Crossed

I finished the sequel to Matched today. I'm afraid that this series will end up like the Hunger Games, and digress in plot quality as the series goes on. This book caused these expectations. When I review it, keep in mind that there will be spoilers from Matched. Read with caution!

This book half revolves around Cassia searching for Ky in the Outer Provinces, and half revolves around finding the mythical "Rising", the rebellion against the Society. Cassia and Ky switch off narration by chapter, which is okay at first, but after a while confused me. After Cassia found Ky, they're at the same places, the same events are going on, and the tone of Cassia and Ky's narrations are very similar, so you really have to pay attention to the first page of a chapter or you'll be totally lost until you see "Cassia said" in what you thought was her chapter.

I have fallen in love with how much Ky loves Cassia, and how devoted he is to running from the Outer Provinces, where he has been "fighting" the war with the Enemy, and getting back to Society so he can at least send a message to Cassia. The same goes for Cassia's devotion to Ky, even though he's not exactly the guy I'd fall for.

My hatred for the Society has grown, as we discover that the blue tablet, said to save a citizen when taken, actually is poison to slow you down if taken, to keep you in one place so the Society could find you, or kill you if you have rebelled against the Society and are outside of their range of help. Not that I'm surprised.

This book doesn't end. It just stops. What is Cassia's work in Central? Why wasn't she reclassified? Has Xander told her his secret? Is Ky going to be okay? Does he still have Cassia's grandfather and Vick's tissue samples?

So, overall, this is an OK book, but it lacks a certain something that I was looking for. I do not have much hope for Reached, the final book, coming out in November. I'll still read it, of course. I still like the series, but I think Reached will be the worst of all the trilogy.

I am Here!

The other day, I read a manga book for the first time ever. My friend recommended I do t, so I decided to at least try, even if it is a bit unusual.

I read I am Here! Volume 1 by Ema Toyama. It revolves around the story of a girl, Hikage Sumino , who is basically invisible to others. Her only friends are the two people who comment on her daily blog. But when the most popular boys in her class talks to her, she decides to re-invent herself.

I liked this story, because at times I can relate to Hikage, though not so much anymore, now that I am in high school. I thought the romance between Hikage and Hinata was super sweet! Hinata is awesome, and cute! Yet, so are all anime guys...

I thought the character development was a little bit rushed. I expected this book to be about her getting to know Hinata, and becoming stronger and gradually more confident because of him, and gradually she would become more and more outgoing. But no. At the very end of this book, she announces in front of the whole class that she had always felt invisible, and Hinata was the only person who saw her, and suddenly her classmates are all buddy-buddy with her.

Speaking of her classmates, Aya and her crew were so mean! I really didn't like her! I didn't really understand why she said "This is all your fault.". What is all Hikage's fault??

Overall, I liked this book. I want to get the second book, but my dad doesn't approve of me reading manga. When he saw the book, he asked me "Why don't you read a REAL book?" and I don't imagine he'll let me get the next one. I don't know. I understand where he's coming from, but I do usually read real books! This was just for fun, to take a break! Why can't he just let me enjoy it?

Until next time- happy reading!