Review for Crossed by Ally Condie

Crossed (Matched #2)
By Ally Condie
Published by Dutton Juvenile
Source: Personal Copy
367 pages

"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."-Goodreads

What a highly anticipated book.... I think everyone was disappointed: including myself. Crossed is a beautifully written book that will awe those who appreciate poetry but that is as far it goes.

Unlike Matched, Crossed is told through two points of view. Cassia and Ky. I actually loved this aspect, it gave the story more anticipation in a way - because I was thinking ooh I wonder what Ky feels about that. Both Cassia and Ky open up in this book. More so for Ky. We find out more about him, his feelings, background - his story. Cassia we don't necessarily learn more about her but we do discover her feeling on matters. But they're not the only ones we learn more about... Xander too! I'm totally torn between the two, I'm so undecided on this love triangle! What I really enjoyed were the secondary characters. Eli, Vick, and Indie had my attention, with all their different stories yet all tied together with the goal of survival. This was definitely a character driven book, which I liked to a degree.

The plot. Oh the plot! I mean it was practically non-existent. Sure there were moments where it got interesting but then the plot draagged. It was slow going, I somehow though was still intrigued, I finished it in two sessions! The poetry and character centered plot are commendable but for an action girl like me, it doesn't appeal too much. That being said the things that did happen definitely set the base for events to come. The writing is simply beautiful and I admire Condie for being able to write like that!

I definitely recommend it to those who have started the series, although its a slower pace book I think its worth reading to continue the series. After all, the third book probably will have all the action and you'll need the information from Crossed to understand! Plus, the cover looks really pretty on your shelf.

Excerpt:

I'm standing in a river. It's blue. Dark blue. Reflecting the color of the evening sky.
I don't move. The river does. It pushes against me and hisses through the grass at the water's edge. "Get out of there," the Officer says. He shines his flashlight on us from his position on the bank.
"You said put the body in the water," I say, choosing to misunderstand the Officer.
"I didn't say you had to get in yourself," the Officer says. "Let go and get out. And bring his coat. He doesn't need it now."
I glance up at Vick, who helps me with the body. Vick doesn't step into the water. He's not from around here, but everyone in camp knows the rumors about the poisoned rivers in the Outer Provinces.
"It's all right," I tell Vick quietly.

Book Trailer:

I personally don't care for this trailer, I think that it doesn't tell the story enough and the actors are too old.. they're supposed to be teenagers (I also imagined them totally different in appearance)

In My Mailbox (15)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we get to post about the books we receive each week through publishers/authors, our own purchases, contests, and libraries!

What I Got This Week:

I rarely buy books but I just COULD NOT walk by without getting them :) Aren't they gorgeous (SO excited to read Shatter Me)!! Ahh! I've heard such great things about Shatter Me and I have been dying to find out what Cassie has been up to (although I've heard the plot is sloooww... which makes me scared now since I spent my hard earned cash on it! lol )! We'll see.

For Review:



Crossed by Ally Condie

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

What did you get in your mailbox this week??

Thanks for reading!

Waiting On Wednesday (7)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to showcase unreleased novels that we're waiting for. What am I waiting for?

Crossed (Matched #2)
By Ally Condie
Release Date: November 1, 2011

"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." -Goodreads

Why am I waiting for it?

 Duh, because Matched left me hanging!! Did that happen to anyone else? I just want to know what happens next! What happens to Cassia? Ky? Xander? Who is the double-crosser? Does Cassia decide who she loves? So many questions that need answers.

Let's talk cover. Now this was released awhile ago (I apologize for not posting about it). What I don't like is how she looks animated, not real (yes I know the model is not real but it would be nice if it looked better). In the first book she looked real-er. And what happened to the 'plainclothes' they wear? How did she get that outfit? Other than than,  I love the colour choice, I love how she's breaking out of the bubble - breaking out of society, and the fact that they kept with the same idea for both books. Now I know that they are related :)

Do you like this cover? Don't? I'd love to hear your opinion! What was your WoW pick? Leave links!!

Thanks for reading!

Review for Matched by Ally Condie

"Matched (Matched #1)

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Source: Personal Copy

Challenges: I'd Wish I'd Read That, For the Love of YA, 350 page
366 pages

"Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow." -Goodreads

 Now, this book has been getting many different reviews (and a lot of them at that). Some love it, others thought it was slow. I'm one of those that loved it. There was a huge amount of hype for this book over the internet, and in my opinion it lived up to it.

Ally Condie did a great job with the world building. To us, who have freedom, we can pick out things that aren't 'right' but to someone born into that world, I can see how they would be sastified. And Cassia was. This is one of the parts I enjoyed; how Cassia gradually realized that no, she didn't want to do as she was told. It's like two different Cassia's, in the beginning - obediant, in the end - wanting to choose for herself. I loved her as a main character! As well as dear Xander, her parents, Grandfather, Bram, and of course Ky! I loved Ky! His character fit really well, and his story was told amazingly. Now, I did feel terrible for Xander (he's so sweet) but I'm hoping somewhere in this series he gets the girl he wants. So, the characters were relatible, thought-out, and structured.

The plot, who doesn't like a good love trangle (technically it wasn't a triangle but still) I really enjoyed it. 

Ally Condie's writing style is off the charts! I loved the fact in how she incorperated poetry into the story. It was beautifully done. Along the way I did experience some gasps, like 'oh no!' which kept it interesting.

To keep this review short, overall awesome read.... I highly recommend it to everyone! This book was on my mind all the time (as any good book) and leaves me wanting more! I can't wait for the release of Crossed! Don't go down gentle Cassia (if you've read it, you know what I mean)!

Excerpt:

The announcer calls another name; another girl stands up.
Soon, more and more people at the Banquet have little silver boxes.
Some people set them on the white tablecloths in front of them, but most hold the boxes carefully, unwilling to let their futures out of their hands so soon after receiving them.
I don't see any other girls wearing the green dress. I don't mind. I like the idea that, for one night, I don't look like everyone else.
I wait, holding my compact in one hand and my mother's hand in the other. Her palm feels sweaty. For the first time, I realize that she and my father are nervous, too.
"Cassia Maria Reyes."
It is my turn. I stand up, letting go of my mother's hand, and turn toward the screen. I feel my heart pounding and I am tempted to twist my hands the way Lea did, but I hold perfectly still with my chin up and my eyes on the screen. I watch and wait, determined that the girl my Match will see on the screen in his City Hall somewhere out there in Society will be poised and calm and lovely, the very best image of Cassia Maria Reyes that I can present.
But nothing happens.
I stand and look at the screen, and, as the seconds go by, it is all I can do to stay still, all I can do to keep smiling. Whispers start around me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my mother move her hand as if to take mine again, but then she pulls it back. A girl in a green dress stands waiting, her heart pounding. Me. The screen is dark, and it stays dark. That can only mean one thing.