BOOK REVIEW | CROSSED BY ALLY CONDIE

Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Published: 2012
Language: English
Pages: 367
Rating: 2/5

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR MATCHED, BOOK ONE IN THE MATCHED TRILOGY.

"Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky--taken by Society to his certain death--only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life . . . and the enthralling promise of rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices everything to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game. On the edge of Society, nothing is as expected, and crosses and double crosses make Cassia's path more twisted than ever."

As mentioned in my review of Matched, I had quite the problems with the writing style in the first book. It was too youthful and boring in my opinion. In this book a lot more things happened and it Cassia was acting way more adult until the romances resurfaced. 

There were also some new characters introduced in 'Crossed' which I really liked, they were all very likable especially Eli. Still the story didn't grab me and I can't say I was attached to either the story or characters.

I do own the final book in this installment which I will be reading and reviewing, but only because I already own it and because I want to finish a series once I start it. Not because I actually would like to know how it ends. 

BOOK REVIEW | LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR BY STEPHANIE PERKINS

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
First published: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 384
Rating: 4/5


"Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion... she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit – the more sparkly, more wild – the better. And life is pretty close to perfect for Lola, especially with her hot rocker boyfriend. That is, until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket return to the neighbourhood and unearth a past of hurt that Lola thought was long buried. So when talented inventor Cricket steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally face up to a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. Could the boy from Lola's past be the love of her future?"

I read 'Anna and the French Kiss' two years ago and ever since I have been wanting to pick up the other two companion novels but I never did. A couple of months ago I finally bought them and because I knew I was going to go to Crete, I decided to save them for my holiday. I find these books the perfect summer read.

I really liked our main character Lola, she was different and unique and you really get to see this. I also completely fell for Cricket, Lola's neighbour, I thought he was an absolute sweetheart. I was not to keen on Max, Lola's boyfriend. He was annoying, needy and way too jealous. 

I really liked the storyline, it was quite simple, but the things that happen along it's way are great. What I really liked as well is that family bonding also emerges. It was a very important aspect in this book, and is something I always really enjoy reading about.

This book was a lovely read, and I can't wait to complete the companion trilogy by reading 'Isla and the Happily Ever After' soon. 

TOP 5 WEDNESDAY | FAVOURITE FIRST SENTENCES

In this Top 5 Wednesday we discuss our favourite first sentences in a book. Now there were only two first sentences which I immediately knew I was going to mention. For the other three I had to open almost every book and read the first sentence of and be the judge. Here are my 5 favourite first sentences.

NEW ON MY WISHLIST | I

BOOK REVIEW | MATCHED BY ALLY CONDIE

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
First published: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 369
Rating: 3/5


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.

This was the first book club pick from my new book club and although I really wasn't interested I didn't want to ditch the first book of a new bookclub so I picked it up anyway. As expected the book wasn't my cup of tea.

First of all I really didn't like the writing style at all. It was kind of boring and a bit youthful in my opinion. Cassia our main character was in my opinion to standard, like a cliché young adult heroine. 

I do think that 'Crossed' and 'Reached' have potential to make this trilogy a whole lot better, because I can't say that I was to enthousiast about this first one.