OMIGOD this is such a good book. It moves along interestingly at first but not so terribly differently than many another good YA, but it sneaks up on you and is powerful in its stealth. So glad I read it. ( )

Four Things I Hated About This:

1. The audiobook narrators
2. The writing
3. The premise
4. The characters

I agree with another reviewer who said we don't really need a version of the Civil Rights Movement where white people are the oppressed ones. I can actually imagine young readers who will get something out of this, but I really didn't. (Honestly, I didn't even make it that far into the book before I couldn't take it anymore.) I kept thinking of that scene at the end of the movie A Time to Kill where Matthew McConaughey is giving his closing argument and ends with "now imagine she's white." Like for some people, they cannot grasp the effects of racism unless they imagine their own race being subjected to it. ( )

This is set in an alternative history where white people have been opppressed for centuries and only released from slavery about fifty years before the story starts. It is told in the first person viewpoints of two young teenagers, Callum who is a Nought (white person) and Sephy (Persephone) who is a Cross (black person) from the ruling class. Sephy is more privileged than most as her father is a top politician, tipped for Prime Minister (the book is set in an alternative Britain).

Good points: there was a lot of food for thought from reversing the usual status quo. The position of Noughts in the story is similar to that of African Americans during the 1950s with the real-life bussing of black children to formerly all-white schools. In this story, it happens in reverse when Callum is one of a handful of Noughts allowed to attend Sephy's school, who then face enormous prejudice which engineers their gradual expulsion. Meanwhile, the long standing friendship between the two is put under greater and greater pressure, not helped by Sephy's naive behaviour which is perceived by Noughts, such as Callum's family, as patronising etc. Multiple tragedies are inflicted on his family, all related to the crushing discrimination suffered by Noughts. And Sephy herself receives an education in the way things really are, in her own family as well as in the greater society.

Not so good: the various tragedies that engulf Callum's family were very predicable. The constant switching of viewpoint, sometimes after less than a page, made the book very bitty and made it difficult to get into the characters. I also found Sephy extremely irritating. The situation with the letter that wasn't read in time was very cliched also. However, I do accept that these things would probably not strike the target readership as so predictable/cliched - I've obviously read a lot more books and seen a lot more TV/films etc where similar situations have arisen, albeit in a different context.

I do 'get' also that the feelings of the two characters had morphed into more than friendship although they were both in denial for a long time, but wasn't totally convinced by what happens late in the story when Sephy is placed in great danger. The ending though was very hard hitting for a young adult book. So on balance I would award it 3 stars. ( )

Wow. That book did not go the way I expected at all, so many plot twists and turns. ( )

3.5 Stars ( )

A book with an interesting premise - Sephy is a cross and Callum is a nought. Can they overcome society’s prejudices and be together? Unfortunately the story becomes progressively more ridiculous and problematic as it goes on, resulting in a very disappointing exploration of an interesting idea. ( )

I can see why this is a very successful young adult book - racism with the races reversed. But as an adult it lacks nuance to keep my interest.

So one of those young adult books that is great for young adults, but not for older adults. ( )

I just finished reading this book sobbing like an absolute baby. I just couldn’t put it down.

It certainly is an eye-opener of a book, where in a fictional world the white people are the disadvantaged, discriminated and criminalist ones.

I can’t wait to start the next book in the series tomorrow (as it’s late here and I need to sleep - otherwise I would start right now)

Definitely recommend ( )

If you read YA books or like the dystopia genre I think Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman could be a strong contender. It is fast earning a reputation as a modern YA classic. This is a rare book that has it all; love, dystopia, heartbreak, racism, terrorism and it’s a page-turner too. This book will move you to your core as you follow the twists and turns of Callum and Sephy’s story.

At the core of this novel is a simple love story; the story of Callum and Sephy , a pair of childhood sweethearts destined to become star-crossed lovers (like Romeo and Juliet but edgier), who cannot enjoy a normal relationship because Callum is a Nought and Sephy is a Cross. Noughts are white people with a low position and society and Crosses, who control the society, are black and they lead segregated lives.

It is a book that will make you think long and hard about prejudice in the world around you and it will allow you to walk in someone else’s shoes. Blackman is examining the white-black race divide but the lessons in this novel could be applied to any community that has divisions of this nature. This is the book for you if you enjoy thought-provoking, emotional books : [b:The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476284759l/32075671._SY75_.jpg|49638190] by Angie Thomas, [b:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328559506l/13335037._SY75_.jpg|13155899] by Veronika Roth, Suzanne Collins’ [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1447303603l/2767052._SX50_.jpg|2792775] trilogy and [b:The Fault in Our Stars|11870085|The Fault in Our Stars|John Green|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1360206420l/11870085._SY75_.jpg|16827462] by John Green are in the same vein.

