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Mar132011
Series Spotlight: ‘Noughts & Crosses’ by Malorie Blackman
by Carolyn • Posted in Series Spotlight
I have many series on my shelves which I haven’t even dipped into yet, and I am certain I will keep adding more, as well as those I’ve devoured and loved. Although I do enjoy the stand alone novel, I especially love a series. I enjoy getting to know the characters further than just one book allows and the characters become my friends – to escape into their world just for a little while is a real pleasure. Once a month I will be spotlighting a series, just so we can add more books to our ever growing TBR piles 
This Month’s Series Spotlight: ‘Noughts & Crosses‘ by Malorie Blackman
(UK Covers, Published by Corgi Children’s)
I adored this series – the first book ‘Noughts & Crosses‘ is one of the best young adult books I’ve ever read. This series is poignant, thought provoking with exceptional characters, a must read in my opinion.
Noughts & Crosses (Book #1)
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.
Knife Edge (Book #2)
This thought-provoking and often provocative look at racism is a sequel to the award-winning Noughts & Crosses.
Persephone (Sephy) Hadley, now an 18-year-old single parent, is raising her biracial daughter in a sharply divided alternate England, where black Crosses suppress the white Noughts. She faces pressure from both her less-than-understanding Cross family and her disintegrating Naught family, and everyone in between. When her brother-in-law’s violent behavior leads to murder, Sephy provides a false alibi to save Jude, but doing so irreparably damages other lives.
Checkmate (Book #3)
Summary
Can the future ever erase the past? Rose has a Cross mother and a Nought father in a society where the pale-skinned Noughts are treated as inferiors and those with dual heritage face a life-long battle against deep-rooted prejudices. Sephy, her mother, has told Rose virtually nothing about her father, but as Rose grows up she becomes determined to find out more about her parentage. As Rose takes her first steps away from Sephy and into her father’s world, she finds herself drawn inexorably into danger.
Double Cross (Book #4)
Summary
Tobey wants a better life – for him and his girlfriend Callie Rose. He wants nothing to do with the gangs that rule the world he lives in. But when he’s offered the chance to earn some money just for making a few ‘deliveries’, just this once, would it hurt to say ‘yes’?
7 Comments
I totally agree! This is an amazing series and I just love everything about it.
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I must read this! I keep hearing such wonderful things about this series so I will have to pick them up
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I love reading series much more than stand alone books, what a great idea for a feature
I haven't come across this series before, but it sounds fascinatiing and I will definitely have to look out for it.
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I hadn't heard of this series but I will definitely be checking it out at some point. It sounds great so thanks for sharing!
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I am with you–series books are my favorite too! I am going to check this one out….
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Thanks all! This is such a great series – the ending of the first book had me in tears – so brilliantly written. I really should try some of the other titles by Ms Blackman…
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Oh, dear! I didn't even know that Noughts and Crosses started a series. I have had it in my media center for a while. It's dull cover isn't selling it to anyone though (even me). Now that I know more about it, I can direct some readers to it. Thanks for the information.
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