Review: Take It Back - Kia Abdullah

Title: Take It Back
Author: Kia Abdullah
Published: 8th August 2019
Source: Pigeonhole
Star Rating: 5

The Victim: A sixteen-year-old girl with facial deformities, neglected by an alcoholic mother. Who accuses four boys of something unthinkable. 

The Defendants: Four handsome teenage boys from hardworking immigrant families. All with corroborating stories. 

Someone is lying. 

Former barrister Zara Kaleel, one of London's brightest young legal minds, takes up Jodie Wolfe's case; she believes her, even if those closest to Jodie do not. 

Jodie and Zara become the centre of the most explosive criminal trial of the year, in which ugly divisions within British society are exposed. As everything around Zara begins to unravel she becomes even more determined to get Jodie the justice she's looking for. But at what price? [Goodreads]

My Thoughts: 

This completely captivated me and drew me in right from page one. I think one of the best ways to experience this book is not knowing too much - you need to navigate your own way through this story and see how you naturally react as each chapter unfolds. 

It's so cleverly written because even though you're given a heart-breaking, harrowing account of rape right at the beginning, the story isn't that simple. As I got to know Jodie and Zara, as well as the four accused boys my mind was changed over and over again as to whose story to believe. Then as the novel moved to the courtroom and the media attention erupted, it was both fascinating and scary to see how splintered society became, and how Zara became swept up in this divide. 

This was far more than your typical courtroom drama. It was such an emotional and uncomfortable read, and so powerfully relevant. I feel like I need everyone around me to read this so we can discuss it! It's definitely one of my top books for the whole year, an outstanding 5 stars. 

WWW Wednesday 7th Aug 2019

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Taking on a World of Words where you answer three questions about your reading.

We've had the dreaded sick bug in our house this week - so far it seems to have escaped me and my youngest daughter (fingers crossed) although she's teething so that's a joy all of its own! It's horrible watching your child being ill though, so it's been an emotional and exhausting week so far.

What are you currently reading? 

I've jumped into No Further Questions by Gillian McAllister this week. It's the last one of her currently published books I have left to read and I'm so excited. I've absolutely loved her other three, and I'm already sucked into this courtroom drama. 

I've very nearly finished Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson on Pigeonhole - it's so good! Can't wait to see how it all wraps up. I really can't guess how it's all going to end, so a perfect thriller! 

I've also just started Take It Back by Kia Abdullah over on Pigeonhole. So far, the start of it has completely gripped me. It's such an intense read and I'm very intrigued to see where this one will go.

What did you recently finish reading? 

A Version of the Truth by B.P. Walter - this was absolutely fantastic. A 5 star read for me! You can see my full review here.

What do you think you'll read next? 

I've got two books in mind that I want to pick up next.

First is The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths. I've heard amazing things about this book. I've read one of her Ruth Galloway books before and enjoyed it, but I think this one sounds quite different from that series. I've got this one currently checked out from my library so need to get to it soon anyway.

Second is The Perfect Wife by J.P. Delaney. I'm ashamed to say I've not read his previous two books under this name, despite owning both of them! But I do have an ARC of this book so will be getting to it very soon.

Please let me know your answers below, or share your blog post, I'd love to see what you've all picked!