Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Release Date: December 2, 2010
Publisher: Puffin
Genre: Dystopian, Romance
Rating: YA 14+
Pages: 366

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.

Everywhere I went, I was hearing about Matched by Ally Condie. All my friends were gushing about how great it was, and even my friends who didn't like to read had heard about it. I kept telling myself that I would get around to it, but for some reason I just never did.


Finally, for my 14th birthday, I received a paperback version of Matched. And there it lay, on my bookshelf, collecting dust until three days ago when I finally picked it up, curled up on my sofa, and began to read.


I have to say, after hearing such amazing things about this book, I was a little disappointed. It wasn't by any means bad, but I just couldn't see what was so great about it. The beginning, for me, was the best part of the novel. Ally Condie portrayed the scene of the Banquet so beautifully, it was like I was there with Cassia. But as the book went on, it became harder and harder to keep reading. It became a drag.


Matched was actually my first YA Dystopian novel, and also the one that got me hooked onto them. However, there are a lot of YA Dystopian novels out there that are very similar to Matched, yet much better, and gripping, such as Delirium and The Hunger Games, (just to name a couple of my favorite).


However, I really loved the idea of Matched- to be trapped and have every choice made for you; who you marry, the number of kids you have, your job. It really made me sympathize with Cassia- how can she marry someone she doesn't love? And how must it feel to keep your emotions hidden all the time? I was so happy when Cassia started to question her life and the system. I loved how Cassia's character began growing and showing more strength as the book went on, where at first I had found her a little annoying, to be honest.


Now. Onto the romance... I have to say, Ky and Cassia's relationship is not my favorite...or even one of my favorites. It was just so... fluffy. And I didn't really like Ky's character that much... there wasn't  anything about him that made him stand out from all the other YA heartthrobs. I know I am being a little harsh, but that's just how I feel. However, I would recommend that you give it a go, because Condie's writing really is so lyrical and beautiful, and that kind of makes up for all the not-so-good parts.

3 Muffins - Mmm... Yummy!








If you like this, try:


Delirium by Lauren Oliver


Divergent by Veronica Roth


The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins


Eve by Anna Carey