Elizabeth Sheehan

11/6/19
Crossed is a dystopian novel by Ally Condie, that tests the bindings of true love. Crossed is the
second novel in the Matched trilogy by Ally Condie. Cassia is the protagonist in Crossed, who is
faced with the long journey of finding Ky, the boy she risked everything for. In “The Society”
writing, dancing, singing and art is forbidden. Cassia longs to explore the arts and live with Ky in
harmony but, she was matched by “The Society” with Zander: her childhood best friend.
Throughout Crossed, Cassia will go on a long personal journey to search for Ky and herself. In
order for Cassia to find the answers she's looking for; she must put one foot in front of the other.
In the beginning of Crossed by Ally Condie, Cassia faces an internal battle over whether to do
what is easy and normal, or to face what her heart truly desires; Ky. When Ky is taken to the
outer provinces to fight for” The Society”, Cassia escapes Oria; the only home she has ever
known and attempts to follow him; “Ky is heavy in my mind, deep in my heart, his palms warm
on my empty hands. I have to try to find him” (60). On Cassia’s journey she meets a fierce,
strong girl named Indie. Indie and Cassia join each other to find Ky and the Rising, a secret rebel
group led by the mysterious Pilot. Cassia is eager to uncover the secrets of the Rising and find
the pilot. Eventually, Cassia and Indie find themselves at the carving; a vast network of cliffs and
caves where the Rising’s deepest secrets lies; “In the Carving, you can see rivers and caves and
stones that you’d never see from above. It’s as though suddenly you are down close looking at
the workings of your own body, watching your own blood run and listening to the sound of your
heart beating it through (119)”. Over time, Cassia’s fascination with the Rising spikes; “I hope
it’s the Rising, Indie says. It has to be I say” (346). Cassia is faced a question: What is more
important to her, finding Ky or joining the Rising?
From the first page to the last page, the novel “Crossed” tied me in. Condie uses the suspense of
Ky and Cassia meeting to keep the reader engaged; "I'm filled with adrenaline and hope; I could
run forever this way, running to Ky” (94). Although, the novel was extremely captivating,
Cassia's journey felt like it never ended; “I climb into the dark for you. Are you waiting in the
stars for me” (102)? Cassia was unaware if Ky was dead or alive so, she wouldn’t stop her
journey until she knew the truth, this only prolonged the novel. Even the end of the novel lacked
development. Condie built up Cassia and Ky’s encounter for so long that the Rising wasn’t truly
explored until the very end; "Come to join whom? One asks. Indie doesn’t hesitate. The Rising,
she says” (347). Condie also does a considerable job of relating the characters to the reader. She
shows how all the characters go through many conflicts in their life, just like high school kids.
Overall, the 4-star novel Crossed opened up my eyes to what a person will do for true love, even
when faced with adversity.