A review by redheadreading
Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

Fascinating reading this after listening to Malorie's autobiography - I could really see how much of her own experiences she put into Callum as well as the historical moments she was drawing on to create the world. Blackman's writing style is quite simplistic here which I appreciate will make it super accessible for young readers but is a little too pared down for my personal taste. I feel similarly about the romance - there just isn't enough there between them for me to really root for (perhaps also because, aside from Sephy being a bit younger than Callum anyway, her perspective just also feels noticably immature in comparison to his for a lot of the book - albeit this might be a commentary on the way Callum has been forced to act older than his years by society as well, widening the gap between them). 

I can really see how this book will help young readers either see their experiences reflected or help them to begin thinking critically and grappling with understanding injustice. It seems like the series grows and expands a lot which is intriguing. Luckily, my library has it all on audio so I can explore a bit further!