Publisher: Speak
Release Date: Reprint edition (September 20, 2011)
Format: Audio MP3 by Unabridged Audiobook: Unabridged edition (January 30, 2010) Pages: 400 (Paperback) / Audio Length: Unknown (6+ hours)
Source: Library Borrow
Genre: YA Dystopian
Review Date: December 3, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Book Synopsis: 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.
Release Date: Reprint edition (September 20, 2011)
Format: Audio MP3 by Unabridged Audiobook: Unabridged edition (January 30, 2010) Pages: 400 (Paperback) / Audio Length: Unknown (6+ hours)
Source: Library Borrow
Genre: YA Dystopian
Review Date: December 3, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Book Synopsis: 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 finished Match on Friday and it's taken me a few days to figure out what I wanted to say about this book. Let me first say that I expected more. A lot more. I heard so much about this set of books, that I felt that the first installment fell short. Possible I set the expectation too high. Maybe it was the narrator who sounded like a child....or maybe it was the story in general or a combo of both.
This book is a perfect example of why when I pick up a new series or book recommendation I have to keep remind myself, don't believe the hype and go into it with no expectation at all. Maybe that way I won't be so disappointed. I may have liked this more if I hadn't heard so many accolades about it.
This book is a perfect example of why when I pick up a new series or book recommendation I have to keep remind myself, don't believe the hype and go into it with no expectation at all. Maybe that way I won't be so disappointed. I may have liked this more if I hadn't heard so many accolades about it.
Overall the book was good. This book started off slow, but the subject matter of their society was interesting, so that is what kept my attention. The pace did speed up a bit past the halfway mark. Through out the book I struggled with Cassia's character. One moment she's very childlike, the next she's thoughtful and enlightened about their society and questioning why things are the way the are. I don't know what to make of her.
I felt that there was something missing. None of the main characters aren't that likeable and I didn't really feel connected. I like when I care about the characters and want to find out what happens to them. Not only was the connection missing, the story could have had more action or intense scenes.
I'm not sure that I believe Cassia's feelings for Ky, or his for her. It's all so young. It just doesn't read like true love, yes it's forbidden love, but true love? I don't know...I think the fact that it's forbidden is what drives them both. Not only that, it didn't seem to me like a love triangle. Yes, Cassia likes her childhood friend Xander, even loves him...just not in that way. It's really clear from the beginning that she doesn't love him like that. So to me, there wasn't a real triangle. Maybe Cassia could grow to being "in love" with Xander, but in the mean time it was just two friends matched together.
I liked Cassia's parents. The parents don't usually get this much face time in YA books, but they did in this book. I was glad to see how their actions and past effected their kids. I hope we get to see more of them in the next book, but I have a feeling that now Cassia is away from them, they'll fall into the background.
Regarding the narrator, as I said earlier, she sounded like a small child. Initially I thought that this took away from Cassia's voice and made it less credible. Less interesting, less everything. But once I got used to the voice, I was able to listen on without disliking it.
Bottom line is, the book was good, but far from great. It was a decent audio book to listen to while doing other things. I'll be listening to the next book, Crossed, on audio also. Was Matched spectacular? No, but I'm curious enough to see where this story will go, so I will continue on. Plus I want to meet my dystopian goal for the year. :-)
A few of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I'm glad for that.”
“Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part of theirs.”
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara~
I felt that there was something missing. None of the main characters aren't that likeable and I didn't really feel connected. I like when I care about the characters and want to find out what happens to them. Not only was the connection missing, the story could have had more action or intense scenes.
I'm not sure that I believe Cassia's feelings for Ky, or his for her. It's all so young. It just doesn't read like true love, yes it's forbidden love, but true love? I don't know...I think the fact that it's forbidden is what drives them both. Not only that, it didn't seem to me like a love triangle. Yes, Cassia likes her childhood friend Xander, even loves him...just not in that way. It's really clear from the beginning that she doesn't love him like that. So to me, there wasn't a real triangle. Maybe Cassia could grow to being "in love" with Xander, but in the mean time it was just two friends matched together.
I liked Cassia's parents. The parents don't usually get this much face time in YA books, but they did in this book. I was glad to see how their actions and past effected their kids. I hope we get to see more of them in the next book, but I have a feeling that now Cassia is away from them, they'll fall into the background.
Regarding the narrator, as I said earlier, she sounded like a small child. Initially I thought that this took away from Cassia's voice and made it less credible. Less interesting, less everything. But once I got used to the voice, I was able to listen on without disliking it.
Bottom line is, the book was good, but far from great. It was a decent audio book to listen to while doing other things. I'll be listening to the next book, Crossed, on audio also. Was Matched spectacular? No, but I'm curious enough to see where this story will go, so I will continue on. Plus I want to meet my dystopian goal for the year. :-)
A few of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I'm glad for that.”
“Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part of theirs.”
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara~
Get the Audiobook here: By Ally Condie: Matched [Audiobook]
