Matched (Matched, #1) in Shut Up & Read

Jan 26, 2012 Sasha rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Matched is the classic story of forbidden love; Cassia, the main character, lives in a dystopian society in which each person at the age of seventeen is matched to the person they are suited to marry. Cassia sees her friend Xander's face show up on the screen... but then Ky Markham, an Anomaly, flashes on her screen briefly and thus sets in motion the romance that will shape the rest of the story.

I wanted to like this book. I really did. And there were some parts of Matched that I thought genuin Matched is the classic story of forbidden love; Cassia, the main character, lives in a dystopian society in which each person at the age of seventeen is matched to the person they are suited to marry. Cassia sees her friend Xander's face show up on the screen... but then Ky Markham, an Anomaly, flashes on her screen briefly and thus sets in motion the romance that will shape the rest of the story.

I wanted to like this book. I really did. And there were some parts of Matched that I thought genuinely appealing. The dystopian element, I found, had the makings of a superb story. While not as fleshed-out as I would have liked, I found the details to be very intriguing and found myself wishing that Condie had written more about the history of this society that Cassia is in. I do hope that will be addressed in the next book. I found myself cringing at the oblivious situation that the members of that society were living--they only have 100 books, 100 songs, and so on... and the government provides them their food and education--it was like something out of a nightmare for me! Needless to say, I was enthralled by this frightening societal setting.

As for the romance plot, I wouldn't exactly say that it was a romance triangle, because Xander didn't really stand much of a chance. I liked the forbidden love between Ky and Cassia; Ky seemed like an interesting person, and I wish that more had been revealed about his backstory, because he seemed to have a really hard life before the events that took place in the book. However, once again I was left disappointed. I found myself feeling that throughout the book--like there was a lot that went unexplained, a plot aspect which skipped right over "mysterious" and entered "annoying" territory.

Overall, I found that Matched could have been an interesting book to read if it had been more developed. The dystopian world that Condie established was more alluded to than described properly, which I suppose was on purpose to set up the story for a trilogy. However, this made me feel like there was an entire section of the book missing. The ending also was wanting--not in a good way. There was very little conclusion; I understand that this is the first of a trilogy, but the complete lack of closure was annoying, and made me feel like I had wasted time reading the book in the first place. Not much happened throughout the book, something I only realized as I was writing this review. Yes, the romance development was interesting and the dystopian society was captivating, but in terms of actual substantial things taking place, not much happened. I hope more action will follow in "Crossed," Condie's next installment in the trilogy. ...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Talai rated it really liked it

Shelves: adolescent-books

This book in one that drew me in really quickly. It is one of those books I would find myself looking forward to reading at the end of the day and didn't want to put it down even though I was so tired. I loved reading as Cassia evolved into this girl who totally trusted the Society to someone who wanted the freedom to choose. And, it wasn't like she wanted to rebel, she just wanted the freedom to explore different options. Both of Cassia's love interests, Xander and Ky, were equally compelling a ...more

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Aug 14, 2011 Berenice rated it really liked it

Welcome to the Society where you wont be over crowded by the extensive information that your normal world has, the Society has chosen the 100 best songs, best poems, best paintings, etc. They take away the tedious task of finding your other half, they have a sorting system that will match you with your most compatible partner. You don't have to worry about cooking your meals they have planned the best diet for you, and forget about choosing what to wear when you go out, they've taken care about Welcome to the Society where you wont be over crowded by the extensive information that your normal world has, the Society has chosen the 100 best songs, best poems, best paintings, etc. They take away the tedious task of finding your other half, they have a sorting system that will match you with your most compatible partner. You don't have to worry about cooking your meals they have planned the best diet for you, and forget about choosing what to wear when you go out, they've taken care about that to, you'll just wear the same as everyone else. And forget about diseases like cancer and such, they've been eradicated, just be ready to die by your eightieth birthday.
This is the world that Cassia Reyes lives in, she like every other citizen belives that the Society has their best interest at mind. But things start to change after her matched ball, where her future partner is decided and is no other then her best friend Xander and everything seems to be perfect, she discovers he is not her only match and not only that it's also someone she knows, Ky Markham his face pops out of the flash that contained her perfect match info.
Soon the Society finds Cassia and tells her that there was an error in the system and that she should not worry about it, that she should ignore the fact that it was Ky's face she saw and not Xander's. But Cassia can't shake it off, and soon she starts to wonder about the was things work in the Society. She will soon face the decision between Xander and Ky, between the world she knows and was raised to be a part of, or the path that no one has dared walk.

I really liked this book, the story kept moving and it felt like it was all flowing. I liked the fact that we could see the story unravel it self and Cassia grow at the same time. Not only that but the fact that there is a connection with her, there is a moment in the book where I got that knot in my throat that threatens me every time I want to cry.
With Ally Condie's writing style I doubt you'll grow bored of the book, even though for me the whole story flows perfectly for some the beginning might be a little slow but i assure you it's worth it, and the way the books captures you will leave you waiting for the second part of this series. ...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Elise rated it really liked it

So I loved this book. But there were parts that were extremely slow. It was well written and reminds me of Delirium a lot. The characters are deep and changing and I especially like Ky and Xander.

The plot is placed in a setting where a society chooses everything for you. The people make no choices of their own. Cassia the main character goes to her Match Banquet, where she will be matched with her future husband. This is when everything changes for her. She gets Mtched with her best friend Xand ...more

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Sep 01, 2012 Jenn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2012

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. It drew me in and I just couldn't stop reading. I loved the characters and appreciated that they all felt real to me. I was reading with tears in my eyes at points and gasping in surprise at others. Drama, revolution, mystery and romance...they were all here. Definitely one of my all time favorites. ...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Stephanie rated it liked it

I enjoyed the tone of this book. It was a great read for a rainy, cold day.

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Jan 06, 2012 Isra Starr rated it liked it

Shelves: read-2012

I have to say that with all the hype behind Matched, I am disappointed to find that it's so very unoriginal. Maybe teetering on 3.5 stars, but probably not...

Review coming soon. ...more

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