inequality. The story is set in an imagined society where dark-skinned people, called Crosses, are the ruling class. White people are called noughts and were once enslaved. A World Book Day release in 2019, and a prequel to Crossfire. Following from the events of Double Cross, a fugitive Dan is mortally wounded by McAuley's former enforcers, and is forced to hide out with a nurse, Eva, whose daughter Avalon committed suicide three years earlier after being drawn into drug addiction and prostitution by McAuley. Though she hides Dan from the criminals hunting him, Eva debates whether to continue sheltering him or turn him in to the police. The novella concludes without revealing the outcome of her decision, but Crossfire suggests that Eva continued to hide Dan but ultimately convinced him to turn himself in, and remained a friend and mother figure to him during his imprisonment and his later career as a gangster. First of all, Callum and Sephy - guys I ADORE you. I really really do. Just know that I love you two. So much. I love you both with my life. At the time of the series, slavery had been abolished for some time, but segregation, similar to the Jim Crow Laws, continues to operate to keep the Crosses (dark-skinned people) in control of the Noughts (lighter-skinned people). An international organisation, the Pangaean Economic Community, exists. Seeming to be similar to the United Nations in scope but similar to the European Union in powers, it is playing a role in forcing change by directives and boycotts. Britain is known as Albion, Africa is one country called Zafrika, and Scandinavia is too, known as Fenno-Scandia, the only Nought country left.

Much of the plot was predictable. There were few, if any, surprises. I predicted Lynette's suicide, Gabe joining the Liberation Militia, and Callum's dad's suicide quite easily. 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. He comes into her cell and she is in incredible amounts of pain because of the cut on her finger and the beating she received from another one of her kidnappers. She asks Callum to release her and he decides to profess his love for her. She asks him again to release he and he literally PUTS HIS FINGER OVER HER LIPS TO MAKE HER BE QUIET.The same with the culture, why are they participating in English activites vs forcing their culture, language and customs on the people they are oppressing? All while disparaging their customs, not participating in them. He keeps this a secret from Callie Rose, and after they consummate their relationship, Callie Rose leaves but promises to return. The next day, when Tobey and Callie Rose meet up with their friends, Callie Rose is shot by a hail of bullets from McAuley, the boss of a gang of Noughts, the rivals to the Dowds. Her surgery is successful, but she remains in a coma. Sephy is furious at Tobey for not telling the police who shot Callie Rose, but is unaware that Tobey plans on getting revenge on McAuley himself.

Sephy and Callum are the best of friends. They grew up together and despite the animosity between their families now, they continue to see each other in secret. But as they grow older and the world encroaches on their friendship, they can deny no longer the big glaring barrier between them: Sephy is a Cross, Callum is a nought. Society, the world, their families, will never accept them. The ending was very predictable. I guessed what would happen about two thirds of the way in. But while I was about fifteen chapters from the end, the ending was spoiled for me anyway, IN THE BLURB OF THE NEXT BOOK. I feel as though this is just an obvious mistake that any publisher would look out for. So, if you don't want to be spoiled for the ending, then I recommend not reading the blurb for An Eye For An Eye.

'Filming this show gave me a new perspective'

A second theatre adaptation of the first book titled Noughts and Crosses premiered at Derby Theatre in February 2019, and toured the UK. This stage version is adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz and directed by Esther Richardson for Pilot Theatre. [6]