Matched by Ally Condie
Series: Matched #1
Published by Penguin Teen on November 30, 2010
Genres: Dystopian
Pages: 366
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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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.

I loved Matched.  I think it may be my new favorite dystopian book.  Ally Condie did not disappoint with this stunning story.  This trilogy has major promise and I can’t wait to read the next book.

Cassia Reyes has no reason to doubt the Society.  They have never led her astray and they have given her a great life.  When she is matched to her best friend, Xander, it seems like they really are looking out for her.  Too bad the face on her microcard is not Xander’s, it’s Ky’s.  Ky has always been a bit of a loner, just on the fringes of her friend group.  Cassia barely knows him and has never been interested in finding out more about him.  So why can’t she stop thinking about him?

Matched is a great story.  That was the part that got me from the very beginning.  I didn’t know where the story was going to take me and I didn’t have a clue what the outcome would be.  I could see the comparisons to The Hunger Games in the Society but that was where the similarities ended.  Matched is a completely unique book full of unique situations and characters.  The story was not what I expected and the ending was definitely not what I thought was coming.

Cassia was average at first but by the end she was extraordinary.  She really grew into herself and I loved seeing the rebellious side of her.  She finally began to question the Society and try to make her own decisions.  For her it was all about choice and she didn’t have that under the rule of the Society.  Her choice was definitely a tough one though.  I loved both Xander and Ky but in completely different ways.  Xander was sweet and caring but there was no spark.  Ky was a mystery but there was definitely a spark and he became less of a mystery throughout the book.  By the end I felt like I understood him and could see why Cassia fell in love with him.

Overall, Matched is a thrilling dystopian tale that I can’t wait for more of.  The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger but I have a feeling that the wait until next year will be totally worth it.  If you haven’t already, check this one out!