Noughts & Crosses

By: Malorie Blackman

Narrated by: Joan Walker, John Hasler, Nina Sosanya

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman.

'Stop it! You're all behaving like animals! Worse than animals - like blankers!'

Sephy is a Cross: dark-skinned and beautiful, she lives a life of privilege and power. But she's lonely, and burns with injustice at the world she sees around her.

Callum is a nought: pale-skinned and poor, he's considered to be less than nothing - a blanker, there to serve Crosses - but he dreams of a better life.

They've been friends since they were children, and they both know that's as far as it can ever go. Noughts and Crosses are fated to be bitter enemies - love is out of the question.

Then - in spite of a world that is fiercely against them - these star-crossed lovers choose each other.

But this is love story that will lead both of them into terrible danger . . . and which will have shocking repercussions for generations to come.

Voted as one of the UK's best-loved books, Malorie Blackman's Noughts & Crosses is a seminal piece of YA fiction; a true modern classic.

'The Noughts & Crosses series are still my favourite books of all time and showed me just how amazing story-telling could be' - Stormzy

'Unforgettable' Guardian

'The most original book I've ever read' Benjamin Zephaniah

Critic reviews

Blackman's absorbing but alarming novel deals with themes of racism and prejudice . . . Unforgettable

Stimulating and emotionally satisfying

A gritty read for older children . . . At times this is a beautiful love story; at other times it is a harrowing and moral tale...

Packs some powerful political punches...But Blackman never compromises the story, which is dramatic, moving and brave

Inter-racial teenage love has never been more painful (Amanda Craig)

Riveting

Such a great story. The characters were complex and caught myself both surprised & angry at the end….

GREAT BOOK

This was a very extent rich book it had a few plot lines that all link at the end it starts slow stick with it IS GETS GREAT

Compelling teen reading

This was my daughter`s favorite book when she was 13. I enjoyed listening to it - the actors are talented and the story moves quickly, if occasionally predictably. Some of the themes are more suited for older teens, but my kids were fine with them. I recommend this for kids 12-15.

Outstanding read

While starting off as a stereotypical teen romance set in a culturally/historically familiar backdrop, Noughts and Crosses eventually doubles back to avoid a predictable climax and storybook ending, displaying masterful writing and mature thematic elements. Not every small question or plot line is resolved, however, it mirrors the unsatisfactory ambiguity that reality brings. Truly an engrossing and thought-provoking read