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A review by tracey21k
Take It Back by Kia Abdullah
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I had never heard of Kia Abdullah till I heard Andrea Mara recommend her books and I immediately downloaded this one as they sounded fascinating. I was not disappointed!
Zara Kaleel is a hotshot London lawyer from a Muslim background, who leaves the rat-race to work as an advocate for women who have been sexually assaulted. Her family and friends struggle to understand her life choices, and it is clear that her motivations are complex.
She takes on a case in which Jodie, a white girl with a physical disability, accuses four Muslim boys of rape, raising various challenges for both Zara and us as readers, as Abdullah skilfully leads us through this volatile and nuanced scenario.
Both the set-up and the court case, in which Zara is a technically an observer, there only to support Jodie, but of course far more than that due to her law background, are incredibly gripping, and I found the whole story tense and compelling.
I would have one tiny quibble with the ending, but it was minor - I just felt there was something I thought someone as sharp as Zara would not have missed - and didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel as a whole. I'd highly recommend if you like courtroom/crime thrillers, and I've the next in the series on order with the library!
NB Content warning - graphic descriptions of sexual violence.
Zara Kaleel is a hotshot London lawyer from a Muslim background, who leaves the rat-race to work as an advocate for women who have been sexually assaulted. Her family and friends struggle to understand her life choices, and it is clear that her motivations are complex.
She takes on a case in which Jodie, a white girl with a physical disability, accuses four Muslim boys of rape, raising various challenges for both Zara and us as readers, as Abdullah skilfully leads us through this volatile and nuanced scenario.
Both the set-up and the court case, in which Zara is a technically an observer, there only to support Jodie, but of course far more than that due to her law background, are incredibly gripping, and I found the whole story tense and compelling.
I would have one tiny quibble with the ending, but it was minor - I just felt there was something I thought someone as sharp as Zara would not have missed - and didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel as a whole. I'd highly recommend if you like courtroom/crime thrillers, and I've the next in the series on order with the library!
NB Content warning - graphic descriptions of sexual violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault