Not Enough Bookshelves: Book Review - MATCHED by Ally Condie

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. (from Goodreads)

Due to the hype surrounding Matched, and the absolutely stunning cover (yes I always judge books by them) I was extremely excited to pick up a signed copy of ALA. Cassia’s voice caught me straight away and I was swept up the excitement of her Match banquet. I couldn’t read this book fast enough. I loved everything. The voice was perfect, the writing is astonishingly beautiful and the world building is outstanding; the society is terrifying in it’s perfection and veneer of reasonableness.

This is such a beautiful book. There are scenes that are quietly heartbreaking and achingly romantic and emotions are expressed so wonderfully well. My copy has about twenty turned down pages, to mark passages I really loved. Matched is definitely one of my favourite books of the year and I need to re-read it to really appreciate it.

A word of warning though, if you are looking for a book to fill the void left by the end of The Hunger Games, this may not be for you, despite the dystopian tag. Matched is more reminiscent of the coming of age/romance you might expect from Sarah Dessen. It is quiet, and it is beautiful, and it is well worth reading.

Here’s a taste,