Matched, by Ally Condie
Reviewed by Candace, age 19, California
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
Cassia has always felt that's no big deal. She is certain that whomever she ends up with will be the perfect match. During the banquet, her match turns up on the port screen. But what happens when her match turns out to be her best friend Xander? Will this ruin their friendship? And what about the other face that flickered on the screen? Cassia thinks she knows this guy too. Two guys appearing on the port screen is not supposed to happen.
Matched is a wonderful dystopian novel. Every chapter is a page turner, and I was tempted to read ahead to find out what happens next. One drawback is the world Condie creates, which is rather vague. However, this isn't too much of an issue in this novel because Condie's characters are so realistic. They act like typical mercurial teenagers, changing their minds from one minute to the next. The plot is suspenseful as well, and built to a satisfying climax. Condie's best strength is her diction. Her sentences are poetic and every word she chooses is perfect.
Matched deserves four out of five stars.
