Review: Crossed

Crossed

By Allie Condy

Publication date: November 1, 2011

My review:

After the explosive events of Matched, Ky is now stationed in the Outer Provinces and Cassia is taking work assignments while secretly trying to find him. When she gets the opportunity, she realizes just how dangerous and impossible it may be to fight for what she wants-if she even knows what that is. 

Crossed has a different feel when compared to Matched. The story takes place largely outside of The Society on the edges and there is the constant threat of danger and a struggle to survive. Another change is that Crossed is written from both Cassia and Ky's perspectives in alternating chapters. What I liked about this change is that we could learn more about Ky and gain a better understanding of his personality. Some of his past is revealed and it is very sad. I sometimes preferred his chapters to Cassia's. New characters were also introduced and one in particular appears to have secrets. Indie, one of these new characters, is a nice foil for Cassia as she is an assertive and independent girl with an "act now, think later" attitude.

Something else I liked about Crossed was that we finally get to see that there are people who did not blindly follow The Society like little sheep. In Matched it seemed like everyone went along with the rules but now we see the history and that there was a group protesting the changes. When I read the first book, I couldn't help but wonder why no one protested the ridiculous rules and way of life when it was first implemented (by now the younger generations are brainwashed into accepting it) but now I see that people did protest. The majority of those who grew up in The Society like Cassia, never knew about the dissenters because it was hushed up and the people involved were either killed or they escaped. I am eager to find out more about the uprising and who the leader is.

Just like with Matched, there are literary references throughout Crossed. The book takes its name from the poem Crossing the Bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Crossing The Bar is used as a code for those seeking to join the uprising as the Pilot is believed to refer to the leader. It also refers to the characters crossing to safety. The importance of poetry, art, and music is woven throughout the novel. The Society places more value on technology and productivity rather than creativity but people still long for that. There is even a black market where you can trade poems to get what you want. This theme seems to be a strong pro-arts message that resonates today with budget cuts leading to schools eliminating or reducing art and music programs. 

Overall I think Crossed is a good sequel to Matched though I had some issues with it. There are parts of the story that seemed too slow and at other times I wanted more explanation, particularly about the rebellion, but it wasn't provided. I suppose that I will have to wait for the answers in book three. I was also annoyed by the love triangle though Xander is not present for most of the novel. I know that this will be resolved in the final book so it is just a slight problem. I liked that Cassia is becoming more determined and starting to think for herself though she does still have her moments. I also liked the increased action and suspense in the plot. Crossed may not have the excellent world building of Matched but it does a nice job of developing the characters and setting up the story for its conclusion which I am sure will be thrilling.

Readalikes: Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Giver by Lois Lowry, Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Note: I read this ARC courtesy of Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for an honest review