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seraphjewel 's review for:
Crossed
by Ally Condie
Re-read January 18, 2024
On this re-read, I decided that this book does not work as the second in a trilogy. It doesn't really further much in the story or the world. There are no real answers on anything. If this was a stand-alone, it would have earned that five stars I originally gave it without question.
This is an extremely introspective book. It's all about the journey and Cassia and Ky working through things. I like following them and seeing them discover things about themselves, each other, the people around them, all of that. But as I said, there are no answers to the big world-building questions. This is fine for a stand-alone, but as the second in a trilogy it's disappointing.
I still really like the book, though. I like the tone and emotion through the story. I like the introspection and the journey. As much as I wish it revealed things, I can't regret reading this.
Original review December 30, 2020
I'm really curious how this book could have not only earned five stars the last time I read it, but also gotten a place on my favorite books list. It wasn't a bad book, but it did feel like a step down from the first one. Much like the first book, not a whole lot happens. It's really just following Cassia and Ky as they make their individual journeys. A lot of the struggle is internal, which I guess is what I liked about it the first time around.
This book suffers from the "liar reveal" plot because Ky keeps things from Cassia for no real reason. The good news is he knows that he's doing it for selfish reasons. I do like how human these characters feel at times. Sometimes it feels like YA protagonists are made a little too perfect or flawless, or are so set on their goals. These guys are a little more uncertain of their paths and question their decisions a bit more. They struggle with their past and who they want to be now in the present.
There's still the strong emphasis on art forms (poetry, dancing, painting, writing, etc) and there's still not a lot revealed about the Society, the Rising, or the Enemy. There's no explanation about what an Abbaration really is, either. This story is just about these two, which I guess isn't terrible but for the second book of the trilogy, it does feel lacking in answers and revelations. It also feels like this deviated from the dystopia theme into more about general stuff like war and how different people are surviving in this world.
I guess if this was a stand-alone I'd be fine with the internal examination of these two characters figuring themselves out while they make this journey, but because it's part of a trilogy it needed more answers and more expansion on the world outside the two of them. There's some of that, but it doesn't feel quite enough.
On this re-read, I decided that this book does not work as the second in a trilogy. It doesn't really further much in the story or the world. There are no real answers on anything. If this was a stand-alone, it would have earned that five stars I originally gave it without question.
This is an extremely introspective book. It's all about the journey and Cassia and Ky working through things. I like following them and seeing them discover things about themselves, each other, the people around them, all of that. But as I said, there are no answers to the big world-building questions. This is fine for a stand-alone, but as the second in a trilogy it's disappointing.
I still really like the book, though. I like the tone and emotion through the story. I like the introspection and the journey. As much as I wish it revealed things, I can't regret reading this.
Original review December 30, 2020
I'm really curious how this book could have not only earned five stars the last time I read it, but also gotten a place on my favorite books list. It wasn't a bad book, but it did feel like a step down from the first one. Much like the first book, not a whole lot happens. It's really just following Cassia and Ky as they make their individual journeys. A lot of the struggle is internal, which I guess is what I liked about it the first time around.
This book suffers from the "liar reveal" plot because Ky keeps things from Cassia for no real reason. The good news is he knows that he's doing it for selfish reasons. I do like how human these characters feel at times. Sometimes it feels like YA protagonists are made a little too perfect or flawless, or are so set on their goals. These guys are a little more uncertain of their paths and question their decisions a bit more. They struggle with their past and who they want to be now in the present.
There's still the strong emphasis on art forms (poetry, dancing, painting, writing, etc) and there's still not a lot revealed about the Society, the Rising, or the Enemy. There's no explanation about what an Abbaration really is, either. This story is just about these two, which I guess isn't terrible but for the second book of the trilogy, it does feel lacking in answers and revelations. It also feels like this deviated from the dystopia theme into more about general stuff like war and how different people are surviving in this world.
I guess if this was a stand-alone I'd be fine with the internal examination of these two characters figuring themselves out while they make this journey, but because it's part of a trilogy it needed more answers and more expansion on the world outside the two of them. There's some of that, but it doesn't feel quite enough.