Review: This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers is a gripping, emotionally charged YA novel that blends psychological tension with survival horror, exploring themes of fear, isolation, and the complex nature of survival. With Courtney’s signature depth in character development, this novel keeps you on the edge of your seat while simultaneously pulling you into the emotional turmoil of its protagonist, Sloane. Even though this book is 13 years old and I read it in the past, I am here sharing a review with you because we recently got movie news as well as an updated edition coming! Check out my thoughts and pick up This is Not a Test before we see it on the big screen!

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This is Not a Test

by Courtney Summers
on June 19, 2012
Bookshop
Goodreads

Classic Courtney Summers with a brand new look and exclusive bonus material! This ebook edition of This is Not a Test includes a discussion guide and the novella sequel, Please Remain Calm.
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 and 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 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?

Review

This is Not a Test unfolds in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, but what makes this story stand out from others in the genre is that the true horror is not the undead, but the mental and emotional struggles the characters face. Sloane, our main character, is caught in a high school during the early stages of the outbreak. As the world outside collapses, she finds herself trapped with a group of survivors, but it’s her internal battle that drives the narrative. Having lost her family to tragic circumstances prior to the chaos, she’s emotionally numb, contemplating escape, but also harboring a desire to survive, despite the overwhelming odds.

Courtney excels in making Sloane’s internal struggles so raw and real. The weight of her grief, anger, and guilt add layers to her character that make her more than just a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world; she’s a person grappling with trauma. The stark contrast between the horrors of the apocalypse and Sloane’s psychological state is what makes this novel so powerful.

The other characters are equally well developed, each carrying their own baggage and fears, and their interactions with one another feel genuine. In a confined space with looming threats outside, tensions rise, and the group dynamics become increasingly important. Some of the most intense moments in the book stem from the characters’ differing perspectives on survival and morality, forcing the reader to question what they would do in a similar situation.

The pacing of This is Not a Test is deliberate, building suspense as Sloane’s emotional arc unfolds alongside the physical threat of the zombies. While the tension is palpable, it’s not just the external dangers that create drama, it’s the internal strife of the characters. The moments of silence, reflection, and fleeting hope are just as compelling as the fight-for-your-life scenes.

Summers’ writing is sharp and evocative, and the novel’s conclusion is both haunting and bittersweet. This is Not a Test isn’t just a survival story; it’s a deep dive into the human psyche under extreme pressure, making it a standout in the genre. If you’re looking for a story that balances action with profound emotional depth, This is Not a Test will leave you both haunted and moved. It’s a powerful meditation on survival, loss, and finding the will to go on, even when the world around you falls apart.