Matched

Matched (Matched #1)
by Ally Condie

384 pages
Published November 30, 2010

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.

***

This is an amazing story. It's easy to see how this could happen--a government making choices they think are in the best interest of the people, trying to make things equal for everyone (sound at all like the current re-distribution of wealth project to anyone?) that get out of control. Originally things were meant well, but once things are in motion it's easy to twist them.

The way the Society runs things was handled incredibly well, and the story taking place in this community is wonderful. The characters are amazing. This is one of those rare books where everything is incredibly real. I can't wait for book 2!

5/5 stars