An Eye for an Eye by Malorie Blackman

Noughts and Crosses #1.5

by Malorie Blackman

In a world where the two classes are divided by colour and never treated as equals, Sephy - a Cross and daughter of a top politician - is six months pregnant. The child's father, Callum, is a Nought, but worse, he is dead and Callum's brother is out for revenge. Can two wrongs make a right?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Dystopia, Romance, Novella, Short Stories, Childrens

Paperback

First published February 27, 2003

About the author

An award-winning children's author, Malorie Blackman was honoured with an OBE in 2008. Her work has been adapted for TV and stage.

More information available at:
Myspace
British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

He is white, a 'Nought' and as a result part of the underclass giving very little opportunity, resources or even time to have any kind of decent life; but he has simple mission, it is to kill her! She is Black, a 'Cross' and not only part of the dominant peoples because of her skin colour, but also an elite because if her father's political position and ambition; she has a simple mission. To remember the man she loved and try and stand by his people, and their child! This sequel deals with the results of the end of Nouhts and Crosses, with two people in pain looking for a way to relieve it. A short story, but in a way a superior read to the previous book as we get inside the heads of people damaged essentially by societal injustice.

2024 read

[Emily B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to have something to read between the two books that links them. A bonus that it is included in the noughts and crosses book.

[mariammm ( •_•) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was 10 and it gave me nightmares. I dreamt that he came to my house to shoot me in the head lmfao. I was traumatised. Fun times!

[Leighane · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars)
This quick, pulse jumping short is a great transition from Sephy/Callum to Jude/Minerva

[Lisa Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Eye for an Eye is the short story follow up to Noughts and Crosses that prepares us somewhat for the full length sequel Knifes Edge. 

In this short we see Jude, Callum’s brother, determined to act out his vengeful justice on Sephy. He blames her and all other Crosses for his brother’s death. What he isn’t banking on is Sephy feeling the exact same way.

Even though this is only a short story we see so much development in the character of Sephy. She has been forced to grow up and she now knows that life isn’t always fixable especially if you are a nought. 

We are also given a close up look at Jude who was relegated to a secondary character in Noughts and Crosses even though it was usually his actions that incited the most drama.

Blackman has been very clever in setting up Knifes Edge. The hope from Noughts and Crosses has been firmly stripped away and we are seeing a much darker and sinister story lingering. 

An Eye for an Eye by Malorie Black man is available now.

[Natalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was really short so there’s not much I can say. I guess it’s nice to have a sort of in-between the two books, but I don’t think it was necessary.

[Justyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Oh Sephy.....
- Minnie you gave me such a scare, and I know you're trying, Sephy is just stubborn and depressed...
- And can Jude go off to some ditch please? Yeah I get it, she technically killed your brother and you want revenge and you are devilishly smart and dedicated and you are a great character, but please go away

[Tom Howells · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing bridge to leave the reader wanting more. Well written, with multiple points of suspense and breathlessness in the few pages it contains. Quite abrupt and to the point but well the characters emotions are well conveyed in the writing style. I look forward the the next in the series!

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know a place called Wrong-Is-Right
The sun will only shine at night... — Persphone "Sephy" Hadly

Eye For An Eye fits in between the two major events at the end of Noughts & Crosses, it shows us what happened to Sephy in that time. How she was living after she made her choice. Jude is angry, Sephy is depressed and Minerva is just confused. It's a fairly simple and straight forward story all taking place in minutes in one room. It kind of sets up Knife Edge I think.

Eye For an Eye feels like an odd thing. It will not stand alone you will need to read Noughts & Crosses and Knife Edge to get what this is telling you. I'm reading in chronological order rather than publication order. But I haven't read Knife Edge yet so I'm not certain how much this will add in the wider scheme. It is the first time we get a different perspective though. Jude and Minerva. As I said I haven't read Knife Edge take my judgement accordingly.

This was published for a World Book Day special edition in 2003 with a one-year availability. It is included in some editions of Noughts & Crosses.

A representative gif:

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Eye for an Eye is a novella that was released for World Book Day in 2003 and is now out of print. The novella can also be found as an extra in the latest edition of Noughts & Crosses.

I don't really want to go into much detail about the plot as it would be too easy to spoil the story. What I will say is that I really enjoyed the way the story was told by Jude and Minerva (Callum's brother & Sephy's sister). It was nice to get to know them both a bit better and to hear their voices. I'm very curious to see which point of view we will get to see in the next installment to the series.

