. And the spice was horrible.
I'm kind of sad I spent money on this, but hopefully there are some who will like it.
I was debating between a 3 and a 4 for this one, but I went with a 3 because I don't really care for endings without resolution. Other than that though, I definitely enjoyed the story.
Rating: 3I was debating between a 3 and a 4 for this one, but I went with a 3 because I don't really care for endings without resolution. Other than that though, I definitely enjoyed the story.
Rating: 3A good book to curl up to.
I connected with the main character, Sloane. She was not annoying in any way. I feel for all the characters. There is enough amount of drama and excitement for me.
Rating: 3I connected with the main character, Sloane. She was not annoying in any way. I feel for all the characters. There is enough amount of drama and excitement for me.
I enjoyed this book a lot for my first ever zombie genre book. I don't typically like zombie movies because they tend to be predictable, but this book was entertaining from beginning to end. I felt that a lot of the action was left for the very end and maybe there could have been a tad bit more buildup to it, but I did love how it ended.
Rating: 4“This is not a test. Listen closely. This is not a test."But I think she's wrong. I think this is a test.It has to be.” On a day Sloane decides to end her life, the world ends instead. What do you live for when everything that ever matters is gone? How do you survive if you don't even want to live? What do you do when someones life ends, but you still exist?The Plot. This is Not A Test is an amazing book. It's not really a zombie book, because it doesn't really focus on zombies and there are not even a lot of scenes with zombies. It focuses on survival. To stay alive and to keep going. I just loved this plot and how surprisingly different it was from what I imagined it to be. When I started reading it, I just thought its going to be another Walking Dead type of book(which I love), and I would't really mind if it was because I love books like that, but This is Not A Test is something else. In This Is Not A Test six students take shelter in high school to stay safe and wait for help. They don't really know what is going on, only that everyone else is dying or dead, or more like undead. But than the threat starts coming not only from the outside and the dead but also from the inside. Everyone has their secrets and everyone has to make choices, that might just get them all killed. It seems like giving up is might be the only way to be free. “I woke up and the last piece of my heart disappeared. I opened my eyes and I felt it go.”The Characters. Sloane is a main character. She is quit and doesn't talk much, but inside she screams louder than anyone else. She wants to let go, she wanted to die long before everything that happened. She tells us about her life, and her world that was hell way before zombies. She is not a heroin that is strong and fights for survival, she is given up a long time ago, and now she is just trying not to be selfish and put everyone at risk. I loved her character!“I wouldn't have left you like that. Not like she did to me." I swallow hard. "She always said I'd die without her and she left anyway.""But you didn't die," He says."I did," I say. "I'm just waiting for the rest of me to catch up.”Summers just wrote her character so realistic that it made you not hate her for wanting to die. The way she thought and her actions, everything just made sense. Every character in this book were hard to hate, but easy to like. All of them had a story to share and all of them wanted to live, except for Sloane. “Waiting around to be saved is like waiting to die and I have done more of both than anyone else in the room.” The Ending. I honestly really liked the ending, but I also hoped there would be more. Summers ended this book in a way that leave you with questions. But it does not feel incomplete, even if you think about it, it should, but it doesn't. For me it was just perfect, the ending and the whole book was perfect. This Is Not a Test was an intense read, it just kept you on the edge. Summers just pulls you into the story without a way of letting you go, you get stuck in Sloane's thoughts and all of the scenes and actions just feels like you are there. I highly recommend to read this book. Even if you are not a fan of zombies, I would still give this book a try because zombies are not a main subject in this book
Rating: 5High concept: What if the zombie apocalypse happened on the day you set aside to kill yourself? Sloane, a suicidal teenager abandoned by her older sister to her physically abusive father’s lack of mercies, finds out. Since she doesn’t want to take other people with her, and since she’s discombobulated by the sudden change in the world, she ends up trapped with several other teens in her high school. It’s a painful book, with plenty of teen politics; zombies hunger for life, while Sloane hungers for death.
