Scan barcode
A review by serendipitysbooks
Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Next of Kin was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it lived up to my expectations. It seems Kia Abdullah can do no wrong in my eyes.
The plot of this novel revolves around the death of a young child, who was forgotten in a car on a hot day. It is part police procedural, part courtroom suspense, and part family drama centred around the complex and complicated relationship between sisters Leila and Yasmin. All great stuff, and the plot set up is certainly something many tired and harried parents fear - there but for the grace of god go I etc.
Then, in the latter stages of the book, Abdullah ramps it up with first one twist, then another. And another. None came out of left field and, looking back, the breadcrumbs were there to be seen. These were the sorts of twists that added layers of moral and emotional complexity, had me wondering anew what I would do in similar circumstances, and then had my heart plummeting for the characters all over again. The sort of twists which took an already good story and made it better, richer, deeper.
For thought-provoking legal dramas that force you to question what you believe about contemporary issues and that don’t offer up pat easy answers you can’t go past Kia Abdullah. She’s an author that seems to fly under the Bookstagram radar, which is a shame since her books are worthy of much more love and attention.
The plot of this novel revolves around the death of a young child, who was forgotten in a car on a hot day. It is part police procedural, part courtroom suspense, and part family drama centred around the complex and complicated relationship between sisters Leila and Yasmin. All great stuff, and the plot set up is certainly something many tired and harried parents fear - there but for the grace of god go I etc.
Then, in the latter stages of the book, Abdullah ramps it up with first one twist, then another. And another. None came out of left field and, looking back, the breadcrumbs were there to be seen. These were the sorts of twists that added layers of moral and emotional complexity, had me wondering anew what I would do in similar circumstances, and then had my heart plummeting for the characters all over again. The sort of twists which took an already good story and made it better, richer, deeper.
For thought-provoking legal dramas that force you to question what you believe about contemporary issues and that don’t offer up pat easy answers you can’t go past Kia Abdullah. She’s an author that seems to fly under the Bookstagram radar, which is a shame since her books are worthy of much more love and attention.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness