AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Crossed by Ally Condie

TITLE: Crossed 
SERIES: Matched, Book 2 
AUTHOR: Ally Condie 
NARRATORS: Kate Simses and Jack Riccobono

PUBLISHER: Penguin Audio
DATE OF PUBLICATION: November 1, 2011
FORMAT: Unabridged Audiobook, 10 hours
GENRE: Young Adult, Science Fiction/Dystopia,
ISBN: 9781611760101 

SYNOPSIS:

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.

MY REVIEW:

I received this audiobook for review from the publisher. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own. 

I could hardly wait to jump into this book! After the conclusion of Matched, I was eager to find out how Cassia would set out to find Ky.

I really like how Condie chose to write this book from the alternating points of view of Cassia and Ky. It really adds dimension to the story, and it is easy to see how something can be perceived as innocuous by one person and quite something else by another!

 

Cassia has completely transformed from the Society girl she once was. She now takes chances and risks and, if given a “do-over,” I don’t think she now would have burned her Grandfather’s poem. Rather, she would keep it locked away and cherish it. Her character has become more complex, and I love that about her! I think the book cover aptly depicts the change in Cassia, her “breaking out” of the Society mould.

Cassia has changed so much that I am now not so sure that her feelings for Ky are what she thinks they are! Was she drawn to Ky because he was an aberration...something different...something forbidden? Was she excited by the prospect of finding The Rising and taking risks with Ky and doing things she never thought that she could do? Or does she just love Ky for who he is? 

I enjoyed seeing Ky’s development in this book. He is very cunning and wise way beyond his years. While I am uncertain of Cassia’s true feelings for Ky, I do believe Ky is in love with Cassia but that he also worries about whether her feelings are truly just for him.

This book is a little darker than Matched because we learn more and more secrets about the Society and what they are doing.

  

Indie, the girl who is befriended by Cassia, is a little bit of a mystery. I hope that we found out more about her in the next book, as well as Hunter and Eli.

And who is the mysterious “he” that Cassia is talking about at the end of the book? Is it Ky, Xander, or someone else entirely? I’m pondering different scenarios in my head!

Overall, I really enjoyed the book, though not as much as I did Matched. I would still recommend the series to anyone who enjoys dystopia.

My favourite quote from the book is from Cassia: “Love changes what is probable and makes unlikely things possible.”

This audiobook is narrated by Kate Simses, who also narrated Matched, and Jack Riccobono. All points of view from Cassia are narrated by Simses, and Riccobono narrates the points of view from Ky. I am always a fan of multiple narrators, so I enjoyed the addition of Riccobono.

I can't wait until November, when the final installment in the trilogy will be released!

MY RATING: 4 stars! I really enjoyed it and recommend it!!

This book qualifies as:
#2 for my 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 
#1 for my 2012 Young Adult Audiobook Challenge
#1 for my 2012 Audio Book Challenge
#2 for my Mixing It Up Challenge 2012
#4 for my Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian Challenge
Task #7 for my The Eclectic Reader 2012 Challenge  
Task #7 for my 2012 Global Reading Challenge
#2 for my 2012 ARC Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge
#2 for my Speculative Fiction Challenge 2012
#1 for my 2012 Dystopian Reading Challenge
Letter C for my A-Z Book Challenge 2012
#1 for my 2nds Challenge 2012
#1 for my 2012 Finishing the Series Reading Challenge

View all my reviews