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I read a variety of genres but tend to favor romantic fiction, whether paranormal, steampunk, or historical. Some dystopian, UF, and even an occasional mystery might make their way onto my reading list. Otherwise, anything that sounds quirky and fun goes! :)

 

Reached (Matched, #3)

Reached (Matched, #3) - Ally Condie *2 – 2.5 stars*

The final book in the Matched trilogy has finally arrived and I was fairly excited to read it. I have read the first two novels this summer, and even though I was not as entertained by this trilogy as say “The Hunger Games” or the “Divergent” series I still thought that Ally Condie was able to weave an interesting tale of a dystopian future in the Society. So, I was looking forward to the conclusion of the series and hoping that we will finally have answers to many of the questions; but I must say I found myself disappointed and unsatisfied with this particular novel.

This novel follows Cassia, Ky and Xander as they deal with the new regime under the Rising and the Plague that has spread through the Society making those not immune go still. Along the main storyline we further learn of Cassia’s rebel heritage and the resolution of the love triangle between the three main characters/narrators (as this book is written in three distinct voices).

I certainly like the idea of having different points of view offered by the author, and perhaps it was necessary for this novel, as the main characters were often located in different locations from each other. Thus, the three-point perspective gave us an insight to each point of view and story. Surprisingly, having finished the trilogy, I found myself rooting for the Xander most of all – and was happy that he got some love after all. Cassia and Ky were also able to stay together, but I have almost lost sight of their chemistry along the way – their romance felt forced and obligatory.

The major problem I had with the story was the lack of justification for the life in the Society. How did it come about? What had to happen for people to succumb to this way of life? Throughout these novels I was holding onto hope that Ms. Condie will give us some sort of clue, and explanation – and nothing. (In general, when reading dystopian fiction, I almost always wonder what goes on in the rest of the world. There is even a mention to the relatively small size of the Society in this novel, and no one really provides an explanation of what might be beyond this place.) Besides the world building, the conclusion itself has offered no real outcome. What comes next? It was a vague conclusion with undertones that future will never be bright for the “Matched” people, perhaps that was the message – a dystopian society can only continue in its dystopic state, even if different one.


Quotes to Ponder:

And it strikes me that this is how writing anything is, really. A collaboration between you who give the words and they who take them and find meaning in them, or put music behind them, or turn them aside because they were not what was needed.
Reached (Kindle Locations 1558-1560).


The Rising and the Society have infiltrated each other so thoroughly that they don’t even know who’s who anymore. It’s like a snake eating its own damn tail. This— out here— is the only true rebellion.
Reached (Kindle Locations 4144-4146).


The amazing thing is that she’s not afraid to do it again. When we fall in love the first time, we don’t know anything. We risk a lot less than we do if we choose to love again.
Reached (Kindle Locations 6023-6024).

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