Matched

The cover of this book truly caught my eye. I love the lime green dress and with the glass ball looks like a Christmas ornament. I know that is not the publishers sought out affect. That being said, the book is not about the holiday season, it is a true dystopian society in which "the Society" controls everything. The Society controls everything one eats, reads, watches, even one's vocation and marriage partner. Talk about "big brother" looking over your shoulder! Cassia, the female protagonist, is faced with a dilemma. She has been matched with the boy next door, which is unusual because that almost never happens. Just when she is happy about this, someone else briefly appears on her screen. Should she follow society's rules or go after the mysterious secret that the Officials hold?

I enjoyed this read for several reasons. It is a fast read and fortunately the sequel, Crossed, is coming out next month. The romantic actions of the characters are clean and somewhat innocent which is hard to find in YA today. Also, I appreciate the ties to other literary works that are used to inspire the characters' decisions. As an educator, I believe this book would be useful in comparative book discussions and even with Social Studies classes discussing the limits/powers of governing groups.

However, not to be too negative, I feel like I have read this. I suppose it is dystopian culture which makes me feel like I am reading The Giver, City of Ember, The Hunger Games, or Brave New World. Even though each of those novels stand on their own, it seems the current of dystopian novels has become so repetitive it is almost predictable and boring. Governing powers oppress the people, revolution breaks out, love triangles emerge, so on and so forth. I feel like I need to join a team...Team Xander or Team Ky? Will the female protagonist be cut throat or indecisive as she leads the revolution or picks her true love. Sound vaguely familiar? So if you are looking for the next original dystopian read, keep looking.

Refocusing on the positive, I see this novel as a good book club discussion and appealing to SciFi/Fantasy readers out there. I am looking fore more character development and if Cassia has the courage to start a revolution. Hmm....I wonder how the love triangle will end up?