REVIEW:

Take It Back by Kia Abdullah was a book I never meant to read. I was looking at Netgalley and meant to click off the book and instead, I hit the Read It Now button. Ok. I tried to get out of it but the only thing I could do was mark it “Won’t Review”. I couldn’t make myself do that. I am a Reviewer after all. 

Actually, by the time I finished the book, I decided it was a decent book and maybe I was supposed to read after all. I not only was entertained but, I learned a little about the Muslim faith. In my area they seem to be a peaceful group. I was surprised at how strict and judgemental they are in their own families. 

I found this book a little depressing. It is about the rape of a disfigured young white woman by four Muslim young men. Her advocate had an addiction problem and her mom also had problems. The young men came from hard working families. I don’t think anyone came out of this story better than they went in. 

There was court drama, violence and some twists and turns along the way. The characters were believable and well thought out. If you like court drama and learning about other faiths then this book is for you. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for a fair and honest review. 

SYNOPSIS: 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 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.