Noughts and Crosses

This award-winning "Noughts and Crosses" series has captured the hearts of many readers worldwide. In this fantasy (and yet awfully true-to-life) franchise, author Malorie Blackman portrays a dystopian universe, in which the Noughts (known as the Whites) are seen as a substandard race. Meanwhile, the Crosses (known as the Blacks) are birthed into luxury and viewed as people with higher positions in every way.

The main plot of the "Noughts and Crosses" follows Callum and Sephy, who, although having been friends from childhood, are destined to become bitter foes. Sephy is a Cross; she is dark-skinned, gorgeous, and the child of a political figure. Callum, on the other hand, is a Nought; he is white, destitute, and exists only to serve Crosses.

But despite all odds, these star-crossed mates Sephy and Callum still chose one another. And this compelling tale, which inverts the usual ethnic prejudice we see in our own society, recounts the challenges of their relationship.

Author: Malorie Blackman

Year of Release: 2001

Goodreads Score: 4.22 stars (from 62,478 reviews)