Crossed by Ally Condie

Blurb:
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 thoughts:
After I've finished Matched I couldn't wait to see what happens next.
It seems the story picks up a couple of months after what had happened at the end of Matched.
Told by Cassia as well as Ky, we accompany the two of them throughout the adventure that has just begun, and get different views of the story. Also, we get introduced to new characters and dive deeper into the tortuous actions of the Society.
While Cassia is fighting her way through Society, the Outer Provinces and all kinds of emotions, Ky is starting to tell his story. And even Xander has a few secrets to share. Along the way we meet Vick, Indie and Eli - each bringing in they're own story. And you can not help but to love or at least be fascinated by them.
As more secrets get revealed and we get more and more pieces of everyone's story, I've found myself being surprised and admiring each character for what they did, gone through or come to.

Animated by the desire of freedom and the strengh of love, Condie is taking you onto another beautiful and heartbreaking adventure. The precision with which she describes the setting takes you right into the Outer Province and the Canyon. And the use of classic poems to fuel and support the characters makes you fall for them even harder.

I have really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the release of the next one. Codie has done a great job in setting up the endgame and I can't wait to get my hands on it. If you have liked Matched, you will love Crossed.

Matched by Ally Condie

I have just finished this one.
First, I've got to say I was hoocked just by looking at it. I found the German version of this lying around at my bestie's and got curious. After I've read the blurb I could not resist but to read the first few pages just right then.

Blurb:
In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one… until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow — between perfection and passion.

My thoughts:
I was really excited to start reading Matched. I instantly fell in love with the idea of the story.
The book starts right at the Matching ceremony - one part I was really excited about - and we get intoduced to the Society and their rules right away. Along the first few pages we meet Cassia's family, her best friend Xander as well as the rest of her social enviroment. As we follow Cassia, and quickly grow fond of her and everyone else, the huge influence that the Society has gets revealed.
Part of me had a hard time getting my head around the thought of other people contolling lives so strictly and... successful. But this just increased my sympathy for Cassia and the road she chooses to take.
As her view of the Society and everything she's ever known is starting to crack up, we get sucked into the hurricane of events, decisions and emotions Cassia has to come across.
Some parts are so easily to relate to, as we have faced them as well or know we will have to at some point. Losing a loved one, falling in love, letting go...
Other parts appeal to our imagination, letting us be a part of this whole new idea of living a life led by predictions and calculations.

I can only recommend this book, it had me crying and shivering of excitement and empathy. Although I had huge expectations towards Matched, it did not disappoint me and I have already started Crossed (the second book of this triology), because I can not wait to see what happens next.