Matched (Matched, #1) in Clean Reads

Jun 06, 2012 Denae Christine rated it liked it

Shelves: listened-to, dystopian

Reader thoughts: I hesitate to call this dystopian because there isn't much wrong with the society. Well, if you don't mind not getting to choose things, like where you live, what you eat, what you wear, whom you marry . . . etc. In fact, little seems wrong until the last couple chapters of the book.

Cassia. I almost really liked her . . . except how selfish she was. And then she kept doing things which were just right. And she didn't whine too much. But she was stubborn. I felt like she only lik Reader thoughts: I hesitate to call this dystopian because there isn't much wrong with the society. Well, if you don't mind not getting to choose things, like where you live, what you eat, what you wear, whom you marry . . . etc. In fact, little seems wrong until the last couple chapters of the book.

Cassia. I almost really liked her . . . except how selfish she was. And then she kept doing things which were just right. And she didn't whine too much. But she was stubborn. I felt like she only liked Ky because she wasn't supposed to. She felt like a wife who liked some other man just because he wasn't her husband. The romance between Cassia and Ky was believable . . . but not inevitable. They spent time together; they were friends. Then Cassia decided she liked Ky's awesomeness a little better than Xander's awesomeness. What? If she were any kind of intelligent, she would have nipped such feelings in the bud and realized that liking Ky could only bring all three of them (Cassia, Xander, and Ky) trouble and heartache. I mean, she is 16! How can she decide her feelings are worth risking life and limb over?

Oh, I do NOT like love triangles. I especially don't like love triangles when the main character is selfish. I especially don't like love triangles when there is little else driving the plot.

Still, it is a well-developed world, and the descriptions and dialogue are superb. The characters are well drawn and likeable (yes, even Cassia). It just takes a rather long time for anything (other than teen romance) to really happen. (Her grandpa dying didn't feel very monumental at the time.)

If you're looking for a strong female character, or a fascinating dystopian world, or a complex plot . . . this is not the book. If you're looking for a book with a lot of emotions (stress, love, joy, fear, anger, confusion, more love, more fear) and a lot of clean romance, this is could be the book.

EDIT: The second one wasn't even worth finishing.

Writer thoughts: AC knew how to construct a society that felt believable but stifling. For dystopian readers, the freedom theme is huge. People in this book have freedom from (safety), but they lack the freedom to (choice). For anyone who has been shoehorned into (or out of) a relationship or a job or a college, this book can resonate with that bitterness. ...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Valerie Waters rated it it was amazing

Loved loved love this book!!!!! I listened to it while driving to Florida. It was a very good destruction! I loved cassia. I really like that she is starting to get things figured out. I can't wait to read the next one ...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Holly rated it did not like it

Ugh this book is awful, but it is like a mystery novel you have to keep reading, you want to see how it ends. I found myself rolling my eyes the entire time and ultimately being disappointed when in the end NOTHING has happened. So forced and drawn out, this trilogy could be one book since the first one should have been edited down to 1/3 of a book. Weak character development. Basically, the Twilight series ( another love triangle and female main character who is boring and unlikable) mixed wit ...more

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Feb 04, 2015 Whitni rated it really liked it

I am writing this review for all the books. I liked this series. They seemed a little like other series that have been going around. It had a good story. Sometimes I got a little confused at who was talking because it skips around a lot in the 2nd and 3rd book. A good amount of twists and turns. It seemed a little predictable but also kept you guessing. Lots of new characters get brought in through each book.

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May 10, 2011 Heather rated it really liked it

I really flew through this book. It sucked me in from the very first pages and I was involved and intrigued in this futuristic society the whole way through. It was such a fascinating concept for me -- giving the government total control of every facet of your life, willingly. Yes, it was another twist on a dystopian society, kind of a cross between The Giver and The Hunger Games (in my opinion). Yes, there was a "teen romance" and sometimes it was silly, but I'll be honest, it pulled at my hear ...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Jen rated it it was amazing

How had I not heard about this book yet?? It was picked for our October book club. I picked it up at the library the next day and I read it within a week! I Loved it! I couldn't put it down. If you like Twilight, The Hunger Games, etc., you'll love this one!! Yes, it is a young adult novel, so don't expect Tolstoy or anything. It was just an enthralling story I found interesting. I can't wait until book 2 comes out! ...more

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Apr 03, 2011 Dahlene rated it it was amazing

After waiting in line for a couple months for this book at the library I should have known it would be a page turner. Wow! This book, from page to page, was intriguing. It reminded me of "Brave New World" with a love story in it. Loved it! Can't wait for "Crossed", the second book in the series, due to come out November 1, 2011. ...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Janelle rated it liked it

A good, quick read (perfect for when you're sick with nothing else to do). It did remind of The Hunger Games. Similar with their futuristic societies, love triangles and predictable plot-lines. But, I still liked both. ...more

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