REACHED by Ally Condie

Hardcover, 512 pages

Expected publication: November 13th 2012 by Dutton Childrens Books

ISBN: 0525423664

Source: Penguin

Rating:  ♥♥♥♥

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 Thoughts:


It is always a difficult for me to reach the end of a series, but all good things must come to an end....

When I initially read MATCHED by Ally Condie I was blown away by the beautiful quality of her writing and completely overcome by the torrent of emotions that she was able to elicit. Telling a story about a girl and the choices that she must make while living in a society that doesn't allow free will. 

I was enthralled with this series and became invested in the fates of the main characters involved; Cassia, Ky and Xander. As the series progressed in CROSSED I was even further ensconced in their stories, witnessing every moment, hanging on to each word until the unbelievable ending.  Now, after reading REACHED I am awash in the myriad of emotions but oddly satisfied by it's final conclusion.
 
Upon returning to this final installment in the Matched Trilogy the story begins shortly after the ending of CROSSED.  This time, REACHED is being told from Cassia, Ky and Xander's POV. Now the plague has become a central part of the story and all three members have their roles to play towards change. As the story progresses each character makes choices that alter their course while remaining true to their nature. I never felt that things were false and was ultimately satisfied with the turn of events. I know that everyone is awaiting to know the outcome of this love triangle but I think that it should be left to the reader to discover. 

Of the three novels in this series I found REACHED to have a slower pace than it's predecessors but the action between those bits commanded the storyline and made up for it's lack of speed. I believe it is due to the highly reflective nature of the story that Cassia has throughout moments of this book. Yet, upon those retrospective times some truths come forward while revisting a long deceased character. I was not expecting this turn of events but it lent clarity to some unanswered questions. REACHED has a unique and amazing plot that is encased in the beautiful words that only Ally Condie can seems to carry them in. This story will stay with you long after your have finished the last word. It will be hard to forget...

I highly recommend REACHED to fans of this series and for those that have not read them I suggest you give them a try.