Book Review: Reached by Ally Condie

Title: Reached
Author: Ally Condie
Series/Novel: Matched Series (Book #3)
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia
Pages: 512
Publisher: Dutton Books
Year Published: 2012
First Line: "A man pushed a rock up the hill."

"Cassia's journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect façade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.
The wait is over.
One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most- family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion.
With exquisite prose, the emotionally gripping conclusion to the international bestselling Matched trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to choose."

My Rating: 4/5

I finally had a chance to stay up late and finish this book, with little to no regard to my studies. So take that midterms! I think that this book was a fine summary to a great Dystopian trilogy. It showed the rise of rebellion and a change in a society, while still following three of our favourite characters. We also get to learn about their different roles in the rebellion which is what we have all been waiting for.
Some parts of this final instalment were surprising to me all the same, as a fair amount of new characters come into existence within a torn country. The setting that is ever changing keeps things interesting while helping readers to visualize a change in a futuristic society. 
Unfortunately, I'm a girl who is stuck in a rut, and hates a good series to end, and this series is no exception. I can't help but wish there was more, but I'm grateful for what I learned from this series. That sticking up for the rights of all can be as easy as sticking up for something you believe. 
THANK YOU ALLY CONDIE FOR SHOWING HOW GRATEFUL WE CAN BE FOR OUR RIGHTS!

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny 

Spoiler: Reached by Ally Condie

This book is the final instalment in this series, which as mentioned is sad but necessary. I see why Ally Condie decided on this place to end. The following three different series through the rise of the revolution and the changing of a world was so interesting, especially from all the separate points of view. I certainly enjoyed seeing the development of feelings between new and existing characters.

Characters:
Cassia: Cassia has changed throughout the Rising. Figuring out who to stick up for, who to trust and who to believe. She's followed her feelings and her heart to get where she is. I think it was interesting to watch her figure out what she is immune to and different roles she could take in the future. One role I found especially interesting was a trader and a poet. Especially the idea of a Gallery. It seems so strange to have thought of during the change of a government, but it worked for her. It helped her cope. 

Ky: I was so happy about how he fought with the rebellion, and stayed with Indie even though he wanted to find Cassia. I do wonder about how their relationship may have worked if Cassia hadn't been around or if there was no Matching in the first place. When he fell still, I worried that the author would kill him off,  but grateful when he came back to them and helped Cassia to create the chances for all of society, to vote and have a choice.

Xander: I'm upset for him, but he has outgrown Cassia. He has become someone none of us could have ever imagined. A doctor, a scientist and a true caregiver to the people in his care. He gave everything to them and spent so much time working for them, only to be on trial for killing someone who was his role model. I hope that he learns to love again.

Lei: I suspected she was who she first was (this will make sense if you've read it). I hope that she will learn to love again and find a way to commemorate her love in the past while learning to love again and make the most of the new world.

The Pilot:  I don't particularly trust this man, he seemed to have good intentions but he got in over his head to quickly. I hope that he can find a place where he truly belongs but really, I don't believe that he should be the ruler of a country! He seems so stranger and unsure near the end, that he wouldn't be someone I chose as a leader. 

Oker: He was a role model. He made things as right as he could before passing, but everyone runs out of time eventually. I think that he did what he did in the beginning because he truly thought it was right, and after seeing how it affected those around him, he made the choice to make it right, which is harder to do then some might believe.

Hunter: What the literal heck! I was surprised that he could be capable about such a thing, but when people have been treated unfairly all their lives, it's crazy what they'll do. 

Moments to Remember:
Pg. 497
"For so long, we cared about who saw us. Who might be watching, who might be hurt. But now, we are only dancing."

Final Line: "Reaching and reached."

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Book Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

Title: Crossed

Author: Ally Condie

Series/Novel: Matched Series (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance

Pages: 367

Publisher: Dutton Books

Year Published: 2011

First Line: “I’m standing in a river.”

“The Society chooses everything.

The books you read.

The music you listen to.

The person you love.