Callum and Sephy’s paths cross when Callum’s mum works as a cleaner for Sephy’s wealthy family. Even as children they find themselves drawn to each other and have a special place by the sea where they meet up secretly. Each chapter alternates between the point of view of Callum and Sephy and we get a full 360 degree view of the issues that affect them. They are pure, idealistic characters, who seem too good for the twisted society around them. Will circumstances drag them down?

Their situation gets complicated when Callum is allowed to attend Sephy’s school (Noughts had previously been banned). This section is inspired by real events in the Civil rights movement, when black people were allowed equal rights to attend high schools and universities in the Southern states of America. This is a negative turning point in their relationship as society judges them for wanting to be together and ultimately this begins to drive them apart.

Tragedy strikes Callum’s family and this leads his brother to become radicalised and join the Liberation Militia, an organisation who launch terrorist attacks against Crosses. Will Callum turn his back on his principles and on Sephy to follow in Jude’s footsteps?

What has blown me away about my experience of reading this novel is how current it still feels, despite being 12 years old. Due to the polarised world that we live in, it is even more relevant in some ways. Noughts and Crosses came out in 2001 when there wasn’t quite the range of high quality choices in young people’s publishing that we have today. Instantly popular, many more books followed, including the newer book, [b:Crossfire|41950149|Crossfire (Noughts & Crosses, #5)|Malorie Blackman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549473294l/41950149._SY75_.jpg|65452028]

Malorie Blackman is now a superstar on the UKYA scene. She has been Children’s Laureate and has almost 41,000 Twitter followers. I have been to book events where teenagers and adults queue for hours to meet her. She has recently written a race focused episode of the new Dr Who series, there’s a new theatre production of Noughts and Crosses showing in London this summer and a much-awaited TV adaptation has just started filming.

I admire how Malorie Blackman has created her dystopia, she doesn’t rely on too much sci-fi but rather it is the inhuman way that Noughts and Crosses treat each other that cement this dystopian nightmare. This is a special story, a Romeo and Juliet for our times and you will fall in love with Callum and Sephy as you read it.

Trigger warning: Readers should be aware that in addition to the issues of race, many difficult themes are covered: alcoholism, violence, suicide and capital punishment are just some of them however they are sensitively treated. ( )

Callum and Sephy have grown up together, best friends, and now in their teens maybe their friendship is developing into something more. But there is a problem, Callum is a Nought, and Sephy is a Cross, and the two don’t mix, not in this world. But there are moves towards progress and integration, or at least hopes of that in the future; for the first time noughts will be allowed into Sephy’s school, and Callum is one of the four that managed to pass the entrance exams. He will be allowed in, but he knows that it will be difficult, Sephy is more innocent. She’s just glad they’ll be able to spend more time together. Neither knows just how hard it is going to be, and all that is before the bomb goes off

http://www.susanhatedliterature.net/2010/06/28/noughts-crosses/ ( )

Edited to add: I LOVED the TV show associated with this book. The show answers all of the questions I had about the book.
I could not love the show more.

Original Review:
This was a miss for me.
The idea is good just poorly executed world building.
If white people (Noughts) were enslaved by blacks (Crosses), why does this happen? Where does this happen? Why are they called Noughts & Crosses, what is the name derivative of?
What African Nation did this? Why do most of the characters have English names? Why do the places have English names? That's not how conquering works.
The same with the culture, why are they participating in English activites vs forcing their culture, language and customs on the people they are oppressing? All while disparaging their customs, not participating in them.
It's just sloppy world building.
The romance is just, no. Racism is terrible but once one character has harmed another, it's best to no longer run with the romance angle. Storyline dangerously normalizes troubling relationship behaviors.
I'm shocked this is so popular and highly rated. ( )

This is the story of Callum and Sephy (Persephone). One white the other black, separated by the system on racist grounds. Black is the dominant race with the white minority suffering racial prejudice. Right from the start you are struck by the racial injustice and loss of hope in the minority community, as gradually everything is taken away from them.. The integration of schools echoes the civil rights movement in sixties America. How standing up for what is right has unforeseen consequences and a price to pay.

