NOUGHTS AND CROSSES by MALORIE BLACKMAN (2006)

Title: Noughts and Crosses

Author: Malorie Blackman
Series: Noughts and Crosses #1
Pages: 479

Published: Aug 8th 2006

Publisher: Corgi Childrens

I read this book while in Florida, and despite spending a whole week at Disney World, morning till evening, I finished this book in no time. This book was on a list of books recommended for summer reading when I was fourteen and having heard loads of good comments about it from class mates and teachers I had to get it.

This book is so incredibly strong and filled with important topics such as racism, politics, pregnancy, kidnapping, attacks and parent relationships. Every teenager should read this book. It is set in a world with a "colourless underclass" and a "dark-skinned ruling class". However, they are simply referred to as noughts and Crosses. It is a sort of Romeo and Juliet story where Callum (nought) and Sephy (Cross) cannot be together but it much more politically dangerous than a classic Shakespeare play.

The book runs over a couple of years (which was new to me as I felt like a lot of young adult books take place over a few days to a few months. The reader gets to grow up with Callum and Sephy and go through all the time they spend together (and apart). It's written from both people's point of view so the reader truly gets a deep understanding for what is going on and if anything it makes it even more heart wrenching.

Highly, highly recommend this for both teens and adult. I made my mum read it. Due to the ending of this book, I had a hard time continuing with the rest of the series. I did start Knife Edge but didn't get through it unfortunately. I almost believe that Noughts and Crosses works well as a stand-alone and that is almost the way I view the story. However, there may be more important points to be brought up the sequels and I will not judge books that I have not read. With other words, this book is part of highly rated series but it is perfectly fine to read on its own.


Plot Summary:

Callum is a nought - a second-class citizen in a world run by the ruling Crosses...
Sephy is a Cross, daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country...
In their world, noughts and Crosses simply don't ,mix. And as hostility turns to violence, can Callum and Sephy possibly find a way to be together? They are determined to try.
And then the bomb explodes...
A gripping, stimulating and totally absorbing novel set in a world where black and white are right and wrong.
- back of book

My Rating:

10/10

Other Books in this Series:

Noughts and Crosses (Noughts and Crosses #1)
Knife Edge  (Noughts and Crosses #2)
Check Mate  (Noughts and Crosses #3)
Double Cross   (Noughts and Crosses #4)
An Eye for an Eye  (Noughts and Crosses novella)
Callum  (Noughts and Crosses novella)
Noughs and Crosses Graphic Novell

Other Books by Malorie Blackman:

Pig Heart Boy
Boys Don't Cry
Hacker
The Stuff of Nightmares
Thief!
Noble Conflict
The Ripple Effect (Doctor Who)
Dead Gorgeous
A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.
Cloud Busting
Tell Me No Lies
Chasing the Stars
Love Hurts
The Deadly Dare Mysteries
Dangerous Reality
Trust Me
Hostage
Operation Gadgetman!
Jon for Short
Unheard Voices
Shining On