Rating: 4Title : This is Not a Test
Series : -
Author : Courtney Summers
Pages : 320
Release Date : June 19th 2012
Publisher : St. Martin's Griffin / Raincoast Books
Format : ARC
Source :
**An ARC was provided from Raincoast Books in exchange of an honest review**
My Opinion :
This was my first book from Courtney Summers, and even though I had heard so many great things about her books, but I was still reluctant. I don't know why. I was SO stupid back then. Okay, maybe not stupid, but still. I guess I just like to be with my comfortable authors!
This is Not a Test is a heart-pounding novel that will leave you breathless.
" This is not a test. Listen closely. This is not a test."
This is Not a Test is the story of Sloane, a girl who has lost her sister because she ran away, and Sloane is the daughter of a father that beats her up. But now, even if her world ended when her sister ran away, the whole world has ended because of a zombie apocalypse. Now, she's stuck with five other teenagers in her school, trying to survive. The problem is, she doesn't want to survive.
This book is powerful. Parents, or anyone, who beats people up for whatever reason is bad.
I don't really like zombie books, and I guess that just... I didn't really want to read it a t first, but so many people seemed to love it, that I decided to finally read it! Just so you know... the zombie part really isn't big in this book. I'd say it's 5% zombie. The book really isn't mainoly about zombie! I'm telling you! I mean, I know I was doutbfull when people said there almost weren't anything about zombies, but, REALLY! Don't be stubborn like me!
The book isn't exactly fast-paced, but you just can't stop turning the pages! I was sad everytime I had to stop reading, and I really had to force myself to stop. I just wanted to devour it and not stop until I finished it! The writing is just so good and sucks you in!
The main character is really attaching, and yet you want to let her alone, because she... seems like she doesn't like people.
This is Not a Test is an incredible book that will suck you in from the start
Rating :
4.5 ROSES!
Rating: 4Series : -
Author : Courtney Summers
Pages : 320
Release Date : June 19th 2012
Publisher : St. Martin's Griffin / Raincoast Books
Format : ARC
Source :
**An ARC was provided from Raincoast Books in exchange of an honest review**
My Opinion :
This was my first book from Courtney Summers, and even though I had heard so many great things about her books, but I was still reluctant. I don't know why. I was SO stupid back then. Okay, maybe not stupid, but still. I guess I just like to be with my comfortable authors!
This is Not a Test is a heart-pounding novel that will leave you breathless.
" This is not a test. Listen closely. This is not a test."
This is Not a Test is the story of Sloane, a girl who has lost her sister because she ran away, and Sloane is the daughter of a father that beats her up. But now, even if her world ended when her sister ran away, the whole world has ended because of a zombie apocalypse. Now, she's stuck with five other teenagers in her school, trying to survive. The problem is, she doesn't want to survive.
This book is powerful. Parents, or anyone, who beats people up for whatever reason is bad.
I don't really like zombie books, and I guess that just... I didn't really want to read it a t first, but so many people seemed to love it, that I decided to finally read it! Just so you know... the zombie part really isn't big in this book. I'd say it's 5% zombie. The book really isn't mainoly about zombie! I'm telling you! I mean, I know I was doutbfull when people said there almost weren't anything about zombies, but, REALLY! Don't be stubborn like me!
The book isn't exactly fast-paced, but you just can't stop turning the pages! I was sad everytime I had to stop reading, and I really had to force myself to stop. I just wanted to devour it and not stop until I finished it! The writing is just so good and sucks you in!
The main character is really attaching, and yet you want to let her alone, because she... seems like she doesn't like people.
This is Not a Test is an incredible book that will suck you in from the start
Rating :
4.5 ROSES!
Courtney Summers has created a masterpiece in This is Not a Test.It is a page-turner, a zombie apocalypse story, a coming of age novel, a romance, while still being contemporary, realistic, heartfelt, and completely engrossing.I would recommend it to just about everyone. Fans of YA fiction of all ages, fans of zombie stories/movies/video games. Reluctant readers. Teens who read a lot. Adults who have never read YA fiction. Seriously. Everyone.
Rating: 5