Scan barcode
interestedinblackbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I don't believe in love enough to have enjoyed this.
utahmomreads's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally posted on my blog : http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2011/11/crossed-book-review.html
Ever since I read Matched by Ally Condie last spring, I have been anxiously awaiting the next volume in the trilogy. Crossed released last week and since I had preordered it, I was happy to find a copy on my porch (via UPS) last Tuesday morning. I set aside the other book I am currently reading to devour every word of the highly anticipated young adult novel.
It is difficult for me to write reviews for the middle novel in a trilogy. The endings so rarely leave the reader satisfied (which is the point) that after a breathless reading there is that moment of realization that the story won't be complete for another year. This is the reason that I usually don't read series until all books have already been published.
Crossed takes the characters of Cassia and Ky from Matched and puts them in the next portion of their personal and societal conflicts. This novel has alternating chapters from Cassia and Ky's perspective and I must admit that it took me a few chapters of confusion to realize this, even though on closer inspection I saw that their names are clearly indicated with each chapter heading.
Crossed continues the action from the end of Matched. Cassia is searching for Ky who is now fighting to stay alive in the Outer Provinces. Their values and their hearts will be tested in the unforgiving landscape of the Carving.
I did enjoy Crossed, though perhaps not as much as I liked Matched. I especially enjoyed Matched because of the uniqueness of the very well organized socialistic society that didn't have such obvious breaches yet still restricts the freedom of the individual. It is often harder for people to rebel against this type of society and I feel more impressed by those who can "rise" up. I also appreciated the lack of violence in Matched. However, violence is to be expected in a war so I was not surprised to have it in Crossed, though it was minimal. The setting in Crossed is very different. While I love the "Southern Utah" setting that is described in those novel, I look forward to a return to civilization in the final novel of the trilogy.
As in the second act in a play, the conflict builds and the audience is left frustrated and anxious. Overall, I enjoyed the continuing action and direction of this story and I look forward to the conclusion of a well written, imaginative and intelligent dystopian series.
Ever since I read Matched by Ally Condie last spring, I have been anxiously awaiting the next volume in the trilogy. Crossed released last week and since I had preordered it, I was happy to find a copy on my porch (via UPS) last Tuesday morning. I set aside the other book I am currently reading to devour every word of the highly anticipated young adult novel.
It is difficult for me to write reviews for the middle novel in a trilogy. The endings so rarely leave the reader satisfied (which is the point) that after a breathless reading there is that moment of realization that the story won't be complete for another year. This is the reason that I usually don't read series until all books have already been published.
Crossed takes the characters of Cassia and Ky from Matched and puts them in the next portion of their personal and societal conflicts. This novel has alternating chapters from Cassia and Ky's perspective and I must admit that it took me a few chapters of confusion to realize this, even though on closer inspection I saw that their names are clearly indicated with each chapter heading.
Crossed continues the action from the end of Matched. Cassia is searching for Ky who is now fighting to stay alive in the Outer Provinces. Their values and their hearts will be tested in the unforgiving landscape of the Carving.
I did enjoy Crossed, though perhaps not as much as I liked Matched. I especially enjoyed Matched because of the uniqueness of the very well organized socialistic society that didn't have such obvious breaches yet still restricts the freedom of the individual. It is often harder for people to rebel against this type of society and I feel more impressed by those who can "rise" up. I also appreciated the lack of violence in Matched. However, violence is to be expected in a war so I was not surprised to have it in Crossed, though it was minimal. The setting in Crossed is very different. While I love the "Southern Utah" setting that is described in those novel, I look forward to a return to civilization in the final novel of the trilogy.
As in the second act in a play, the conflict builds and the audience is left frustrated and anxious. Overall, I enjoyed the continuing action and direction of this story and I look forward to the conclusion of a well written, imaginative and intelligent dystopian series.
luma99's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
deepower7's review against another edition
2.0
This is a first act of a story padded out with...poetry.
chelseabee17's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
abbyscheuermann's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thepeachybookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Seeing how I wasn't very impressed with the first book, I guess I shouldn't have expected a whole lot in this book. However, I was anxious to pick it up and see if the author could reel me in. Sadly, I don't think that happened.
I do not like wasting time on books but I still have hope for this series and I hope the author delivers in the 3rd book.
I felt that 75% of this book was waste - a story that dragged on and on and on with little point or importance. I also felt that the author really dumbed Cassia down in this book. The sentence structure, the staccato-like chapters. I also didn't like how everything just magically fell into place during the few several chapters. (SPOILERS AHEAD) I just feel like the characters didn't really struggle, everything just perfectly came together until they too were together. Sure they struggled during their journey but it seems that it was way too easy for Cassia to find Ky. Escape on a ship, don't get questioned, find a boy who knows Ky, run run run, find Ky. ::yawn::
I guess I should say that I did like some of the book (seeing how I gave it 3 stars). I liked the IDEA behind the book - finding what is out there, outside the society. I just didn't like how it was pieced together. The ending did definitely save the book from a 2 star rating and I hope that the anticipation it left me with is well received in the 3rd book.
I do not like wasting time on books but I still have hope for this series and I hope the author delivers in the 3rd book.
I felt that 75% of this book was waste - a story that dragged on and on and on with little point or importance. I also felt that the author really dumbed Cassia down in this book. The sentence structure, the staccato-like chapters. I also didn't like how everything just magically fell into place during the few several chapters. (SPOILERS AHEAD) I just feel like the characters didn't really struggle, everything just perfectly came together until they too were together. Sure they struggled during their journey but it seems that it was way too easy for Cassia to find Ky. Escape on a ship, don't get questioned, find a boy who knows Ky, run run run, find Ky. ::yawn::
I guess I should say that I did like some of the book (seeing how I gave it 3 stars). I liked the IDEA behind the book - finding what is out there, outside the society. I just didn't like how it was pieced together. The ending did definitely save the book from a 2 star rating and I hope that the anticipation it left me with is well received in the 3rd book.
gabbyreadswithtea's review against another edition
adventurous
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Format: Audiobook
Themes:
Love Triangle
Utopian / Dystopian Society
Rebellion / Resistance
Despite it being 5 years since I read the first book, I wasn’t confused by this sequel at all. I did read a quick summary of Matched, but the sequel keeps you up to date on any necessary information so it wasn’t super necessary.
I loved all the characters (despite the irritating miscommunication throughout), interested by the story and excited by the action. I can’t wait to pick up the finale and see how everything wraps up.
For a typical 2010s / Hunger Games era dystopian series, I think this story still holds up years later.
Themes:
Love Triangle
Utopian / Dystopian Society
Rebellion / Resistance
Despite it being 5 years since I read the first book, I wasn’t confused by this sequel at all. I did read a quick summary of Matched, but the sequel keeps you up to date on any necessary information so it wasn’t super necessary.
I loved all the characters (despite the irritating miscommunication throughout), interested by the story and excited by the action. I can’t wait to pick up the finale and see how everything wraps up.
For a typical 2010s / Hunger Games era dystopian series, I think this story still holds up years later.