Reached by Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (Penguin)
Publication date: November 2012
Pages: 384
Source: Purchased
For: Fun (and book group)
Series: Matched, Book 3
*Spoilers are inevitable for the first two books, Matched and Crossed*
Cassia is once again apart from Ky and Xander as they each pursue the purposes of the Resistance. Each is waiting on the rebellion that is planned and hoping for a future where they can live the way they want. But, when things don't go quite as planned, the three of them must each decide what is most important to them.
Things I Liked:
I'm always so impressed with the writing in these books - Condie has a way of writing poetically and simplistically without being over the top. I was especially caught up in the details that emerged with the plague and what happened after the cure was administered. I was happy to have many of my questions answered. The second half of the book was the most interesting to me and I really liked watching how they dealt with changes that were unexpected and with their changing relationships. I think what I liked most were the small things - glimpses of what Cassia is learning about freedom and choice: the art that they create, the ability to see beyond what Society has told them. An interesting and thoughtful series, if not the most action-packed dystopian story.
Things I Didn't Like:
I did get bored for some of it (this was a major complaint of some of my book group buddies). The action is slim and unfolds rather slowly. I can see how some people might be bothered by the medical aspects where they talk about the plague, but I am fascinated by that stuff so I enjoyed it. It's definitely what I consider a quieter and more thoughtful dystopian series, without the loud bangs and violence and non-stop action of many other series. Still, I liked it and would recommend it for those interested in a more introspective story.
Read-alikes:
Be sure to read Matched and Crossed by Ally Condie first
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a handful of minor ones
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: ->
not much
Overall rating: ****
I know there are opinions on both ends of the spectrum, so what did you think of the book?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Crossed by Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication date: November 2011
ISBN: 9780525423652
Source: Purchased
*Some possible spoilers for Matched*
When Cassia is sent to the Border Provinces, she hopes to be able to find Ky. She finally makes her way to the Outer Provinces, with a new companion, But will she be able to find him before they are all caught, and will it be enough to be together when she does?
Things I Liked:
I simply fell in love with this book. It is not what I'd call a typical dystopian full of action and excitement, though it does have some. What I love most is the quiet nature of it, the slow development, and especially the layered symbols and meanings that I see in nearly every sentence. Condie's writing seems simple, but it also has depth and measure that belies its simplicity. It was such a beautiful experience to just feel like there was more than the story going on with deeper feelings and ideas. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but somehow I felt like I was floating along on an undercurrent with Cassia and Ky in this gorgeous alien landscape (it helps that I adore the geography of Southern Utah). The character back stories and the delicious depths of the Society and Aberrations and all that stuff just made this a rich and moving experience for me. I also really enjoy the thought that goes into the love triangle - the feelings Cassia still obviously has for Xander and his own frustrations at being left behind. Just really well done! Here are some of my favorite parts:
I thought it was having the picture that made it special, but it's not even that. It's looking at something without being watched, without being told how to see. That's what the picture has given us. p 12
Because in the end you can't always choose what to keep. You can only choose how you let it go. p 21
This happened to him, while I sat in my house on the very same street, eating my premade food and listening to the port and daydreaming about the perfect life that was about to be delivered to me, the way everything always was. p 262
Things I Didn't Like:
I can definitely see how there will be things people don't like about this one: the viewpoints are very similar, the plot is pretty slow sometimes, it seems like the whole book is kind of one big circle and back where they all started, but I was not bothered by any of these things. I enjoyed it all!
Read-alikes:
Read Matched by Ally Condie first
Other dystopians are kind of similar like Delirium by Lauren Oliver and Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
one or two
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: ->
some, but not graphic
Overall rating: *****
What books blow you away that others think are just ok?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Matched by Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication date: November 2010
ISBN: 9780525423645
Source: ARC provided by publisher/publicist
Cassia has grown up longing for the day she will be Matched to her future husband. When that day finally arrives, she is surprised and pleased with her Match, Xander, who is someone she's known all her life. But, when a face that is definitely NOT Xander shows up on the screen for an instant, she is shocked and confused. That sight sparks her curiosity and she finds herself falling in love with someone else entirely.
Things I Liked:
I love, love, love the writing. Ally is one of my new favorites, almost just for the way she writes. Her words seem simple and clean, but there is a poetic and complex depth to it. I love the way the words flow on the pages. I also happened to really enjoy the dystopian world she's created - a world where there are no choices, but everyone seems happy with what they have. It does have lots of similarities to The Giver, which just makes me want to go reread that one. The people might not have options, but they enjoy the small freedoms they do have. It was interesting to watch how Cassia changes over the book, how she begins to see small things at first and larger ones later that make her dissatisfied with the Society. The love triangle, which I am the first to admit is so overdone in literature, was actually quite good, I thought. (*slight spoiler*) Not only was she unafraid to admit she loved both boys, but she straight up told the one she didn't choose that she chose the other. They remained friends after. (*end spoiler*) I wish there were more books whose triangles resolved that way. I was pleased and satisfied and also ready for the next installment! And really, there is so much to talk about with this book. We were really fortunate that Ally, who is a local author, was doing a program at our local library. We visited with her after reading the book. I'm super glad we decided to use it as a book group read.
Things I Didn't Like:
Looking back at the reading experience, it seemed to move really slowly. There isn't a lot of action and things that happen, it is more a steady flow of regular every day things mixed with minute irregular things. So, while it isn't your typical action-packed dystopia, I think it still moves quickly and will keep the reader engaged through other means.
Read-alikes:
Delirium by Lauren Oliver (I've got an awesome double feature review of this book coming)
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
that I recall
mrg-factor: none
some kissing
v-factor: ->
there are some scary moments and a little violence
Overall rating: *****
Intrigued by this book? Want to read an excerpt or two? Good, because I've got a Gratitude Giveaway coming up tomorrow for a signed ARC of Matched and I intend to put some of my favorite quotes in that post so you can get a taste for this excellent book. Come back tomorrow to enter for your chance to read this fabulous addition to dystopian lit.
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
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