Likening the story to Romeo and Juliet almost trivialises the bigger picture which goes far beyond two families. This book examines how institutions (school, justice, employment and politics), affect the individual and how socialisation reinforces and shapes the wider society. Why the use of language matters, not only in how we see ourselves, but how we view other people. The value of work and the denigration and loss imposed by society when it is absent or lost. The breakdown of relationships through poverty and hardship.

The pace of this novel is measured and dynamic, not letting up for a second, yet not feeling rushed either. Written alternatively from both Callum and Sephy’s point of view, we get a view of race from both sides. How family dynamics and loyalties cause friction on both sides, echoing the problems in wider society. It is interesting that Callum’s family is more united and separate than Sephy’s middle class ideal, with a father who pursues power, a mother who drinks and a sister who wants to escape the family home.

The characters are well drawn, both Callum and Sephy are relatable and although we do not see much of their parents, we do feel their concern for their children’s future. The siblings Jude and Minerva are both the older rebellious sister and brother who challenge the system on their terms. Sephy and Callum naively believe things can change through acts of will and non-violent means. Love conquers all.

The ending is logical and satisfying. It is not a miracle cure, it does not give false hope, like the rest of the book it just states the facts. The addition of the short story An Eye for an Eye really enhances the ending and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. ( )

3.5

The premise was very powerful and i think this is a book everyone should read whilst impressionable. So they can see first hand what is so wrong with the world we live in and how people can treat fellow humans, for nothing other than the colour of their skin.

That being said, I had some problems with the storyline. Why is underage drinking being normalised? There is absolutely no repercussions when a 14 year old is drinking to “smooth out the rough edges”, just because her mother does it (also an issue).

ALSO, Jude? He plans and fronts all these terrible ideas... his dad and brother die as a result of his actions and always manages to escape without facing any consequences for what he has done???? (I know there are other books, so maybe this is corrected down the line?)

I liked it, it was very tragic. Lots of terrible things happen. ( )

Amazing!

Really didn't know what to expect going into this book but one thing is for sure after reading it. I wish I had read it sooner!

I loved all the characters (even the bad ones) & loved the story line. What really hit me the most though was the viewpoints from both sides of the divide & it really made me open my eyes to a lot of things.

Overall I love this book & think everyone should read it!


P.S I'm just finding it hard to get my thoughts together about it just now so will update this review when I can string a proper sentence together. ( )

I heard Malorie Blackman on "Desert Island Discs" a while back and have been wanting to give her books a try, so I'm glad I found this at the library book sale. It's a well paced, excellent read, and I will definitely be on the lookout for the others in the series. ( )

I read Naughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman because I saw it recommended on a Facebook site. It was one of those books for whom I was not the intended reader being much too old to be beguiled by the desperate love story, but the racism primer is very good for someone who has never thought about racial privilege. In this book, the people of color, Crosses (daggers in a racially disparaging term) are in charge and Noughts, white people (blanks in their own racially disparaging term) are the oppressed class. ( )

What a heartbreaking read this was. My heart bled for Sephy and Callum, two young people from opposite racial and social backgrounds who dared to be friends and gradually fall in love. Set in an alternate reality, the Noughts (the second-rate whites) were not allowed to intermingle with the Crosses (the dominating blacks. I loved how Blackman flipped history around and highlighted the absurdities of society, prejudice and racial hatred.

The story narrative switched between the two teenagers allowing the reader to understand their perspectives as they try to make sense of the world they live in. As the reader I felt their confusion, pain and anger, and shared their growing disillusionment. They showed that the power of love can mend bridges and change the world. Their romance was believable and so touching. Despite the pain, separation and heartache it caused, it remained strong and pure, right to the end. The last few pages were horrendous and just left me shattered. Even though I have read this book before, I was desperate for a different outcomes.

Beautifully and powerfully written, with complex characters and full of pain and love, "Noughts and Crosses" is a book that will resonate with me for a long time to come. ( )

Anyone who claims this book is “original” clearly doesn’t live in the same universe I do. And yeah, I get it. It’s a reversal. It’s making people– white people– the tragic past and present of black people, and the discrimination they face on a daily basis. You’re supposed to read this book and be furious about that happens to Callum so that you can take a step back and realize that the prejudice in this book exists in your world too, albeit in a different form. But when I read it, all I felt was bored.

