Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by megthefae
Matched by Ally Condie
5.0
Some books make you laugh, some make you cry. Some suck you into another reality for the duration of the books, and some change your outlook on life. Matched does all of these, and more. The story is subtle about it though, everything is gradual and you don't notice quite how much everything has changed until the end.
Plot Overview
Cassia starts off as bland, boring and a perfect citizen. She abides by the rules without questioning them, and has her life planned out the way the Officials and the Society want it: she'd get Matched with her perfect partner for life, get married, have the best possible offspring and have the prime job for her abilities. But when Ky Markham's face appears on her microcard, and she learns of his rough past and his status as an Aberration, a member of society that will never be matched, and will always have the worst life possible in this "perfect" reality, does she start to realise things may not be so perfectly planned out after all. What if she wasn't meant to be Matched with her best friend Xander? What if the officials are wrong? While she explores the freedom of using words from a beautiful yet forbidden poem, and she finally sees the truth behind the Society, she also realises she's falling for Ky. Hard. Will she be able to exscape the ever watchful eye of the Officials, and be with Ky, or is she doomed to live a life inside invisible yet restraining walls?
Ally Condie's writing style is superb. It's like a hook; once you start reading, you've been caught. You won't be able to stop unless you;re prised away from the book. She uses some beautiful descriptions and comparisons. There are many memorable quotes that will stay in your heart forever. Combine this with and intriguing and fairly original plot, and you have a winner! ;D
Also, nothing is rushed. She takes her time to explain things, and builds the plot up. One thing leads to another in a constant flow, and although it's isn't obviously sad while reading it, it actually is heartbreaking. These people don't live their own lives, they live what someone else thinks is the perfect life. They don't have the freedom we do, and they can never express themselves. Our modern day prisons allow more freedom than the Society allows it's citizens. The joy and beauty of words is lost; only a hundred of each song, story, poem etc. remains.
Imagine having all your CDs and DVDs snapped your iPod crushed, your car taken away, your books burned and all your tech destroyed. Imagine living a life with no free will.
Also, the love triangle is dangerous, and sizzling with excitement and intrigue. Xander's known Cassia all her life, he's handsome, clever, sensible, kind and presumably her perfect match. But Ky's lived a life of ruin and loss, and has learned to keep his head down and observe from the side lines, never jump in and get involved. When he's with Cassia, he can live again, and be the real Ky.
As the two slowly fall in love, Officials watch from every side, ready for an excuse to finally make Ky an Anomoly. Xander is oblivious to the love affair going on behind his back, and as the stakes get higher, the three face deeper dangers.
The romance didn't deduct from the book, or become heavier than the action and plot. There was a healthy balance throughout, and the romance opened up the plot, and added an extra flavour.
So, all in all it's an amazing book, and definitely worth reading. I hope I've managed to convince you. ;)
-Zanthie
Plot Overview
Cassia starts off as bland, boring and a perfect citizen. She abides by the rules without questioning them, and has her life planned out the way the Officials and the Society want it: she'd get Matched with her perfect partner for life, get married, have the best possible offspring and have the prime job for her abilities. But when Ky Markham's face appears on her microcard, and she learns of his rough past and his status as an Aberration, a member of society that will never be matched, and will always have the worst life possible in this "perfect" reality, does she start to realise things may not be so perfectly planned out after all. What if she wasn't meant to be Matched with her best friend Xander? What if the officials are wrong? While she explores the freedom of using words from a beautiful yet forbidden poem, and she finally sees the truth behind the Society, she also realises she's falling for Ky. Hard. Will she be able to exscape the ever watchful eye of the Officials, and be with Ky, or is she doomed to live a life inside invisible yet restraining walls?
Ally Condie's writing style is superb. It's like a hook; once you start reading, you've been caught. You won't be able to stop unless you;re prised away from the book. She uses some beautiful descriptions and comparisons. There are many memorable quotes that will stay in your heart forever. Combine this with and intriguing and fairly original plot, and you have a winner! ;D
Also, nothing is rushed. She takes her time to explain things, and builds the plot up. One thing leads to another in a constant flow, and although it's isn't obviously sad while reading it, it actually is heartbreaking. These people don't live their own lives, they live what someone else thinks is the perfect life. They don't have the freedom we do, and they can never express themselves. Our modern day prisons allow more freedom than the Society allows it's citizens. The joy and beauty of words is lost; only a hundred of each song, story, poem etc. remains.
Imagine having all your CDs and DVDs snapped your iPod crushed, your car taken away, your books burned and all your tech destroyed. Imagine living a life with no free will.
Also, the love triangle is dangerous, and sizzling with excitement and intrigue. Xander's known Cassia all her life, he's handsome, clever, sensible, kind and presumably her perfect match. But Ky's lived a life of ruin and loss, and has learned to keep his head down and observe from the side lines, never jump in and get involved. When he's with Cassia, he can live again, and be the real Ky.
As the two slowly fall in love, Officials watch from every side, ready for an excuse to finally make Ky an Anomoly. Xander is oblivious to the love affair going on behind his back, and as the stakes get higher, the three face deeper dangers.
The romance didn't deduct from the book, or become heavier than the action and plot. There was a healthy balance throughout, and the romance opened up the plot, and added an extra flavour.
So, all in all it's an amazing book, and definitely worth reading. I hope I've managed to convince you. ;)
-Zanthie