Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Title: Matched (Matched #1)
Author: Ally Condie
Published: 2nd June 2011 (Penguin) 
Pages: 366

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow. [Via Goodreads]

My Thoughts:
GAAAHHHH! This book was so disappointing in so many ways! As well as hearing about this book, the main reason it did stick in my mind was the cover. I absolutely love the cover, the bubble the matching dress and bubble the idea of being trapped...yes! 

So as soon as I started this book it really did intrigue me. I loved the whole idea of how you find out your 'match', seeing them on a screen and then taking home a card which stores all the information about them. That part really got me, just imagining the whole build up to it. But for Cassia, her match doesn't appear of the big screen. It stays black because her best friend, Xander, is her match and he is in the same room! 

But then when she gets home to see Ky flash on Xander's card. Predictably, it is a 'glitch.' However, the question remains in Cassia's mind, since when does the Society make mistakes? Do they ever?

My main issue with this book was the danger. I didn't feel any sort of danger or threat whilst reading, maybe it just wasn't strong enough, but all I know is that Cassia, Ky and even Xander got away with so much without a punishment. The actions that were done to act as punishment were also quite small. From what I took in, I would of loved a bit more description about the Society as a whole, it wasn't really very clear throughout. 

I also didn't like Cassia's narration with her indecisiveness. It really bothered me with all her bouncing around. I can't stand it when feelings and thoughts bounce around so often! Yes, maybe it did show she was constantly thinking but I think there's always a limit. Going past that limit edges onto annoying. 

I was so completely disappointed with this book, I really thought it was going to be so much better, but sadly it didn't reach those high expectations. I don't know if I'll be reading the rest of this series or not yet!

Book Review: The Almost Truth by Eileen Cook

Title: The Almost Truth
Author: Eileen Cook
Published: 4th December 2012

I've been needing to put a review up for this book for a while now. I read it, probably near the end of February and since then I just haven't had time to sit down a write one.

The Almost Truth is the first book I've read written by Eileen Cook...WOW...! I read the blurb of this book and was like, "yeah, this could be alright" and let me tell you, my "alright" was not the word to describe this book. I moment of almost in tears hit me when I was reading this book and I could probably say that if I was emotional, I probably would of cried...I am however rarely emotional during anything so an almost tear is HUGE!! (The only other book which made me almost shed a tear was The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks.) 

So this book revolves around a con. Sadie's mum wiped out all of her savings which was the only way she was going to get out of her "hell-hole" and move far away. She is in need to find money. And quick. With the assistance of best friend, Brendan, they set up the best con they can think of. But then this hoax becomes much more for Samantha. She starts living and breathing it. Believing in things she shouldn't. And uncovering something that could change everything.

This book definitely gives you the unlikely twists and turns when reading this book. So if you are thinking this will be a sweet "fall in love with boy and steal money" con, you are so so so so so wrong. Be prepared!

A word of warning if you do consider reading this book: do not read it expecting something realistic. There are somethings that are realistic, but the majority of the book is pretty fictional. The con isn't pick-pocketing or anything minor, it is pretty much a full convention, living and breathing each day with the con-filled air. If you're up for that....you WILL be blown away!

Book Review: When It Happens - Susane Colasanti

Title:When It Happens
Author: Susane Colasanti
Release Date:1st May 2008


Summary:

Senior year. Sara wants two things: to get into her first-choice college and to find true love.

Tobey also wants two things: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him.

Dave, the boy Sara was hoping would realize she exists, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey is impossible for Sara to ignore. He gets the little things that matter to her and, most importantly, he feels like something real. Can a slacker rock star wannabe win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?

My Thoughts: When I first read the blurb on this book I could immediately think of someone who I would relate to this book. However I think that the blurb made me think that the contents would just go in a certain way. I would say it is misleading in some way.


I thought that this book would be much like a Sarah Dessen books due to the story, also because she recommended it and on the book it says that it is like her books, however it was very different in many ways. For starters I have to state that if you want to read this book there is alot of strong language is used in this book. I think that it is a nice change to read this book from two views instead of one which gave the characters more depth. 

 I really enjoyed this book. It's a simple story of a boy wanting a girl but she is taken so he has to get her to notice him. This book covers what you would call a "perfect" guy and a little bit of soul mates.


However as much as I enjoyed this book some of the situations which the characters were in were hard to think would actually happen, or maybe it's just that I live in the UK, like telling you teacher your love life...? I just find that odd, no matter how cool you think your teacher is I just think it's weird to tell them you dilemma's.


Recommend or not? A good girly-girly read and a sweet romance....Recommended :)

What did you think of the book?


Check out more about the authors I mentioned:
Susane Colasanti
Sarah Dessen