BOOK COVER RELEASE - CROSSED by ALLY CONDIE

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.
 
RELEASE DATE NOVEMBER 2011!!
 
 
I have decided to read Matched and Crossed together. I have heard such mixed reviews of Matched that I will read them one after the other. The book covers are really nice. I'm under the impression you either really like Matched or it's not your cup of tea. I am a fan of dystopian genre as Delirium , The Hunger Games series are among my fave books. I want to like Matched but the reviews to be honest are quite mixed. I'll be back in November with my opinion/review. Yes , I am taking the chicken way out and having both books ready to devour , to keep the momentum running .
 
 

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW: MATCHED by ALLY CONDIE

Title:  MATCHED
Author:  ALLY CONDIE
Publisher:  Razorbill / Penguin
Pages: Paperback 366
Aquired:  A gift from my Twinny Michelle!

RATING:  3 out of 5 Dystopian Stars!

DESCRIPTION FROM GOODREADS:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

 
REVIEW:

Well..... I know a lot of people out there reading this are going "WHAT?? 3 Stars???".  I'm sorry guys I know a lot of people rated it far higher than this but I have to be honest..... I found it quite slow. I struggled to get through it.  I went in looking for a beautiful, yet exciting and entertaining book....and I was left a little lacking in the exciting and entertaining aspects.  

Yes it was a poetically beautiful read - Ally certainly has a gift for writing.  I just wasn't entertained from start to finish and her writing talent was almost lost on me because of it.  It felt very stagnant in most parts.

Cassia was fairly likeable though I felt that her passion for Ky was only brought on by the incident with the Matching Ceremony - if it hadn't happened, I doubt she would have shown any interest in him (don't want to give too much away for those that are still keen to read it!).  It didn't feel "real" - sort of her acting out against The Society.

Though Ky and Xander are main characters, they unfortunately weren't too memorable or dare I say their "smexi" level didnt register for me!!

I'm still undecided if I will read the sequel - though I do tend to give stories a second chance.  Maybe I will be thrust into Cassia's world and wont want to come back out?!  Only time will tell..........

MARISSA