Matched by Ally Condie

Review from the pulisher:

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.

My Thoughts:

I am first going to say that the summary of the book I read is not the publisher’s review. If I had read the publishers review I would have a different review for you. I am glad I did not read this before, because then the way I feel towards this book would probably be different. The summary I read was the one on the inside flap of the book and that was it. It does not go into much detail and leaves a lot open to wonder about.

When I first started this book I thought I knew what the main premise was, but I was wrong. This book totally surprised me and in a very good way. The way things happened made sense, and I wasn’t expecting things to happen the way they did. I can’t really compare this to Delirium (another YA dystopian novel that I thought would kind of resemble Matched); since they are totally different stories. This story takes you on a wonderful journey of self discovery. I learned things about the characters and I even learned things about myself. I don’t think I have ever read a book that I felt so much connection to the character as this one. I saw myself in Cassia a lot. Xander I liked from the beginning. He is a good friend to Cassia and has known her since they were young. He and Cassia have a very strong and true relationship and through everything that happens they still hold on to their friendship and love for each other.

Cassia and Ky had so much more to them then I could even imagine. I didn’t even know what to think. After the first couple of chapters when events start to unveil I knew this book was nothing like I expected it to be. Ky has a strong personality and knows how to blend in with the crowd. He starts to open up more with Cassia and she in turn opens up to him. The both reveal powerful secrets and share this intimate bond between just the two of them.

This book is not only a love story for Cassia but also a self discovery. She starts to figure out who she is and what she wants. Other characters in the story are also not what they seem and have more to their stories as well. All the sub-characters have their own secrets and play important roles in the story.

I can’t stress enough how much you should read this book. It was totally not what I was expecting. I went on this incredible journey with Cassia and was shocked when she was shocked, sad when she was sad, etc. The best part is that the second book Crossed comes out later this year, which I am equally excited to read. I can’t wait to continue this story with Cassia. I was a little disappointed in the ending (not as big of a cliff hanger as I was hoping for), but still a well thought out ending that definitely leaves the story unfinished.  Pick up your copy of Matched today and let me know what you think.

Happy Reading!

Meg

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Review from the publisher:


This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.


Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.


It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.
But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.


Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.


My Thoughts:



I have read a couple books about road trips, and especially with it being summer more and more seem to come up on my “to read” list. Two Way Street grabbed my attention mainly because it is told in both main characters’ point on view. I love it when authors don’t just tell the story from one character’s perspective. With Jordan and Courtney I don’t know how this story could exist with out them both narrating. I also liked that we got to get to know Jordan and Courtney from when they first met and how that builds up to what is going on in the present. The secrets that Jordan was hiding, I didn’t expect some of them. Others become more obvious as the story goes on, but for the most part the story keeps you in suspense. The ending left you with hope and in a way doesn’t seem so much like an ending, but a beginning. I would be interested to see if maybe a sequel would be created, but right now I don’t think one is in the picture.


I recommend this book to those wanting to learn about an unlikely couple who have their own set of challenges and need to overcome them in a matter of a few days on a road trip where it is just them and the open road.


Happy Reading!
Meg