Reached, By Ally Condie

Book 5/50, 2014

The final novel in the Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie, Reached, was a great wrap up to the entire series. Condie has readers racing through each page to find out where their favourite characters are going to end up, what each character’s real function is in the ongoing war, and who is going to live and who is going to die.

Action packed and hopelessly romantic at times, Reached also pulled on our literary heart strings with poems, paintings and stories; creativity-starved civilians who are fighting for a creative voice in a confined society help us readers remember what we take for granted in our own lives. The combating passion behind the three main characters that use their strengths to fight for what they believe in also reminds me of one of my favourite quotes:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

The above quote is definitely one of the overall themes of this series, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much.

On the flaw front, there isn’t much to point out. After all, Condie knows her characters inside and out by this point. There were a few bombs dropped throughout the tale that I found were a bit rushed (like characters who I grew to like dying, for example), but for the most part, this was one of the most entertaining Y/A series’ I have read in a while, through and through.

(Sorry, Allegiant).