Reviews

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

booksofjj's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Still love this book as much as the first time that I read it and having this re-read as a whole class reading exercise with my form has made me appreciate it even more by watching their reactions to the twists and turns

mp138's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

rachd24's review against another edition

5.0

Noughts and Crosses was one of my favourite books growing up, so I decided to reread it, and the rest of the series when I started book blogging. The good news? It's still one of my favourite books.

For a full review of this book, and a series overview, check out my blog -
http://confessionsofabookgeek.wordpress.com/2014/04/23/review-noughts-and-crosses-series/

stephibabes's review against another edition

3.0

Trying to reflect on this and work out if my rating is fair. Because on the one hand, it is a fantastic youth novel, on the other, I think it was just not quite for me. Which is fair! I am not a young person anymore. Ha!

The pace of drama and events left me reeling at certain points. At first it felt like that kind of heady time when you are coming of age and everything seems to be happening, friendships, family issues, the path ahead. But then the tragedy just keeps punching.

The exploration of racial politics and society built around and upon violent oppression, exclusion and resistance, is really well done for the age range. It weaves a complex tapestry throughout the story around which everything is driven. I would recommend it to anyone based on that alone.

I borrowed this audiobook using the Libby app from my local library. Support your local library!

cgbcgb's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

shaunaxx's review against another edition

Didn’t love the writing style and questioned the characters choices too much. Think I left it too late and am now no longer the target demographic 

jennrocca's review against another edition

2.0

Hated it. I loved the premise but the writing was weak, the dialogue was trite and I found the plot unsurprising. By then end I was more skimming to get the gist than truly reading.

I'm pretty easy to please but this fell short for me. No chance I'll read a sequel.

a_lil_bit_shady's review against another edition

sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jamishka's review against another edition

4.0

This is a book I didn't know I needed. I didn't need it because it was beautiful or heartbreaking or well written (which is all true), I needed it because it was eye opening. This is a book the world needs to read.

This series starts as a Romeo and Juliet type romance but instead of feuding families, the world is divided. It's divided by race. Malorie Blackman takes the world we live in and flips it on it's head. In this world Noughts (white) are discriminated against while Crosses (black) rule the world. This book is fiction but the examples within these pages unfortunately are not. They come from our history and our present. This book brings forth a message of equality through love. A message I think everyone needs to hear.

zoe_chichon12's review against another edition

5.0

Read this book when I was 16 and it’s still my favorite book ever. However, i’m still so heartbroken with the ending that i can’t bring myself to read the sequel.