(ARC Review) Crossed by Ally Condie

CROSSED
Match #2
Author: Ally Condie
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0525423656
ISBN-13: 978-0525423652

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.

Crossed is the second book in a dystopia themed trilogy from author Ally Condie.  After finishing the first book in the series called Matched, I was a little wary in my expectations for this one.  So many things were left unanswered in the first book and I was hoping that the author would at least clear some of those things up.  Why is Cassia so drawn to Ky? Who are the informants within the Society? Is there a Rising and are they better than the Society? Will Cassia find Ky and choose him over Xander?


As I sat down to start reading Crossed, I didn’t get my hopes up.  I will say that the author does give some answers to the questions I listed above.  Cassia does find Ky, but there is a huge portion of the book that is the search for each other that could have been condensed to something less.  I wasn’t really thrilled to read about them crossing another plain or hiding in another cavern every other chapter. 


Crossed is also in alternating points of view between Cassia and Ky.  We get to read about each of their journeys through their eyes and the struggles that they endure during the search.  With mentions of Xander along the way, Cassia is determined to find Ky and join the rebellion.  Ky, with new friends in tow, is on the search to find his way back to Cassia.  Together they meet in the middle and decisions will have to be made.  Secrets are discovered in this book, but there are also new ones that surface.  We don’t get to see them all revealed in this installment, but I am hoping the wait will be worth it when the final book is revealed.


My best description for this story so far is a jigsaw puzzle.  Imagine the Society being the center of the puzzle.  The outcasts are the outer edge pieces that are described as the Outer Provinces.  The author is giving you the big picture, but she isn’t handing you all of the pieces yet to complete the finished product.  There will be times when the pieces don’t fit and you have to keep thinking about the puzzle.  Eventually, I am hoping all of those pieces will fit together and actually create a beautiful picture in the end.


I am still on the fence about this trilogy.  I want to like it as much as everyone else has, but my reading experience with it is just okay.  I want answers to start becoming clear and for less of the repetitive scenes. I will read the final book just so I can see the secrets revealed and the effects it will have on all of the characters involved. Hopefully the last book in the series will finish the masterpiece puzzle the author has created.