Yet for Cassia the rules have changed. Ky has been taken and she will sacrifice everything to find him.

And when Cassia discovers Ky has escaped to the wild frontiers beyond the Society there is hope.

But on the edge of society nothing is as it seems…

A rebellion is rising.

And a tangled web of lies and double-crosses could destroy everything.”

My Rating: ⅘

I’ve been really taking my time with reading lately as I get into my final term in college. This installment into the Match series has really expanded on the first book, as the characters grow and as it says in the description nothing is as it seems, not the environment, the people or the rebellion.

This book introduces new characters and a different understanding of what both the Society and the Rebellion believe in. All in all, I think this book really hits on what makes us human. What makes us think that one thing is good while another is evil? Or is everything just a murky shade of grey in between the two?

When you look at the Society from the inside, it looks quite perfect, because you don’t have to take the time to make choices, but what is life without choices?

Outside the society, things are quite different. For those who have risked and lost, the Outer Provinces are safe for no one. As the characters expanded I began to wonder if this book could possibly live up to the first, and sadly no. It’s a good middle journey, but it’s nothing compared to the introduction. It follows the journey on the outside, but seems to drag on near the ending. The characters are what really carry this story throughout. I look forward to reading the ending in this trilogy, and seeing how the Society turns out.

THANK YOU ALLY CONDIE FOR LETTING US FOLLOW A JOURNEY!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Crossed by Ally Condie

To recap, this second book in the Matched Series takes place on a journey on the outer rims of Society, where nothing as it says in the description, is as it seems. All the characters we knew are evolving with the addition of information and the forthcoming of secrets. The fact that they sent the noncitizens out to die is crazy. And I have the idea that it’s not an Enemy killing them of either. If anything,  they’re getting rid of all the people who refuse to conform, or who show any sign of rebelling. I guess now that we know the Rising is really that close it makes a sad amount of sense. The characters have also really started to expand, and we’re starting to understand where all the different groups are. The Farmers are the most interesting to me, living how they lived in a completely different way from the Society.

Characters:

♥Cassia: She’s starting for herself which is awesome, but I also think she’s doing it for herself to better fit in with one group of people. She’s not really part of the Rising, but she can’t be a part of the Society. I’m getting frustrated because she keeps deliberating between the two men. I thought we made our choice, but really she’s still pondering, so going back to Xander is a horrible idea!!!

♥Ky: I love Ky. I wish he didn’t lie, but I mean I see why he did. He’s a big teddy bear, and trying to protect everyone especially after what he’s been through. Still she wouldn’t be deliberating if she should chose the more straight laced guy. I hope that he pulls it together, but he’s lied too much to make it through. Also quit patronizing yourself for everything you do to survive Ky.

♥Xander: I think Xander’s a good guy. I’m surprised he’s involved in the Rising, but what if he’s playing both sides, waiting for a good deal. He’s not trustworthy either. I just don’t trust these men. I’m interested to see how he explains the blue tablets.

♥Indie: The least trustworthy person in this whole series. Lies, steals, displays all the jealousy. How are you in love with Xander, when you’ve only seen a microcard with him? I’m interested to see how she does in the rebellion.

♥Vick: I loved him. He was a hard ass, but his story was so damn beautiful. To fall in love with someone who might risk your whole future is crazy but also really romantic.

♥Hunter: Another sad story, but he was necessary in our story to better understand all the people who live outside the Society. The farmers were so peaceful and incredible, to have such a sad end to their lives as they knew it. Where did they all vanish to.

Moments to Remember:

♥Final Line: “It looks, I imagine as if someone painted stars or flowers at exactly the right time; a momentary capture of beauty that will too soon vanish.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Title: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

Series/Novel: Matched (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance

Pages: 366

Publisher: Speak, an imprint of Penguin Group

Year Published: 2010

First Line: “Now that I’ve found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night?”

“Cassia has always trusted the society’s choices.

And when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia is certain he is the one... until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

Now she is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one dares follow… between perfection and passion.

Society matched them, but love set them free.

