Crossed

By: Ally Condie

Narrated by: Kate Simses, Jack Riccobono

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy....

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.

©2011 Ally Condie (P)2011 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Cassia and Ky grapple with secrets, wilderness and the tumultuous meanings of love in the second installment of this addictive, layered dystopic trilogy... Although two-boys-one-girl triangles run rife in this genre, Condie’s is complicated and particularly human, involving real emotional scars... Both rich and easy to digest, this will leave fans hungry for the third book.” (Kirkus, starred review)

“Told in alternating chapters from their points of view, the book gives readers full access to the hearts and minds of two memorable characters. Their needs, love, and internal conflicts are palpable. Their voices are distinct and authentic, and the writing is often poetic.” (School Library Journal)

"...vivid, poetic writing... Condie immerses readers in her characters’ yearnings and hopes.” (Publishers Weekly)

3.5-3.75 stars

3.5-3.75 stars. The story dragged a little in some places. It's clear this trilogy should have been condensed into a single book, but the story and the characters are still interesting enough that I want to see how it ends.

Characters transform

I love how the characters grow, and change. This book gives answers, and questions to things you thought you already knew, but didn't.

Not as good as Matched

I read this book as a follow up to Matched. I enjoyed it for the most part. I’m not sure if I will go any further in the series. I enjoyed Matched much more than I did Crossed. I would like to find out what happens, but I don’t know if I can get through the third book. Its too adolescent for my reading taste, and I was getting tired of listening to the main character go on and on about how much she loves the male lead character in this book. She sounds like she’s 13. I found myself fast forwarding parts.

Good but not as good

This one was good but the story felt so different from the first one. With the two main characters out of the town and away from their families and as many prying eyes, the intensity I felt in the first book was gone. Also, the narrator made the characters sound a bit dim. Maybe this is how the author imagined it in her head, but when I read the first one (via paper copy) I imagined the main characters as very intelligent and brave. This girl sounded weak and meek. The first one was soo good, I could barely put it down but this one was only mediocre. Hopefully the next one is just as good as the first!

Not as good as the first

I really enjoyed the first book and the narration is even better with the split pov, but the story moves so slowly that I found it hard to pay attention.

Excpected better but it was a nice story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would change the male narrator because he needs improving and his narration often put me to sleep
also the story lacked some action , it felt it was all talk nothing is really happening and that made me bored

Would you recommend Crossed to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend the whole series if the third installment is any good , because I liked matched very much but I'm not so sure about crossed

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the scene when ky and Cassia reunited .. also the scene where ky is talking to himself about how much he loves Cassia

Was Crossed worth the listening time?

I felt it could be better as an audio book but I was glad that I listened to it , the female narrator is excellent but the male is stiff hope he gets better

Any additional comments?

I expected to enjoy the story much more than this because I liked matched very much .. hope the third book will be better

The story was fine, but the casting choices were odd.

The female reader's voice was clearly dynamic and she showed that when she slipped between different characters voices. It got to the point where I was unsure whether the has another person come in to record just one line of dialogue here and there. However, the tone she used predominately for cassia was so airy and whispy it was hard to imagine her as anything but ditzy (when really her character is much more like a Katness-level badass). And then the casting for Ky's chapters had a similar airy quality that did not match his character at all. It was super distracting to hear him speak in ky's voice.

Better than "Matched" Heartfelt, worth the listen!

What did you love best about Crossed?

Ky- his character development and the voice of the male narrator- Much better, He brings Ky to life

What other book might you compare Crossed to and why?

Divergent Trilogy, Enclave and the like. Dystopian Society

Which character – as performed by Kate Simses and Jack Riccobono – was your favorite?

KY

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Movies never capture a book correctly but.. Do you be who SOCIETY wants you to be or do you be YOU

Any additional comments?

Second book very well written, brought tears to my eyes multiple times.

Satisfying conclusion

Would you listen to Crossed again? Why?

Finally, the series becomes more than just a teen romance, as complexities of character and the ambiguities of politics are explored. As the Rising finally rises, we discover that its solution isn't working out so well and that the Society isn't so anti-Rising after all. Of the three books, this is the one to spend more time with.

Which scene was your favorite?

The rediscovery of art in its various forms, especially the transient forms like song, in the Gallery was a highpoint of the book, even if it wasn't a central theme.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What happens when the solution becomes the scourge?

Enjoyable

Loved this 2nd book. I enjoyed listening to both outlooks as they told their stories. Definitely had some surprises thrown in there while made my jaw drop.