Scan barcode
A review by carissa230
Take It Back by Kia Abdullah
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Zara is a victim's advocate. She has recently gotten the case of Jodie a 16-year old rape victim. This is a particularly tricky case for Zara.
Problem 1 The defendants are handsome, well-connected, teenagers. They're also Muslim and a part of the community that her family is a part of.
Problem 2 the victim isn't the typical beautiful or even average-looking female. She has facial deformities and physical deformities that make people less likely to believe her to be the victim of this type of crime.
It doesn't help that Jodie keeps slightly changing the facts and hiding things that she feels "make her look bad". Zara believes her and is willing to take the anger of her family and community to see justice served.
This is a hard read. Zara is going through a lot herself. There are expectations placed on the females in the Muslim religion that she feels she doesn't want to live up to. Her family treats her extremely poorly.
Jodie is living with physical flaws that would make anyone's life more difficult. Her mother treats her like a pariah. Like her simple birth made her mother's life go completely wrong.
The teenage boys are being led by a rich boy who probably doesn't have anything to worry about in life. They can't leave his friend circle or face problems of their own. Yet the others in the group aren't from rich families and their lives will be harder. Sometimes following the wrong person can make you life more difficult than you would have ever thought.
Problem 1 The defendants are handsome, well-connected, teenagers. They're also Muslim and a part of the community that her family is a part of.
Problem 2 the victim isn't the typical beautiful or even average-looking female. She has facial deformities and physical deformities that make people less likely to believe her to be the victim of this type of crime.
It doesn't help that Jodie keeps slightly changing the facts and hiding things that she feels "make her look bad". Zara believes her and is willing to take the anger of her family and community to see justice served.
This is a hard read. Zara is going through a lot herself. There are expectations placed on the females in the Muslim religion that she feels she doesn't want to live up to. Her family treats her extremely poorly.
Jodie is living with physical flaws that would make anyone's life more difficult. Her mother treats her like a pariah. Like her simple birth made her mother's life go completely wrong.
The teenage boys are being led by a rich boy who probably doesn't have anything to worry about in life. They can't leave his friend circle or face problems of their own. Yet the others in the group aren't from rich families and their lives will be harder. Sometimes following the wrong person can make you life more difficult than you would have ever thought.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence