Crossed (Matched, #2) in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Apr 13, 2012 CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, dystopian

I'll admit it: I was disappointed in this book. I loved Matched so much, and devoured it so quickly. I read the reviews of this book--so many bad ones...but there were lots of bad reviews of Matched too, and I liked that...so I hoped. somehow. this wouldn't suck.
and I'm not sure I'd say this sucks. Three stars is probably fair. I got sucked into the book right away, only to stop a couple of chapters in, confused, because I suddenly realized/ remembered from the reviews that the book was being wr I'll admit it: I was disappointed in this book. I loved Matched so much, and devoured it so quickly. I read the reviews of this book--so many bad ones...but there were lots of bad reviews of Matched too, and I liked that...so I hoped. somehow. this wouldn't suck.
and I'm not sure I'd say this sucks. Three stars is probably fair. I got sucked into the book right away, only to stop a couple of chapters in, confused, because I suddenly realized/ remembered from the reviews that the book was being written from both Cassia and Ky's perspectives. except that they sound EXACTLY the same. Ky's sections don't sound like a guy wrote them. I can't quantify that, except to say that, while he may relay information only Ky would know, and show things Ky is experiencing, it is otherwise indistinguishable from Cassia's voice. Frustrating. Make sure you read the chapter headings carefully and/or keep track of whose turn it is for a chapter.
The other common criticism in other reviews seemed to be Cassia and Ky's obsession with their relationship/ each other. I have to admit as the book progressed, for maybe the middle half of the book, it really did bog down. It was hard to read at some points. I think that the relationship went through some interesting maturing and developing by the end of the book, though, so I am curious to see how things turn out finally in Reached.
Vick. That's all I'm saying. Vick.
I did like Eli, although he wasn't necessarily a well-rounded character. Indie, on the other hand, was a pretty strong, distinct character. I can't say she was lovable, but she felt real. I didn't hate her as much as some reviewers seemed to. She and Cassia weren't friends to start with, so some of her behavior reflected that, as well as the fact that Indie is very much a cold-hearted survivor. and I felt her behavior later in this book helped mitigate that a lot. I wonder what, if any, role she will play in Reached?
This book definitely left off at an interesting place. As frustrating as the execution of this book often was (Is it just me, or did some of the unidentified poetry seem pretty bad?), I did appreciate the overall plot, and a window into Ky as well as Cassia. Ky's attitude toward the Rising finally being explained by the end of the book made much more sense. I was definitely frustrated by some of his choices and attitudes prior to that.
So I am very, very curious where Condie will take this story in the next and final book. I am eager to find out more about Xander. I feel in some ways he was the biggest puzzle in this book, and one I want resolved the most. I look forward to Ky and Cassia's resolution as well, and will be happy if Indie continues to figure into the story. I'm a bit suspicious of the Rising, but the next book will make that clear as well. Looking forward to it! ...more

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Dec 14, 2013 Katy rated it did not like it · review of another edition

After finishing this book, I think I am left with the impression that this is what happens when a creative person with above-average attention to deal gets a great pretty interesting idea for an idea (here, a society that is planned out and controlled through elimination of basic choice by an overarching authority existing for who-knows-what-reason) and then has no clue how to navigate a reader through the universe. Structurally, the problem with this book lies in use of a gimmick that seems to ...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Terri rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: all_part_of_the_job

I thought there was some continued development in this book but not enough. We didn't learn a lot about the characters. They didn't really develop any more in this book then from where they left off in the other book. It took a really long time to accomplish little in this book. ...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Amanda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, young-adult, dystopian

I'm actually really pleased with where this series looks to be going. I did not mind the way it split into two different pov's this time, and I hope that in book three we'll move the obvious three set. I think we learned a lot about a lot of things in this one. Love and knowledge began to war with each other, as well as 'what makes a society' and the dual nature of hard choices that can be both right and wrong.

I can't wait to see what installment three will bring! ...more

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Nov 22, 2011 Marcy Jo rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I'm so eager for book 3, and really hopeful to have Xander POV!

First read aloud with Ande December 4, 2011
2nd read via audible January 29, 2013 ...more

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