Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Checkmate by Malorie Blackman

2 reviews

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense 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? Yes

3.0

I wanted to read this because I brought a poster with 100 books to read in your lifetime. The first and second book was brutal and ended on a cliffhanger that I had to carry on with the series to find out what the hell was going to happen. This book is still brutal, and I believe everyone needs to read this series, but I struggle with this book.  

This book has multiple points of view. The main focus and point of view during this book is Callie Rose. Her mum is a Cross, and her dad was Nought. Her dad was a murderer. Her dad was a terrorist. These facts are the only things that are hers and real. So, she doesn’t mind that she’s leaving it all behind. She thinks there is nothing holding onto. Sixteen years have passed since Sephy Hadley first met Callum McGregor and the hate that divided them turned to hope. But the world hasn’t changed quickly enough for their daughter, Callie Rose. Growing up as mixed child in a world where bitter prejudice divides Noughts and Crosses has meant she’s an outsider wherever she turns. Jude teaches Callie about her real family history, and the more she learns the more he persuades her where her loyalties really lie. But soon Callie is caught in a trap she can’t get out of – one which will have deadly consequences.  

This book is still brutal, yes, it is supposed to be a dystopian and fictional book, but it didn’t feel like it at all. This shows the way that society still is, and it made my blood boil. It just frustrates how people still be like this? This book has a strong storyline. This is a powerful book. I love how we’ve watched Sephy grow from a young child to a mum of a teenager. This book shows what hate and brainwashing can do to a person and how secrets can rip families apart. I liked that we got additional POVs from both of the grandmothers, Sephy and Jude.  

I felt like half of the book was repeating itself a bit and repeating the actions of the first two books. Between all the POVs, I felt like I was reading the same things over and over again. I felt like this book could have been cut in half and we still would have got everything we needed to know and the story and the drama. I get why they did it with the secrets, but with the flashbacks chapters of Callie growing up, to show the betrayal and things, but it was just confusing, and I think it would be better if they were in chronically order rather than jumping back and two. I hated the love triangles; I don’t think there was any need for them.  

I feel like this has dipped a bit from the original plot of the first book. I think Malorie needs to go back to the original plot of book 1 and remember why this was written rather than going off on a tangent and making a book out of it.  
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ashyyy's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense 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

3.75

After book 2, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue reading, but my friend convinced me to get to at least book 3. I'm glad stuck to it. This was a wonderful ending to the first 2 books. The time jumps throughout kept me on my toes and I felt the characters were more in-depth than in book 2. 
I don't think I'll read the next book, though. I like where this finished. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...