Crossed - Ally Condie

Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Pages: 367
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian
Publication Date: 11/1/2011
Rating: ***

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.

I really and truly have mixed feelings with this second book in the Matched Trilogy. Sure, I liked it enough to continue reading and I definitely want to read the next book, which is supposed to come out in November of this year.

First, Crossed started out a bit on the slow side. It took me a little longer to really get into it, then once I did, it would slow the pace down again. I enjoyed it, but a lot of it seemed to just be thrown in there to lead up to the final book in the trilogy.

We are filled in a little on the history of the Society and life outside it, but naturally I have more questions about it. I'm still anxious to see what is going to happen with Cassia, Ky, and Xander. I want to know more about the Society and how it came about. There is so much I am wanting to know, and am honestly having flashbacks of the Fallen series in that I am left with a million questions.

Crossed is also told from two different points of view - Cassia and Ky's. I liked this except for the fact that sometimes I wouldn't realize who was the one narrating. I think it could have been a little better done in that it would have been easier to tell if it was Cassia or Ky. However, we still get to learn more about Ky and the world he is from.

At the end, I wouldn't have too high of expectations, but it isn't terrible. It was just a bit disappointing, but I'm hoping things will be resolved in the final book.