Two reasons I didn't like this book:

First off, the relationship between Callum and Sephy. If I wasn’t told repeatedly that they’re best friends and that they love each other, I never would have known. There was zero chemistry. They didn’t get along, they had nothing in common, they didn’t understand each other at all. But but but they were childhood friends! Yeah and big deal. I grew apart from my friends, and by all means, they really should have grown apart too. Hell, the story would have been ONE HUNDRED times better if they grew apart and ended up hating each other and then were thrust back together when the plot required it. Boring and uninspired. That’s what I would call their relationship. The romance was sloppy, the characters annoying at best, and uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh. A forced romance, used only to make the plot work. The worst crime you could commit against your characters.

And second– the writing is atrocious. At first, I was willing to forgive it. “Oh,” I said to myself, “it sounds like a 13 year old wrote this because Sephy is thirteen! It’s meant to highlight how young and immature they are!” And I think I was partially right, because as the characters age, the writing does improve– slightly. But boy oh boy, is it ever immature. It’s so sophisticated, and it makes me wonder if anyone ever sat the author down and told her she’s not a very good writer. It’s a lot of exclamation points– including in internal thoughts– and a lot of dumb questions and a lot of “yeuck!” “as if!” “haha, funny one, Sephy!” type stuff. I wanted to pull my hair out. The writing not only took me away from the story, but it made me dislike the characters, and it made every emotionally scene fizzle away.

I didn’t hate this book. I really, really disliked it, but I didn’t hate it. I appreciate its attempts to explain race, and I appreciate its accessibility. I probably would have loved the hell out of this book if I was 13 (except I would have hated the Thing that happens at the end– not the very end, but the Thing that leads to the very end). But I’m not 13. I’ve lived in this world, and I’ve read some good books.

Enough to decide that this one is not very good. ( )

Well, I don't exactly know what can be said about this book that hasn't already been said.

I did really enjoy the book. I think the only reason I didn't finish it sooner was because I had other things I had to do and sleep! :o)

I loved the characters, with the exception of a few. The ending was heart wrenching and I wish it could have ended another way.

I enjoyed the story being told in a different point of view when it came to the way things are between the races. It's something I'm sure has been thought about by people throughout history, and someone was bold enough to put it to paper!

The only reason I gave it a 4/5 and not a full 5/5 was that I did get bored with it a few times and not totally sure why. But it was still wonderful none-the-less. :-) ( )

Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up

This book is about two young people who are forced to make a stand in this thought-provoking look at racism and prejudice in an alternate society.

Sephy is a Cross a member of the rich dark-skinned ruling class. While Callum is a Nought a member of the white poor underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two grew up together which made them build a friendship as kids but that’s as far as it can go. In their world, Noughts and Crosses simply don’t mix. Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger not only with people of their own race but with their families. Can they possibly find a way to be together?

This is a great read of love, different types of relationship, family, blame, and loyalty. ( )

Romeo and Juliet in a world in which the Noughts (whites) are ruled and oppressed by the Crosses (blacks): the Cross daughter of a leading politician is in love with the Nought son of a member of the resistance. Things start going pear-shaped for them both when legislation makes school desegregation mandatory and Callum (our Romeo) starts attending Sephy's (the Juliet) high school. Intense and engaging; I liked this one, although I thought the tone was a bit uneven - there was a tipping point about halfway through that made the story take a much darker turn than I would have thought possible from language in which the first half was settled. Otherwise, a good read, and I think an interesting one for white privilege kiddos, who may need help seeing things from a not-so-privileged side of vantage. ( )

I suppose I liked this book ok, but a lot of the teen angst really bothered me. I know that if I'm going to be annoyed by teen angst I should probably just stay out of the young adult section of the library, but I usually don't find it as irritating in books as I do in real life. In this book, though, the teens seemed absurdly stupid.
For example, there was a time a maid from the household of the girlteen he loved delivered a letter to the boyteen and he assumed that the letter was from the maid and just decided not to open it.

I do love dystopian futures, though. ( )

I hated the ending. Honestly, I just think I'm over this genre altogether. YA Dystopian just isn't for me. ( )

I bought this book, having no expectations apart from going by the review of my friend who told me to read it. It took me a while to get into but I found the book more and more intriguing, until I began to read it in lessons and school lunchtime and almost every opportunity I got. ( )

This is an interesting book, but the writing is not that great. The story definitely went in a direction I wasn't expecting, which is good, but I'm not sure how I feel about where it ended up. The book is just okay, but perhaps still worth reading because its an interesting subject. ( )