A guest review from Teen Room Staff Marisa!

Matched is a futuristic novel similar to The Giver - in an attempt to create a perfect society, citizens no longer get to choose who they marry, where they work, and when they die. Cassia has always thought this was for the best - after all, she has a perfect job, and is Matched to her best friend, Xander. But when she views the microchip with information about her Match, another face pops up on the screen. Almost too coincidentially, she happens to know who Ky as well. It doesn't seem realistic that Cassia is the one out of a million who is Matched to one person she knows, and it's a bit of a stretch that there is a mistake Matching her to someone else she knows. She is reassured that she is still Matched to Xander, but as she grows closer to Ky, she begins to question whether love can be calculated by computers. Cassia never plots to overthrow the government or start a revolution. She is being watched closely, and she knows that she will disappear if she doesn't do what is expected of her.

The destruction of all poems and songs, excluding the Top 100, is very disturbing. Like many other novels set in the future, it will make you worry about the direction we are headed. The world created by the author is very believable and you quickly learn about the different elements of the society. It is never made clear when and where exactly the book is meant to take place. It appears too technologically advanced to be set in the near future, yet there is little mention of environmental problems. The ending of this book clearly promises a sequel. I would recommend this book to anyone who liked The Giver and The Hunger Games or simply is looking for a good romance.

--Marisa