Imagine a society where your whole life is perfect. Everyone in the country has the perfect job, family, and even society. This society that controls the country is watching your every move. For seventeen-year-old America Singer and Cassia Reyes, this is the society that defines them. In the country of Illea, thirty-five girls have the chance of a lifetime- to become princess and to marry Prince Maxon. As America Singer is entered in the competition, she not only learns more about herself, but how love can be found in the least likely circumstances. In the society that Cassia Reyes was grown up in, her whole life is restricted by officials of the society. Cassia Reyes becomes ecstatic when her best friend, Xander, becomes her match. However, when she looks at her microcard provided by the Society, she sees another face, Ky, who she has known for several years. As Cassia decides between Xander and Ky, she learns to trust her heart, even if no one else does. If you liked The Selection by Kiera Cass, then you should read Allie Condie’s, Matched. These two books are very similar because of similar positions in life, the dystopian society, and a very large romantic undercurrent throughout both books, as well as the rest of the trilogies.
In both Matched and the Selection, two teenage girls have very similar positions in life. America Singer, as well as her family, have a very low status in society. “Our caste was just three away from the bottom, we were artists. And artists and classical musicians were only three steps up from dirt. Literally” (Cass 3). Yet, America is very happy with her life as a five. “I didn’t want to be royalty. And I didn’t want to be a One” (Cass 1). Very similar to Cassia, her position in life is fair, but can lead to better jobs. “Even though some of these number sorts are boring, sorting itself can lead to much more interesting work positions. Perhaps I could be a restoration supervisor like my father. When he was my age, his work activity was information sorting, too...and so was Grandfather’s” (Condie 30). Thankfully for Cassia, her ability in sorting will likely lead to her having a better job, like her father. “I slide my scancard and the sort begins... and I create a storm. The numbers fly into their spots like flakes driven by the wind” (Condie 25). Both heroine’s greatest asset is the ability to be strong and have the courage to do the right thing, even when no one else does. “I read the whole poem and eat it up… over and over I think do not go gentle, do not go gentle, do not go gentle… There’s a reason they didn’t keep this poem. This poem tells you to fight” (Condie 97, 98). When America decides not to do something, she is very strong willed and will fight for as long as she can. It is her asset of bravery that makes her who she is. “So far, I had a solid collection of my honest opinions… I didn’t think there was a single one she would listen to... She couldn’t stand it when I was stubborn..I couldn’t help smiling as I thought about all the reasons I had to stay exactly where I was”(Cass 1,2). The personalities of both Cassia and America are very similar, which is why these books are so similar. In today’s literature, many popular books all have something in common when it comes to the similarities of a dystopian society. Like many novels, these both take place after the downfall of the United States. “President wallis was the president before the Chinese assault and continued leading the United States throughout the war… the Chinese invasion prompted several countries, particularly those in Europe, to align themselves with one another and maker alliances… and the United States’ reputation was so damaged, no one wanted to readopt that name. So a new nation was formed under Gregory Illéa’s name and leadership” (Cass 208-211). Controlling. Protective. Strict. The new government was these things and more. Allie Condie’s novel, Matched has a government as strict, if not stricter, than Illea does. “I’ve been waited so long for this: for my Match Banquet. Where I’ll see, for the first time, the face of the boy who will be my match. It will be the first time I hear his name” (Condie 3). As you can see, the society chooses who you marry and every other big decision in life. “The goal of Matching is twofold: to provide the healthiest possible future citizens for our Society and to provide the best chances for interested citizens to experience successful Family Life” (Condie 44). In order to provide these chances, the Society chooses who Cassia marries, in many cases, being a match who you know nothing about at all. In Illea, the castes are as restricting as the Society’s rules. “And then Gerad. He’s the baby; he’s seven. He hasn’t quite figured out if he’s into music or art yet. Mostly he likes to play ball and study bugs, which is fine except that he can’t make a living that way. We’re trying to get him to experiment more” (Cass 144). Because America’s family is a five, they are only allowed to have a career choice in music, dance, or art. Since these restrictions are put in place, her younger brother, Gerad is not allowed to have a career choice that he wants. The biggest reason why these two novels, which captivate so many readers, are most similar is the romantic undercurrent. Within the large amounts of romance, the heroines have a split choice between two men. In the selection, America is torn between Prince Maxon Schreave and Aspen Leger, her former boyfriend. Realizing that he cannot support a life with her, encourages her to enter the selection. As she tries to adjust from her life with Aspen, it is hard for her to picture a life with Maxon. “Maxon Schreave is the epitome of all things good. He is going to be a phenomenal king. He lets girls who are supposed to be wearing dresses wear jeans doesn’t get mad when someone who doesn’t know him clearly mislabels him...Whoever he marries will be a lucky girl. And whatever happens to me, I will be honored to be his subject” (Cass 248, 249). Generous. Kind. Caring. All of these personality traits of how America views Maxon is incredibly different as it was before she entered in the selection. This was only the beginning of America and Maxon’s ever growing romance. “‘One can never help being born into perfection’...I stared out at the garden and saw out of the corner of my eye that Maxon was looking at me… when i turned to ask just what he was looking at, I was surprised to see that he was close enough to kiss me. I was even more surprised when he did” (Cass 252). If there is one thing that love teaches us throughout these two novels, it is that once you are in love, it is impossible to get out of it. “I’ve been trying to put myself back together, and Maxon really cares about me. You mean so much to me, you know you do. But I’m part of this now, and I’d be stupid to not let myself see what happens” (Cass 325). America’s intentions for staying in the selection have entirely changed; from staying for the food until Maxon kicks her out to staying for Maxon. As soon as Cassia learns that Xander is her match, she feels relieved. “I can’t believe it. This is a dream...It doesn’t feel real until Xander smiles at me...Dreams don’t smell or sound as strong as this. I break protocol a bit to give Xander a tiny wave, and his smile widens” (Condie 15, 16). Both Cassia and America in those instances feel loved and what it is like to be a lady.The romantic undercurrent in these novels are the largest reason why The Selection and Matched are so closely related. The enchanting, captivating, and enjoyable novels of Kiera Cass and Allie Condie are very much alike. While both are temperamental and strong willed, they conquer their challenges in life through kindness and determination. During the selection and Cassia’s journey, they learn to follow their hearts and trust their instincts, no matter the circumstances. The society of perfection that is so known to them, is indeed full of many ways to control the society and is filled with many flaws. Through thick and through thin, there is always someone in life to help you through it. This romantic under current is most prominent in these two beloved novels. If you have sincerely enjoyed The Selection by Kiera Cass, then you should read the stunning tale of Allie Condie’s Matched.
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