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Crossed, Review and Giveaway

January 10, 2012 by Jennifer

Crossed is the 2nd book in the Matched series, a YA dystopian series. You can read my review of Matched to find out about the dystopian world that Ally Condie has created.

Crossed is a little bleaker since it’s set in the Outer Provinces where Ky and Cassia have been sent. I don’t usually feel so glum when reading dystopian fiction (which features a future world gone bad, the opposite of a perfect utopian world), but for some reason this one gave me a bit of a hopeless feeling, at least in the first half when Cassia and Ky are wandering in the wilderness. I think that it was because it was heavier on the political plot — that’s why they were wandering after all — and in my heart, I’m a conformist who likes to believe that authority is good.

I was completely pulled in to the narrative and kept reading to find out what would happen next. One factor contributing to the fast pace is the way the narration alternated chapters from each of their POV.

This is Amanda’s “Kid’s Pick” for her month of reading, and as I quoted her saying in that post, this book does have more romance. It’s still nothing beyond some kissing, but it has that YA/soulmate feel to it (that some of us who are no longer teenagers might find a little annoying– ahem). The love triangle intensifies and leaves readers wondering whether Ky or Xander would be the best match for her (Do you have an opinion? Are you Team Ky or Team Xander?).

That said, this is a great YA title. Even not being a young adult, I enjoy Condie’s writing and expression and the world she has created. I look forward to wrapping up the series when the 3rd and final title comes out next year. I wouldn’t say that Crossed stands alone exactly. I didn’t re-read Matched after reading it about a year ago, and I was able to pick it up, though some of the details were hazy, and I had to consult with my daughter, who did re-read it. The story in this 2nd installment does have a complete story arc, which I always appreciate, though like most endings in book two of a trilogy, there is somewhat of a cliffhanger ending.

You can win Crossed (U.S. shipping addresses only please)! Just leave a comment if you’d like to win your own copy of this very popular series. We’ll announce the winner in our book giveaway column on January 25.The giveaway is closed.

Don’t miss a thing: Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed or video reviews on YouTube. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.

We are happy to a part of Scholastic’s Parent Circle. Each month, one of our reviewers will select a book from that month’s Scholastic Book Club flyers. This book came out in January’s TAB flyer.

Jennifer enjoys reading YA fiction, both with and without her 13-year-old daughter whose tastes sometimes differ from her own. She blogs more about life with her family in Houston at Snapshot.

Filed Under: 12 and up, Jennifer, Scholastic Book Club, Young Adult

« Kids’ Picks, January 10
The Flight of Gemma Hardy: Review »

Comments

  1. Maddy says

    January 10, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    That sounds great. Glad to hear that you’re going to be reviewing a book from the Scholastic flyer – always overwhelmed by those.

  2. Angela E. says

    January 10, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    This book sounds really good, would like to win.

  3. Jacki says

    January 10, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    Loved Matched, can’t wait to read Crossed.

  4. Beth C says

    January 10, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    I would enjoy reading this book. Thanks!

  5. Christine Jensen says

    January 10, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    I enjoyed Matched and would love to win a copy of Crossed

  6. Linda Henderson says

    January 10, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    I have been wanting to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway.

    seriousreader at live dot com

  7. Garrett says

    January 10, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    Another interesting read.

  8. Jilleen Hays says

    January 10, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    I just finished Matched and I have to keep going! I loved the first book and can’t wait to read Crossed. Love your blog – have been a follower (via email) for a very long time.

    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
    Jill
    Seaside Book Nook

  9. Tammy Gordon says

    January 11, 2012 at 6:20 am

    Looks like a good book!

  10. John says

    January 11, 2012 at 10:55 am

    Would like to win.

  11. Natalia says

    January 11, 2012 at 10:55 am

    I like this series!

  12. Dianne says

    January 11, 2012 at 11:34 am

    Sounds like a good read. thanks for the giveaway

  13. anne says

    January 11, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Many thanks for this lovely giveaway.

  14. riTa says

    January 11, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    Would love to win for the YA grandkids, and the DIL who loves YA lit, and maybe for myself as well. 🙂

  15. Carol M says

    January 13, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    I know my granddaughters would love this!

  16. Anita Yancey says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    I’ve heard a lot about this book. I would really like to read it.

  17. Staci A says

    January 13, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    It sounds like an interesting book!

  18. Chuck says

    January 14, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    Sure to be a winner.

  19. Cindi says

    January 14, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    My niece is really enjoying reading and
    I am confident that she would love
    this book!
    Many thanks, Cindi

  20. Chloe Mann says

    January 14, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    I loved matched and can’t wait to read crossed!

  21. Halle says

    January 15, 2012 at 8:11 am

    I really enjoyed Matched and would love to read Crossed.

  22. Don says

    January 15, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    I have never read any books by this author, but am willing to give it a whirl.

  23. Shelly Burton says

    January 16, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    My students and I enjoy “Matched” and would love to get our hands on “Crossed.”

    • Jennifer says

      January 25, 2012 at 12:24 am

      You won! Please reply to this email notification with your shipping info!

  24. Van says

    January 16, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    We’ll have to see about this book.

  25. June says

    January 20, 2012 at 6:28 am

    Interesting reading I’m sure.

Trackbacks

  1. A Dystopian Romance book pack, Review and Giveaway – 5 Minutes For Mom says:
    January 29, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    […] from mindless obedience to something a bit braver. I am dying to read the next in the series, Crossed (recently reviewed by my colleague Jennifer at 5 Minutes for Books). I especially loved the use of […]

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