Noughts & Crosses - Malorie Blackman

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Title: Noughts & Crosses Author: Malorie Blackman Genre: Fantasy, YA Rating: 9/10 # pages: 445 Date read: November, 2007

Summary: Two young people 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 dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a Nought -- a 'colourless' member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood, 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. Can they possibly find a way to be together?

In this gripping, stimulating and totally absorbing novel, black and white are right and wrong.

Review: I came across Noughts & Crosses purely by coincidence while in London two months ago, read the first chapter and was captivated. However, I could see it was the first of a trilogy and didn't know if it could stand alone, so I wanted to wait and check that out first. I never did though, because I kept thinking about it, and wanted to read it, so shortly after returning from London I logged onto Bookmooch, and by an extreme stroke of luck found it there! (It'd just been added that very day).

Yesterday I finally had the time to read it, and absolutely LOVED it! It was everything I'd expected it to be and lots more. While certainly a very exaggerated view of racism I still think it raises some very valid points well worth exploring. I highly recommend it.

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