I liked Matched by Ally Condie well enough to accept Crossed, the second in Condie’s trilogy when it was offered to me for review via audiobook. Friends, I’m pretty sure that for the most part audiobooks make everything better. Despite Crossed being a 9 hour 50 minute audiobook, I listened to it over the course of three days. I’m not exactly sure what that says about me, perhaps no life comes to mind but Crossed is an excellent audiobook.
Crossed
Honestly, I thought Crossed was better than it’s predecessor, Matched. The stakes felt higher and much more real. Cassia (pronounced Ke$ha thank you audiobook) is on work assignment in the outer provinces because she feels compelled to find Ky, her fake match, true lover, from Matched who has been sentenced to a deadly Outer Province work detail because he’s an aberration. Cassia proceeds to escape from the work camp she is in with a new friend, Indy, in tow. Along the way, Cassia and Indy search for The Rising, a rebel group and their mysterious pilot.
The chapters alternate between Ky and Cassia, which I LOVED. I thought it was fascinating to get Ky’s point of view. I liked getting more information on Ky’s back story and motivations. Plus, sometimes it gets boring to be in the head of the same character the ENTIRE TIME. So YAYYYY for new points of views.
The journey of Ky and Cassia to find each other is anything but boring. As a sentimentalist, I’d say it’s romantic, I mean all they go through and withstand to be together, to take back choice from society. Plus we have that whole survival in the wild story which is sure to appeal to plenty of readers. AND SECRETS. Cassia is still quite naive, but I think that’s part of her appeal. I liked that she doesn’t go to bed and then wake up in the sequel a self-aware kickass character. She’s got a realistic vulnerability I can appreciate.
At this point, I am anticipating the third book in Ally Condie’s trilogy due in 2012 very much. I want to know Xander’s secret. I want to know society will be overthrown, if The Rising will succeed. If characters remain together.
Yo, the audiobook of Crossed was intense. The dual narration of Kate Simses and Jack Riccobono was a great element. Plus the occasional background music really ratchets up the intensity. Riccobono’s voice wasn’t as rough as I would have liked or imagined Ky to have, but it grow on me. Simses’ voice reminded me of Sarah Drew (narrator of the Delirium) audiobook. She nailed Cassia, with the young and innocent, girlish, tone of voice. If you aren’t certain about continuing the Matched trilogy, you might want to check out the audiobooks produced by Penguin Audio, because they add a whole new dimension to the story.
Disclosure: Audiobook received for review.
Other reviews of Crossed by Ally Condie:
The Story Siren
Amy Reads
Hobbitsies
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wow, I always pronounced it Ca-see-uh in my head. Guess when I pick up Crossed I’ll know better 🙂
It’s pronounced Ke$ha? I would had never guessed that!
I’m curious about this. I liked Matched, I hated how slow paced it was but I am curious to see what happens next… I just haven’t decided HOW curious I am lol.
It’s pronounced Ke$ha? nevr knew lol
review love
I always figured the technically correct way to pronounce that word would be kah-sha or something similar. But I still prefer to think it cas-ee-yah in my head, lol. Sounds less weird.
I’m glad to hear that you liked it. I loved Matched and am looking forward to reading Crossed.
I’ll have to give this one a shot on audio since it couldn’t hold my attention in regular book form. The same happened with Delirium. I was bored to tears while actually reading it but listening to it made the story feel so much more intense.
Steph
I had no idea that was how it was pronounced! I’m so jealous that you get to review audiobooks! 🙂 That’s awesome! I’m just starting this book this week!
I’m listening to the audiobook now and also had the same response to how Cassia is pronounced. Sounded like Ke$ha to me too! Unfortunately the audio was slow going for me in the beginning but it’s starting to pick up.
What, it’s pronounced Ke$ha?! I wasn’t a total fan of Matched, but now I’m a little bit curious to listen to the audio just so I can hear Ke$ha doing this and that with Ky. I like that audiobooks give you the correct pronunciation of names… because many times I do wonder if I’m saying them right.
I meant to read this the other day, but busy weekend! :0) I’m really looking foward to reading crossed. Husband has already been told it will be wrapped up and under the tree, or else!
I never would have thought her name was pronounced that way. My best friends daughter is named Cassia, and we pronounce it as Cas-see-ah. So it didn’t even dawn on me that it’s different in the book. Infact.. her name was why I picked the book up in the first place. I think i will still prounce it the way I’m used to while reading. 🙂
I think you’re the first I’ve seen who has liked this one more so was really interesting to read your review. I have to say I’m a tad bit disgusted to know Cassia is pronounced Ke$ha 😉 ahaha