Double Cross: Book 4 (Noughts And Crosses)

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The plot wasn't bad, there are so many different sociological aspects that could be examined in the context of this series, but it was quite disjointed compared to the clear lineal structure between the first three novels. The fundamental premise underlying this series is a vitally important one – what Malorie Blackman seems to have set out to do, is to robustly challenge (what may be many) readers’ current perceptions, presumptions, assumptions and views on race and (British) society. A story of love, friendship, sacrifice, revenge, criminal acts, danger and the discovery of what it’s possible to do when someone you love is hurt.

I think many people don’t realise that this book does have four instalments and that’s because Checkmate seemingly wraps up the story. I will say that this book is particularly action packed with some interesting events which add to the very dramatic story. The book was still fantastic as Malorie creates an amazing story again while still providing character depth and generating interest for their well being. I wasn't too sure whether I actually liked this book because up until 3/4 of the way through, the events were dramatic but you didn't necessarily need to read the book.

Blackman has a habit it seems of killing the best characters, like Cara from Knife Edge and Rebecca.

This is an original, intelligent, perceptive and though-provoking series of books – and whilst squarely aimed at the Young Adult market, it clearly transcends the restrictive boundaries of that genre. Gangs are endemic in poor urban areas but they also flouish in collapsing authoritarian societies and so are greatly apropos to Blackman's dystopian world. Double Cross is the fourth, and to my knowledge, the final book in Malorie Blackman’s hard-hitting Noughts and Crosses series.As you may have guessed my favourite character, actually one of my all time favourite characters from fiction was Jude McGregor (not Robert Powers, that was a terrible pseudonym Jude) who took his final bow, grudgingly, at the end of Checkmate. In 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children's literature, and between 2013 and 2015 she was the Children's Laureate. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average.

She also fears that he escaped the blast given that the person killed with Jasmine is finally identified as someone she has never heard of and she blames herself for killing an innocent man.

Obviously Sephy and Meggie are featured, mentioned etc, but they do not head any of the chapters and i must admit part of me missed them, they are such well rounded and developed characters that not having them felt a bit like missing a friend.

I would have liked to see Sephy more in the second half, she features in conversations with Tobey, but part of me felt like the situation was so big I would liked to have had a deeper insight to her reaction. So, I've read the whole series and, for the most part, I loved it (I certainly loved the first three books).

In 2005 Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children's books. I hear this book was an afterthought anyway and this series was originally going to be the first three books which is how I choose to view them having read this.