Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Society matched them,
but love set them free.

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.

The first thing that got my attention was the striking cover. The girl in the bubble with the green dress and letters as the only accent color is simple but has significance. From the first pages it was an easy read and the chapters went quickly. The story itself started at a slow pace but that reflected the lifestyle. Cassia and her family live a plain, ordinary, predictable life because that's what they are suppose to do. That's what everyone is suppose to do. All their decisions are made for them to keep Society running smoothly and there is no individuality. There is no need for it and they are content until Cassia discovers that there may be more than this drab existence. It was sometimes painfully slow waiting for her to figure things out but it made more sense knowing that her character had never thought for herself.

I had many questions about their history and how the world came to be that way but the answers came with enough frequency to enjoy the story and keep me reading. I learned along with Cassia one puzzle piece at a time. It was a slow build up but even a single change in their world was extraordinary. The characters started flat but became more dimensional and likable. Although they had all been taught to be conformist it was interesting to see what their limits were and how far the Society could push them. The writing reflects the changes and growth of the characters from ordinary to lyrical. Each new experience brings new feelings and new descriptions. As Cassia discovers poetry she also discovers passion and she knows life can never be the same. Her story left off with a real cliff hanger, ready for book 2 of the trilogy, Crossed Nov. 2011 (Book 3 Nov. 2012). I'll be looking forward to it.

Thank you to Dutton Books for an advanced copy of this book to review.

www.allycondie.com
www.penguinbooks/youngreaders

Publisher: Dutton Books
Release date: 11/30/10
Pages: 384
Price/format: $17.99/
Type: young adult