The book also introduces some very interesting new themes and some that are quite grown up including mental illness, grief and post-natal depression. Sephy’s involvement in the band in particular I also liked as it introduces comments on the music industry, including racism and how image plays a large part of success.

Callum’s brother Jude, also a member of the Liberation Militia blamed Sephy for Callum’s execution so in An Eye For An Eye broke into her flat to try to kill her. She qualified in Computer Science and followed a successful career in computing, before becoming a writer at the age of 28. Her first published book was Not So Stupid! (1990), a book of short stories. Since then she has written many books and scripts, and her popularity has steadily grown. Her scripts for television include several episodes of Byker Grove, Whizziwig and Pig-Heart Boy, and she has also written original dramas for CITV and BBC Education. Her stage play, The Amazing Birthday, was performed in 2002. This sequel also introduced newspaper clippings before reach section which did not add to the story, but seemed to be purely for world-building in a world that we are already familiar with because we read the first book!I also found some minor points a bit irritating: perhaps because of the book's age-group audience, but things that seemed really obvious to me are spelled out, such as Sephy and her sister reiterating to each other that the baby is Callie Rose, Meggie's granddaughter - as if they wouldn't know that. There are a few places like that where there is unnecessary info dumping though fortunately not in big chunks, just sentences thrown in which seem totally unnecessary. Everything about our lives, the style of clothes we were, even down to the food we eat, it’s all dictated by Cross aesthetic, by the way Crosses see the world.”

These facts are the only things that are mine and real. So I don’t mind so much that I’m leaving it all behind. There’s nothing here worth holding onto. Then there was that whole Jude P.O.V and ohmygosh I don't even know what to express in words of what I feel for Jude. There was so so so much potential for him to live a good life if he could just let go of all that rage and hate that was accumulating inside of him. And Cara ohmygosh for heavens sake my heart just sank at that point like she was the one who could make a difference. She was the change. How could Jude be so delusional I just wanted to scream out to the world and rip my hair at that part. That being said I truly believe Sephy should've let him die but, I can understand why she didntLoved the rainbow colour thing going on at the beginning of each section - this was a very clever idea which was seamlessly woven into the book with great intentions. Whilst we lost Callum as a protagonist, we gained Jude, Callum’s brother. We got to see his anger towards Crosses and Sephy for the death of his younger brother. Although, we know how volatile and angry Jude was from book one, here we got to see it up close and personal. I think we truly came to understand Jude when he fell in love with a Cross and became less angry. It’s almost ironic how Sephy and Jude almost switched places from book one to book two. Sephy was dwelling in her hatred for society, her family and Callum whilst Jude realised just how powerful love can be. I think Jude also realised just how much he relied on his hatred and anger to live. He didn’t know how to be who he was without it. I think I almost came to like Jude here. (Almost) Me reading Callums letter but times 1200 ... I'm not even joking i think i died a little at this part because even though we knew it was not true it was just the most gruesome and cruel letter I have ever read But Jude McGregor blames Sephy for all the tragedies his family has suffered. And he is determined to force her to take sides, and destroy her life . . . just like she destroyed his. . .

This book is rather downbeat because of the subject matter. Unlike book 1 which had the uplifting and light-hearted parts concerning the love between Sephy and Callum, here it is unrelenting bad news and very grim incidents. I understand that Callum's fate at the end of book 1 set the tone for this one, but the inclusion of a mysterious letter, seemingly written by Callum, in which he tells her that he hates her and was only stringing her along for sex rather besmirched any fond memories of the happier parts of book 1. Then - in spite of a world that is fiercely against them - these star-crossed lovers choose each other. First and foremost, I still stand by the fact that the political themes in this book are brilliant and well executed. The entire idea for the series is amazing and I love the dystopian aspect too. I think it’s a very thought-provoking and bold series for young adults, and is rally daring in the dark topics it puts forward. I love the idea of the books, the execution just falls short repeatedly which makes me sad. The Noughts & Crosses series are still my favourite books of all time and showed me just how amazing story-telling could be' STORMZYThey'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.

Jude – Jude is possibly my biggest reason for my dislike of this. He’s not a likeable character and reading his hatred and his prejudice and his anger was exhausting and it made me feel ill. I read for enjoyment and Jude is just as racist as the Crosses that he detests so much. His actions once again have repercussions on everyone but himself. He blames others for what he’s done and I really want to hurt him. He’s disgusting and vile and has nothing at all redeemable about him and I HATED being in his head and reading his POV. He’s possibly my main issue with this book. He’s awful. Just no. He needs a lesson in feeling things.The other thread in the book is Jude's life on the run and his mission to avenge himself on the Nought who is deputy of the terrorist network - a man he believes has been betraying agents and betrayed his group at the end of book 1. He also, due to his rabid hatred of all Crosses, finds himself engaged in more and more extreme behaviour, with a harrowing scene about halfway through the book concerning a Cross woman with whom he forms a relationship, meaning to steal from her, and for whom he starts to have feelings - which he cannot accept and which lead to tragedy. The book spirals down into a darkness, which includes a depression that by the end has swallowed up Sephy with seemingly further tragic results.