"It strikes me that perhaps this is part of what we are fighting to choose. Which pain we feel." 
 *might contain spoilers* 
 i am speechless. really. i consumed this book in less than two days! i could not put it down. not when i'm riding the mrt. not when i'm inside the van going home. i admit it. it left me breathless... well, by the time i reached the ending, i'm pretty much in my normal breathing state. 
 i liked that it started with the Matching ritual immediately. from there, i can follow the story effortlessly. 
 Cassia Reyes. i believe how she can trust the Society her life. i really do. but her musings turned dangerous when she started truly seeing what the Society is doing to their lives. they have no choices. it was made for them. i liked how she chooses her battles on how to rebel. i liked her relationship with her grandfather. i really liked how she grows strong in character. 
 "Even though i know i'm falling for Ky it is impossible not to love Xander for everything he is and everything he does." 
 did i say i really like Xander?... that was before i met Ky. 
 Ky Markham. oh wow. here is one strong character i can cheer on. street smart. vindictive. careful. whenever he exits a scene, i want him back again! and when the author did, i smile in contentment. He became my heroin of sorts. 
 "Our hands do not touch and i find myself wishing that they had. 
 What is wrong with me?" 
 the premise of the love story was heartwarming. and fresh too. the "getting-to-know-you" part before falling in love is a big YES for me. Cassia was just curious about Ky. She even felt sorry for him in the beginning. So how the hell did she ended up loving Ky? i really don't know. one piece of Ky's life at a time? the Poems? 
 "What will it feel like, his lips on mine? Like a secret told, a promise kept?" 
 this is one of those stories about falling in love by NOT gushing about how gorgeous or handsome the guy is. the author almost always only mentions Ky's eyes and hair, but she never described him as beautiful or good looking. i can't picture Ky's face because of that. and yet, i was attracted to him, not to Xander (which the author painted with more specific physical qualities). 
 that is really something for me. without the superficial feel of physical attributes makes it all the more heartfelt, i just about melted everytime Cassia and KY are together. wee! 
 Dylan Thomas poem. i recognized it the second i read the first line. when i finished it, i remembered the movie Dangerous Minds which also feautured it. DO NOT GO GENTLE... RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT! oh man, Dylan Thomas, you are so hot right now. *grins* 
 my ultimate high experience: everytime Cassia and Ky went hiking up until the last day of that activity, my heart is beating fast. palpitating. i couldn't catch my breath. it was freakingly romantic! 
 favorite scene: up in the hills, when Cassia asked about Ky's eye color. it stole my heart. *about to faint* 
 i realized after that scene that i am not a bystander to their love affair. I AM Cassia. i've fallen in love with Ky myself. who wouldn't? 
 the villain: i will crush that female official with my bare hands! I will see you in book two, you hear me! 
 two things i don't like: 
 first kiss - that was so disappointing. i was like, "that's all you are going to give me?!" but then, the author backed up then gave me the first real kiss that i was hoping for. *sigh* 
 ending - i was shocked to see the "acknowledgements" page suddenly. that was the end? you call that an ending? sheesh. it was so bland that some readers might not bother to read the second book. but i will! 
 i read book 2 synopsis, and it was implied there that Xander have a chance with Cassia. oh hell no! i'd be sorely pissed if Team Xander win this out. No effin' way! 
 the verdict: it is a strong book for the YA audience. i recommend it. you want to fall in love? then read it. 
 "But i've already broken the glass; I've given the green away; I've made my choice. I'm already dying without Ky here and now I have to make sure I live to find him."