Crossed by Ally Condie

Crossed by Ally Condie

Book Blurb (from Goodreads): 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.

Hardcover, 384 pages

November 1st 2011 by Dutton Juvenile

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. In Matched, Ally Condie created the perfect opening act by introducing us to Cassia's world, and now in Crossed, the inner and outer journeys of both Cassia and Ky follow in perfect sequence.

I cannot wait for the conclusion.

Quote I Loved:

"I don't fool myself that I hold her together—she does that on her own—but holding her keeps me from flying apart." (chapter 23)

"...when someone knows your story they know you. And they can hurt you. It's why I give mine away in pieces, even to Cassia." (chapter 37)

"Everyone has something of beauty about them. In the beginning for me, it was Ky's eyes I noticed, and I love them still. But loving lets you look, and look, and look again. You notice the back of a hand, the turn of a head, the way of a walk. When you first love, you look blind and you see it all as the glorious, beloved whole, or a beautiful sum of beautiful parts. But when you see the one you love as pieces, as whys—why he walks like this, why he closes his eyes like that—you can love those parts, too and it's a love at once more complicated and more complete."
(chapter 50)

Why you should read this book:

• Because you just should, darn it!
• The Cover. I loved the cover for Matched, and Crossed is just as stunning. I heard an unconfirmed rumor that the covers are the colors of the 3 pills — which means the next book will be red. I can't wait to see it!
  
• The Voice. Although I love beautiful, lyrical, poetic writing that tastes like a sweet bite of my favorite dessert, I am a sucker for simple less-is-more writing. And Crossed is the perfect example of this. It's like popcorn. Plain, subtle, but once you taste it you're gonna want more.
• The Love Triangle. I'm a fan of the love triangles where it's more than just choosing between two boys, but two possible versions of yourself. I saw that in Matched with Xander and Ky. Xander was who Cassia was...Ky was who she could be... Crossed turns this around and upside down and inside out by changing and expanding the characters in ways I never saw coming. And I love to be surprised...
• Ky. In Crossed, we get a glimpse into Ky's demons and through his POV, a chance to follow along on his journey.
• Xander. Although he is barely present, Xander's story is revealed throughout the entire book. And he's not quite who Cassia thought he was...
• Everything! There are new characters who will fascinate you, amuse you, and break your heart, and the setting is breathtaking!

I recommend this book — if you loved Matched. And if you haven't read Matched yet, well what are you waiting for???

I absolutely cannot wait for November 2012.