Noughts & Crosses

"Things go unsaid soon get forgotten"

Title: Noughts & Crosses

Author: Malorie Blackman

First Published: 2001

Series: The Noughts & Crosses Sequence, followed by Knife Edge

Available As: Paperback, ebook

My Rating: 8/10

The world is different than the way it is today. It's like it's gone back in time, with a twist. Society is separated into two: Noughts and Crosses. The Crosses are superior, while the Noughts are inferior. What's their key difference? Skin colour. The Crosses are black, while the Noughts are white.

Callum is a Nought, living in a world that despises his race. Sephy is a Cross, the daughter of one of the richest and most powerful man in the country. Callum and Sephy have been best friends since they were children, and their relationship starts to grow into something more. But their society is a tough one, one that is bent on keeping the two apart.

I loved the idea of the story, don't get me wrong! I don't support racism, but the idea was just so interesting on paper and words. It's a complete twist on history, where everything is reversed. The white people are hated on, the black people are powerful.

Callum and Sephy's relationship was like a light switch. They were on and off at times, sometimes they were mad at each other and stayed away from one another. At other times, they were best buddies and shared secrets.

Callum is a strong-willed guy who does what he thinks is right. He's also quite protective over Sephy, and wants what's best for her. A sweet guy, who made a couple of mistakes. Sephy? She's the kind of girl that thinks before she acts (most of the time).

The ending was just painful. It was just so sad! And it just made me freak out. I just had to read the next book! Though I was a bit disappointed a certain someone's POV will never appear again. (Cue the waterworks!)

This book is an amazing book, and it deals with all kinds of things. Racism, love, friendship, standing up for what's right. The story will be sure to stick in my heart for a long time.

Just One Day

"Anything can happen in just one day " 

Title: Just One Day

Author: Gayle Forman

First Published: 2013

Series: Followed by Just One Year

Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary

Available As: Paperback, ebook

My Rating: 8.5/10

Allyson is ready to go on her trip to Europe! She and her friends, are touring around Europe, visiting different places, meeting new people. The day Allyson is set to leave, she meets Willem, a charming, mysterious actor who invites her to spend a day in Paris with him. In the spur of the moment, Allyson says yes and they leave to Paris together. A lot can happen in just one day but is it worth it?

At first, Allyson struck me as a sweet, good girl, until she met Willem. I found it interesting when Allyson called herself Lulu when she and Willem met for the first time. Once she met Willem, Allyson was ready to go on an adventure, and be a new her. Sort of like Mia in If I Stay, when she dresses up as the punk chick for Halloween? I'm beginning to think in Gayle Forman's books, the girl will always have a small change in character, even if it's only for a while.

Spoilers Below! Sorry!

But once Willem left Allyson in the middle of the night, it was like in that moment (and after), the old Allyson had disappeared. She's still nice, but a bit more closed off from others. And she doesn't care what her mother thinks anymore. She spends most of her time trying to find Willem for the rest of the book, determined to figure out what really happened. I loved how she finally went back to Paris and re-met everyone. I thought it was really cool, how it went back right where it started. 

Spoilers Over. Yay!

Willem obviously means a lot to Allyson and vice versa (I hope). He taught her so much, let her experience so much, in just one day. I really felt for this book, I thought it was so beautiful. After reading, I had a sudden urge to go to Paris! Is it me, or do people seem so nice in other places? 

I loved the book so, so much. The sequel is Just One Year, and it tells the story of Willem and what happened during that year. Can't wait!!!