"Matched" Review

Book - "Matched."

Author - Ally Condie.

Synopsis - "Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

Matched to me came across as a really unique and engaging story. The world that Cassia Reyes lives in is so much different from the world we live in now. America prides itself on things like freedom of speech and general freedom to do as you please. Yes, we have rules but nothing as severe as what Cassia has to abide by. The beginning of the book was a bit difficult for me to get through. I found it hard to understand what was happening when the details were somewhat scattered. At the same time, the fact that I had to search for the answers made me anxious to continue reading. As I got further into the book I fell in love with the characters more and more. On the other hand, I began to like their rules and living arrangements less and less. I couldn't imagine having someone tell me when to go to bed, when to go to sleep, when to eat, what to eat, how much to eat, when to have "free" time, where to work and etc. I also couldn't imagine being told who I have to marry and basically having the "officials" dictate all of it. That's so BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU AND WE KNOW EVERYTHING, right?

I really began to fall in love with this book when Cassia started rebelling. I love how her grandfather inspired her to do so, as my grandfather has always inspired me. At the beginning of the book Cassia seemed to trust the system and play by the rules. She believed that what the officials did actually worked and that it was okay to control people. It's quite thought provoking because the people in these communities were without diseases, divorce, and lived rather long healthy lives. Crime was almost nonexistent and because of genetic information the population continued exist as it was. I mean, I had to think about what it would be like in a world without flaw and I soon realized that it would be nothing. We as human beings are flawed and I believe that's who we are meant to be. Sure, there are some things I'd love to change in this world but I wouldn't live in a controlled enviornment like Cassia to do so. I couldn't imagine growing up like that and having no idea how to be anyone but who they tell me to. C'mon, Be spontaneous. Sure, the people were generally happy but they knew no better. Blissful Ignorance. I wanted to scream at Cassia thru the book and tell her these things

The romance between Cassia and Xander is something I found very "cute." Yes, nothing more, nothing less. They struck me as being very good friends and because of that they sincerely cared about one another. I liked the fact that there was a small spark between the two of them. When Ky came into the picture I immediately felt passion and uncertainty. There was such a mystery to this person who was an "Aberration." This boy was jaded, interesting and experienced. He knew more, he'd been more places and he had seen the less beautiful side of life that officials couldn't maintain. Ky, who suffered so much because of his own parents was the one I felt was right for Cassia. The two of them light up on the page like The Fourth of July. 

I really enjoyed the intense ending!!

I cannot wait for the second installment, "Crossed!"
Due out in November, 2011.

I give "Matched" 4 stars. Thank you, Mrs. Condie for your imagination :)

"Do Not Go Gentle"