Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Matched by Ally Conde

Publisher:  Dutton Books (Penguin Group)
Publish Date: November 30, 2010
ISBN#: 978-0-525-42364-5
Pages: 336
Cover: Irene Vandervoort

'Everyone had technology, too much of it, and the consequences were disastrous.' This is used as the reason why society is the way it is in Cassia's time. Citizens are only allowed to keep the technology they need for their jobs and daily lives.  Cellphones?  Nope.  Laptops? Nope.  Although they do have a device used for work and communication - but only approved activities.  The Top 100 have been chosen for things such as art/music/movies/books/etc and everything else has been destroyed. Can  you image no new books?!?!

Everything is predicted and expected.  There's a cutoff age for childbearing, marrying, and dying.  Even your spouse is chosen for you! The society matches everyone based on personality aspects.  Sound familiar?  Yeah, immediately I thought of eharmony (dot) com too.  It totally creeps me out!

However, once Cassia gets her match, things start to get weird.  Well, weirder.  Her match is her best friend and she's thrilled.  But when she views her disc of information, another face shows after Xanders, just for a second, but she knows him.  Why does she have two matches, did someone make a mistake? (in a society where mistakes aren't made?) Can she ignore the second boy? (can she?!) Should she tell anyone? (wouldn't you?!)

The last piece of advice that her Grandpa gives her is 'It's okay to wonder.' And wonder she does - about everything and everybody.

Cassia is a great character, she comes across as very human.  She gets emotional, hides things, tries her best and refused to unquestioningly follow society rules.  She tries hard not to hurt anyone, but is determined to follow her heart.

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