Ally Condie

Crossed

Annika Arguemore

I actually finished this two nights ago. I just didn't have the time to go online... so this review's going to be a little bit fuzzy.

it's far more different than the first. I love how Cassia came to find Ky. that's actually quite romantic but their romance to me is quite bland since nothing really ever happens. they just hold each other and everything. maybe it's just my hormones speaking or maybe it's because I "don't know what love feels like and if I had, I wouldn't complain because it's the simple things that matter" or maybe it's Miss Condie's plan... maybe Cassia & Ky's love will bloom further and explode like a firework. who knows? I dunno, I just don't feel the love even though the author elaborates that the 2 antagonists love each other so much that they'd cross through anything to find each other.

Briar's Reviews

This book was not as exciting as the first one, but a good second novel in the series. I found the book to be quite slow and boring, but as it progressed I slowly became more interested in it. It is a good set up for the final novel, but I expected a lot more out of it. 

After hearing bad reviews about this book from a girl who I often get book requests from at the book store, I was hesitant to pick it up. But, this book was not the worst book I have read, and I would suggest this series to people nonetheless. Just maybe not the second book of the series. 

A few tidbits of information important to the plot were given out, but other than those few tidbits, I found most of this book did not need to happen at all. One or two chapters could have prepared you for the third book easily, instead of this entire book.

Three stars out of five. Could have been better, could have been worst. But not my worst read so far this summer.

dorah luxieux

i would recommend reading this book after reading the first one. the first one explains a lot. it was a good adventurous and romantic book that showed growth and independence

Talia Dominguez 

Wow. I just dont really know if I liked the sequel or not. I do kind of like it because the end was interesting, but the beginning was really boring! I was planning to stop reading it just this one time but I am not the type of person to leave a book halfway read so I decided to finish it and I am kind of glad i did not quit on it. Everything that Cassia did to find Ky was very Shocking and expectable just for her to do what happened at the end. Since it was in Ky's perspective also, it was really interesting to know how he felt and why he does what he does. I dnt really want to spoil this for anyone but it is what the book'S really about that is just of all Cassia's journey outside of the society to find Ky and the search of the REBELLION.

Maggie Troxell

** spoiler alert **
           I very much enjoyed Crossed by Ally Condie. The storyline goes a little like this, Cassia willingly gets exiled out in the war-ridden Outer Provinces in search of her forbidden love, Ky. Along the journey, she uncovers some rather nasty truths hidden behind the ideal face of the Society. 
I think that the setting that the book was based in and the description of it was crucial to the book. Without the detailed description, the story would not have made much sense. You need the description to see through the characters’ eyes and understand what they’re going through. After Ky found the township he saw, “the signs of old floods are everywhere -- marks of sediment upon the canyon walls, dead trees wedged high in crevices from the violence and speed of the flash floods” (128). With this, there’s a description of the texture and patterns of the canyon and the danger of flash floods looming over the heads of the group. When Cassia and Indie crossed the plains to get into the Carving, she had absolutely no idea which canyon to descend into due to the numerous ravines and caves. Since Cassia has no idea where to start, this description gives a look into the struggles faced by the characters as well.
Another reason I highly enjoyed the book was the way the perspective was written. Every chapter it alternated between Ky and Cassia, each time displaying their hardships and journey to reunite with one another. Ky and Eli were running over the Carving then, “I turn and in the last of the evening light, I see her. Cassia. Is this real? She points to the sky” (192). Those were the last lines of the chapter which immediately swaps over to Cassia. She had just emerged from the depths of a canyon, “two little dark figures, looking up. Are they looking at me? Is it him? This far away there’s only one way to know. I point to the sky” (193). This passage shows how heavily the point of view impacted the storyline. Each part put on display each the characters separate feelings and views on a situation and person. 

Personally, I loved this book. Everything about it pulled me in more and more. The only reason I put it down was because of the time it was once I finally decided to glance up. 
This book initially caught my eye because the cover screamed dystopian. So given that I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys dystopian and/or romance books. The entire time they’re fighting for their illegal love and connecting more and more.

