TITLE: The Test
AUTHOR: Sylvain Neuvel
RELEASED: February 12th, 2019; Tor.com
GENRE: Sci-fi/Dystopia
AGE RANGE: Adult
I am on my knees. I have been here before. I have been thrown to the ground and I have felt the tip of their guns on the back of my neck. I have been through this and I have survived. We will survive. All of us.
In The Test, we follow Idir Jalil, an Iranian immigrant who’s looking to pass the British citizenship test so he and his family can stay in the UK. Despite the pressure he’s under — because, as he quickly lets us know through his own memories and back story, there’s so much at stake for the Jalil family — Idir’s in a great mood. He’s studied hard, he’s confident without being arrogant, and those first few questions breeze by for him.
Suddenly, a massive wrench is thrown into the works and Idir finds himself being pulled into a warped terrorist scene, where he’s forced to make decisions so much harder than any question the test could have asked him. There’s so much going on in this little story, and I truly can’t say more, because it’s so short and quick-paced that any further details would be spoilers.
Instead, I’ll just say that this is one of the greatest novellas I have ever read. It was a tremendously well-fleshed story despite its brevity, Idir is one of the most likable protagonists I’ve ever read in my life, and the social commentary here on racism, xenophobia, sexism, and more? I was blown away. There are moments in this novella that shook me to my core, and the ending? Wow, what a brilliant way to close it up.
This was my first time reading Sylvain Neuvel’s work, but I can assure you that it won’t be my last.
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Tor.com for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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Ola
February 16, 2019Wow, this sounds like an really intense read and I’m excited about it.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019It is SUPER intense, but in the best way! I hope you like it.
thelittlebookowl
February 16, 2019This sounds really good. I will definitely be checking it out. 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019Excellent! 😀 I hope you love it as much as I did!
Paul's Picks
February 16, 2019Great thoughts on this one! I just read it too. I keep thinking: How did he do all that in just 100 pages!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019I KNOW!! It seriously felt like he packed all of the intensity and depth of a full novel into this measly little novella, and I don’t know HOW, but I am in awe.
Paul's Picks
February 18, 2019I read the first of his Themis Files trilogy and this read makes me want to dive into the second.
paperbacks.and.planners
February 16, 2019I’m even more excited for this story now!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019It’s so good! I hope you love it 🙂
evelynreads1
February 16, 2019I really want to read this one! i really liked his Sleeping giants series!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019I haven’t read that series yet, but a friend sent me the first book in the series a few months ago and after reading The Test, it makes me want to read the first book in that series ASAP!
evelynreads1
February 19, 2019Yeah you should!
Captain's Quarters
February 16, 2019I enjoyed this author’s other works and was wondering about this one. Yers be the first one I have seen and I am glad to hear good things. So now it be a must to read this book. Arrr!
x The Captain
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019Yaaaay! I hope you love it, Cap’n 🙂
MetalPhantasmReads
February 17, 2019Very interesting. I’ll have to check it out 🙂 awesome review as always Destiny!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019Thank you! 😀 I hope you enjoy it!
Sarah
February 20, 2019I was a bit on the fence about this, but after this review I REALLY want to read this!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 21, 2019It was SO GOOD. I hope you like it!!