Matched

By: Ally Condie

Narrated by: Kate Simses

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 with complete certainty that 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.

©2010 Ally Condie (P)2010 Penguin

A Kinder, Gentler Dyastopian Society

When my sister suggested this book to me, I wasn't sure I would like it. Genetically engineered societies means that disabilities are eliminated by default. That makes it difficult for me to "find myself" in the book because I already know going in that neither I nor my husband or son would be found in this oh-so-perfect society. But that wasn't a problem. Ally Condie crafted together such an artful weaving of character and setting with just enough ties to our own world to be believable that I was pulled in right away. Told from the point of view of someone who genuinely believes in the infalability of the Society and its statistics, Cassia moves right along as she reasonably explains away euthanasia or drug-induced amnesia while the reader's heart pounds at the deceptive logic of it all. There is a love story at the center of the book, but it wasn't the love story itself that pulled me in. Unlike other love triangle tales, one potential match isn't "wrong" and the other "right." I truly believe that Cassia would have been/will be happy with either Xander or Ky. To me, that's not the point of the story at all. Is it better to have the choice or not? No matter how perfect the society is planned to be, it will always come down to the power held in the hands of imperfect people.

Others have criticized the book for being nothing new, but I think that's unfair. Have dystopian tales been told before? Sure. Do others examine the same debates regarding personal freedom, secret knowledge, finding the right spouse? Absolutely. Matched, in my opinion, tells it well on its own merits.

I found this book to be so well crafted that it demanded my attention. Most of the time, I can balance reading multiple books at a time: one on audio, one on ebook, one on paper, etc. While I was reading Matched, however, it claimed my inner voice. I would try to read another book and find myself hearing Cassia and having to stop and remember that this was an entirely different world. For me to have that reaction alone says something.

On a lighter note, as a teacher who still emphasizes the value of cursive writing and poetry, I loved the twist Matched brought to those two arts often dismissed in today's society. There is a value in creating rather than simply sifting through facts and regurgitating the right ones at the right time.

27 of 28 people found this review helpful

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.

64 of 69 people found this review helpful

Wow

I was worried about picking up this book because so many people were bashing it as a rip off of 'the giver'. I could not find many reviews that praised this particular story. I have not read the giver so i cannot agree with them, but i did read this book and i can say that i loved it. The structure of the society was not as big a part of the story for me as the events surrounding the characters was.

The book takes place in a dystopian society and you are immersed in it so much that when Cassia begins to open her eyes it is subtle. I really enjoyed that fact because in a lot of YA books the main character is really blunt with their epiphany. I enjoyed the way it was written and how realistic it felt even though the environment is like nothing we have experienced. I am excited for the next installment, but if the book were to end here i would not be dissatisfied. The main character is strong and she really kept the story interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story of teenage rebellion and strong characters.

The narrator did a great job. No complaints here.

25 of 27 people found this review helpful

I loved it, despite the mixed reviews

Any books that are about dystopian societies are a must listen in my opinion. I love this genre even if it's a bit formulaic at times. Throw in a good romance or love triangle and I am instantly hooked.

Although this wasn’t as great or as dark as some of the other’s in this category it was still a solid and enjoyable listen. If you like your dystopian novels more on the romantic side (Delirium, The Selection) then you will enjoy this one too. However, if you prefer them a little more on the action/adventure side (Divergent, The Hunger Games) then perhaps you should skip this one.

Overall I really liked this book and will continue with the trilogy. The narration was excellent and really made the story come alive.

4 Stars!

24 of 27 people found this review helpful

Great Narration

This trilogy is both entertaining and intriguing. Match that with the sweet voiced narration that Kate Simses provided and you have a winning combination.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Matched

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

Yes, I would. I think hearing the voices, rather than just reading the book, added quite a bit to the story.

What about Kate Simses’s performance did you like?

I liked that she changed voices and used some emotion. Other narrators don't do that as much.

Any additional comments?

I do plan on continuing on with the series.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Satisfying Dystopian YA Fiction

Another in the plethora of dystopian YA fiction that is to be found, Matched is actually quite good and different from The Hunger Games and Divergent. It's less death-defying, which is the huge difference. There's no violence.

But there is a controlling Society who manages every single part of a person's life, down to the person whom they are to marry. And this is where this particular dystopian story differs.

This story is told well. Some of the prose is quite lovely. The characters are full people. And as a first in a trilogy, it's a good start. I'm intrigued enough to want to read the second book, Crossed.

The narrator is very good, with the perfect youthful voice for the first person narration.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

What happens when all choices are made for you.

This story is set in a dystopian future where everything you do is planned for you. The ‘Society’ decides what clothes you wear, where you work, who you will marry, when you will have children, and when you die. The story revolves around three main people: Cassie, Ky, and Xander. Cassie and Xander have known each other since birth and Ky since he was around 10.

When you are 17 you get to go to a Match Banquet and find out who you are going to marry. At Cassie’s banquet they call Xander as her Match.

Everyone is so happy that Cassie and Xander are matched, now neither child will have to leave to live in another city with their match. Even though Cassie knows just about everything about Xander, she puts the data card into the computer port at her home just to see what is on it. She is very surprised that Ky’s face pops up … just for a second, but it was there.

The Society rushes in to tell her it was a mistake. Because of something Ky’s father did, Ky has been given the label ‘aberration’ and will never be allowed to be Matched. Now she is curios and that curiosity will lead her to want to learn more about Ky. The more Cassie learns, the more she realizes that she is in love with Ky. Real love. The type of love expected from her by Xander as his Matched girl. But Ky’s love is against the rules. If Cassie breaks the rules not only will she be punished, but her whole family could be punished also.

We enjoyed listening to this book. When we picked it, we didn’t realize that it was a trilogy, so you can imagine our surprise when it didn’t have a final conclusion at the end. As a matter of a fact, there were many things hinted at but never explored. So you are left feeling that you only got part of a story. I am sure that is a trick by the author to get us to want to read the next in the series when it finally comes out. Which we will do, but still …

Kate Simes has the voice that sounds closer to 10 or or 11 than 17, but it didn't distract from the story

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

FANTASTIC READ!

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

This book is well narrated. She did a fantastic job.

What other book might you compare Matched to and why?

Divergent and The Uglies
Divergent because how the societies are broken up and no one questions the "working" system. The uglies on how everything is monitored, regulated and overall culture of the book.

Have you listened to any of Kate Simses’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was the first but now I will have to search all the books she has done. She does a fantastic job bringing this book to life. The best part is she didn't butcher the male voices (a common mistake with female narrators).

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

Learning all the secrets and realization of how many people are actually in tune with what is going on. Ready to see what the second book has in store.

Any additional comments?

GREAT READ! Trust- worth the money. I thought it was going to be a stupid "teen" book but I was pleasantly surprised.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Better than I thought!

I liked this book, it's exactly what you look for when you think dystopian society. It's not apocalyptic like many dystopian novels, it's just about a very rigid and planned society.

Needless to say, this book is centered around a love story and while there are exciting and intense moments, overall, it's a well paced, contemplative plot. So, if you're wanting a fast paced, action packed novel, keep looking.

I think its similarity to The Giver ends at the ideals of the society, beyond that, these two books are not alike. So whether you liked or did not like The Giver will not necessarily dictate your liking this book.

I think the performer did a fine job, her voice is definitely 'girly' but it should be! I'm excited to listen to the next book!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful