Book Review and Pre-order Giveaway (International): This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Sloane and her older sister have always said they’ll escape their abusive home together, but when her sister leaves without her, Sloane decides she wants to die. Then a zombie virus breaks out and only by fighting for her life does Sloane discover she might actually want to live.

THIS IS NOT A TEST is far from your typical action-driven zombie novel. The way it focuses on the complex personal relationships of its characters reminded more of THE WALKING DEAD than DAWN OF THE DEAD. Sloane has the most dramatic character arc – some of her moments of personal growth made me weepy-eyed – but all the main characters are fleshed out and fully human by the end.

I don’t want to say a lot, because I think it’s more powerful if you go in knowing as little as possible. But know this: I make it my mission to read everything Courtney writes. Her style is to strip-down to the emotional truths of life and I love that kind of honesty in fiction.

THIS IS NOT A TEST doesn’t come out until June 2012, and I don’t have an ARC I can offer, but because Kelly J of STACKED blog offered to donate a pre-order, I decided to match her offer and thus can give away (2) preorders to anywhere The Book Depository ships. Just fill out this form by March 6, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST for your chance to win.

Find out more about the book at the author’s website.

See index of all dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore

FTC disclosure: I read a copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.