Noughts & Crosses

by Malorie Blackman
Noughts & Crosses cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Young Adult (YA)
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Paperback • £8.99–£10.99
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Format • £10.44
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  • ID: 661
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-11-01
  • ISBN: 9781407047966
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2008-12-26
  • Formats: 86
  • Reviews: 4

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman is a groundbreaking young adult novel that reimagines a world where the power dynamics of race are reversed. Sephy, a Cross, and Callum, a Nought, have been friends since childhood, but their bond is tested as they navigate a society that fiercely opposes their love. This novel has been praised for its originality and its ability to tackle complex social issues, making it a seminal piece of YA fiction. The story is not just a love story but a powerful exploration of systemic racism, privilege, and the struggle for equality. It has been voted as one of the UK's best-loved books and has garnered acclaim from notable figures in literature and entertainment.

Reviews
Laurie is Reading · 2025-01-19
engaging 4.00

The short chapters make this book accessible and engaging for younger readers. It is recommended for ages 12-15 due to its compelling storytelling.

The reviewer highlights the attractiveness of the book for younger readers, particularly noting the very short chapters that make it easy to read and engaging. They emphasize that the book is well-suited for readers aged 12-15, suggesting it holds a strong appeal for this age group. The simplicity and accessibility of the narrative are seen as key strengths, making it a great choice for reluctant readers or those looking for a quick, engaging read.

Quick quotes

    The chapters are very, very short, which makes this book attractive for the younger readers.

    This novel is recommended to readers aged 12-15 and ...

    This book is a great choice for reluctant readers or those looking for an engaging read.

Girl with her Head in a Book · 2023-05-30
disappointing 2.00

The prose style lacks depth and the characters seem one-dimensional, making the book underwhelming despite high expectations.

The reviewer found the book underwhelming, particularly criticizing the prose style for lacking depth and the characters for being one-dimensional. Despite high expectations, they felt the narrative fell short of delivering a rich and engaging experience. The review suggests that the book's potential is not fully realized, leaving the reader wanting more depth and complexity in both the writing and character development.

Quick quotes

    Based on that recommendation, I found Noughts & Crosses underwhelming.

    The prose style lacks depth and the characters seem surprisingly one-dimensional.

    The book falls short of delivering a rich and engaging experience.

Motherbooker Blog · 2020-06-15
powerful 4.00

The novel effectively reverses race roles to highlight the issue of prejudice. It's a powerful and thought-provoking story.

The reviewer appreciated the book's unique approach to exploring racism by reversing race roles. They found this technique to be incredibly effective in highlighting the issue of prejudice. The story is powerful and thought-provoking, making it a significant read. They believe the book does an excellent job of making the reader reflect on societal norms and the impact of prejudice.

Quick quotes

    Noughts and Crosses is a powerful novel that really does a great job of reversing race roles.

    It's an incredibly effective story that highlights the issue of prejudice.

    The story is powerful and thought-provoking, making it a significant read.

The Books are Everywhere · 2019-07-09
enjoyable 4.50

This book is character-driven and very enjoyable, with the protagonists facing upsetting lives due to their different circumstances.

The reviewer enjoyed the book, finding it very character-driven and engaging. They particularly appreciated the depth of the protagonists, Callum and Sephy, whose lives are marked by different challenges and struggles. The review highlights the emotional impact of the characters' experiences, making the story compelling and thought-provoking. The reviewer found the narrative to be both heartfelt and captivating, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    I found this book very character driven, but I actually really enjoyed it.

    Callum and Sephy have very upsetting lives for completely different reasons.

    The narrative is both heartfelt and captivating.

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