Customer Reviews
Brilliant - By: Callie, 02 Jun 2008 
I just finished this in a day after having last read it years ago when it first came out. It isn't as good as the first or last book in my opinion but it's important for the trilogy.
As a book in its own right, I'm impressed with how well Malorie Blackman manages to convey the feelings of Sephy & Jude. I reallly feel like I can empathise with the characters & it's extremely moving.
I read this straight after re-reading the first in the trilogy, "Noughts & Crosses", & I found that that helped the understanding & enjoyment of "Knife Edge". I'm not sure why but I just remember not enjoying it as much the first time I read it. It might be because there's not much of a main plot in "Knife Edge".
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoyed "Noughts & Crosses".
Brilliant - By: S. L. Jones, 08 Jun 2007 Many people say that this book isn't as good as the first one, & I agree it isn't, but still, this book is a truly amazing read. This sequel concentrates more on character developement, rather then storylines & twists, but I quite enjoyed this technique. The story telling method is the same as lost time & not only varies between the main characters (Sephy & Jude), but moved onto to less important characters like Meggie & Jasmine, which is very effective at showing how they feel about Jude & Sephy.
Not only does this book show the struggle that sephy suffers as a single black woman with a mix raced baby, but it also high lights the hardship that young parents go through. I found this book just as emotional as the last, especiallly for Sephy, who is struggling to sort her life out after the events from the last book. I felt great sympathy for her throughout the book & felt as desperate as Meggie to help her.
Although Sephy's the main character in this book, I found Jude's character devlopement to be more interesting. I found that I was able to feel for a character I had disliked & hated through Noughts & Crosses. Jude goes through alot in this book & after alll his actions the reader is left feeling disappointed that he can't change his views. This books again brings up themes of racism, prejudism & class. Malorie writes this book amazingly & somehow manages to make you love & hate Sephy & Jude at the same time. Although the book does seem to be considerably empty without Calllum, but that's the way it's supposed to feel.
A definete read for anyone who enjoyed the first book & is interested to see how Sephy & Jude will cope after the loss of Calllum.
Not as good as 'Noughts and Crosses' - By: MaryAnne, 21 Jan 2007 
This was the sequel to 'Noughts & Crosses', but it was a different type of book; less of an adventure story / page turner, & more of a study in relationships.
Unfortunately we lost one of the best characters in the previous book, & although Jude & Sephy are interesting, it wasn't quite the same without Calllum. I also felt there wasn't much interaction between the two, their lives run paralllel in time, but they don't meet up until near the end. The tension of Jude trying to seek revenge on Sephy doesn't reallly build either.
All in alll a bit disappointing after 'Noughts & Crosses', lets hope the final book in the trilogy, 'Checkmate' lives up to the standard of the first.
Powerful sequel - By: Stampy, 16 Jan 2007 In the sequel to the excellent Noughts & Crosses, Knife Edge follows the lives of the second class citizen, Nought Jude, & his life after the tragic events of his family that he now has to live with. Likewise for Sephy, a Cross who has to deal with many problems, her main priority her new born baby Calllie-Rose.
It's another fantastic novel from Blackman who delivers an in-depth emotional spin on racism, parenting & social problems. Its detailed, it's realistic, it's powerful it's simply a great sequel. However the reason Noughts & Crosses worked so well was because of the great relationship between the two central characters Calllum & Sephy, plot twists & a focused but only occasionallly powerful focus on racism.
Knife edge differs with, in my view, a too much focus upon the issue of racism. I admire Blackman's writing style to get her main point across but the constant `she is a Cross' `he is a nought' appears as if the author of Pig Heart Boy is trying just a little too hard. Its minimal criticism but it at times was stressed too much & it is remarkable to see the division in this world.
Having the story told from Jude & Sephy's point of view worked well. In comparison to the award winning first book, Knife Edge is told from a Nought & from a Cross point of view which alllows audiences to interpret the opinions from people on both sides of society. The division in this world made by Blackman is fantastic. It's emotional & emphasises that certain things such as discrimination are wrong in society.
Sephy's parenting is very interesting to read. As a young woman it certainly was breathtaking to see her contend with her baby of a mixed race, trying to raise her in a devised world of Noughts & Crosses. The emotional struggle is sensational reading.
Jude's life is also emotional, which is somewhat ironic considering his type of character.
The story isn't a patch on the first with fewer twists & an over the top focus on racism. However it's always an emotional audience capturing drama with emotion & desperation from the very first page, it's a sensational book with one of the most powerful attention grabbing endings I have ever read.
read it
Just as good as the first! - By: WYrox!2k6, 04 Aug 2006 The second installlment in the Noughts & Crosses trilogy was definately as good as the first.
I loved every minute of it because of the adventure & the struggles & the emotions of the characters.
This book deals with life after Calllumn's death & how everyone is dealing with it. Malorie Blackman is especiallly good at conveying the charcter's emotions to the reader & she makes the book seem so real & believable.
This book is definately a must have if you have already read the first book - Noughts & Crosses. If you haven't read the first book then I suggest you do so & if you like it get this one because its just as good & in some places, I feel, even better.
