Matched by Ally CondieSeries: Matched #1
Published by: Dutton Juvenile on November 30, 2010
Genre: Dystopian, Romance, Science Fiction
Pages: 366
Source: Purchased
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Rating: ★★★
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.
Matched was a pretty awesome book but it didn’t totally resonate with me for one reason: the romance. Guys, I’m a romance whore. That’s always what will make or break a book for me. If the romance is amazing, I’m willing to overlook so many other flaws. If the romance isn’t awesome, the book becomes a bit of a snooze.
My problem with Matched was just that I happened to be rooting for the wrong team in the love triangle. I am totally Team Xander. I mean Ky was okay, but I wasn’t that interested in him. He’s very closed off and doesn’t talk much, so I had a hard time liking him. I didn’t dislike him, but there was very little material there for me to really enjoy. But Xander on the other hand, is a total sweetheart! He is exactly what a good boyfriend should be. He’s sweet, he’s funny, he’s attentive, and he’s a bit playful and romantic. Swoon! Xander reminds me a lot of my boyfriend because of his sweetness, his humour, and his awesome intelligence. So I guess now it’s obvious why I’m Team Xander, huh?
So my problem was that I was all about Xander but Cassia was falling for Ky. So Matched ended up being Ky Ky Ky Ky Ky. The book itself was fine, but I was just frustrated because I didn’t like that romance. I was glued to this book up until the point that Cassia and Ky started dominating it, and then I pulled back a little.
I also did feel kind of detached from the story at times. It wasn’t very… emotional. I wasn’t in love with any of the characters. I mean Xander was great, but even he wasn’t jumping off the page or really coming alive. While reading Matched, I wasn’t getting excited, I didn’t get teary-eyed, I didn’t scream in frustration, and my heart never fluttered insanely and it never broke. It was a bit of an emotionless read.
I did find the dystopian parts of this book really intriguing. The society reminded me a lot of Delirium: it’s about perfection, peace, and unity — all obtained through control. They control what people eat, where they work, what they dress, how they live, who they marry, and even when they die. I am so ready to see Cassia tear this society down!! It’s the kind of thing that’s so evil and overbearing that I’m dying to see it collapse and have all the people responsible get what’s coming to them! Like the annoying snarky Official who thinks she’s so great and knows everything. Yeah, ready for her to crash and burn!
Ultimately I’m really disappointed that I didn’t like the romance in this book, because if I did, this book probably would have been at least 4 stars. It was just lacking the delicious, swoony, knee-weakening romance that I was hoping for. Not only did Cassia not choose Xander, but her romance with Ky wasn’t that intense or delicious and it didn’t make my heart race.
But I enjoyed Matched enough that I will continue with the series at some point!
Giveaway!
I’m giving away my hardcover copy of Matched! I may not have been absolutely head over heels about this book, but maybe you will be! Unfortunately this giveaway is open to United States residents only! Sorry folks. 🙁 Shipping costs and all that!
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The Verdict
Oh my friend, I agree with you on so many levels! I always mixed up Dilirium and Matched, bot plots felt similar on a few key points. Also, I didn’t like the romance either. It felt forced and I couldn’t connect with Ky either.. Really! too bad!
I’m so glad you agree! It definitely sucks because I loved Delirium so I feel like I would have enjoyed Match if the romance was better! Ugh.
I’m a little torn. I get why she picks Ky and he is sweet too but Xander is like her best friend. He is sweet and attractive so what is the problem. I’m curious to see how he makes a comeback in the third one! Thanks!
I’m a huge romance junkie myself, which surprises me that I started my writing career in the YA genre. LOL Is this book YA or for more mature audiences? I’m curious if I’ll be team Xander (like you) or Ky. Thanks for the review 😀
I’d love to know which guy you root for! This one is definitely YA. There are no mature scenes or anything. The most that happens is that she kisses each guy like once. (Boo! :P)
Just a kiss? Like the tongue sloshin’ kind or just a peck? LOL I love mature YA where there’s a little teasing going on for sure. Richelle Mead did a great job of it in her Vampire Academy series.
Hahaha! Basically just a peck. But to the very inexperienced main character it was all fireworks and magic and all that jazz.
I definitely like a little teasing too. I haven’t read the Vampire Academy series (OH MY GOD, I know!) but that’s why I’m totally getting obsessed with the “New Adult” genre… but that’s a little more than a bit of “teasing!” 😀
No Vampire Academy yet? Wow. I got sucked into that years ago, though now I tend to enjoy the adult stuff better (like you). Because of that, I have not read the spinoff series Blood Lines yet. Have you read Keri Arthur’s Dark Angel series? It’s freaking amazing.
I know! I’m like the only person in the world who hasn’t read Vampire Academy! Lol! I haven’t read the Dark Angel series but I’ll totally check that out!
Hi i have to be honest i have not read the books yet but just with the reviews i like [Team]Xander but i also like Ky so far. Drives me crazy.lol Thanks for the giveaway been wanting to read this series but have not got to them yet. Joannies
I’ve never read the series, so I can’t say for certain. I don’t really have consistent qualities on my teams. So I can’t really be sure who I’ll like. Thanks for the giveaway!
Team Xander. It’s all about comfort.
I love Ky..but Xander makes a lot of sacrifices for Cassia..I have to go with Team Xander! I also loved Delirium too, cannot wait to see how both finish! =)
I’m, as you called it, a ‘romance whore’ too so it’s disappointing to see the guy Cassia’s all loved up with has no personality. But I am still curious to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway!
And based off your review, definitley team Xander!
Definitley team Xander, though I wish there were a bit more sparks
I think I am Team Ky because I like surprises and hate “comfortable.” Can’t wait to read this book. I always loved the cover for some reason.
I agree about the cover! It’s simple but the whole bubble thing is pretty cool.
Team Ky. Probably cause I have read the next in the series – but even at the end of Matched, I liked Ky. I agree with parts of what you said about the society – but I found it more like The Giver than Delirium.
I haven’t read any of this series yet but my guess is I’m going to like Ky better.
Thanks so much!
Team Ky!!!!!
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while, they had it on sale on Amazon one evening and I missed it. 🙁 So I haven’t gotten it yet.
I cannot side with either team, since I have not read the books. But, I would love to.
I keep checking at the library for it, but Book 1 is always checked out, while Book 2 is sitting out on the shelf.
That kinda makes me wonder if most people only read Book 1, though.
I’m on team Ky.
Team Ky!!!!