Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Pages: 366
 

Finally I read it, it’s been in my TBR list for a while but was reluctant to read it. I’m not a big fan of dystopian era but after I read The Hunger Games, it totally changed my perspective with these kind of books. But after a few chapters in, I have this feeling that I will enjoy reading it till the end, and I see myself giving this book a shiny (twinkling) 5 stars.

The world in this book is restrained by their government called The Society. The amount of food you take, the career you’ll pursue, the day you’ll die and even the person you’ll love. Everything is under control. When Cassia turned 17, she is now going to meet her matched. And luckily for her, the boy chosen for her is none other than her bestfriend, Xander. But when she opens the microcard containing the information of her matched, something strange happen, instead of Xander’s picture, another boy appeared – it’s Ky Markham.

Ever since she saw Ky’s picture, she is starting to notice him. And when they were paired in their hiking activity, she begins to know more about Ky. They share secrets, their stories and more. When Cassia realizes that she is now falling for Ky, she started doubting the perfect policy the society implemented on them. But what if Ky’s picture wasn’t just a glitch? What if it’s also part of the Society’s plan? What will happen to her? What will happen to Ky? Especially his status is already in a predicament.

I heard lot of people saying that this book is like The Giver by Lois Lowry. Since the setting, and the idea of a perfect and controlled society is pretty much the same. Given that I haven’t read the book, I’m not gonna judge it based solely on the resemblances it was accused of. With thousands of books published yearly; it’s inevitable not to find similarities from one book to another. Regardless of the allegation of sharing the same concept, I really enjoy Matched, and I love the message it convey – perfection is never ideal.

This book is the subtlest book I have ever read. While the Capitol in the Hunger Games are pretty scary, and downright violent. At least people are leaving their lives as it is. But in this book, everything is under control here, even your death. At least when you’re thrown in the arena for the games there is a chances (although quite slim) of survival. Here, though you’re living the utmost potential of your life, when the society dictates you die, you will die. Death is not something unpredictable in a place where everything is controlled. Figuratively saying, unpredictability is not even in their vocabulary. With that, I thought the Society is scarier than Capitol.

The subtle part however was Cassia. The way she tells the story is vivid and somehow calm. I thought in the beginning she was a bit childish; a seventeen year old girl who swirls around happily like a child with her green dress anticipating the guy she’ll marry, is not how I pictured a girl that will later opposed the system. But as the story develops, she too had matured. I love Ky too. I feel for him, scared for him, I can genuinely associate my emotions with this boy. I love his characterization. Much props to Ally Condie for bringing these characters to life. While I do prefer Ky for Cassia, Xander isn’t half bad. And I’m a sucker for love triangles and definitely a big fan of delicate development of a relationship. There’s no cliched sexual tension that always apparent in YA books these days (I’m getting tired of lust first then love). It was clever of the author to make Ky and Cassia connected through emotions, their stories, and with that the depth of their relationship is a much deeper, a lot stronger.

Undeniably a must read book. I also read that Disney has optioned the movie rights for Matched. Here’s hoping it will be good. Oh please, make it good.