Julie Viravaux

** spoiler alert **
           Weirdly MUCH better than the first one ! Normally I'm weary of sequels in dystopia because they tend to be too easy to predict, but this one was sooooo good compared to the first book of the series ! (I had to change my rating of 3 stars to 2 stars because of how DIFFERENT reading the sequel felt) I didn't remember much from when I read it as a kid and I'm so glad I didn't cause the entire book was hard to put down.
 I love Indie, she's unapologetic and fighting for her own survival but she's also loyal (well as far as she allows herself with Cassia). 
Also I think I'm more into Xander than Ky honestly, maybe it's the second lead syndrome or the best friend to lovers/fated soulmates tropes but I'm into it. 
Will start the third ASAP.

Valentina dossi

I really hated this book and I hate myself for forcing me to read basically until the end (but then I DNFed it because it was just too much)

Kelly Smithwick

This one wasn't as good as Matched, but I thought it was fairly decent. Especially once they met Hunter.

Eleanor Luhar

I'm going to have to keep this relatively short, but if you want to read my review of the first book in the series, it's here: https://bookmarkedreading.wordpress.c...

Crossed follows Cassia and Ky after their separation, alternating between each character's point of view. This gives the reader a decent insight into both character's thoughts and stories throughout the entire book.

The couple are each sent to a village in the outer provinces, where the Enemy attacks regularly and they are supplied with no working weapons. They then venture into the Carving - a vast maze of caverns and canyons - in search for each other, accompanied by people they have befriended along the way. 

They search for the farmers, and come across an abandoned settlement where they collect food and maps. But after entering the Cavern and disturbing the contents, the Society begins to hunt for them. Desperate to escape, Cassia decides to flee the Carving and search for the Rising; a group rebelling against the ways of the Society.

The plot of this book sounds simple, but there are numerous sub-plots that make it an exciting, interesting read. Cassia is confused about her feelings for Ky and Xander, Ky is keeping secrets, and they can't agree on whether to join the Rising or not. I think I liked this sequel a little more than Matched; 4 stars for Crossed by Ally Condie.

Brittney Wilson

Possibly *3.5* - I really enjoyed the aspect of poetry

Fröska

Short and sweet version: decent read by less interesting than the first book. No spoilers below :)

This book kicks off basically where the last one ends. The most thrilling part that kept me going through the series was Cassia and Ky's individual thought development and insecurities over their relationship together. 

BUT GUYS..... this book brings up SOOOOO many cliffhangers and reveals then doesn't follow through in resolving any, and I'm super anxious that the next book won't explain.

You find out secrets of Xander that even Cassia didn't know, but something tells me what this book states, is a water downed version of his real secret. You also find out who put Ky in the matching pool, but it's literally a blurp reveal that doesn't state more than the short fact of "X did it". 

Unlike what I felt with the first book, there were definitely areas of reading that felt repetitive due to the back and forth narrative perspectives of the book (Cassia vs Ky's POVs)... I'm also not fully bought in to how well Cassia's plan worked out in the beginning in terms of working at farms for rebellious behavior, or how in the hell it was resolved for the ending to work out. 

I'm marathoning through these books over the course of a week, so hopefully I'll be more satisfied with the next book.

Rebecca Browne

I understand the book was meant as a filler.. but did it need to be so long and unnecessary? Honestly you could’ve cut it to half it’s length and it wouldn’t have made much different. The only relevant pieces were the last 50 pages or so. Hoping the last one is more interesting than what I just read.

The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Kerry Gibbons

Got pretty slow around the middle. The characters were lacking a sense of purpose or direction for a while and so did the book. But it picked back up towards the end. I have to say that the "big reveals" in this book were a) not super revealing; and b) not entirely surprising. I guess the truth about Xander was a little bit unexpected, but it didn't have the oomph is been hoping for. 

