Book Nerd Blog . com

My Rating: 5 stars

In the sequel to Matched by Allie Condie, Cassia and Ky’s story continues. Both are trying to find a way to be reunited with each other after they were both separated by the Society. Ky was sent to the Outer Provinces to his sure death. Cassia discovers that Ky escaped to the mysterious yet dangers canyons, she follows in pursuit of this wild frontier. On this journey, she encounters elements of an unknown life that is so different from the one she is used to. Not only has Cassia sacrificed everything for Ky, but she is also in search of a rebellion, called the Rising. And even though Xander is back in the Society, he still manages to throw some surprises her way. The game changes and when paths cross, things become more twisted than ever.
I was so excited to finally read the sequel to Matched. I was so curious to see what Ally Condie would do with this book. Once I started reading, I was hooked. Its plotline was superb. There was constant mystery, plot twists, new settings and characters, and has an action-packed, quick pace. So many secrets are unveiled. I really like the new characters – Indie, Vick, Eli and Hunter – that were introduced. And some of the characters (old and new) turn out to not be who I expected. Most of the story takes place in the Carving – a place kind of like the Grand Canyon in the Outer Provinces beyond the Society. I thought it was great to see what life was like outside of the Society utopia.
Cassia has such a big character development from the first book to this one. Just the way she thinks, speaks, acts, and describes things is so different from where she started out in Matched. It’s interesting to watch how much she changes as she learns new things about the Rising and the Society. In Matched, she was one of the brain-washed Citizens ready to live the rest of her life following the Society’s rules and not really living a true life. Now, her eyes are unveiled and she sees past the “perfect” façade of the Society.
This book is written from both Cassia and Ky’s point of view. At first, I thought I wouldn’t like it, like I did with other books that were written this way, but I honestly liked it a lot. I loved getting a glimpse into Ky’s mind, considering we didn’t learn much about him from the first novel. He talks a lot about the mysteries of his childhood and parents. He’s such an interesting character. I think the changes of the point of view is what kept the book so fast paced and addicting.
The third book in this series, Reached, has been confirmed for publication in November of 2012. I’m so excited to read what happens next in both Cassia and Ky’s story!