#175 Book Review: Reached

Reached
Release Date: November 2012
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia | Dymocks
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

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.

In this gripping conclusion to the #1 New York Times-bestsellingMatched trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without.

Cover:
I really adore how the covers of the Matched series each represent the story of the book. The red theme of Reached's cover symbolises the red tablet and also how there's this sense of freedom achieved because the girl breaks free from the sphere which originally traps her inside.

Story:

The Pilot, the Uprising must live...to tell the tale...

After finishing Crossed last year, I was quite disappointed. I enjoyed Matched but not so much with Crossed. However, I was still excited to read Reached because I wanted to know how the story would conclude. Reached was a slow journey to a satisfying ending.

The story begins with Cassia, Ky and Xander separated to do their part for the Uprising. They are still waiting for the Pilot who will help them with their rebellion. Slowly, the story starts to unravel about the Uprising, the Pilot and Cassia, Ky and Xander's life. This book is written from Cassia, Ky and Xander's POV so it was really interesting to hear their thoughts on the journey of their lives. The story itself progressed really slowly and I found myself facing the same struggles as I did with Crossed. Luckily, towards the ending the story picked up and I was satisfied with the conclusion. One thing that stood out the most from this book was definitely Ally's writing. It was very lyrical and poetic!

Characters:
Cassia, Ky and Xander are with no doubt the three main characters in this book who have changed throughout the series. Cassia is no longer the girl trapped by the confines of the Society. Instead, she joins the Uprising to breakthrough the barriers set up by the Society. When reading Matched and Crossed, I was confused of who I should root for with Cassia. Xander or Ky? They both are different guys who love Cassia but after reading Reached, I can finally decide that Ky is actually perfect for Cassia. Their moments together are synced and their love for words are beautiful. There are new characters introduced in this book who play important roles in the Uprising and I really enjoyed reading about all of them!

Overall:
Will Cassia, Ky and Xander make it in the Uprising? Will the Society change? Reached is the satisfying conclusion to the Matched series. Even though I found the beginning slow, the book picked up towards the ending and Ally's lyrical writing brings us the enjoyable last book in the Matched trilogy.

3 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Reached!

Thank you Penguin Australia for the review copy!

Check out the book trailer below!