Anyway, I'll be reading the third book as soon as my hold at the library comes through.

Toniy Knight

I'll be honest the only reason I read it as fast as I did was because 1) Large print and 2) I just wanted it to be over. Not to say there was anything stand out bad about it it just wasn't good. I'll probably get the last book merely because I can't stand leaving a series when I only have one more book to go.

Ruth Parker 

I can’t. I really can’t. 
Very little happened in book one.
NOTHING happens in book two.
Seriously the whole book is wandering around a cavern.

I really don’t know whether to read book three or to run away and not look back.

Lonneke

Maybe it's just my low expectations but I found this book not as bad as people told me it would be. The aging in this book is kind of weird. The characters act more like 14 year olds then 17 year olds which is the opposite of what most YA does. The story also doesn't grip me that much anymore. Probably won't be reading the next one.

Elisabeth 

I loved this book even more than the first one! It had a lot more suspense and violence compared with the previous one and it wasn’t (that much) focused on the romance. At first it was a little boring to me, but after the first half, the rest was awesome and it was hard to put the book down. There were a lot of unanswered questions I wanted to know and I continued telling to myself to read just one more chapter until I had some chores and school to do.

I continued to wonder between Xander and Ky but FINALLY after near three fourths of the book, I gave up on Ky, he became irritating to me and I ended up been definitely team Xander. Congrats! After nearly two books, I finally decided between the two boys.

 In the first book I wasn’t impressed by Cassia, I didn’t liked her that much but after that book I realized what a dear she is. I also loved the new characters, each one struggling with something and you can’t help but falling in love with each of them. I can’t wait to read the next book, I’m very curious to find who she will choose, because with the ending of that book I still have a little hope for Xander...

Rules are different outside the Society. Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices everything to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game once again. Narrated from both Cassia's and Ky's points of view, this hotly anticipated sequel to Matched will take them both to the edge of Society, where nothing is as expected and crosses and double-crosses make their path more twisted than ever . . . The sensational second book in the series and follow-up to acclaimed international bestseller, Matched.

Paduraru Constantina

I was curious to read "Crossed", a novel translated in Romania under the title "Raspântii", in the penultimate week of last year. I was waiting to meet Cassia again and find out what happened to her family and Ky. But in this volume we no longer know what happens to the protagonist's family, even if it played an important role in the first part of the series.

Even if several elements of the Society and aspects about the rebels are explained, which I liked because in the first volume the author left us in the fog of ignorance, many still remain hidden (and I do not know if I'm wrong, but I doubt that she will hand us the answers to many important questions in the last part of the series). And although the volume is full of action and new characters (including a female character that I enjoyed reading about), I had the feeling that nothing is happening. As interesting as the first volume was, this one was boring most of the time.

If I thought the protagonist would become a "smarter" girl, she was still naive, even though she went through so much. And Ky and Cassia, who seemed like good partners, showed their selfishness and jealousy in many moments.

But the new texts banned by society captivated me, as did the poems in "Matched". At least this element of the story was not lost during the series.

Probably if I read "Reached", I would do it out of sheer curiosity, but "Crossed" shattered my hopes for this series.

Emily C Peterson

Brittany Harper

Solid 3. Really enjoyed the two storylines of Cassia and Ky, and their search for each other. Lots of twists and things that I didn't see coming. Looking forward to seeing where the characters go in the last book!

The society chooses everything. The books you read. The music you read. The person you love. Yet for Cassia the rules have changed. Ky has been taken and she will sacrifice everything to find him. And when Cassia discovers Ky has escaped to he wild frontiers beyond the Society there is hope. But on the edge of society nothing is as it seems . . . A rebellion is rising. And a tangled web of lies and double-crosses could destroy everything. Critical acclaim for Matched: 'Unmissable.' Marie Claire '**** Utterly thrilling.' Closer 'Don't miss this gripping page turner.' She 'A must read.' Sun

Siobhán

Review Post: http://totallybookalicious.blogspot.c...

