Crossed (Matched Trilogy Series #2)

by Ally Condie

Overview

The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101545409
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	11/01/2011
Series:	Matched Trilogy Series , #2
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	97,862
Lexile:	HL630L (what's this?)
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Ally Condie is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Matched trilogy and co-author of the Darkdeep middle grade series. She is also the author of the novel Summerlost, an Edgar Award Finalist. A former English teacher, Ally lives with her family outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Ally has an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is the founder and director of the nonprofit WriteOut Foundation.

allycondie.com
Twitter: @allycondie

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Praise for Crossed:

“Cassia and Ky grapple with secrets, wilderness and the tumultuous meanings of love in the second installment of this addictive, layered dystopic trilogy… Although two-boys-one-girl triangles run rife in this genre, Condie’s is complicated and particularly human, involving real emotional scars… Both rich and easy to digest, this will leave fans hungry for the third book.” - Kirkus, starred review

“Told in alternating chapters from their points of view, the book gives readers full access to the hearts and minds of two memorable characters. Their needs, love, and internal conflicts are palpable. Their voices are distinct and authentic, and the writing is often poetic.” - School Library Journal

“This is more than just a placeholder between the first and last parts of a trilogy… Condie effectively sets the stage for the final chapter in Cassia’s story by leaving the reader hanging at the end of the book. Matched fans will devour this book and be eager for the concluding one.” - VOYA

“…vivid, poetic writing… Condie immerses readers in her characters’ yearnings and hopes.” - Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

Separated by the dictatorial Society that rules them, Cassia has been searching for Ky while suffering the harsh conditions of labor camps far from home. About to be sent to the Society’s biggest city for her permanent work assignment, Cassia instead grabs an opportunity to reach the war-torn Outer Provinces, where she finally gets a lead in tracking Ky. Ky has survived being used as a pawn in the Society’s war against a nameless and faceless enemy; he and two companions have escaped into a no man’s land, and Cassia follows. As Cassia and Ky hike through dangerous territory in search of a rumored rebellion and the freedom to be together, the specter of Cassia’s betrothed, Xander, hangs over them. Narrated from Cassia and Ky’s viewpoints, Condie’s sequel to her acclaimed Matched is very much a middle book, centering on a transformative journey and setting up the finale to come. Newcomers will need to read the first book for background, but vivid, poetic writing will pull fans through as Condie immerses readers in her characters’ yearnings and hopes. Ages 14–up. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

A New York Times bestseller

“Superb.”

— Wall Street Journal

“Intriguing.”

— Entertainment Weekly

“Perfect escape.”

— MTV.com

“Adventuresome.”

— Deseret News

* “[R]ich…this will leave fans hungry for the third book” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Enthralling.”

— Publishers Weekly

"[A]n action-driven sequel, steered by characters who break the rules, form new alliances and commit to surprising paths."

— Shelf Awareness

From the Publisher

“Superb.”

Wall Street Journal

“Intriguing.”

Entertainment Weekly

“Perfect escape.”

MTV.com

“Adventuresome.”

Deseret News

"[A]n action-driven sequel, steered by characters who break the rules, form new alliances and commit to surprising paths."

Shelf Awareness

Gr 7 Up—Cassia, Ky, and Xander are back in this eagerly awaited sequel to Matched (Dutton, 2010), joined by new friends and facing new obstacles. Ky has been banished to the outer provinces along with many other young Aberrations to serve as cannon fodder for the unseen enemy of the Society. It is a brutish-and certain to be very short-life. But Ky and his friends Vick and Eli escape into The Carving, a vast system of canyons seemingly beyond the reach of the Society. Meanwhile, Cassia escapes a Society work camp and flees into the canyons, risking everything to find Ky and a rumored rebellion called the Rising, once again leaving behind Xander. Ky reluctantly shares bits of his past with her, only hinting at his aversion to the Rising. Xander, though not physically present in the canyons, intrudes on their relationship again and again and is withholding important information. Caught between the Society and the Rising, and wanting only to be together, Ky and Cassia must choose a side if they are to survive. Told in alternating chapters from their points of view, the book gives readers full access to the hearts and minds of two memorable characters. Their needs, love, and internal conflicts are palpable. Their voices are distinct and authentic, and the writing is often poetic. But this volume resolves little, leaving readers hungry for the final book in the trilogy.—Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

School Library Journal

Cassia and Ky grapple with secrets, wilderness and the tumultuous meanings of love in the second installment of this addictive, layered dystopic trilogy. Far away from both each other and the neatly manicured and repressive Society suburbs, Ky and Cassia are both on the run. Cassia slyly gets herself moved from a work camp to the Outer Provinces, where kids are shipped to die as "decoys"--defenseless shooting fodder for the Enemy. She's not positive that Ky's there, but readers are: The two alternate narrating in first-person present. Ky's voice is dry and harsh, Cassia's lusher, befitting their life histories. They're desperate to find each other. She's exhilarated at whispers of an anti-Society rebellion called the Rising; Ky hates the Rising but holds his reasons close, parceling out his story slowly. When Cassia and Ky find each other, deception looms large, as does Cassia's official Match, Xander, geographically distant but sharply relevant. Although two-boys-one-girl triangles run rife in this genre, Condie's is complicated and particularly human, involving real emotional scars. While more loosely woven than Matched (2010), this volume has its own boons, including non-linear travel through a rough canyon and critical interpretations of Tennyson's symbolism, which could change their world. Questions--about Cassia's vulnerability to the Society's pills, about the Enemy's identity and the Rising's true nature--hover for next time. Both rich and easy to digest, this will leave fans hungry for the third book. (Science fiction/romance. 13 & up)

Kirkus Reviews