Mini-Review: Crossed (Matched #2) by Ally Condie

Crossed (Matched #2)
by Ally Condie

Published March 12th 2013 by Speak

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.

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia

Publication Date: Nov 1st 2011

Publisher: Dutton Children's

Format: Hardcover, 368 pages 

Series: yup

Source: my own TBR

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It's funny that even though I don't LOVE the writing in this series that much, I still can't NOT read it. That is one cool plot. And there is finally some action here. And some development of the characters.

Let's get this show on the road:

Don't you love these covers? It's so cool that they sort of tell a story on their own, daring you to pick the book up and go find out more about it. Aaaanyway. It took me a while to read Crossed, but it was so very worth my time! It had ALL the things I always expect to see in my dystopian books! People running from crazy government employees, having to find food, water and shelter, suffering, dying (I'm a bit twisted in the head, in case you didn't already notice), only to prepare themselves to take revenge and save society from an insane, controlling world! Or maybe blowing everything to pieces and go away in order to start over somewhere else. Heh. *-* Su-weet!! Right? And that is me being slightly sadistic, though honest in my book-needs.

My point is that Crossed was quite capable of delivering most of my wants (and I so need a copy of Reached!). Cassia was stronger and more determined than ever. Ky let us take a longer look into his heart, and became more lovable and complex and vulnerable because of it. It was an amazing thing to see (read?). And Ally kept things very fresh for us, changing POVs, making the characters GROW as we watched them. Lovely!

A lot happens in a very short period of time in this book, and so much changes! It felt more like a longer novella than an actual book in the series, but it was still enjoyable to see more into the trading world of Archivists, the Rebels and Xavier's secrets. 

Now, where's my copy of Reached?

Review: Touch (Denazen #1) by Jus Accardo

Touch (Denazen #1)
by Jus Accardo

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Publication Date: Nov 1st 2011

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Format: e-book, 400 pages 

Series: yes

Source: My Kindle

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My Review

"Is he... hum, special?"

Imagine you're walking home late from a super awesome party that is sure to piss off your dad, only to be accosted by a extremely peculiar, though very hot, guy who asks (not very nicely) for your shoes because he leaves strange black marks in his path. Oh, and when you take him home (all the more to piss your dad off) to fix the wounds afflicted by the men following him (I wonder why? Nevermind, dad will hate this), you find out your dad is there (Yay! ooops...) and that he is a super secret evil agent from a super secret evil organization called Denazen, and that the guy with you, Kale, is their assassin, and can kill with the slightest touch of his skin. Oh, except that when he touches you, nothing happens. Yup. And then you go and run off with this strange stranger (see what I did there? :P ) straight into a lot of trouble. Not that you care much, because he is very cute, if sort of weirdo.

Touch is the kind of book I'd like to see more of. It's fast-paced, it's funny, it really messes with your emotions, and, best of all, has a pure-hearted virgin, who also happens to be a killer, as a hero. I mean, come on!!! Perfection, right? Enough with the experienced bad boys and the super pure young girls. It's time to switch those silly roles, people! 

I LOVED to see Deznee explaining the simplest things ('this is a tv', 'you eat that like this', 'this is called a leather jacket', and so on) and then trying to explain to most difficult to Kale ('this is a kiss', 'they hold hands because they like each other. No, not just like... have feelings for. No, love is... hum'). Just priceless!!! *-*

I laughed out loud so many times my mother demanded to know what I was reading. 

I also felt a bit torn when Deznee's ex showed up. Sure, I was pissed off with him right along Dez, at first, but when we find out what really happened... I felt a bit sorry for him. Only to be pissed off again at the end of the book. LOL. I love when stuff like that happens. 

Man, and what about those more, hum... steamy scenes? Wooo-hooo!!! I really need to get me a virgin. Yup, I said it. Surely I'm not the only one with this sort of fantasy. Honestly, I blame Miss Jus Accardo. It's all your fault, missie. :P 

I know some people have trouble with sex in YA books, but I definitely don't. It's a normal thing, and there's nothing to ashamed of! Teens do it all the time, we can't stop them, just try to make them understand how important it is to use protection! Have you guys seen how many teenage girls say they 'wouldn't mind getting pregnant?'. COME ON! But I digress here... Kale was hot, Deznee was kick-ass and the chemistry between them was tremendous! When they were together it was beautiful and lovely and sweet. Nothing dirty or shameful here. Congrats to the author!

Now, where is a copy of Untouched when you need one? XD