Author: Ally Condie
Title: Matched
Publication: September 11th, 2011
Publisher: Speak
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 4 out 5
Publication: September 11th, 2011
Publisher: Speak
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 4 out 5
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.
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.
Thoughts: Matched is about 16 year old Cassia needing to make a dire choice. Does she want to live in her world -- safe and sound -- forever, or take a chance at her true love and break all the rules. The problem with breaking rules are the horrible consequences. Exile, taking memorable posessions away, swiping minds clean... there's no stopping the government from taking control. Everything starts out great. Cassia is about to find out who her one true love is, and when the image is on screen Ky (a quiet boy she doesn't really know) pops up, then the screen goes blank. Once the computer turns back on, her best friend Xanders face replaces Kys. She has a feeling (a correct one) that this isn't the government -- also known as the "society" -- messing up because the government NEVER make flaws. Cassia has to dig deep down and find her true feelings. Is everything really what it seems? Can Ky or Xander give her the answers she seeks?
This plot is amazing! The main character has grown up to be naive and relient on the Society. Reading how her views change through out the book was interesting... it makes you want to learn more. I really don't like characters that makes stupid decisions and don't learn from them, and Cassia is a prime example of it. BUT, it's understandable. She literally doesn't know any better, and I would make the same mistakes in her situation. It's confusing when you think everything is happy and controled, then realize controling isn't the best way to live, so I forgive her actions. In a way she does learn from them. Well, kind of. The whole book she's scared to think differently and takes her a while to come out of her bubble (hence, she's in a green bubble on the cover).
I take one star away because of how terrible the writing is. It's very childlike and hard to get used to. An example of one of her paragraphs: I said yes. He shook his head. I didn't know why. Then he looked at me. I looked back. We looked at each other. -- That's not a quote from the book, but it's very close. There are. So many. Periods that aren't. Necessary. And the grammer. Is very. Childlike.
It was hard to get used to and I had to ignore the sentence structures after a while. It just doesn't deserve to be taken half a star away, it's that bad. I looked her up and the interwebz said she's an english teacher which worries me. I don't have great grammar and spelling and am totally owning up to it. I probably put commas that aren't necessary and forgot apostrophes multiple times through out this review, but you know what? I'm not a published author, I'm a reviewer. Millions of people are not reading this review.
If you forget about the horrible writing, I say go for it! The books plot really sucks you in, and I can't wait to start the third. It's a trilogy so the first book leaves you in a cliffhanger.
I'm very torn on this one. I want to read it because of the plot, but I feel like the writing would drive me crazy based on your description.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like this book very much, although I gave it two stars for the very few things that I did like. I like the idea behind the book, but I feel like it has the same pattern that many of the other dystopias out there do as well. I read this book and was in no hurry to read Crossed, book 2. Actually, I still haven't. Reached, book 3, is coming out later this year, and I don't know if I'm going to read that as well. The first chapter definitely was the best. I agree with the bad writing. I kind of can't stand it. But, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the honest review!!!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa Susanna
Aww.It makes me sad that the writing sucked so bad that it took away from the story. I can forgive the writing most of the time if the story is really good. I love the cover and would like read the book. I may try to read the first one and see if I can handle it.
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many great reviews about this book, but I keep on neglecting it. :P Great review, though.
ReplyDeleteThis book has totally slipped down on my to be read list but this review made me bump it back up again!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book! I cant wait for the final book!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book, really hoping I can look past the sentence structure and concentrate on the words because It sounds like something I would love. Great review
ReplyDeleteI've long wanted to read this book. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI love the covers in this series. Thanks for the great review I have been wanting to read this.
ReplyDeleteI liked your review and I'm glad that you like the book as much as I do
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I have been wanting to read this book for awhile now and it just sits on my book shelf... maybe I'll get to it soon. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I liked this book and definitely agree with you about the writing. I read the 2nd book Crossed which is better and can't wait to read the 3rd! Thanks for your comments!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those books that you spy in the store because it has a pretty cover and then catches your eye trip after trip until you finally read the blurb on the back. Between the cover and the description, I've been interested in it for awhile, but just have never gotten around to it. While I've heard a lot of positive reviews, the comment on the grammar and sentence structure does make me hesitate. Maybe I'll put it on my Christmas list.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I've heard a little bit about this book, but I haven't read it yet. It looks like it could be incredibly interesting, but it could also be not so well executed, so I'm on the fence. I am kind of curious about the writing. Sometimes I like short and choppy sentences! =)
ReplyDeleteHmm, this book has been on my TBR list for quite some time but I haven't get the urge to read it yet. Guess it would be pushed to the bottom of my TBR since you mention about the terrible writing >,<
ReplyDeleteThat one sentence kind of scares me a bit. I don't mind simplistic writing, but I do mind bad writing. And that is walking a very fine line between the 2. I have almost brought this home from the library several times, but I have heard so many not so great things about it. I think this is one I will have to try for myself and make my own opinion of because others opinions are all over the place. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI loved the plot too! I couldn't put this one down.
ReplyDelete