Endgame Review

Hi everyone! Today I’m going to be reviewing Endgame by Malorie Blackman, which is the final instalment of the Noughts And Crosses series. If you have not read the previous books but plan on it then I would strongly advise against reading this review, as this contains spoilers for the previous book – although there are no spoilers for Endgame.

Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Endgame picks up not long after Crossfire left off, with Tobey being set up for Dan’s murder and Libby and Troy still stuck in the basement. It follows Tobey and Callie attempting to negotiate with the kidnappers and free their loved ones whilst also showing Sephy trying to find Dan’s real killer. In the midst of all of this is Libby and Troy attempting to escape, so it’s safe to say this book was action packed!

People who’ve read the Noughts And Crosses series will already know that racism is a really important theme in the series, and Endgame was no exception to that. Blackman continued to draw on the reverse racism aspect and it was really insightful to read. Although things had improved since Sephy and Callum’s time, with Tobey being the first white prime minister, there was still a long way to go – much like in our current society today.

This was explored really well by the news stories too. Every so often, Blackman would include an article on current events in their world, some of which actually mirrored events in society today. One example of this was the uptake of a vaccine for the flu – which could obviously be taken as a reference to covid. Little details like these have all contributed to my love of the series – each book is so relevant and, despite being set in an alternate world, reflects current events and beliefs in a unique way.

The tension throughout the book was also absolutely perfect. The chase to rescue Libby and Troy made for a very tense read and it was filled to the brim with suspense. I definitely found it very difficult to put it down once I started as I just needed to know what was going to happen next. I think this was especially true due to the three different stories running simultaneously, as there was so much going on and Callie, Tobey and Sephy truly were racing against the clock!

Of course, the twists and turns were also amazing. Although I did guess who was behind Dan’s murder, I definitely didn’t guess the major plot twist, and it left me reeling. The big reveal was incredibly tense and dramatic, and I loved every second of it. There were definitely some surprises in Endgame, and I really enjoyed the ride!

Of course, this all reached a climax at the end. I definitely had some mixed emotions about the ending – it was definitely very bittersweet – but I would say that, although it shocked me, I’d say that overall I’m happy with how the series ended. All of the loose ends were tied up and it was nice to see – although of course it’s sad that the series is finally over.

It would also be a crime not to mention the characters. I really loved most of the characters in Endgame, with the obvious exception being the antagonists. I really admired Troy and Libby’s strength in the face of their kidnapping as well as Callie, Tobey and Sephy’s determination and drive to get their loved ones back.

Overall, I would recommend Endgame to any fan of the Noughts And Crosses series. I would also recommend the whole series for anyone interested in reading more about racism and the reversed stereotypes that come with race. When I read the first books they were such an eye opener to me, and Endgame was no exception to that.

Have you read Endgame yet? What about the Noughts And Crosses series as a whole? Let me know in the comments!

I hope you enjoyed this review!

Ceri