Review: Matched

Title: Matched (Matched #1)

Author: Ally Condie

Pages: 366

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Published: November 30th, 2010

Rating: 5/5

Summary From Goodreads:

"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."

I absolutely loved this book! Condie created a fascinating world controlled by rules and threats. I'm definitely a sucker for utopian/dystopian novels and this one was no exception.

The plot of this novel was great. It started out being the perfect place to live. Safe, happy, healthy. But as the novel progressed Cassia and the reader together learned that behind that polished exterior was a twisted (some might say sick) center. Piece by piece Cassia learns how the officials manipulate every aspect of their lives from birth to death. Cassia's relationships were manipulated in every way by the officials. As she finds out, even when she thought her decisions were her own, really they were the officials carefully calculated decisions coming into action. Cassia learns to hold on to the few secrets she has and at least attempt to show resistance.

The characters were all wonderful. Cassia was stronger that even she knew. Her parents fought for what they loved, their family, in the only ways they knew how. Xander also tried his best to protect the one he loved (Cassia) even when he knew he lost her to Ky. Ky was an interesting character with many secrets of his own. His and Cassia's relationship was built on trust and a need to share their secrets with someone safe. Something her and Xander (no matter how well matched they were) could never have. My favorite character was her grandfather though. All the way up to his pre-planned death he fought for his freedom and right to make his own choices in whatever way he could. He was a strong, smart character who inspired Cassia to be a better person and not allow her freedom to be taken away.

Matched was a beautifully written novel. The characters were enjoyable, the plot was enthralling, and the world Condie created was superb! One of the best books I've read in awhile and I just can not wait to get my hands on the next installment in this series!