Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publishing Date: November 30, 2010
Pages/Format: 369, Hardcover
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.
I liked this book, but it was kind of disappointing; I thought it'd be better. Don't get me wrong--it wasn't a bad book. It was just missing something. Once I got into it, I kept reading and reading. (I was up until 3:30 a.m. reading it, and that says something.) I found myself waiting for something to happen, and I feel like it took a long for something exciting to occur. The writing took some getting used to; it was kind of straightforward and dystopian, if that makes sense. It kind of seemed to change throughout the book, but I think that's because the narrator/MC (Cassia) was changing. For the most part, it was pretty well-written, and I liked the concept. I think my problem is that it was just missing something and didn't wow me.
The idea of the Society is great; there's something about governments trying to perfect the world in ridiculous ways that draws me in. The Society has to have things their way: they pick your food, they pick the Hundred Poems, Songs, etc. that will continue in the world, they pick when you die. They even pick who you're to going marry and have children with--your Match. It's so wrong, yet it makes so much sense: the Society has pretty much eliminated all disease; people live to eighty (people in the Society, that is); there's almost no crime and murder (also, in the Society). It's a compelling, interesting idea that shows what could possibly happen in the future.
I liked most of the characters--Cassia's little brother Bram was a hoot!--especially the main three: Cassia, Ky, and Xander. Matched is told from Cassia's point of view (minor spoilers ahead): how she gets Matched to Xander, her best friend; how she sees someone else's face on her Matchee's file; how she chooses what to do, how to choose, and what her path is. The love interests are Ky and Xander. Xander is a member of the Society who is extremely well-liked by everybody, while Ky is an Abberation, a boy with no future. By the time the book is finished, Cassia has chosen someone. But me? I'm still not sure who I like more, Ky or Xander? They're both good, and they're both different! Hopefully I pick one in the next book!
After reading Matched, I just don't understand what the big fuss is about; I don't get why there's so much hype. I really didn't think it was all that great. The story was interesting, but the book itself was anti-climactic; however, it did have some parts that got my pulse quickening, and for some unknown reason I got teary-eyed. (Don't ask.) While I wish I would have liked Matched more, I can only hope that the rest of trilogy (Crossed, Reached) is better.
Did I like it? Yes.
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.
Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Okay
Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Okay
I liked this book, but it was kind of disappointing; I thought it'd be better. Don't get me wrong--it wasn't a bad book. It was just missing something. Once I got into it, I kept reading and reading. (I was up until 3:30 a.m. reading it, and that says something.) I found myself waiting for something to happen, and I feel like it took a long for something exciting to occur. The writing took some getting used to; it was kind of straightforward and dystopian, if that makes sense. It kind of seemed to change throughout the book, but I think that's because the narrator/MC (Cassia) was changing. For the most part, it was pretty well-written, and I liked the concept. I think my problem is that it was just missing something and didn't wow me.
The idea of the Society is great; there's something about governments trying to perfect the world in ridiculous ways that draws me in. The Society has to have things their way: they pick your food, they pick the Hundred Poems, Songs, etc. that will continue in the world, they pick when you die. They even pick who you're to going marry and have children with--your Match. It's so wrong, yet it makes so much sense: the Society has pretty much eliminated all disease; people live to eighty (people in the Society, that is); there's almost no crime and murder (also, in the Society). It's a compelling, interesting idea that shows what could possibly happen in the future.
I liked most of the characters--Cassia's little brother Bram was a hoot!--especially the main three: Cassia, Ky, and Xander. Matched is told from Cassia's point of view (minor spoilers ahead): how she gets Matched to Xander, her best friend; how she sees someone else's face on her Matchee's file; how she chooses what to do, how to choose, and what her path is. The love interests are Ky and Xander. Xander is a member of the Society who is extremely well-liked by everybody, while Ky is an Abberation, a boy with no future. By the time the book is finished, Cassia has chosen someone. But me? I'm still not sure who I like more, Ky or Xander? They're both good, and they're both different! Hopefully I pick one in the next book!
After reading Matched, I just don't understand what the big fuss is about; I don't get why there's so much hype. I really didn't think it was all that great. The story was interesting, but the book itself was anti-climactic; however, it did have some parts that got my pulse quickening, and for some unknown reason I got teary-eyed. (Don't ask.) While I wish I would have liked Matched more, I can only hope that the rest of trilogy (Crossed, Reached) is better.
Did I like it? Yes.
Did I love it? No.
Would I reread it? Possibly.
Would I reread it? Possibly.
Would I purchase it? Probably--we'll see how I like the other books.
Would I recommend it? Depends--you might like it more than I did.
I feel like I'm the only person in the book world who hasn't read this yet! :P I've read a lot of reviews like yours--that it was just okay--so while I do want to read this eventually, I'm not dying of anticipation or anything.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
-Rachel