Review: Matched - Ally Condie

Where I got it: ARC from publisher
Rating: 4.5 stars 
Cover Rating: 5 stars (Absolutely gorgeous!)
Genre: Young Adult  
Publication Date: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Page Count: 366 p.

The Society always has their citizens' best interests in mind. That's why they do the Matching in the first place. By choosing people who are most compatible together the Society can ensure longevity of life and a life that is entirely worth living. When Cassia learns that she is Matched with one of her childhood friends she is very excited. She doesn't know how much more she could learn about him, buts plugs in his datapod anyways. She stares at his face for awhile, until someone else's face pops up on the screen. She recognizes this face too. Her Official tells Cassia that it was just a glitch, but this glitch has piqued Cassia's interest and now she wants to learn more about the face on the screen. She doesn't want to hurt anybody, she just wants to be able to make some of her own choices that aren't controlled by the Society. But can Cassia make any choices that they haven't already taken into consideration?


Can we just have a moment and gush over the cover some more? I think this has to be one of, if not my favorite cover of the year. I love the stark contrast of the green on the white background and the fonts are fantastic too. Ally Condie created a futuristic but not unrealistic society in which the government looks out for it's prized possessions, it's citizens. I really loved the idea of everyone carrying around these three pills, blue to help sustain your life if there is an emergency, green to calm you down and red is only to be taken when the Officials tell you to. The idea that everyone carries these around ready to take them without knowing what they really are is amazing. The idea that these kids have never been hiking was always very interesting, because they have so little nature that isn't strictly controlled or off limits. The relationship developed nicely and seemed very clean, in the sense that everyone followed the rules that they have. It was interesting to have a rule where no one enters other people's houses and all the kids have three hangout options available to them besides their extra activities and school. I loved the idea that the Society seemed all knowing, but that they were a fairly kind and just Society to a point. Often time you have societies like Big Brother in 1984, which watches you all the time and doesn't necessarily want to help you so much as completely control you. I like that this Society seemed more helpful if not still quite controlling. I am very curious to see how this all plays out and what Cassia's next move is. If you like futuristic/dystopian fiction certainly check this one out. This is a book that I think everyone can enjoy, there is just so much in it that is awesome. I applaud Ally's first novel and eagerly await the next.

First Line:
"Now that I've found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night?"

Favorite Lines:
 "Ky is more relaxed than I have ever seen him, leaning back on his elbows with his face tipped toward the sun and his eyes closed. He looks different and unguarded. Looking at him, I realize that his eyes are where I notice most the distance her keeps. Because when he hears me, he opens them and looks at me, and it almost happens. I almost catch a glimpse of something real before I see again what he wants me to see."