Reviews

Himmel und Hölle by Malorie Blackman

amallard's review against another edition

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

I remember when we were in school and they told us (repeatedly) that this was The Best Book For Kids To Read About Racism. 

I wish they'd recommended something else. This just wasn't well written. I'm happy for all my White teachers who felt they learned something, though. Wild that the victims of racism had to be White before they could understand it.

jwsg's review against another edition

challenging emotional tense fast-paced

4.0

I came across Malorie Blackman when I happened to be browsing the British Library website and saw that they were organising an exhibition about her. Noughts and Crosses provides an interesting take on racism and prejudice, set as it is in an alternate society where the dark skinned Crosses are the elite and the light coloured Noughts (insultingly referred to as "blankers") are the oppressed underclass. Noughts and Crosses live in a segregated society - they go to different schools (where Noughts are traditionally not allowed to access higher education), shop in different shops, live in different neighbourhoods. The dark skin, dark hair and full figures of Cross women serve as the standard of beauty. Noughts are regarded as either dim-witted or up to no good. But Callum, a Nought, and Sephy, a Cross, have grown up together and are best friends. While Callum does recognise that society doesn't view relationships between Noughts and Crosses kindly, Sephy, with her privileged (read blinkered) is slow to understand societal realities and why Crosses, including her own family, are so invested in preserving the status quo. An interesting fictional treatment of race issues.

esile_22's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

shadylane_00's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.5

readwithkiekie's review against another edition

5.0

“The news lies all the time. They tell us what they think we would want to hear.”

You know a book is that good when you're still thinking about it 7 months after you read it. I can picture everything perfectly clear in my head, the characters, the world, every little detail and I think it will always remain that way.

If you want a Dystopian that's fast-paced, action-packed, but also makes you think about racial themes then this book is for you, like, seriously. I loved everything about this novel and I need to continue with the series!

“That just the way it is. Some things will never change. That's just the way it is. But don't you believe them.”

kirstyjpoynton's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

brendalovesbooks's review against another edition

3.0

There were some good and thought provoking things here, which is good. But that wasn't enough to make up for me not being able to care much about either of the main characters, and some of the plot stuff that just didn't work.

salad_dog's review against another edition

Written like it was written by a 10 year old 

baneen_al's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

soudersca06's review against another edition

3.0

~3.63 ⭐️