After reading and really enjoying Matched, I was super excited to start reading Crossed. My expectations were high, thinking it would be better than Matched. However, I found Crossed a disappointing and lacking excitment.


Crossed is set not long after Matched ends. Following the separation between Cassia and Ky. Crossed see our two main characters embarking on difficult journeys in search of each other. Along the way, they sacrifices are made and secrets are reveal. 


I am torn on how to review this book. I am not going to lie. I found the plot very very boring. It starts out very promising and had the potiental to be amazing and thrilling. However, it was slow. Very slow, I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and itdidn’t.And If it wasn’t for the characters in this book I wouldn’t have been able to finish it. 


I adore the characters. Cassia and Ky are both very strong lead characters and they make the book worthwhile. Crossed is told from both Cassia and Ky POV and usually I am not a big fan of POV in some cases it works perfectly. Like here. We get to see a completely different side of Ky and learn more about his background and his parents. I sometimes didn’t want to leave him when it changed back to Cassia. Only because we don’t really learn anything new about Cassia but I love her none the less. 


We are also introduced to some new and very interesting characters. Such as Indie. I kinda didn’t know what to think of her. All the way through the book I thought there was something iffy about her but she was always there for Cassia and help her out so that made me like her. 


Overall, I personally found this very slow and the story doesn’t really develop much. However, the ending was actually very good and I adore the characters. I am very interested to see how the next book is and what’s in store for Cassia and Ky.

Kenna Armstrong

Patricia Santos

Opinião do blogue Chaise Longue: http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.pt...

