This holiday weekend I had time to read Reached by Ally Condie, the final book in the Matched trilogy. I was worried I would not remember enough of Crossed to jump into the story, but I was ok. I enjoyed the trilogy and look forward to whatever Condie will do next.
As for Reached, I liked it. There were no shocks, but I did not feel it was predictable either. You may have noticed, I mention the "predictable" problem a lot. I read a lot and value a unique story and/or concept. I can live with repeated themes because I believe the number of these is finite. The ways a writer gets there are infinite. I appreciate a clever/unique/special approach. I do also understand this is difficult to do and that is why I admire an author with a new idea.
Condie wraps up the story of Cassia, Ky, and Xander in a satisfying way. As with many YA novels each is searching for his/her place in the world and each comes a bit closer by the end of the novel. It would be unrealistic for them to just find a niche and be content, but I believe we are meant to realize there is hope for all three. Not all the characters fare as well, but this too is realistic. I like a healthy dose of realistic mixed in with my dystopian fiction.
Overall, this was an excellent trilogy, I would place it 3rd in line of series I have read recently and are complete; cannot judge until all the books are out:
1. The Hunger Games
2. The Maze Runner
3. Matched
