Release Date - 11/13/12 - TODAY!
Format - ARC
Publisher - Dutton Children's Books
Source - Publisher
After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising—and each other—Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.This trilogy has been one that has always been very close to my heart. The first book, Matched, was one of the first books I read when I started this blog way back in January of 2011, and when I got an invite from the publisher to get the advanced readers copy, I was so excited. Then, just a few days ago, in the middle of a sporting goods store, I finished the book and this trilogy, and started crying. Of course, that's not the best thing to do in the middle of a sporting goods store, as all the sports jocks give you odd looks, but, you know... it is the Matched Trilogy.
In this gripping conclusion to the #1 New York Times-bestselling Matched Trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without.
I know a lot of readers who loved Matched, felt a little betrayed and uncomfortable with the way Ally Condie took the trilogy. Those readers seemed to of fell in love with Ally Condie's brilliant idea that "Hey, maybe a dystopian can be a bit more intellectual then just complete action?" and didn't like that there was a lot more action in the second book, Crossed. I however, didn't mind that though. That said, action lovers will want for nothing, I do feel like the people who loved the first book for the reason I mentioned above will not be disappointed. Reached went back to the roots of this trilogy.
The character development we watched in Reached was great. One flaw in lots of series is that by the final book, the characters have fully formed and there is no room for development. Reached was completely the opposite, and not only were characters transformed, new relationships and characters were introduced to heighten such a great story.
Everything built up to where this story was ultimately destined to end. And though you may not like it for any reason, you smile with a tear in your eye because you know it simply couldn't of ended any other way. There was a sense of finality that though we may not like, is so often missing in ending books that still leaves you yearning and disappointed because the story didn't fully come to a close. Though Reached leaves plenty up to the imagination, there's nothing that keeps you up at night thinking "So, wait, wait, it's over, and we didn't even get to find out how THAT happened?!".
This was a bittersweet ending to one of the best and biggest trilogies in the YA world in the past five years. No matter what Ally Condie decides to write next, she is still most definitely an author to watch. So I'll leave you with this...
![Don't cry because it's over, smile because it HAPPENED! ;]](http://images.firstcovers.com/covers/userquotes/d/don't_cry_because_it-64496.jpg)
(Though it will be impossible not to cry.)
Cover Comments:
Though the elegance that existed in the first two covers is not there anymore because of the violent nature of the cover, the cover design and colors are still one of the best. And the font continues to rock...
Well, now that you have me terrified to touch it!
ReplyDeleteEeep! Sorry! :P
DeleteI have yet to read the entire trilogy, but your enthusiasm and wonderful words push me forward to checking this out. I'm so happy you liked it and that picture at the end describes my feelings every time a great series comes to an end.
ReplyDeleteSiiri @ Little Pieces of Imagination
Fabulous review, Benji! I haven't started this series yet (which is absolutely ridiculous, I know). After reading this review though, I'm so moving the boxed set to the top of my next to buy list. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. The jocks will get over it. ;)
~Gin @ Addicted to Words
Oh, Benji. I'm probably going to take forever to pick this book up. I am HORRIBLE about finishing series. I have to work up to it. Then again...I like how you described this one. I mean, it made you cry. Which means I will DEFINITELY cry. This'll probably end up on the Christmas list I give my parents. Which means you've talked me into reading this sooner than I'd planned. And about the cover, you're right. I love the red!
ReplyDelete♥Jessica(:
Just a Booklover
I love that the characters continued to develop while new characters were introduced. I agree, that this is often lacking by the end of a series, often the reason that I end up losing interest after the first couple of books. I own a couple of these, but have yet to begin the series. Thank you for the great review.
ReplyDeleteOh my! Looks too good for words.. I haven' started reading the trilogy yet. I think it's high I time I do though.
ReplyDeleteGreat review :) I finished Reached last night and after blogging my own thoughts I wanted to find out what other people think about the book. I loved it, with very few exceptions.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the trilogy is over, but just like you said: smile because it happened! These books will always be there for us.
Maren
Great review! Can't wait to read this book:)
ReplyDeleteReached isn't without its issues, but it definitely is deep on meaning and relationships, and those components alone kept me involved in the story. I felt Reached was a big improvement over Crossed, and I liked the ultimate resolution. I loved the idea that Cassia could have been part of something she didn't know about for so long, and I loved that these three relied mostly on brains rather than luck. A good solid ending to the trilogy.
ReplyDeleteMarlene Detierro (H1 Parts)