Matched by Ally Condie

      ~  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 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.~

My Review: Let me just start out by saying that Matched was one of the best books I have ever read. It has definitely been one of my favorite reads of the year..so far!

The story starts out with Cassia, a girl who does what she told and, always follows the rules. She lives in a society where she trusts the government to make all of the important decisions for her: where she works, what she reads, what she listens to and, even who she will marry. When Cassia reaches the age where she is to be Matched she is not surprised that her Match is her best friend Xander. He is perfect for her, her best friend. But when she looks at her Match on her computer it is not Xander's face she sees, it's Ky's.

Although Cassia has known Ky almost as long as she has know Xander, he is a complete mystery to her. After seeing his face, she starts to wonder if he is the one she is meant to be with. She realizes their is much more than what the Society tells them.

Now Cassia has to make a choice, not just between Xander and Ky, but between living the life that has always been planned for her and, taking a risk on a future that goes against everything she has ever been taught.

Throughout the book you can tell that Cassia and Ky have such a passion for each other even when they are not near each other. Ky pushed Cassia to question things and, wouldn't let the Society choose for him. Although I love Xander, I would choose Ky every time.

I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to all ages. Even adults would love this book! It's so clean that even younger kids could read and, enjoy it!

Check out the awesome book trailer!

Her is Ally's playlist for Matched:

1. Only The Young by Brandon Flowers
Love the line “Only the young can break away.”

2. The Story by Brandi Carlisle
This has been played a lot in various forms, but it’s such a great song and it’s perfect for Cassia, Ky, Xander…and Grandfather.

3. Extreme Ways by Moby
I always picture Cassia striding through the streets of the Society with this playing in the background.

4. Be Still My Heart by The Postal Service
A lovely upbeat song about that first flush of love.

5. This Love (Will Be Your Downfall) by Ellie Goulding
My cousin Lizzie is the one who helps me find a lot of my music, and she discovered this one. I prefer the non-live version.

6. Grapevine Fires by Death Cab for Cutie
A beautiful song about love and the end of the world.

7. Silver Lining by Rilo Kiley
Love the beat, the clock ticking, and the finding of a silver lining.

8. Kingdom Come by Coldplay
I can picture Ky singing this.

9. The Hill by Marketa Irglova
A gorgeous song…and it resonates on a lot of levels with the story.

10. Thick as Thieves by Dashboard Confessional
Or, as my husband refers to it, The Prisoner’s Dilemma Song.

11. Run by Collective Soul
An old favorite that I played a lot when I was stuck.

12. Till The Sun Turns Black by Ray LaMontagne
Does anyone have a more heartbreaking, beautiful voice than Ray La Montagne?

13. Someday You Will Be Loved by Death Cab for Cutie
I think of Xander when I listen to this song.

14. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy
Bittersweet and beautiful!

15. Further On (Up the Road) by Bruce Springsteen
Perfect for the ending of MATCHED…a journey song. Big thanks to my dad for introducing me to Springsteen when I was four.

16. How Far We’ve Come by Matchbox Twenty
And we have to end with something apocalyptic but spunky.

Check out these cool sights that go with the book: http://the-society.net/, http://matched-book.com/, http://www.matched-book.com/matched.html

Also check out the second book in the Matched Trilogy Crossed.

Enjoy reading! Love, Grace Elizabeth Nickols