Matched by Ally Condie

Goodreads Summary:

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-screed at her Matching ceremony, Cassia know with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instance before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that 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 have been reading a lot of dystopian books lately and perhaps I am starting to get a little burned out on the genre. I liked this book. I liked that it had a little bit of a different take on things. I found the way they handle food in this book interesting. No one knows how to cook, everyone in this society is dependent on the government for all meals. That is a pretty intense way to control people and I would say incredibly effective. It is mentioned that people who farm don't know how to prepare the food they grow. The Society has separated every step, not just in food but in everything. In essence ignorance is bliss.I have to say though the book didn't really grab my attention until almost half way through. This, again may just be me feeling burn out from the genre, or maybe there was something lacking in the way this story unfolded. I am honestly not sure which is accurate. 

I will likely read the next two books but I think I will hold off on that for a while. I liked Cassia, I wanted to know more about Xander, and I wanted Ky to be more interesting. All in all though it was a fine summer read.

I would recommend this book to dystopian fans. This is not action packed like a lot of dystopian books so don't go into this one hoping for danger.

While writing this review I was listening to Slim Cessna.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Goodreads Summary:
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.


My Thoughts:
I like Tris. She is kind of a kick ass girl. She has a commitment to the truth which I dig. I really liked this book. I liked that her relationship with Tobias is not simple. So often the relationships in YA books are overly simplified. I don't feel like this book does that over simplification. The relationship is sweet like other books but also shows the flip side of caring about someone, sometimes you want to kick them in the shin. I think this was the perfect book to help me come off my school kick. It was smart enough that I wasn't bored but not complicated enough to make me more tired. I am definitely on pins and needles about the next book. This one leaves you wanting more. I hope we find out more about the origins of this world that Tris finds herself in. Veronica alludes to a lot and I am excited to see what she makes of the ideas she has presented.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy the genre, has read the first book, and or wants some fast summer reads.

While writing this review I was listening to Chang laugh on community.