What did I think, you ask? 
 Honestly, I'm not quite sure. I didn't really feel too much while reading this book. 
 The premise is solid - the earth has been ravaged by human pollution and the effects of (what I think was) nuclear war. The United States was demolished and the United Commonwealth was born. They made colonies, some of which are mostly focused on revitalizing the earth and making new, hardier, vegetation that will grow in the poor conditions and feed the masses. This whole thing wasn't explored too much, the story was more focused on the actual testing. 
 (view spoiler)[the testing itself I found to be odd.. the fourth stage seems very hunger games like, but with a destination I suppose. I feel like the reactions of all the other candidates that weren't warned like Cia was too blaze, how were they not freaked out when Malachi died during a simple repair test in what sounded like a classroom? (hide spoiler)] 
 The writing is very abrupt. I struggled to get into it and found myself watching the percentage, rather eager to be finished. The character depth wasn't great, even with the harrowing experience they had the character growth wasn't evident. 
 There are themes of trust, betrayal and the difference between right and wrong. But I didn't really feel> any of it. 
 I am a reader who likes to feel when I read (which is why I hate love triangles, I have enough anxiety in my own life thank you very much). So this wasn't a book for me since it didn't really engage me. 
 I know there are many many people who adored it, and I really don't have any negative feelings about it. Indifference! That's what I feel.