So, I read "Matched" and the day I finished it my cousin brought me "Crossed" and then I finished that the other night. BAM! I think it took me less than two weeks for those books-- pretty good for a busy gal! :)
"Matched" is the first book in the series written by Ally Condie, who also happens to live in Utah. Let me just say-- OBVIOUSLY I liked these books since I read through them so fast. That is always the sign of a good one for me. If I can't get into it, I hardly ever go back to it. I used the lyrics to a song from the first "Twilight" movie as the title to this blog, because as I was thinking about these books, I kept referring back to "Twilight." I also read all of those books super-fast... ooey-gooey romance with a crazy back story ALWAYS gets me. And it is totally the same thing with "Matched" and "Crossed!" "Matched" is just like "Twilight" in the sense that it is very much about building the love story (stories?) and teasing you with conspiracy and a great back story. My mom did not read past the first "Twilight" because of all the lovey-cheese that was pervasive throughout the book. I didn't let that hold me back. That being said, I don't think my mom would like "Matched." It's all from the 17-year old Cassia's perspective, which is a key reason why I stayed sucked in. The unveiling of the story is gradual, and it's almost as if the reader learns new information as the main character learns it. It definitely makes you stay up 'til your eyes close, because as you end each chapter you think, "What is going to happen next??"
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| See... cheese! Just eat it up. :) |
Now, this book ALSO reminds me of "Hunger Games." All of the people in The Society are very controlled by Society. Food portions, length of exercise, careers, recreation time, even when you die-- are all controlled and monitored by The Society. You learn as you read that after "The Warming" people decided to get rid of cancer, limit "footprints," and just maximize everything. This book is very dystopian, but the people in the world aren't as miserable as they seem to be in "The Hunger Games." Anyway-- even just that part of the story is very interesting, hence the "Twilight" reference! I loved reading about the vampire/werewolf history, and in "The Hunger Games" I thought the districts and all that stuff was fascinating. Way to suck you in to a mooshy-gooshy love story! I'm sold!
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| Yes, the colors of the books relate to the story!!! |
And then "Crossed" follows the Twilight novels in similar fashion-- it is more action-centered, with the quest for love propelling the action. OH! And did I mention the love triangle?? There is one, and I'm not sure who I'm rooting for. I was mosdef Team Edward... but this one is a little tricky. And now after finishing "Crossed" I don't know what to think!
I definitely recommend these books. They are a fun read, and can be quick depending on how late you stay up reading them. ;) There are lots of fun supporting characters, and the themes of the books make you really think about the things we take for granted. Things that you would never think you would need to take for granted! Writing with a pencil or pen?? Painting? Reading any poem or any book you want? In The Society, they simplified EVERYTHING and chose 100 poems, 100 books, 100 paintings, and 100 songs. Everything else was incinerated... except some stuff was able to stick around. You'll find out!!!
The last book in the series won't be released until November. Laaaaame. But that's what you get for NOT waiting for a series to end before reading all of the books.
ENJOY!
~M
