Fantastic follow up to the first novel in this series, Matched. I loved every word of Matched and waited anxiously for the release of Crossed but when...moreFantastic follow up to the first novel in this series, Matched. I loved every word of Matched and waited anxiously for the release of Crossed but when it was released the reviews on Amazon made me hesitant to spend the $9.99 I had planned on dropping the moment the Kindle version was released. The reviews panned the sophomore effort and complained that the "Society Presence" was missing, that the ending was anticlimactic.
I decided to judge for myself and purchased Crossed and loved every moment of it as well.
Like any middle book in a trilogy this novel takes us through the most awkward part of the overall story. The characters have been introduced and the conflict/plot established in the first book. You have been introduced to this new and different world where every discovery is exciting, and are left with the anticipation of what will happen next! How will it end?!
A middle book doesn't really satisfy that curiosity.
While Crossed takes you deeper into the story and masterfully develops and evolves the Cassie and Ky characters it, as mid-trilogy books are forced to do, take you across a bridge and leave you at the far end long before you reach your final destination.
In Crossed Ky and Cass are doing all they can to find each other, literally crossing vast chasms of physical and emotional space to be together again. It is heart wrenching to experience through Cass the realization of non-Society existence; death and freedom. It's inspiring to watch Ky regain his ability to hope for something, anything, better.
To call the end anticlimactic is to not understand that last words of Crossed are not an ending, but rather the beginning of the end of the world as Cass and Ky know it, and I anticipate that to be quite climactic indeed. (less)
J.L. Bryan never fails to deliver. I've been looking forward to this book since the moment I finished reading Tommy Nightmare. I'm sad that this is th...moreJ.L. Bryan never fails to deliver. I've been looking forward to this book since the moment I finished reading Tommy Nightmare. I'm sad that this is the last book in the Jenny Pox series but I look forward to devouring this book and then moving on to all the other books that Mr. Bryan has given the world. (less)
As much as I loved his Jenny Pox trilogy, I wasn't so impressed with this. I felt like the subject matter has a lot of potential but this particular s...moreAs much as I loved his Jenny Pox trilogy, I wasn't so impressed with this. I felt like the subject matter has a lot of potential but this particular story seemed rushed. I would have liked for there to have been much more character development across the board.
And when you are writing a paranormal/fantasy book I've decided it's a tricky path to go down when you are introducing the supernatural to unknowing mortals in a story - it's very difficult to capture true revelation. I find that the most successful paranormal stories are ones where the supernatural knowledge is already established before the story begins so that no one has to learn of fairies or vampires within the narrative. I was taken out of the immersion of the story repeatedly when I thought to myself "No WAY are they buying this so easily!"
I am eager to see how the series develops now that the awkward revelations to the main characters is out of the way. They fairy world and the guardians are fascinating to me. I will be purchasing the next book in this series, with fingers crossed that the magic of Jenny Mittens will be recaptured. (less)
Literary Perfection isn't the right word, but it's the first one that comes to mind.
I think.... I think... I think I can't believe I waited so long t...moreLiterary Perfection isn't the right word, but it's the first one that comes to mind.
I think.... I think... I think I can't believe I waited so long to start reading Chuck Palahniuk. I was intimidated by the unique style of writing I assumed he had (because of the type of reader who have recommended him to me in the past and because I watched Fight Club.) but once I overcame my completely unfounded fear (I didn't commit too completely - I borrowed this book from my library. Seriously - it's like Netflix for books) I devoured it. Pun intended.
This book is about so many strange and wonderful things, not only, and not completely, but mostly about a man that is a)a sex addict b) totally effed up and c) fake chokes on food in restaurants to endear strangers to himself.
I loved every single second spent reading this book. I fully intend on reading every single thing the man every writes. If he publishes a grocery shopping list I will download it to my kindle the moment it becomes available.
I'm about half way through. So far so good. I'm always happy when reading a book I DON'T feel like I've read it a hundred times before. It's a little...moreI'm about half way through. So far so good. I'm always happy when reading a book I DON'T feel like I've read it a hundred times before. It's a little transparent, the foreshadowing is less than subtle but it is Young Adult Fiction so I've come to expect figuring out the big reveal. That said I have been pleasantly surprised with the author's take on established archetypes.
edit 9.7 I'm three quarters through now, took a lovely twist away from angsty High school, I am more invested now, and can honestly say when I'm done I'm already planning on purchasing the next book in the series.
edit 9.8 finished this morning - didn't dissapoint! getting the next one from the Amazon store today. (less)
A new take on Super Heroes, unknowing humans have the ability to manifest super powers under the right conditio...moreNew ideas, well written, entertaining.
A new take on Super Heroes, unknowing humans have the ability to manifest super powers under the right condition or with the help of "Muse" A big blue horse pill that triggers the powers for a short time.
This was a good YA Fantasy Fiction novel. Perfect for Treadmill reading :) I will probably get the sequel when it's time to buy more reading material....moreThis was a good YA Fantasy Fiction novel. Perfect for Treadmill reading :) I will probably get the sequel when it's time to buy more reading material. (less)
Great Ending. Satisfying. This is definately a trilogy that I recommend. Didn't think I'd like it BASED ON THE COVER so the the whole Don't judge a bo...moreGreat Ending. Satisfying. This is definately a trilogy that I recommend. Didn't think I'd like it BASED ON THE COVER so the the whole Don't judge a book.... yeah - don't. I would say definitely read the whole trilogy. It's really good :) (less)
Just bought it - I've scheduled myself to start reading it tomorrow on the treadmill. Saturday's are usually my off day - But we ordered pizza tonight...moreJust bought it - I've scheduled myself to start reading it tomorrow on the treadmill. Saturday's are usually my off day - But we ordered pizza tonight.... so tomorrow... you get it.
I read the first of this trilogy and enjoyed it very much, I am very interested to learn where this story goes. I like books conceived as trilogies, as this one was, I like the arc and development that comes with that design. They read like one story, not "sequels" thrown together to make a buck off a successful character. (less)
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