I gave this book 250 pages and I couldn't keep reading. After the travesty the author called a second book, I hoped this one would be better. No such luck. The only good thing about this whole series is the first book (Matched) and the covers of all three books. ( )

I need to stop reading YA trilogies. I always like the first one and then pretty much hate them by the end of the series.

There were some mildly interesting twists and turns in the plot about The Rising vs. the Society but mostly it was just more of the same "I love Ky" and "I love Cassia" droning.

I wanted these characters to be strong and interesting and there were flashes of that but mostly the reader just has to rely on other people saying that they are awesome. We can't form our own opinion because nothing really happens. I think Xander is the only person who actually DOES anything in the book. I'm glad he got some kind happiness in the end.

I was just tired of the story and wanted it to be over almost from the beginning.


( )

Just a great end to the story of the whole series ( )

Almost a decade later and I FINALLY FINISH THIS SERIES OHMYGOSH.

I've had this sitting on my shelf since 2012. LET THAT SINK IN. 2012.... 2021... Almost 2022... My goodness it's been a while. The funny part is, I kept staring at this book and said I was going to read it but then just DIDN'T. Why not? Well, life got in the way and I saw some reviews of it and thought "eek... this is going to be a train wreck..." and with all of my hopes and dreams for this book, I didn't want it ruined. So, like any good reader, I pushed it down on my TBR and just never touched it. It collected dust and sat there and waited and waited and waited...

I finally got the nerve to pick it up. I'm trying to clear all of my shelves since I just don't have the room anymore. I figured, why not finish the series and see what happened? Welp, reading about a pandemic during a pandemic definitely wasn't the best idea I've had in a long time, but I honestly forgot what was going on with this book.

Either way, I found it really boring and dull! I thought some big twist in the romance would happen, or some crazy dystopian insanity would pop up... No, just typical pandemic stuff. Felt like I was watching the news but instead it was all teenagers taking the lead.

There's not much there - just 400 pages of "OH MY GOSH FIND A CURE PEOPLE ARE DYING" and that's it. The last couple of chapters finally bring the romance back into it, but 20 pages of a YA dystopian romance seems kind of low?

Either way, this definitely isn't a series I'll jump back into. It's my own fault for reading it so many years later and during a pandemic (of all times...)

One out of five stars.

Side note: Does anyone else remember the rumours of Emma Roberts starring in a television series version of this? I WAS SO PUMPED. Guess that's not happening now... ( )

An excellent ending to an incredible trilogy. I enjoyed how Condie tied everything together in this novel - a few moments that seemed inconsequential in previous books became extremely important in this story. This story surprised me a few times, and I loved the three distinct points of view - it was nice to finally get to know more about Xander's character. I would have like an epilogue, just for a more definitive ending.... These books are about love, choice, freedom, fighting for what you believe in, and so much more. I'm really sad its all over :( ( )