Summary (from Good Reads):
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.
Crossed is the sequel to Matched, and picks up where Matched left off. Ky is at a work camp in the outer provinces. Cassia is also at a work camp, with girls who are Abberations. She still has Xander's gifts and still feels for both him and Ky. When Xander visits her, When the girls are taken there, Cassia finds that Ky has escaped into the the Carving, taking his friend Vick, and a younger boy Eli with him. Cassia takes along her friend Indy and together they decide to find Ky and the Rising, the rebellion against the Society. They run into an abandoned town with paintings, a town where Ky's father used to visit. There, a man Hunter helps them out. In return, he takes them to a place called the Cavern--where tissue samples of people, dead and living are. The Society is even in the Carving. They are reaching outside to the wilderness, which makes it all the more dangerous for Ky and Cassia. Even as Cassia finds Ky, they are separated by his desire to go with Hunter to the mountains and live with the other townspeople. To live with his father's kin. But Cassia is determined to go to the Rising along with Indie. To follow the river or cross to the mountains, that is the choice. And Ky has a secret that could destroy everything he and Cassia have worked so hard for. SPOILERS I just have to say this. The choices that others make, and the surreal wilderness makes gives the impression that nothing is as it seems. When they reach the Rising, there is no going back.
Like Matched, Crossed is very, very interesting. All of the allusions incorporated give it life and meaning. I liked the poems, the paintings, all the history in the abandoned town, and learning about Ky's past. I even liked getting to hear Ky's voice, but was disappointed that is sounded like Cassia's so much that I could hardly tell the difference. Indie, Vick, and Eli are strong secondary characters, esp Indie. All of them, even Hunter, have their own stories and experiences to help them (and the others) in their crossings. I LOVE Xander, and I truly hope he and Cassia end up together. This is just my opinion, but I think Ally Condie favors Ky. After all they are the true starcrossed lovers. I learned something about Xander in this book that made me think Cassia and Xander might have a chance. I've also had an issue that it's like Cassia forgets about Xander when she sees Ky's face on her match card. The main problem with Crossed is that there are NO answers. Here are some of my own questions below.
Perhaps someone knows the answer? Why can't Ky say the words for Vic? (pg 191) How did Eli's parent's die? (pg 171) Why was Eli sent to the Outer Provinces? (pg 171) What's the deal with the Cavern? (chapter 32) How can Indie be in love with Xander? (pg 305) Is there a real reason Xander goes to Camas? (pg 34) What is Ky's compact worth? (pg 31) Who is the Enemy? Why would the Society lie about the blue tablets? (pg 42) Why is the Society sending them to the Outer Provinces? (pg 84) What is the deal with the boy who helped Cassia and Indie and then died in the Cavern? (pg 98/99) What about the people who were killed on top of the Carving? (pg 143/144) What happened to Laney and her family? (pg 173/174)
For those of you who have read Crossed, maybe you know something I don't. Comments and answers are appreciated.
Next time: Quotes and more on Crossed. Got to go, Bye! Rachel
