Matched: Ally Condie

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Release Date: 30th November 2010

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.

My Review: I was so eager to reach this book and hug it. I'll admit, I didn't realize how much hype there was surrounding Matched until about three weeks before the release date. This drove me crazy, and I wanted it even more.

I really liked the premise of the book. The whole thing with The Society controlling everything they do... who they love, where they work. When they die.

The beginning starts on a high note. I liked the idea of a Matching Banquet, and the way Condie opened up the first few chapters was extraordinary to me. The middle of the book is rather slow compared to the end and the high beginning, but not too slow. I found it just right, and sped through this novel in 2 1/2 days. (I'm a slow reader, so this was really fast for me.)

I loved Cassia. From her name, to her character. The way she followed her heart, but was still cautious and didn't do anything too out-there. I really liked Ky, and kept rooting for them to get together. Xander was cool, too. Some people may find it hard to choose, but I found it rather easy. (TEAM KY)

I thought it was really well written. Condie added tiny details that weren't exactly important, but together formed an amazing setting to fall back on. The middle of the story is mostly world building, which I liked. We find out more about how people die and how they work. I could have read more about The Society, and the way it works.

I didn't expect the ending to happen the way it did. The climax didn't do it for me.... not that it wasn't good enough, but because I just ate up this novel: and in comparison to the rest... the climax let me down just a tad.

However, the ending is promising. I can't wait to pick up Crossed, the next book in this series. 

Matched is awarded 4 stars.