Matched

Ky Markham is Cassia’s primary love interest and unofficial Match. Cassia describes him as “strong and beautiful” (206) with black hair, long lashes, hardy hands, and a musical voice. To Cassia, his dark blue eyes seem to change color and have greater depth than other people’s. Ky is from the Outer Provinces and has been classified as an Aberration because his biological father committed an Infraction. He lives in Cassia’s Borough with his aunt and uncle, Aida and Patrick, and works at the nutrition disposal center. Cassia observes that Ky has learned to blend seamlessly into any environment so as not to attract attention to himself. She gradually falls in love with him after his face mistakenly appears on her microcard. He is the main reason she comes to reject the Society and desire a world where she is free to make her own choices.

Xander Carrow is Cassia’s best friend, secondary love interest, and official Match. He is “handsome” with “bright blue eyes and blond hair” (6). Cassia finds him competent and trustworthy—which reflects in his job at the medical center. Xander is in love with Cassia and extremely loyal to her. Despite his jealousy towards Ky, he’s still willing to help Cassia find him.

Grandfather is Cassia and Bram’s grandfather. While he looks as though he “were made of old wood” (61), his eyes are full of life. Grandfather and his wife were not Matched until they were 35, which is older than most couples, and did not bear a child for another 4 years. Before he dies, he gifts Cassia the two poems hidden in his wife’s compact because he understands her potential to think more critically about the environment she’s in. Through the poems—and Grandfather’s parting words—Cassia finds constant comfort, guidance, and reassurance that she can desire more for herself.

Abran Reyes is Cassia’s father. He works as a Restorer, sorting through past relics in old neighborhoods slated to be turned into Boroughs. His most recent job is at a library, where he determines which items have value while incinerating the rest. He fell in love with Cassia’s mother upon meeting her after they were Matched. Despite the nature of his job, he is willing to defy the Society to help his loved ones. He demonstrates his unconditional love for Cassia by accepting that she loves Ky and assisting her in her journey to find him.

Molly Reyes is Cassia’s mother. She has “long blond hair” and freckles that look like “stars scattered across her skin” (58). She is an Arboretum worker and has a wide knowledge of plant species. She always follows the rules and obeys the Society but is willing to support her family when they don’t. However, the fact that both she and her husband get Cassia shipped to the Western Provinces in her search for Ky shows that she may be starting to change her stance—especially since her obedience led to the family’s punishment via Relocation.