Warning: Contain spoilers! Read at your own risk!
Cassia lives in a classic dystopian world where the Society controls nearly everything in her life. The story begins with Cassia and her best friend, Xander, at the Matching ceremony. The Society makes couples--they've matched Cassia's parents, and now Cassia is next. Later, she finds out she's put into a rare event where she's matched with someone she already knows, Xander. She's happy, but once she reads the microcard with all of Xander's information, an error occurs. Instead of seeing her match's picture on the microcard, she sees a picture of another boy named Ky. Even though the Officials inform Cassia it's just a malfunction, these events lead to Cassia falling in love with Ky. Then, twists and turns and EXPLOSION.
A lot of emotions were evoked while reading this book. I'd feel hatred for the Officials and pity for Xander and fondness for Ky and. . . I don't know about Cassia. Actually, I think I just felt whatever Cassia felt, which I guess is a good thing. The author expressed Cassia's feelings so well, I started to feel the same things. Also, there were numerous times where I just had to put down the book and soak in all the information--when an Official told Cassia they knew about the relationship with Ky, how they knew all along, that they set it up, when Ky was taken away, when Xander came to visit Cassia. . .
I'm a little perplexed at how flawless Ky is. I mean, Ky is just perfect. He's strong even under his circumstances. He's different and intelligent and talented, but when was the last time you saw someone like that in real life?
If you're a fangirl and lookin' for the real dirt. . . Then, no, it's not really enough for me to "ship" Cassia x Ky. Maybe if I read the book a second time I might change my mind.
I think I like couples that have some flaws to them, ones that have problems between themselves. Because the best couples can solve their own problems with love. But I feel Cassia's relationship with Ky was almost too perfect; like, it's unrealistic. I mean, there are problems, but it's not problems between them, it's their problems between the Society, their problems between Xander. . .
Speaking of Xander, I think I might like Cassia better with him. It would've been all good from the start, if the Society hadn't set up the whole "Ky" thing. And they are flawed, in fact. They were best friends, and maybe Cassia didn't want to be more than friends. I find it sweet that even though Cassia is slowly forgetting about Xander, he's still supporting her and treating her as a friend.
Okay, das it. I'd say. . . ★ ★ ★ ★ FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS. Small round green vegetables. I'm off to read Crossed!