A review by minimicropup
Take It Back by Kia Abdullah

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Visceral, contemplative, powerful.
 
We follow our MC (a former barrister turned sexual assault centre legal advisor) as they navigate their career change and personal life. We get added perspectives from a teen with neurofibromatosis who reveals they were gang raped at a party, and from the four teens accused of the gang rape. 
🇬🇧 Set in London, UK
 
🐺🐕 Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags: 
👍 Cinematic writing style with great dialogue. I could effortlessly imagine the different voices and tones and see the changes in body language and reactions.

👌 All of these characters are morally grey and imperfect. They each have their own traumas and prejudice to navigate, and don't alway make wise decisions. It made this story feel all the more real.

👌 The suspense is driven by actions and observations, which worked really well for such a heavy topic. Since we aren't deep in anyones mind other than Zara's,  there is mystery surrounding the stated intentions and behaviours of others. We are figuring it all out alongside Zara with a bit more knowledge than she has given the fly-on-the-wall perspectives we gain.

👌 Very show, not tell, so be in the mental space to digest it and check those content warnings. We are shown a believable account of how and why one may inaccurately report a sexual crime, and also how one could place themselves in a situation with high likelihood of a sexual crime occurring, without victim blaming or shaming. The same goes for how we are presented with the experience of prejudice both within and outside of Muslim communities and it hits hard, because it's shown to us as a human experience, not just a Muslim or female one. 

😢 A unique exploration of theme and commentary. Particularly around a terrible sort of ableism - the ability to be a target of sexual crimes. The commentary isn't misandrous or misogynist exclusively, and we get both female and male perspectives. As the reader I felt like a jury member going  back and forth about who to believe and why (with the guilt and anxiety about the consequences of believing incorrectly!). 

👍 I struggle with legal thrillers that have a lot of behind-the-scenes courtroom elements, but this story managed to show the intricacies of the process without being boring or drawn out. We focus mostly on the witness and expert testimonies and spend time outside the court proceedings to see the effects of the case on the characters. 

🤯 That double twist 😮
 
Mood Reading Match Up: 
  • Gritty legal thriller from the point of view of the accused,  accuser, and advocate
  • Social commentary about judgement, prejudice, law, religion, sexual violence, bias, and classism/poverty
  • Who-is-telling-the-truth dark mystery involving rape accusation
  • Realistic contemporary fiction around the Muslim experience in the UK, toxic family, and all the complexities of prosecuting and proving sexual crimes
 
Content Heads-Up: Possible false accusation. Sexual assault, rape (graphic; described, recalled). Misogyny. Body shaming. Racism. Islamophobia. Religious abuse. Mob mentality and murder. Verbal/mental abuse (family). Toxic masculinity. 
 
Format: Paperback
Expand filter menu Content Warnings