An Eye for an Eye gives you a dramatic insight into the months after the end of Noughts & Crosses. For a short story it packs quite a punch, it's a tale of hate, anger and fear and is impossible to put down. If you enjoyed the first book in the series then this novella is a must read, I was on the edge of my seat and can't wait to pick up Knife Edge to find out what happens next!

[Mark Nunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written as one of the world book day books in 2003 so is rather short at only 96 pages. It is now printed at the back of newer editions of Noughts and Crosses too.

I read it having read the rest of the books in the series some time ago and it is rather good. It sits between Noughts and Crosses and Knife Edge but isn't necessary to make sense of either story.

It details an encounter with Jude, Sephy and Minnie that ends with a pointer to where the story will go next. It's very enjoyable and written as well as any of the other books.

My only complaint I think would be that it doesn't seem like the right place for it at the back of Noughts and Crosses. Noughts and Crosses is such a wonderful book and the book ends with the story being complete, I think this would detract from that and the very emotional feeling of closing the book having finished the last page. But that may just be me :)

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know a town called Wrong-Is-Right,
The sun will only shine at night,
Where up is down, and in is out,
And when you want to whisper - SHOUT!
Where hate is right, and love is wrong...'

and so the story continues. **** SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT! ******

Callum is now gone. And Sephy is making her way in the world as the baby grows. It's a very small glimpse into their world and I'm not 100% sure I'm glad I read it. Sometimes I'm okay with a book being done. Believing the ending as I want to and leaving them well enough.

But this time, now I know Jude is much more sadistic and full of schemes that I knew. And Minerva is more worse for wear than she was before this one. This book was hard to get my hands on.... I hope the next one isn't as tough to get. And I hope it ends better.

[Theta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set a few months after the end of Noughts and Crosses, this novella is a short quick read from the points of views of Jude and Minerva. It was a very quick read and it was fascinating to see the story from their eyes, especially Jude, as he has been through so much and has so much anger and resentment built up inside him!

[16SimpsonL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short story. It was told from the perspectives of Jude and Minerva so it was really interesting to their opinions. It was a thrilling short read that gives your more context into what’s happened so far. Overall I highly recommend this book.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was included at the end of my Noughts & Crosses book so I read it anyway. I actually enjoyed this more than 80% of the previous book! It was exciting and better paced. I still have no interest in reading more of the series though.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great hook linking the books in the series. A quick read that gives us a better insight into the siblings of Noughts and Crosses' protagonists.

[Steph Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little gap filler to get you back into the flow of the stories.

[gabs ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

three stars again because this was also a really short book, wasen't really needed if I'm honest but I liked it either way.

[Heather Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella is pretty dark and intense. I'm excited to see how Jude comes to terms with his brother's death and how Sephy raises her mixed race child in this dystopian society.

[Timothy Burbage · Rating 5 out of 5]

So tense. So dramatic. I felt like I was watching a play. I could feel the tension oozing from the pages

[Majd Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good how this continues into the next book

[Hassan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read this because it came at the end of noughts and crosses, and whilst it wasn't bad, I've no great attachment to it.

[Gideon T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps the story moving, now I really want to read the rest of the series

[Jasmijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely fast paced and exciting. Cool to read from the sublings pov

[Vera Schofield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read.

[Turlough Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story linking book 1 and 2 of this series

[Lyns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, powerful read.

[Marina Georgiou · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book so tense, I think I forgot to breathe

[Melanie Cusick-Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Noughts and Crosses - the concept, Sephy and Callum - so much so that I've put off reading the next books in the series because I was so affected by the ending of the first.

So...I got the box set of the series for Christmas and saw this little addition to my copy of Noughts and Crosses and quickly whizzed through it. It's interesting to see where the story is going to go next and perhaps when I've read further in the series this 'missing moment' might hold greater significance. I think you can see where Sephy's life is taking her at this point and it gears you up well for second book. It is a short piece and so it doesn't really get the opportunity to be 'great'. A nice addition to the set though.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved getting to know Jude and Minerva a little bit better. They're two immensely flawed characters, who are treated rather unsympathetically in Noughts and Crosses - so this definitely worth picking up, just to get in their heads for a moment.