Matched

Book 1

By: Ally Condie

Narrated by: Kate Simses

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted the Society’s choices. And when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, she is certain he’s the one - until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now she is faced with impossible choices: Between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s ever known and a path no has dared to follow...between perfection and the truth.

Look for the sequel, Crossed, and the epic series finale, Reached!

©2010 Ally Condie (P)2010 Penguin

Critic reviews

“[A] superb dystopian romance.” (The Wall Street Journal)

“Strong feminist ideals and impressive writing that’s bound to captivate.” (The Los Angeles Times)

Giver Goes Green

Cassia lives in a futuristic society where all decisions are made for her/them, including whom to marry. When paired with her handsome best friend, she glimpses the picture of another boy and spends the book getting to know him and questioning authority. The plot is just like Lois Lowry's, "The Giver". However, the characters and love triangle are more detailed and appeal to a teenage girl audience of 10-14. Good read for your teenage daughter and could be an interesting movie or CW series.

The narrator does a great job, but was an inappropriate choice. She sounds like she's 12 years old and not as intelligent or strong as the main character, Cassia. I may have enjoyed this one more if I'd picked up the book instead.

Awesome....can't wait for the next one

Really good story...makes you think...and the characters are great...by the end I really wanted more. My only negative is I wish this were an adult romance with a bit more "action"....the YA novel are so slow that I get frustrated. I know they're kids, but come on they have hormones don't they.
Anyway, it's a great story, and the sequel will be good. It has a hunger games feel, with more romance.

Matched

I personally thought that the book was a little juvenile. The story was good but not something I would consider continue reading the rest of the series. This book would be perfect for teens dealing with relationships and the problems with them.

Interesting Story...Angered me at times...

If you could sum up Matched in three words, what would they be?

We are lucky...

What was one of the most memorable moments of Matched?

When they took Ky....poor Cassia... The society they live in is meant to be fair...but it is not....there is no freedom of choice...no freedom of speech...and there are arranged marriages.... Not a good life...even though they try to make it be one...

What does Kate Simses bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

she sounds so sweet....gives the book a young, and fresh perspective...

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Grandfather dies....so sad...

Any additional comments?

This book is geared towards a younger person...even though I am 40 I still liked it a lot....and will listen to book 2...

Not what I had hoped

The story was decent, but overall it did not hold my attention. I do not like to start books and not finish them so I did finish it, but it felt like more of a chore to listen to it.

very entertaining with big bother vibes!!!

I liked the voice, nice to listen to. the story is good I liked it enough to want the others in the series.

Better than I thought!

What did you love best about Matched?

I was a bit hesitant to buy Matched because I am not a fan of romance. However, the dystopian society and conspiracies in this book really elevated the creep factor, which made it worth the listen.

What other book might you compare Matched to and why?

This reminded me of Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

Great for the teen romantic, no matter your age

What did you love best about Matched?

Matched is an interesting story that pulls you in. It only starts with Cassia being matched to Xander, the perfect match, then Ky enters the picture. You read on and everyone has their story, and many have secrets.

What other book might you compare Matched to and why?

If I had to compare Matched; I'd say It's a little bit like Hunger Games because both are about a teenage girl who lives in a very controlling society, and then it's also like Twilight in that this young heroine has to make a choice between 2 young men. But it's a very different story, no violence, no vampires.

Which character – as performed by Kate Simses – was your favorite?

My favorite character was Cassia. I was surprised at first how young Kate sounds, but hers was the perfect voice for Cassia, the trusting, innocent girl that she is.

Any additional comments?

I just finished Matched and Crossed and I'm excited for Reached to come out soon!

Interesting!

I was sucked into this book because of the society Cassia lives in. It's awful and amazing. The mindset that they are "lucky" to live the way they do made me shake my head. And later in the book to really see the total control the government has over every little thing makes you realize that this kind of society could really be possible. That sucked me in but the love story kept me reading. They were so cute and it reminded me of that first real love. I finished the first book and immediately started the 2nd. Worried how the 2nd one will end! The 3rd one won't be out for a while still!

I loved it.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. The narrator was excellent and kept my interest also.

What other book might you compare Matched to and why?

I would compare this book with the Hunger Games but I think the Hunger Games series was a little better.

What does Kate Simses bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kate Simses changed up her speaking voice with different characters. I liked that.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I could have this is a book that I would have listened to all in one setting. I did not want to put it down.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy.