From author Kia Abdullah, Take It Back is a harrowing and twisting courtroom thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page is turned. One victim. Four accused. Who is telling the truth? Zara Kaleel, one of London’s brightest legal minds, shattered the expectations placed on her by her family and forged a brilliant legal career. But her decisions came at a high cost, and now, battling her … But her decisions came at a high cost, and now, battling her own demons, she has exchanged her high profile career for a job at a sexual assault center, helping victims who need her the most. Victims like Jodie Wolfe.
When Jodie, a sixteen-year-old girl with facial deformities, accuses four boys in her class of an unthinkable crime, the community is torn apart. After all, these four teenage defendants are from hard-working immigrant families and they all have proven alibis. Even Jodie’s best friend doesn’t believe her.
But Zara does–and she is determined to fight for Jodie–to find the truth in the face of public outcry. And as issues of sex, race and social justice collide, the most explosive criminal trial of the year builds to a shocking conclusion.
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(4.5/5) This was an incredible courtroom thriller! Riveting and heartbreaking. Take It Back does deal with graphic rape so reader be warned. Any book that deals with this subject is a difficult read but I found the writing here extremely well done. Many complex characters involved, some likable, others not. The story will draw you in from the very beginning and you will not want to put it down. The surprise at the end blew my mind and made me feel both angry and sad. Was justice served? You’ll have to read it to find out. This is one not to be missed.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the review copy.
This the first time in reading this author. What caught my attention was the fact it was a suspense thriller. It has a courtroom setting with the victim and defendants wrapping us the reader in their drama. Zara takes on this puzzle in search of justice. Hard road though because of all the obstacles. You become drawn into this wanting answers and also seeing whom is the victor.
This is the first book that I’ve read by Kia Abdullah and I was not disappointed. I really liked how the story was laid out – you don’t get all the details of what actually happened right up front. Various facts and evidence come to light throughout the book and the twists and turns really pulled me in and kept me on the edge of my seat. You don’t know who is telling the truth and who is lying. It’s the word of a physically flawed, mostly friendless girl against the word of four well-liked, teenage Muslim boys. Interwoven with the story of what really happened to Jodie is the story of former-attorney-turned-rape-counselor, Zara Kaleel. Zara is put in a dangerous situation as, by helping Jodie, her community feels that she is a traitor (and treats her like one). There is a lot to think about with this book – gender inequality, race, religion, public perception, and so many other things. This is one of those books that you’ll think about long after you finish.
Who can you believe?
Four boys accused of rape and put on trial, and stories that don’t match Jodie’s the victim.
Jodie has a facial deformity that even her mother can’t face and continually brings it up as the reason they live in poverty. Her mother is cruel.
As you read and follow the trial, you don’t know who to believe.
I trusted and believed Jodie, but didn’t like her friend Nina. She seemed shady and not loyal to Jodie..
Not sure if I believed the boys.
I felt bad for Zara, the case worker and attorney, because the public ridiculed her along with her client.
You won’t want to stop reading because you want to find out what really happened and who was telling the truth.
There are some sensitive and cruel situations, but this thriller has a non-stop pulse to it.
TAKE IT BACK is a tense, high interest, well-written thriller.
TAKE IT BACK is a very powerful, thoughtful book that will stay with you. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Take It Back by Kia Abdullah is a thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat until the very last word. Zara Kaleel wants to do the right thing. When a sixteen year girl, Jodie, is raped by 4 boys, no one but Zara believes her. When Zara stands up for Jodie, lines are drawn and we are taken on a journey of lies, truths, secrets, racial divisions and so much more. Full of unexpected twist and turns, I was captivated from start to finish!
Happy reading!
This was a very intense and sensitive story. It’s the story you a young girl. A young girl who has horrible face deformities. Who has been made fun of most of her life. Now in high school she is like any other teenaged young lady. She has hopes and dreams. She has a crush. She has a friend. A best friend. Her whole life is shattered in an instant though. Trusting the wrong person changes her life completely. One crush and her life will never be the same.
Four boys, Amir, Hassan, Farid, and Mohammad, are accused of the unthinkable. Are they guilty? Did they do this horrible thing they are accused of? They will face a jury. One will die. Someone is lying. Is it Jodie or the boys? Did Jodie make it all up because the boy she had the crush on hurt her. Laughed at her. Mocked her. Or did it really happen. Did the four boys lie.
This book is about four young boys and a young girl. All are high school children. All are in the middle of something horrible. Who is guilty and who is innocent. Who lied. Who is telling the truth. This is a very well written, very thought provoking story. A story of innocence lost. At what cost?
This book certainly touches on several subjects. From a horrible, brutal, rape? Possibly. To racism. To brutality. From five students whose lives will honestly never be the same again. Someone is lying but who? Did this really happen? Or is it a fabrication. Are they guilty of assault? Or just innocent boys who are unjustly accused?
This book literally threw me. I thought I had it all figured out. I was so wrong. This is a very emotional story. A very hard one in places. The characters are likable. Even some of the boys. I really like Zara. Jodie, I’m on the fence with her. Just because!! I do feel sorry for her though. She didn’t deserve to be treated so horribly from everyone, including her so called best friend or her horrible mother.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #KiaAbdullah, #StMartin’sPress for this ARC. These are my own thoughts about this book.
I had to give this one 5/5 stars. It’s well deserved. A must read.
Wow, wow, wow and WOW!! This was an incredible book. It is so timely and yet timeless. It tackles such deep subjects like prejudices, race, class, disabilities, religion, politics, physics appearances, sexual assault, gender bias, the justice system, addiction the media and more. It’s a courtroom drama that will draw you in from the start. Very smart with twists and turns that truly leave you thinking you know the truth in one moment and questioning yourself the next. We get to read the perspectives of the accuser, the accused and many family members at the same time that each and every one of them is being scrutinized but the legal system and more scarily, the public and the media. I do not want to give away a single thing that could take away from your time reading this tale, but will say that it is a rare event that I reach the end of the book without knowing the answers. This one kept me riveted to the very last page.
This book hits a number of “hot” topics and if you are afraid of reality then this isn’t the book for you. But if you are willing to take a dive into a hotbed of topics then you just might like this book.
The one thing I have never liked about someone accusing another of sexual assault or rape is that it is a woman and no one seems to believe her. She must have “done something” to encourage the attack which is never the case. In this novel, Jodie is a teenager with a deformity that is attacked by four boys from her school. She is white and they are brown and Muslim on top of that. What shocked me was how much the boys’ community assumed they were innocent. Yes, it is a case of he said, she said, but why would one girl accuse four boys if it didn’t happen? But perhaps their community is no different than any other in presuming innocence of their own.
Zara is the advocate for Jodie and supports her in her quest for the truth. But is everything that Jodie tells her the truth? There are many half-truths that come to light in the course of the investigation and the trial. It is hard to know who to believe and what actually happened that night. Zara believes Jodie, but there are times where she wonders what might have really happened that night. Zara has her own demons to battle including drug dependency, a failed marriage, a dysfunctional family from an outsider’s point of view but what culture seems to dictate as normal for them.
As I traversed this novel and learned more at every turn, I too wondered what was the truth and how the trial would play out. Only in the end do we really discover the truth of what happened that night to Jodie but the journey there is hard to endure.
I think I felt sadness for Zara and her life. She was forced into a marriage she didn’t want due to the culture of her family and when she wanted out it was nearly impossible to move on and garner the support of her family. On top of that, when they discover she is working on this case they feel like she is turning her back on her community by supporting someone that is accusing four Muslim boys of rape. I was a little surprised that they thought she should believe the boys innocent just because they were like her, brown and Muslim.
The Muslim community was brutal to Zara because she fought for the truth. She was attached and belittled at every turn. I can’t even imagine how I would feel in her shoes.
This is a powerhouse novel that hits so many hot topics at once. It will keep you in its grips until the very end.
We give this book 4 paws up.
Zara is an attorney who has given up her high powered job to help victims of sexual assault. One day, a victim called Jodie Wolfe arrived at the center. She has severe facial deformities due to a disease. But, she has accused 4 Muslim boys of rape. Did I mention Zara is Muslim? Well, this sends the whole city into turmoil.
Wow! This book grabbed you by the throat at the beginning and never let go. I swear…I didn’t know who was telling the truth and who was lying. At the end, I had to actually put the book down a minute and breathe. There are so many aspects to this novel. It is very complex and not for the faint of heart. Between Jodie and her terrible situation, Zara and her Muslim ties, and the 4 teenage boys accused of this crime, my mind was racing and I could not read it fast enough.
