Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Oh Malorie.... January 5, 2009
S. Jeffery (London, UK)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The fourth book in a trilogy? Doesn't make any sense, and neither does this latest instalment from Malorie Blackman.
Firstly, gone are the clever alternating nought/cross chapters, apart from a bit at the beginning and end, the main focus is Tobey, a minor character from the last book, Checkmate. Basically, he gets caught up in some shady business which causes harm to Callie Rose, resulting in him plotting the downfall of the two gangs. And that's it. What made the previous three (and a half) books so readable was the multiple plot strands weaving through the story, that connected many different, colourful characters- now it's just one plot that isn't very interesting or believable. Tobey's character seems very different from the previous book- then he was the slightly nerdy 'good guy' who was also very well-adjusted and mature. Now not only is he a genius, he is a genius with amazing gun and self-defence skills. He also a little self-righteous and dull. To put it blankly, he is not very likeable. Callie Rose, for the brief appearance she makes, is slightly more agreeable but she is no Sephy. Sephy's pain, strength and believability is what made the whole series work. Now she is merely a scowling minor character.
Before I continue, I'd like to make it clear that I loved Noughts and Crosses, and the following two books. I was really surprised but also pleased that a fourth book had come out, but I just don't think it works. Blackman should have stopped at three, and left the readers to decide what happened next. All the issues, factors and characters that made the series so engrossing are now just background props. Gone is the towering, sinister villain that was the Liberation Militia; in its place are two gangs, depicted in such a way that makes me suspect that Blackman has been watching too much of The Wire, or reading too many newspapers about 'broken Britain'. Also, without sounding prudish, the sex scene that takes place between Callie and Tobey is way too graphic. Instead of, literally, shoving it in your face, she could have been a lot subtler- for example in the love scene between Sephy and Callum. There, you filled in the gaps yourself, making that beautiful scene more meaningful; in 'Double cross' it just comes across as too self-absorbed and annoying teenagers having a sneaky shag.
Overall, I would advise that you read Double cross only if you are desperate to find out whom Callie and Sephy chose to be with. In all fairness, the climatic ending is gripping but at the end of it, you just don't really care about the characters.
 Utterly amazing! January 2, 2009
C. Pattison (Cambridge, England)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Such a great book. I finished it in only a few hours because of my inability to put it down, not many books have made me read like that. Malorie Blackman has a way of pacing the book perfectly and holding your attention, some parts were better than others but on the whole it's a story that you can relate to as the characters and plot seems so real.
And I'm not ashamed to say that it made me cry. In fact, I have cried at some point in every book in this series. A must read series for any age group.
Its worth getting!!!!!!!! its brillant!!! November 27, 2008
A. Rollins
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Its so worth if you can as it worth every minute you spend reading it it is truly a brilliant page turner! :)
Amazing, Again November 21, 2008
Cem (England)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I have wanted there to be a further book in the Noughts and Crosses saga since I finished Checkmate. I always wanted to know for sure Callie and Toby were going to be together.
This book picks up a few weeks after the ending of Checkmate and follows Toby and Callie through some tough times. Having had nothing from Toby's persective before, it was really interesting learning more about him and finding things about him I wouldn't have guessed from Callie's view of him in Checkmate. As with the pervious books, you are really drawn in to the characters world and feel the ups and downs with them, understanding how they end up in the bad situations they do. Most of this book is from Toby's persective as you see him stuggling to accept that he's still seen as lower class and has no money for the things he wants (like college) because of it. The effects that has on his relationship with Callie, and most importantly how he views himself at the end of it all.
Really heartfelt, lots of twists and turns. Places you wouldn't expect it to go, yet is completely believeable. Despite being set in an alteritive world most of it is still possible, and present, in our world. Still makes you stop and think about things as the previous books have done without stopping it from being a great read. Highly recommend the whole series to anyone, teens and adults alike, as I think there is a lot that can be learned from them. Great book.
Malorie does it again! November 9, 2008
Fatema (London)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
For all Malorie Blackman fans out there this certainly exceeds all expectations, a review does it no justice!
The reader is bought on Callie and Tobeys journey one which you don't want to end, but like all things it must.
Your left realing and trying to guess what happens next but like all good authors Blackman continuees to push boundaires and surprise the reader.
Although beautifully finished I'm hoping this isn't the last, say it isn't so!
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