YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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?

Join Kathryn and I in reading this book~

End of Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[Sephy's dad is so coldblooded, talking about getting rid of the noughts as if they're not human beings. He's too extreme. Does the majority of the crosses think this way?
Callum's start at Sephy's school will not go well at all!! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30 (view spoiler)[As I read on I can't help but wonder if Asians exist in this book? The saying "if you're black that's where it's at. If you're brown stick around. If you're white say goodnight. " kind of excludes yellow toned skin doesn't it? Any who. This section of the book called "breakdown" hints at disaster. I'm betting it's to do with Sephys birthday party. (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 42(view spoiler)[ everything has been crumbling around them it's a surprise that Sephy and Callum still meet up. (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 49 (view spoiler)[The liberation militia are brutal. Some crosses in the shopping centre could've been kids like Sephy. Was it an accident the warning wasn't sounded one hour earlier or was it deliberate? (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 70(view spoiler)[ if Sephy wasn't the one who paid for Kelani then who was?? (hide spoiler)]

Page 340 (view spoiler)[oh man, the crap timing when Callum decided to read Sephy's letter later rather than sooner. And now the passage of time and Callum is 19. The narration shows he has definitely matured in some way. I wonder when and in what circumstances Callum and Sephy will once again cross paths... (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 104(view spoiler)[Callum has changed so much, it's scary... Sephy is pregnant with his child , right? (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 109(view spoiler)[Sephy's father sickens me. He cares more about the media coverage of her pregnancy than his daughter's wellbeing! (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 115(view spoiler)[ Kamal the bloody monster!! He gives the same ultimatum to Callum and Sephy. What a cold hearted Bastard #@&! (hide spoiler)]

End of c115 (view spoiler)[if Callum has cross blood then did his ancestors face the same hurdles that Callum and Sephy are because of their mixed race baby? I wonder how they ever coped! (hide spoiler)]

Omg Omg Omg now I can't sleep...

Ending thoughts (view spoiler)[Woah what a story. Within 500pages the author manages to capture the maturing of Callum and Sephy. That ending brought me to tears, my heart was pumping in my ears... This was a really interesting take on racism and prejudice. (hide spoiler)]

@Kathryn Glad you're loving it. Amazing read!

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

Date Changed. Restarting April 10th 2015. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Thanks! :)

I'm so excited to read this! I'll just finish Sweet Evil then I'm good. :)

Excited to start this tomorrow! :D

Just started.. The story is pretty interesting. Kinda different from the books that I've read.

I'll start this soon, I'm running a little behind with my buddy reads at the moment

Take your time :)

I've started! I'm up to chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ I forgot how much I love this! The writing is a bit average at times, but it works in Sephy's pov. She would use random ! when they aren't supposed to be there. Callum wouldn't though. It's so interesting seeing the racism reversed. And it's interesting seeing how they respond to it. Just complains that the Crosses are racist and horrible, but he does the same thing right back. Yes, the noughts are incredibly disadvantaged. But that doesn't mean it's okay to hate them back! Fight, yes. Don't say no to Sephy when she's the only person in that entire school willing to make an effort (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 51 (view spoiler)[ No one in this book thinks of anyone but themselves. Lynnette is a coward, and so is Sephy's mother. Yeah, okay, depression is a mental illness. But that's no excuse to leave your children, or your parents without saying a word. I like Meggie, she's actually got a brain. She realises that murdering everyone in the mall is not okay in any way. That's not sending a message that you mean business. That sends a message that you're as crazy as the Crosses think. You can tell I'm loving this, I'm getting really invested in their lives and problems (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 79 (view spoiler)[ That was so stressful! I was absolutely convinced that Ryan was going to hang. Thank god for Kelani and her crazy good lawyer skills. Lucky that Sephy and Callum are so similar, and both thought of the same lie to tell in court. Because I was worried Sephy was going to make that plan fall apart. I need to keep reading, but I can't handle the stress of Callum's life. It's so sad and awful (hide spoiler)]

How far through this are you?
I've finished (view spoiler)[ That ending was so stressful! Kidnapping Sephy was sort of genius, but that doesn't mean I was happy about it. I was so proud of her for actually standing up for herself. Yes, she ran away from her problems to go to boarding school. But she fought for that baby, which was so brave. Both of them were willing to sacrifice Callum for that baby. I was amazed that Callum could be that brave too. He really believed in fighting for equality, and he was willing to die for it. I can't imagine being that brave. I loved the love between those two, even if it was a bit moronic at times. I couldn't forgive someone for kidnapping me, that's for sure. But still, it was romantic. This book was just as amazing as I remembered it being (hide spoiler)]

Victoria wrote: "How far through this are you?
I've finished [spoilers removed]"

I'm on chapter 7. so far I'm enjoying it. This is really intriguing I must say. It's unique and this isn't the typical dystopian novel that I've read.

I know I am a bit late but I've got two books I've got to read before I start this

That's okay, we'll still discuss it with you :)

Just falling behind a bit

Natalie wrote: "I know I am a bit late but I've got two books I've got to read before I start this"

That will be alright. I'm not halfway done with it. :)

Victoria wrote: "I've started! I'm up to chapter 20 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I am enjoying Malorie Blackman's writing style. I love how she concepts this idea and I think it's a really powerful dystopia novel. I must say I'm enjoying both POV's but I'm leaning towards Sephy. Not that I find Callum a little weakling. Sephy has this inner strength, or a voice screaming their society needs equality. (hide spoiler)]

I'm on Chapter 27 (view spoiler)[her plans on her birthday party, this is kinda scares me. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 43 (view spoiler)[So Sephy is getting drunkard? what the hell is wrong with her. :( (hide spoiler)]

Starting today hopefully

Finished this and it was heartbreaking. :((

On ch 4 can't believe Steph's dad said that treating them like there not human that is horrible I really like Callum

I know, it's so sad! The whole book is heartbreaking (but I agree Beatrice, especially the ending)

Do you think you'll want to read the rest of the series?

Victoria when I finished it if I like it I will definitely read the rest of the series with you but that's only if I like it lol

Ch 16 (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

On ch 30 and this book is intriguing me a lot

Victoria wrote: "Do you think you'll want to read the rest of the series?"

I want to read the rest of the series. I am curious what will happen on their society.

Victoria wrote: "I know, it's so sad! The whole book is heartbreaking (but I agree Beatrice, especially the ending)"

I can't believe it. I'm really shocked. (view spoiler)[Why does it have to happen?! Why Callum :(((( (hide spoiler)]

Ch 42 (view spoiler)[Steph only wanted to give her condolences to the family but she was not wanted there(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Finish the book the ending was so sad