Cia Vale graduates from high school and believes that her life as an adult in the Five Lakes Colony is beginning as just an average member of the community; a community that is recovering from a war that left it a charred wasteland. When quite unexpectedly a representative from the Commonwealth comes to take her and 3 others to Tosu City to be tested for the opportunity to attend the university and become world leaders. On the eve of her departure her father gives her advice to do her very best, do what has to be done, but trust no one.

The group of students are brought together to take academic tests, physical challenges and compete with each other to be the best survivors in the eyes of the Testing officials. The final test requires making decisions that will haunt them forever. Cia knows things are not as they seem and from the talks with her father knows that not all the testing is as described. There are cameras watching every move and possibly more.

Cia begins the Testing with a childhood friend, Tomas, together they progress through the Testing enduring great challenges, and personal pain, meanwhile forging an alliance that becomes much more. The ending will make you think twice about the decisions of those in charge and what they really want. (Chris Wilson, Teacher-Librarian, Rainier Middle School, Auburn, WA, Evergreen Book Award)