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.

If you enjoy romance, crazy dystopian worlds, dynamic characters, intrigue, and mystery then you will love Matched by Ally Condie. Personally, I loved this book! The world-building in the society Cassia lives in is phenomenal. Condie has managed to create a dystopian novel with distinct elements that make this novel a unique and wonderful read.

The government structure of Matched is one of a kind. In fact, it scarily reflects our worst fears on censorship and absolute authority.  The “Officials” control every aspect of a person’s life. There are rules on what to eat, when to be outside, where you can work, what you can read, and most importantly, who you can fall in love with to marry.

However, it are these strict rules that Cassia unwittingly begins to question, after being incited to question authority with a ground-breaking, quite illegal poem. Overall, another great aspect of this book were the characters. I adored Cassia’s evolution from a devoted follower of all of her society’s rules into a perceptive young woman on the path to becoming a great leader. However, none of her actions would be possible without the power of love, which is truly what makes this novel a joy to read. Condie expertly demonstrates the transformative influence of young love through the complicated love triangle between Cassia, Ky (the forbidden boy she may be falling in love with), and Xander (the boy she destined to marry, otherwise known as her perfect match). Although, readers do not fear! There is no cliché forbidden romance triangle, but rather a relatable examination of love through the eyes of growing teenage girl. You’ll enjoy Xander’s incredibly sweet personality, while also admiring Ky’s intellect and deep sensitivity.

          If I could advice you all to do one action, it would be to read this coming-of-age dystopian novel! The characters are positively swoon-worthy, the plot is well-developed, and the issues discussed in this novel will stick with you even after you finish the last page. So, buy, check-out, or borrow Matched by Ally Condie today, and once you finish reading this book don’t forget to read the rest of this exciting series.