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Book Review: Reached

Tuesday 18 December 2012
Author: Ally Condie
Edition: Razorbill, Penguin Paperback
Released: 30th November 2012
Series: Matched Trilogy #3
Pages: 512 approx.

**Synopsis contains spoilers for the previous two books but review is spoiler free.**

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.

MY REVIEW:

Well, well, well. That’s it. That’s the trilogy all over. And even though, in all honesty, I haven’t been the biggest fan of these books, it still saddens me to think there will be no more tales following the lives of Cassia, Ky and Xander. Surprisingly, I think I will miss them. :(

With the previous two books, most of my problems lay with the pacing. I always found the novels too slow most of the time - my attention always started to wander as some parts just dragged on and on... But I stuck by this book more than I did the others. I just so badly wanted to see how everything turned out so much so that I refused to let myself put the book down.

Unlike Matched or Crossed, I found this book pretty emotional. It was mostly toward the end, however, so I suppose that's quite normal with any last book in a series. It did surprise me just how emotional I found it though! I was near tearing up! :3

Unlike the previous two books, in Reached there are chapters in Xander's point of view - as well as Ky and Cassia, of course. And I have finally come to the conclusion that he is my favourite character out of the whole series. I don't know why exactly - it's more complicated than you would think... I liked him in the first book. Ky in the second. And now I'm back to him again. So, yeah, I suppose you could say I'm Team Xander! ;) I just loved his personality! Above all, he always stuck by Cassia. He was caring, trust worthy, generous and an overall nice person and I can’t believe it’s taken me the whole series just to see how amazing he truly is! He’s developed as the trilogy has progressed and it’s been an honour to have witnessed it. Cassia’s development too. She’s went from a do-as-you’re-told Society girl to a fighting, confident, rebellious girl. She really has come a long way and I know I’ll miss Xander and her - followed closely by Bram and Eli – the most. However. And this is where I’ll probably be upsetting some of you (and I apologize in advance)! ... *smiles sheepishly* I didn’t really like Ky in this book. Once I’d figured I preferred Xander to Ky, I must have just thought: Oh, well if I prefer Xander, then I must not like Ky! Which I know is unfair... but that’s usually what ends up happening with me if there’s even the slightest of a love triangle involved. :3

Yet again, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Condie’s writing style. On one hand I admire it as it is rather poetic and beautiful in a way, but on the other hand, I find that (for me) it could drag on sometimes or get a little confusing. But I know some people out there would just adore this writing style – I’m quite sure of it. ;)

Anyway. Overall, I found this series good. Not great, or amazing, but still likeable all the same. The characters did affect me enough that I do feel quite sad that their story is over and, on some level, I must have found this series worth noting since I have read all the books. I know that there will be loads of people out there that would love it (and for those of you out there that like the sound of it, I do say give it a go!), but for me, it didn’t quite stand out enough that it made it into my favourites!


THREE/THREE AND A HALF STARS! :)
A big thank you to Penguin for sending me out this book to review!
 
Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo
 
PS: As this book was given to me so as I could post a review up on Spinebreakers (Penguin's website), I also wrote some creative content to go with it! It's a poem I wrote based on the first book when Cassia started to fall in love. It's not too long so I'd love it if you could check it out and maybe leave a little comment? Just click HERE to read it! :D



2 comments :

  1. Your review pretty much sums up my thoughts too!! I feel almost exactly the Sam as you!! While I have quite liked the series, I haven't been entirely invested in it yet I still feel a little sadness as the trilogy draws to a close...

    I've never really been on a 'team' with the Matched trilogy but I have to say I was leaning more towards Xander in this one too...

    Great review, and it's lovely to see... YOU'RE BACK!!!!!!! Hope exams weren't too stressful but it's really nice to see you back on the blogosphere!!! (although I have been somewhat of an absent presence recently too...) :D xxx

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  2. I didn't particularly like this series a lot either, I thought Crossed was better than Matched though so I'm glad that you didn't mind the series overall.
    And I was ALWAYS for Xander, so sweet. Glad you enjoyed it!

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