Now, this book is not for everyone. I read another review (and I NEVER DO THAT!). She hated this book for various reasons. The reasons she hated it are the reasons I enjoyed it. The intensity, the way the author manipulated the reader, the twists and turns…but the subject matter is tough! So be aware.
I found this book fantastically complex and heart wrenching!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
“I just want to take it back.”
Take It Back is not an easy read. It is centered around four Muslim boys accused of raping a disfigured white girl. Then there is Zara, also a Muslim, who is helping the girl secure justice. The fact that she is a Muslim on the other side of the trial causes friction in her family and community. She also has a few personal demons that haunt her. Take It Back deals with a variety of emotions, from guilt, fear, regret, lies, vindication, sexism, social justice, and racism. There are several twists and I changed my mind multiple times during reading as to whether the boys raped her or if she made the story up. I liked that it’s a good captivating, suspenseful mystery that kept me guessing until the end. We see both sides of the arguments and how things happen during this type of trial. A powerful read on a difficult subject. The characters were complex, has a good plot, and the fact that I couldn’t predict the ending made me enjoy even more. This would make a great book club pick.
A sensational read!
I was not ready for this book. The story is thought provoking and the message is powerful. The topics such as race, religion and rape aren’t easy topics to write but the author did a wonderful job in blending them all into the story. Many emotions were felt as I was reading. A lot of it was anger. I also felt hope. There are different points of views and opinions, sure to get you thinking. The pacing is good. You’re kind of jumping around through different characters. There are many twists and turns. I didn’t see that ending coming, which kind of left me speechless. Bravo Miss Abdullah!
This is a must read for anyone who is a fan of thrillers. This story is a breath of fresh air and will have you guessing till the very end. This is my first Kia Abdullah book and I look forward to what she comes out with next. Don’t wait! Read this book today! You won’t be sorry. I give this 5 stars.
Take It Back by Kia Abdullah is a gut-wrenching story of rape, of racism, of deceit, and of privilege. Zara Kaleel is a lawyer and a Muslim. She had been with a high-powered firm but determined that she would be better served working somewhere that she made a difference so she is now a rape counselor at Artemis House, non-profit legal center. She has a complicated life, coming from a strict home and an arranged marriage, to having a white boyfriend, she isn’t sure she wants. None of this should affect her job and yet it does. Jodie Wolfe is a sixteen year-old high school girl who has been raped and comes to Artemis House for help. She is a victim of a disease commonly known as Elephantiasis, which has drastically affected her facial features. She claims to have been raped by four boys, all Muslim; she is white. She wants to file charges. She has been smart, she saved the clothing so there is evidence. It gets very complicated as rape trials tend to. It is about rape, but it is so much more.
This is an extremely emotional book, on many levels. I normally do not read rape books-I find them too difficult. This story is difficult, but worth the read. It shows Zara’s community turning on her because she is different. The same community wants to protect these boys despite the fact they may be guilty. It is also about how Zara’s life can impact her client’s trial. I do not have the words to give this book the review it deserves. It is complicated. It looks at different strata of society, different belief systems, not only religion. It is complicated and hurtful. Read it for yourself. It is worth the trauma. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Take It Back by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #takeitback
A timely book which takes on contemporary issues of tribalism, color and a very sensitive subject. There is plenty of courtroom drama and we get to know the players as well. Just when you think you have it figured out, there is another twist to the story. Very well done and an interesting read overall.
Zara Kaleel has had to forge her own way, after being born into a Muslim family that upholds old customs. To appease her father, she got married, but after a confrontation involving all her husband’s family, Zara returned home. Hoping to find a safe place to regroup, her father out of anger stated something to Zara, that deeply wounded her. So much, that she fled from her parents’ home.
Shortly after she fled, her father died, leaving Zara unable to patch things up with her father. Zara sees herself as a strong woman, who stands up for what she believes in, but in her heart struggles with her choices. She is known as Zara the Brave. One of which is Luka, who values the relationship far more than Zara does, or thinks she does.
Once a prominent upscale attorney, Zara, quit to go work with the underprivileged at Artemis House. It is here, that Zara meets Jodie Wolfe.
Jodie, has neurofibromatosis a genetic disorder that leaves her face deformed and as a result a poor family life with little support. Jodie tells Zara of an incident that took place when she went with a friend, that involved four boys. Zara brings in the police.
