Double Cross by Malorie Blackman is the fourth and final book in the series, I recommend reading the others before you read this one as otherwise it will be difficult to grasp the plot. I will add a warning - it is written on the back of the book 'Not suitable for younger readers', this book contains drug usage, violence and sex. Adrian Harrington began trading in 1971, as part of Harrington Brothers in the Chelsea Antiques Market on London's fashionable King's Road. I devoured the beginning of the book, I couldn't look away and laughed out loud in places and then screamed aloud at a very dramatic part (scaring the other person in the room as I screamed) I did find that the second half moved a little slower, having it single point of view felt strange for this story, but did give a deeper insight to Tobey and allowed us to get to know him. Double Cross retains the themes of racism in its newly post-apartheid world of Noughts and Crosses but it also brings in a new edge.

To me there were no powerful scenes that touched me or shocked me, and as the other three books contained these points I suppose I was expecting it. I was also disappointed that Sephy was in this novel so infrequently as I enjoyed her character much more as she aged. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. Last in the dystopian series set in an alternative Britain in which a 360 degree turnaround focuses light from a different angle on racism, with the setting an alternative history in which Crosses, black people, have always been the dominant civilising force, with white people as former slaves only emancipated fifty years before the timeline of the story. Whilst ‘Double Cross’ is well-written and ostensibly does add value to the series, it does feel ultimately a little superfluous and does not provide the same impact as the preceding three novels.In 2005, Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children's books.

But back to this book, in all seriousness it probably is a lot better than the rating I've given it, and as part of an overall series it is worthwhile piece of the narrative. I bought this book as soon as it came out, but I never got round to it, it's been sitting on my shelf staring at me and I've been aching to read it so I finally made myself sit down with it. However I don’t think it adds anything significant to the overall story as a result it feels quite removed from the original book in the series. I think many people don’t realise that this book does have four instalments and that’s because Checkmate seemingly wraps up the story. 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.It didn’t need to be tagged on to a series, it’s so relevant to the youth of today and it hits hard. I enjoyed this book but I think the series should have ended on the last book as this one seemed pretty unnecessary and didn't add much to the overall series. Rebecca – I think she’s quite a random character to want to mention but she was actually one of the most likeable in the book in my opinion. So I think his death at the end of the last book was perfect, devastating but perfect for the character and clearly the end he was always running towards. The danger of being sucked into and destroyed by this violent world is brilliantly handled by Blackman .

He was incredibly realistic though, just the sort of person you can see getting caught up in the events of ‘Double Cross’. Would-be censors should read and take note - you can describe teen sex without either glorifying it or presaging personal ruin.Blackman has a habit it seems of killing the best characters, like Cara from Knife Edge and Rebecca. I started reading this series a couple of years ago and only in the last month or so decided to pick the last 2 books up and actually finish a series for once. 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. She suffers from a horrible disease which has symptoms of bitchiness, moodiness and erratic behavior. Partly because I feel that this book is good and partly because I feel that being part of the ‘Noughts and Crosses’ series ruins it.