Matched Trilogy- Ally Condie
Ally Condie went to Brigham Young University where she received her degree in English. She taught high school English in Utah and upstate New York. She lives with her husband and four kids in Salt Lake City, Utah. She enjoys writing, running, reading, eating, and listening to her husband play guitar. Dutton published the Matched trilogy. The final book, 'Reached', was recently released on November 13, 2012. The novel has been optioned to the Walt Disney Company. In February 2011 the book was #9 in Children's Chapter Books in the New York Times Bestseller list.
Characters
Cassia is the main character of the story. She lives in the future in North America. Cassia's best friend is Xander. Xander in the story acts as one of Cassia's matches. Cassia thinks right away that they make a perfect match. What everyone doesn't know is that Cassia had two matches. She was also matched with Ky. Ky is an aberration; they are a group of people who have this title usually because of a crime they committed. It is forbidden that Ky be matched with anyone. Having seen the two faces Cassia is very conflicted. There are also minor characters such as Cassia's grandpa, mom, dad and brother. The Society plays a big role in the story. It is mentioned a lot when it comes to protocol about how things are done.
Synopsis
Cassia Maria Reyes turns seventeen. At seventeen in the Society you start your life. They show you who you will marry and they start training you for your job. The Society controls everything. All citizens are given three tablets to use in case of an emergency or when told by the officials. The green one helps you relax, the blue one will help you when you are lost and no one knows the purpose of the red one. The Society also chose all the literature that would be kept on file after the Warming happened. They call them 'the hundred poems' or 'the hundred books'. Cassia is comfortable with the Society having control in the beginning, but you start to notice a change in her later. She begins to change her mind about the Society when they come to take away her and her brother's artifacts. She gets angry and the only thing to help her remain calm is knowing that she has something more valuable than her compass, knowledge. Knowledge is not something they let them have in the Society. If the people know to much they could start a rebellion. For example some people know how to farm and some know how to prepare food, but no one knows how to do both. Cassia receives a warning from the Officials because they have found out one of her secrets. She loves Ky Markham. She is not allowed not only because she is matched to Xander, but also because he is an aberration. When tragedy strikes in Cassia's borough, she is faced with more evidence that something is not right in the Society. Talk of rebellion is worrying the Officials causing them to make choices that end up hurting Cassia and Ky's future.
Related books
This book is similar to Divergent (see above) and Hunger Games (see above). These stories share a common story line featuring a setting in a dystopian future. Behind it is love though. The young teen romance featured in these novels are more common than not forbidden. 'The Luxe' novels by Anna Godbersen has a similar forbidden love aspect. 'The Unwritten Rule' by Elizabeth Scott has this as well. 'The Unwritten Rule' is of a girl named Sarah who has liked this guy, Ryan, for years. The only thing is Ryan is dating Sarah's best friend. Sarah tries to avoid Ryan, but it seems they only end up together more. Soon Sarah thinks Ryan feels the same and if he does the next question for Sarah is what to do about it?
One other book I have read and enjoyed with this style of story is 'Something Like Fate' by Susane Colasanti. In this story Lani and her best friend Erin are strong believers of fate. Lately though, Lani has been thinking of this guy. She feels comfortable with him and it feels like she has known him forever. The only problem is, he's dating Erin. Lani trie to cover up her feelings for him, but she can't help but wonder if he is the one?
One other book I have read and enjoyed with this style of story is 'Something Like Fate' by Susane Colasanti. In this story Lani and her best friend Erin are strong believers of fate. Lately though, Lani has been thinking of this guy. She feels comfortable with him and it feels like she has known him forever. The only problem is, he's dating Erin. Lani trie to cover up her feelings for him, but she can't help but wonder if he is the one?