“REACHED,” by Ally Condie, Dutton, Nov. 13, 2012, Hardcover, $17.99 (young adult)
Choice. It seems such a simple thing. But when examined, it is one of this world’s greatest complexities.
Choice. Would you be willing to risk everything for it? Your family? Your perfect match? Your life?
Choice is what Cassia, Ky and Xander are fighting for in the final installment of the Matched trilogy, “Reached.”
Cassia Reyes has lived in the Society her whole life, never questioning, grateful for its existence. But then the Society, which never makes mistakes, made one. Cassia got “matched” to two different people — Xander, her best friend and a conformer; and Ky, a mystery and defiant.
Ky challenges Cassia, forcing her to grow, to change, and when he’s sent away, she can’t help but follow. In “Crossed,” the second of the three books, Ky and Cassia find each other and the Rising. Joining the rebellion has its costs, though, and the two find themselves separated once again.
“Reached” opens with Cassia, Ky and Xander living worlds apart. Communication is almost non-existent and each has an important role to play — if only they knew what those roles are. As the Rising makes it move, the three friends find themselves cogs in a machine far greater than they could imagine. The game is constantly changing and if they’re not careful, everything they’ve been fighting for could be lost.
The best thing about Ally Condie’s books is they’re what she set out to create — compelling reads that stay true to Ally’s character as a person. “Reached” is no different.
“Reached” is the culmination of years of work, and it shows. The writing is tight and the storyline believable. Ally’s prose is easily accessible and flows effortlessly from page to page.
What really makes “Reached” work is Ally’s willingness to change — once again, the physical and mental landscape in which her story unfolds provides surprises.
Cassia and Ky return from the vast Outer Provinces to confined cities. These are new locations that provide new challenges and freshen the overall feel of the trilogy.
The best change is one Ally has used before — adding another voice to the mix. “Matched” was told by Cassia. In “Crossed,” Ky joined the mix. Now, with the completion of the series, readers get to see inside Xander’s head. This trio of voices serves to build complexities within complexities, making for a more interesting and overall entertaining read.
“Reached” is like an ice cream sundae, smooth and crunchy layers harmoniously combining to create a memorable experience you won’t soon forget.
*Read Cracking the Cover’s interview with Ally Condie.