These four boys; are Muslim and as the case proceeds, Zara finds herself being shunned where mobs believe that she is going against her own community. Her mother pleading with Zara to leave it alone. Many know the boys and their families, who are hard working, good people.
This case is huge; the story covers Islamophobia, cultural differences, and abuse with other sensitive issues. What’s more is that the boys’ stories seem solid, but so does Jodie’s story. Someone is lying, but who?
Oh my goodness, my heart broke for Jodie, since I have family members that have a form of neurofibromatosis. As the story went on, I had to wonder if Jodie was making things up for attention. I found myself questioning both sides and unsure of who was being honest. There is a twist at the end, where I liked Zara’s decision!
I requested and received an ARC from NetGalley via St. Martin’s Press and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
This was the first book I’ve read from this author, and I’ll certainly check out her prior releases. I love good courtroom drama, and this gave me that and more.
This is the tragic story of Jodie Wolf, a severely disfigured teen, living in the slums of London, who is accusing four muslim boys of raping her. Because of the racial overtones, it becomes national headlines, and the opposition groups supporting Jodie, create even more attention.
Jodie has sought support from a group that represents sexual assault victims and is assigned Zara Kaleel, a brilliant former lawyer, who believes her story and suffers the rath of her Muslim family and community, for defending this girl.
This is a story of victim blame, racial diversity, and the mistreatment of those that don’t look like us. It was a testimony to those talented people, that work for very little, to defend the less fortunate.
This is a binge worthy read, because the anticipation of the ending, keeps you turning the pages. A worthy five stars!
This book was very well written. The Author goes into much detail about the characters, their lives and their surroundings, but not as a detriment. The main focus, a rape incites many emotions such as anger, hate, pity, racism, shame and guilt. And while not written in a gory fashion it was still graphic enough to convey all these emotions and more. This book is a suspenseful must read.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins press and the Author Kia Abdullah for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Nuanced Courtroom Thriller. This is an interesting one. One with a main protagonist that… has several rough edges, at least a couple of which come back to bite her. One with a strong commentary about the role of Muslims in British (and by slight extension, Western) society, at many different levels. One with a strong discussion of what it means to be the “other”… in so many different ways. And one with secrets almost literally to the last word. Tremendous book, and very much recommended.
16-year-old Jodie has come forward with claims of rape from 4 Muslim teenagers. Zara, a former barrister who is now a rape counselor, is tasked with listening to her story and supporting her every step of the way. Zara is also Muslim, and it creates rising tensions in her community. When the information gets leaked, they feel she’s a traitor and that she shouldn’t be siding with Jodie. It’s causing even more issues with her already strained family relationship. Take it Back is intense, and it leaves you swapping sides throughout the entire book.
Here Zara is doing what is right, and her community is telling her it’s wrong. She’s also making some mistakes along the way. Mistakes that could make her lose the career she’s fought so hard for. Because Zara is flawed and has made some stumbles, it makes her that much more relatable. The characters were fantastic in this one. Even Nina, who is just the worse friend imaginable, is very well-written. My heart hurt for Jodie, who just wanted to be heard as she faced a world of people who couldn’t get past her appearance.
The storyline is absolutely fantastic. I can’t tell you how many times I flipped and flopped between guilty and not guilty. There are multiple layers at play in this storyline, between the incident, racial tensions, and the issues Zara is facing standing by Jodie. Each layer is richly explored and told from multiple angles. Abdullah plants this unsettling feeling in your gut and builds upon it from beginning to end. A superb read. Thank you, St. Martin’s, for sending this along.
This was a rough read – gang rape, facial disfigurement, abuse at home and school. My heart went out to Jodie.
Zara Kaleel, a former lawyer, takes on Jodie’s case. While it seems that no one else believes Jodie, Zara does. Zara is also Muslim, as are the guys accused of raping Jodie. This creates a powerful subplot to the story – a Muslim prosecutor, a non-Muslim victim, and Muslim defendants. This leads to Zara being ostracized in her community.
Surprisingly, I had a hard time getting into the book. I think it just tried to cover too much. Rape, abuse, religion, islamophobia, race. Perhaps fewer issues dealt with more thoroughly would have made it better. Just my opinion.
I love a good plot twist, but not when it comes out of the blue and at the last minute of the story. This twist made no sense at all.
I received this book from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review.
I enjoyed this book. There is a trigger aspect for some. I was pleased that it took you from the beginning to end with this story. I would recommend this book. Well written and will look for the other books by this author.