Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun, provoking start to dystopian series for teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 24 parent reviews
Based on 140 kid reviews
Kids say that while some enjoyed the book for its themes of choice and empowerment, many found it boring, slow-paced, and lacking in action compared to other popular dystopian series. The romance received mixed reviews, with some feeling it overshadowed the plot and others appreciating its innocence, but overall, the book drew comparisons to other better-rated dystopian novels.
- lack of character development
- slow-paced
- mixed romance reviews
- clean content
- comparisons to other books
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Cassie has never doubted the choices of the Society, which decides what she eats, whom she'll love, where she'll work, and even when she'll die. She's thrilled to learn she's to marry Xander, her best friend. But then why does the face of her neighbor, Ky, flash on her Match microcard instead? The Officials tell her it was a rare mistake, but a tiny seed of doubt is planted. And as she grows to love Ky, she begins to see the darker truths of the Society. She embarks with him on a risky, dangerous path -- with the Society watching their every move.
Is It Any Good?
MATCHED invites comparisons to The Giver and Brave New World, and some science fiction fans may rightly complain that it's derivative. But most teen readers will agree that author Condie has crafted a fine addition to the genre. Her characters are complex and surprising; even the peripheral characters carry real weight. Cassie's awakening -- to the harm caused by the Society, to love, to the complexity of the adults who have raised her -- feels authentic. As Cassie's relationship with Ky deepens, so do her relationships with her parents, her brother, and even Xander.
This could easily turn into just another hand-wringing love triangle, or a ho-hum story of teen rebellion. Instead, it's a great coming-of-age story, one that encourages readers to think long and hard about their relationships -- to people, to technology, and to authority. There are just enough details about the Society to tell the story, making it pretty light as far as sci-fi goes -- so this will appeal to readers who don't consider themselves fans of the genre normally. Overall, it's a terrific start to the planned trilogy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of dystopian novels. What makes them appealing as a setting for teenage characters? Why do you think they are particularly popular right now?
Is it important to read stories about our possible futures? How could a book like this affect the choices we make in the present?
Does a future government like the Society seem plausible to you? What do you think might promote or discourage this kind of a future?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Dutton Children's Books
- Publication date : November 30, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 14
- Number of pages : 384
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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