In society officials decide

Who you love.

Where you work.

When you die.”

My Rating: 5/5

I guess I’m finally admitting it. I love dystopia. I know that it’s a strange love because dystopia is all about the what if’s of our society, but that’s precisely why I enjoy it so much. Who's to say that our society won’t fall into The Society. This book brought on different subjects for readers. A place that seems calm and perfect. A place where people follow the rules and don’t get hurt. But just for one minute, what if you didn’t want to just follow, what if you wanted to choose? That’s unheard off, isn’t it?

This book follows the change of following to choosing, from being subconscious to fully conscious. Cassia is learning things that others may have waited years to discover. It interests me to the fullest. 

I must say that this book being a romance wasn’t something I was interested in but considering the subject materials and the choices The Society makes for you it all makes

perfect sense that love should be anticipated and awaited. The only questions is who's the love of her life truly? And if there is not only one what in the world will she chose?

THANK YOU ALLY CONDIE FOR A DIFFERENT DYSTOPIA BASED ON THE NEED OF CHOICE!

Thank you for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Matched by Ally Condie

I think this is one book that I’ve read the fastest in a long time, and half way through the book I ordered the other two in the series because I simply could not wait to read more, know more and hear more. I even went to the college cafeteria with friends and said, “Hold on a minute guys, I only have 20 more pages” lucky for me they indulge this behaviour.

Matched follow Cassia a young girl living in a society where choices are not necessary. All her life she has seen the greatness that comes from The Society. The perfect amount of food, the perfect job, the perfect family and generally the perfect life. That is until she is Matched. Although she is Matched to her dear best friend, it doesn’t take long to realize that he isn’t the only match in the system for her. What will she do when she is expected to follow the same rules she has always followed, and will the need for safety overwhelm the one for passion?

I loved this book. It was interesting to think about how much easier it would be to have someone make all our choices for us, but at the same time how disheartening it would be never get a choice. To always know that someone else seems to know what’s better for you and where you belong. 

♥Characters♥

♥Cassia: She starts the novel by loving the society and completely trusting in it. And who can blame her. She has never remembered a time that the society has messed anything up in her personal life. She’s lived a happy life. I think that when she sees the possibilities of a different match she begins to wonder, but when her grandfather is put to death at the ripe age of 80, which is customary in the society, she wonders more and more. After getting to know Ky, I don’t blame her for falling for him. He’s hurt and no one understands him. She just wants to

understand him, and he’s the first person he’s let in. I’m surprised that she chooses to continue Ky even with everyone’s warnings, but what else would you do for love.

♥Ky: Ok I didn’t care for him at first, but he’s definitely got a soft spot in my heart. He came from hard beginnings and although we don’t know all of what he’s had to deal with, we do know that he has had a tough life that can’t be expected to get any better. Even after finding Cassia, they are pulled apart. It’s too dangerous for society to see that they might have a choice. I hope on the front lines he will find a way to join his people uprising in the outer province. He shouldn’t have to fight for something he doesn’t believe in. Ps. What the hell did your parents do? Anything?

♥Xander: This poor soul. Thought he found love and then lost it before he even knew what was happening. I hope that he can recover, but I have a feeling he won’t be matched again. People will likely think he is cursed. How grateful I am that the red pill didn’t affect him, but what happened the other time?

♥Grandfather: I thought that I would include him this time instead of parents because he played such a vital role in changing Cassia’s lense on society. He helped her to imagine more. Some place she could chose and be chosen. 

♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Pg. 188

“When I come out into the foyer, my father and my brother wait for me. ‘You look beautiful,’ my father says.

 ‘You look all right,’ Bram says.

 ‘Thanks,’ I tell him, rolling my eyes.”

♥Pg. 246

“‘I think people should be able to choose who they Match with,’ I say lamely.

 ‘Where would it end, Cassia?’ she says, her voice patient. ‘Would you say next that people should be able to choose how many children they have, and where they want to live? Or when they want to die?’”

♥Final Line: “And they will change from ash and nothing into flesh and blood.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo