Scan barcode
A review by pawswithabook
Checkmate by Malorie Blackman
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
Sixteen years since Callum and Sephy met in Noughts and Crosses, we follow the story of their daughter, Callie Rose, in the third novel of this series.
This novel, through the dystopian Noughts and Crosses world, continues exploring themes of racial prejudice, the impact it has on those living in it now and the future consequences. It explores how upbringing, the environment you are brought up in, the love you are shown, can have significant consequences on the choices and actions you take.
Whilst exploring some pretty heavy topics, this book keeps a sense of hope…it doesn’t dwell in the dark and sadness…it moves at pace, the plot twists and turns. Each chapter is a different perspective, but it doesn’t wallow in the characters thoughts to the detriment of the plot…instead it is used as a device for keeping the plot building and moving. Despite being the third in a series it doesn’t feel dragged out to fill books and I’m desperate to read the next novel.
This could even be my favourite of the series yet. There is just so much to love about this book and Malorie Blackman’s writing. Blackman writes the most believable, lovable (and hateful) characters…and you are so invested in them you can’t bear to put them down.
Malorie Blackmans writing is exquisite and I cannot recommend the Noughts and Crosses Novels highly enough!
This novel, through the dystopian Noughts and Crosses world, continues exploring themes of racial prejudice, the impact it has on those living in it now and the future consequences. It explores how upbringing, the environment you are brought up in, the love you are shown, can have significant consequences on the choices and actions you take.
Whilst exploring some pretty heavy topics, this book keeps a sense of hope…it doesn’t dwell in the dark and sadness…it moves at pace, the plot twists and turns. Each chapter is a different perspective, but it doesn’t wallow in the characters thoughts to the detriment of the plot…instead it is used as a device for keeping the plot building and moving. Despite being the third in a series it doesn’t feel dragged out to fill books and I’m desperate to read the next novel.
This could even be my favourite of the series yet. There is just so much to love about this book and Malorie Blackman’s writing. Blackman writes the most believable, lovable (and hateful) characters…and you are so invested in them you can’t bear to put them down.
Malorie Blackmans writing is exquisite and I cannot recommend the Noughts and Crosses Novels highly enough!