Ally era professora de Inglês mas hoje com o seu sucesso do seu primeiro livro, é escritora a tempo inteiro. Apesar disso continua a actualizar a sua licença porque nunca se sabe quando irá precisar dela. Mãe, esposa, Ally tem três filhos e uma filha com quem vive mais o marido em Salt Lake City. Continua a fazer as mesmas coisas de antes, como ler e correr, e está actualmente a trabalhar no seu novo projecto, uma história que se passará numa cidade debaixo de água e cuja protagonista deseja viver à superfície. Fãs de União e Pequena Sereia esta poderá ser a vossa nova história preferida mas só deverá ser publicada no final do ano que vem.
A continuação muito ansiada de União e cuja publicação em Portugal ainda é uma incógnita, Crossed foi publicado em 2011 e já foi traduzido para mais de trinta países. Quanto ao filme, parece que é desta que irá acontecer. A Disney comprou os direitos e o realizador deverá ser David Slade, o mesmo de Twilight: Eclipse. O último livro da trilogia, Reached foi publicado em Novembro último.
Para lá da segurança que sempre conheceste existe um vazio, um vazio onde ninguém sabe o que acontece, um vazio que todos fingem não existir. Mas para encontrares o que mais queres vais ter de te aventurar nas terras desconhecidas, vais ter de te colocar numa posição vulnerável. Podes ter de desaparecer, podes ter de te colocar em risco. Mas no inóspito está mais do que aquilo que procuras, pode estar a mudança que o teu coração deseja. Resta saber se será aquilo que esperas… Numa fuga por amor, as mentiras e a revolta ganham protagonismo e em esconderijos e aliados inesperados pode-se encontrar as verdades que os que amámos calam. Só que os sonhos e a realidade não são muitas vezes a mesma coisa.
Mais uma vez, Ally arrebata-nos com a sua bela escrita lírica que demonstra bem o porquê da sua trilogia ser um caso excepcional nas distopias que têm sido publicadas. Com uma beleza única, União e, agora, Crossed são casos onde não é necessário a brutalidade expressiva para os leitores se sentirem agoniados com uma realidade onde escolha, liberdade e decisão não nos pertencem. Através de um enredo onde a opressão é subtil, onde as amarras são invisíveis, Ally leva-nos agora à luta, à fuga e ao mesmo tempo, ainda nos dá as réstias de uma confiança numa sociedade onde parecia existir segurança e verdade. Numa corrida contra o tempo, num cenário isolado e deserto, a autora leva-nos mais longe neste livro, apresenta-nos uma outra realidade e aposta no inesperado para adensar a trama.
Depois da simplicidade e poder do primeiro volume, esperava que este livro mantivesse as mesmas qualidades que me haviam conquistado mas Crossed consegue ser mais e menos ao mesmo tempo. Mais porque surpreende, sem dúvida. Não só com a mudança de ambiente como também com os segredos que vão sendo desvendados ao longo do decorrer da leitura. Menos porque acaba por não ter o mesmo impacto que União teve. Apesar das surpresas que nos traz, não consegue manter um ritmo constante e coerente, o que, como livro intermédio de uma trilogia era necessário pois alguns pontos continuam sem explicação e muitas dúvidas nos esperam no final do livro. Muitas vezes parada e agoniante, a acção tanto nos prende pela expectativa como nos deixa frustrados, daí que este seja um livro difícil de julgar.
Ao longo da leitura o sentimento de expectativa mantem-se sempre. Esperámos pelo reencontro, esperámos pelo desvendar dos segredos e das vontades, esperámos para ver como tudo acaba e acabámos a esperar o que se segue. Este é um livro que vai deixar os fãs num estado caótico por isso mesmo e se numas situações isso é bom pela forma como a autora consegue fazer evoluir a relação de Ky e Cassia ou como nos apresenta o que existe fora da sociedade ou como a revolta está a ser preparada, por outro lado, cria situações em que parece faltar coerência às personagens pelas dúvidas que a autora lhes parece impor e essas mesmas dúvidas criam um conflito entre o leitor e a história que acabam por tornar este livro um caso de amor/ódio. 
O melhor elemento deste livro é o facto de podermos ver as perspectivas de Cassia e Ky. Dessa forma compreendemos as indecisões, as vontades e desejos dos protagonistas e conseguimos no meio de algumas coisas incoerentes encontrar algo que faça sentido. A perspectiva de Ky é muito mais empolgante que a de Cassia, tudo porque ele se mantem fiel à personagem que conhecemos no livro anterior. Ele continua a ser um lutador, um mistério e um rapaz apaixonado e capaz de tudo. Já Cassia perde pelas incoerências que a autora nos parece querer impingir. Nas acções, Cassia é a mesma personagem que conhecemos, mas mais adulta, mais forte, mais corajosa mas em pensamentos parece-nos fraca, ilógica e indecisa, tudo porque a autora acha que deve ter um triângulo amoroso que a meu ver não existe neste livro. E aqui tenho de falar de Xander. Apesar de não aparecer muito, esta personagem foi a minha grande dor de cabeça. No início o típico menino perfeito, Xander começa a revelar-se e afinal não é nada mas nada perfeito, só que parece existir uma tentativa de o meter num pedestal. Lamento, não funcionou comigo pelo menos.
Aqui a autora continua a usar o psicológico como arma da Sociedade e mais uma vez é brilhante nisso. Apesar de não estarmos geograficamente dentro da Sociedade nunca sentimos segurança mas sim a sensação que ela nos persegue ao longo de gestos, momentos e palavras. Jogada inteligente visto que as personagens nunca baixam a defesa a espera do que se seguirá. Este controlo psicológico funciona ainda melhor na protagonista. Cassia já não confia na Sociedade mas tem os costumes de uma vida enraizados e vemos muitas vezes essa luta nas suas acções. 
Uma leitura complexa e difícil de classificar, Crossed acaba de uma forma que nos impele a querer ler o próximo no mesmo instante em que o terminámos mas deixa-nos um sabor agridoce na boca.

Erin 

Still love Xander.
It took me 2-3 tries to finish this book. It's such a combination of other dystopian novels that I had a hard time reminding myself that I haven't read it before. Still though, it was unique enough that I kept reading, and will someday finish the series.
But Ky still sucks.