Matched by Ally Condie

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Forbidden love, Dystopia, Reading something different
Similar to: 1984, Twilight
Ages: 13-80 (lol)

Ally Condie has written a book unlike any other book I've ever read. At first, this book reminded me of "1984", and then this book reminded me of "Twilight". I think that Ally Condie, being an English teacher, knows exactly what young adults would enjoy while also writing something that isn't just a mindless slur of words. Also, the love story in this book was so intense that it had my heart racing in anticipation of turning to the next page. This book leaves you with just the right amount of closure so you are satisfied, but also just the right amount of suspense to be dying to read the sequel.

Cassia lives in a world where everything is decided for you by the Society. The Society decides who you are matched with, when you have children, where you work, and even when you die. When Cassia finds out that her match is Xander, a boy she grew up with, her family is relieved that they know him and his family. Cassia is happy too, until Xander's face disappears from the Match screen and someone else's face pops up. The Society officials tell her it was a mistake, but Cassia can't stop thinking about the other face on the screen...a boy she also knows.

Cassia tries to move on and live her life as the Society wants her to, but with advice from Grandfather, and a growing love for someone she wasn't supposed to be matched with, a rebellion stirs inside of Cassia. She realizes that she is living a life where she is not supposed to think or make her own choices. Once she has realized this, Cassia is faced with real risk, real consequences, but also, real happiness. In a series of twists and turns, the story unfolds before our eyes. Will Cassia go blindly through life doing what the Society tells her, or will she fight for a life in which she makes the choices?