Matched - Ally Condie

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Pages: 384
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian
Publication Date: 11/30/2010

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.

Look for CROSSED, the sequel to MATCHED, in Fall 2011! (Goodreads)

Cassia lives in a world where everything is controlled: the food you eat, the clothes you were, what you read, what you watch, what you listen to, who you love, when you die. Cassia accepts this and trusts the Society to make the right decisions to keep them safe, alive, and healthy. I could not imagine living in this type of world. You have no choices in what to make of your life and I could never give up such a freedom. When Cassia sees Ky flash for a second after seeing Xander, her match, she begins wondering if maybe the Society is as perfect as they have believed. What if she is really is meant to be with Ky instead of Xander? If she was meant to be with Xander, why did Ky's face flash across the screen?

One 'glitch' to the story is that it started out slow at first. It wasn't uninteresting, but the farther along it got, the better. In the beginning Cassia is so sheltered in the world, too trusting, maybe even going as far as naive. That first time she sees Ky, she knows it was a mistake and that is she supposed to be with Xander. Then, she really starts questioning things and discovers that maybe their infallible Society is more flawed than it seems. I think Cassia was a great character. Throughout the story, she really grows and develops in a strong young woman.

All in all, I thought this was a great read. I loved reading about Cassia slowly falling for Ky. Ky was so mysterious and broken, but unique in their world. I was rooting for them 100% of the way. I wanted to see her overcome her fears and doubts and show the Society a thing or two! I can't wait for Crossed, which comes out this November, to see if she does and what happens. Matched was left dangling, so I'm anxious for the next installment!

Also, the rights to the movie have been bought! Here is the link to read more about it:

http://www.thematcheddepartment.com/the-movie/


What I give this book: