Hipsy's View: Matched

Well, today's the day I give you my very first review on a book I have read during my leisure time. I couldn't put it down, and though I had to begin classes today, I finished reading it within four days (which is like a record for me). So all of those of you that enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's The Host, I would certainly recommend that you read Ally Condie's Matched. Condie plans to write two more sequels to this novel, completing a trilogy by the end on 2012 (the second is rumored to be released November 2011, and the third on November 2012). As an avid reader myself, I must tell you, this book was GREAT!!!!!!!! 

Growing up, I was always told two things about books:  One, never judge a book by it's cover, and two, never read the ending of book because you'll ruin the story and not be interested in it. Well, this may come as no surprise, but I usually break those two rules. It's habit for someone to judge a book by it's cover, plus I find it helpful to do so (last time I judged a book by it's cover and tried to read it, I couldn't finish the book because the judgment I made was right; it was dull and not interesting, just like it's cover). Also, I find that reading the ending of a story to be helpful, because after reading a small piece of the ending, I want to know more of how the story or novel came to that ending, and who are some of the characters that are referred to. Well, as usual, I judged Matched by it's cover. 

I found it interesting, seeing a girl in a green dress trapped in a bubble. It made me wonder what it could be about. I heard a little about it, and I thought it could be a good read whenever I could get a chance to go to the library. Then, luckily for me, I went to a bookstore near the laundromat I was at on Thursday. I was searching for a different series I have been badly wanting to read again. After picking up a classic book I once read when I was younger (A Wrinkle In Time), the bookstore owner pointed out Ally Condie's novel to me; it was the last copy on the bookshelf. I was intrigued to pick it up and read it right away. I thought to myself, I may after all be able to read this novel before school began again (and I did). As I got back to the laundromat, I started to read the book (surprisingly, I didn't read the ending this time, which is a good thing for this story). But I had to reluctantly, put it down. The next day though, I was able to enjoy the story, which I think many of you will as well.

The story is about 17-year-old Cassia Reyes, who lives in the Oria Province, in the near future. The province and many others are under control by the Society. The Society has helped perfect the world as we know it and everything is done for the greater good. The Society also tells people who they must love, where they must live and work, and when they must die. When the time came for Cassia to be matched with her future "husband", she was matched with her best friend Xander. Both were given a microcard, explaining to them about their match. Since Cassia and Xander grew up together, they knew much about each other all ready. But the day after they are matched, Cassia looks at the microcard, meaning to see Xander's face and maybe learn something she may not know about him yet. But instead of seeing Xander, she sees another boy from her childhood past; his name is Ky. Was she matched correctly, or did the Society match her with wrong person?

This is another perfect story for all those who are not much into science fiction. Plus, as the reader, I was able to connect with Cassia and her story. She starts off doing everything that the Society says is right, and then she starts to think for herself and wonders if everything the Society says or does is best for anyone. Why can't we choose for ourselves? Why can't we love those we want to love? Why can't we die on our own terms? Everything Cassia felt, I felt. Like many readers, I was no longer myself; I was Cassia Reyes. But if you truly want to know more about the story, you're going to have to go to the library or buy the novel, and read the story. If I was a certified and paid critic, I would give Condie's Matched five stars and perhaps a "Book of the Year" award. So go check it out. If you want to know more about the novel, go to it's website at http://www.matched-book.com/

*Note: the picture above is the cover of the novel, but I added the words on the bottom of the picture. I have no copyrights to the picture or verse below the picture; those belong to the owners.