Series Review: Matched

Title: Matched

Series: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: November 30, 2010

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 very disappointed in this Matched by Ally Condie. Many parts of the YA dystopian novel are boring and drag on as though nothing is really happening. Through my reading, I noticed that there were only a few parts that were actually interesting enough to catch my attention. Even when the pacing and excitement picked up, I still found myself bored to tears with the plotting, pacing and characters.

Now... onto the characters. Cassia seems nice, just not a like much of heroine. She really seems like the average girl next door kind of character instead of someone who is going to try to change the way the world is run. Maybe that changes in the next two books (which I will read). I don't know why, but I don't really like Ky. There is something about Ky that bothers me. I don't really feel like he should be trusted. But poor Xander. I feel for him. How can you not feel bad for someone so sweet and kind?

All in all, I though this book was a pretty bad ripoff of The Giver, and I wasn't so thrilled with that book either. So many elements of The Society were blatantly similar to Lowry's classic, and it just felt like a watered down regurgitation. At least the driving force of the plot wasn't stolen from The Giver. Still, it was enough to make me dislike the book.

Title: Crossed 

Series: Matched 

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Children's

Publication Date: November 1, 2011

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

My Review

As I read this book, I felt like nothing was happening. I also felt like nothing was ever going to happen. I was bored. Yet again. I can't even sugarcoat it for you. All they do is walk and talk, and it gets too repetitive and boring.

The plot of this book gets a little more interesting than its predecesor, and I can see that many people liked it because it was different. However Condie's writing style is terrible and does not make up for it. I did not like or enjoy Cassia's narration, and I don't want to read a book with terrible narration.

Shipping seems to be a big thing when it comes to YA books. I get that. I may be alone with this theory, but I can't stand Cassia and Ky as a couple. Their relationship just feels forced and awkward. I really don't see how it's developed as much as it has because there is really nothing to go by other than a computer glitch. I don't think they make a great match at all.

To be honest, I only finished this book (and the trilogy) because I purchased them. I feel bad by letting that be known, but it's the cold hard truth. I would not recommend this sequel to anyone.

Title: Reached

Series: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: November 13, 2012

Conclusion to the New York Times Bestselling Matched Trilogy!

Cassia’s journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect façade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.

The wait is over.

One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most—family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion. With exquisite prose, the emotionally gripping conclusion to the international–bestselling Matched trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to choose.

My Review

What a dull ending to a lackluster trilogy! This series was a disappointment from the beginning to the end. At least this one read a bit faster until the end of the book. At that point, I wanted to scream and cry.

So the beginning... I loved that Xander was brought in as a narrating character. I think that really helped tell the story of this circle of friends. That was a smart move by Condie. It really helped clarify many of the questions that I had. Also, Xander is the only character I really liked in these books.

The rest of the book was just weird, as I expected after reading the first two books. This is honestly the worst dystopic series I have ever read. The "rebellion" wasn't exactly uneventful, but I wouldn't call it a rebellion. Nothing really happened except for that the Rising was really just the Society with a new name to trick the people. Oh wow. Who didn't see that one coming?

In the hardcover edition, I noticed that there is a typo on page 237. There is another typo on page 238. The funny thing is, it is the exact same typo! That bothered me more than it should have, but I guess things like that happen. But two pages in a row with the same error? Someone needs a new editor...