Just Heard, Just Read, Just Seen

The second book in the Matched series,Crossed continues to follow Cassia and Ky as they resist the Society and try to think – and live for themselves.

Xander, Cassia’s official match, has helped Cassia to follow Ky who has been sent by the Officials to fight The Enemy at the frontier. Cassia’s family have also helped by suggesting Cassia is rebellious and should be in the work camps near the frontiers. After befriending another girl, Cassia makes a break and runs away, determined to find Ky and be with him.

Ky has also run and is equally determined to find Cassia and as he does so, his own story begins to unfold.

When the two finally find each other, more choices are presented and they begin to see choice is not always easy.

This second installment is told by both Ky and Cassia, in alternating chapters and points of view. The pick up from the first book is seamless and despite the regular switching from one character to another , there is no break in the narrative and the characters lose nothing from being seen through another’s eyes.

Xander, while not a prominent figure in this story, remains an important charcter, constantly in the back of the character’s minds as well as the background of the story.

Throughout Crossed, Condie calls the growing rebellion against Society The Rising. As a longtime Bruce Springsteen fan I made an immediate association with his song of the same name and  couldn’t help wondering if she was too.  So, after reading Crossed, I did visit Ally Condie’s website and was pleased to find that yes, she clearly was – and that I had indeed made the correct connection.

I’m looking forward to Book Three and the conclusion of this beautiful story that offers more depth and stimulation than most popular offerings on the YA market of late.