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MY REVIEW
This is a difficult book to review. Just get the book and read it!!
An explosive read that blew up my emotions with the core need to find justice for Jodie, a rape survivor. Author Kia Abdullah’s writing kept the momentum of the book at intense pitch, immersed with emotions that hooked me within its claw from beginning to end.
Jodie, a 16 year old teen with facial deformities due to neurofibromatosis, living with an abusive mother and a best friend who refused to believe her, accused 4 Muslim boys of rape. Zara Kaleel, a Muslim lawyer, takes on Jodie’s case. The story came down to he said, she said as there were chinks on both sides. But truth prevailed, and the courts had to take a decision.
The author balanced both sides with clear statements. The intense investigation could find nothing substantial. The boys claimed they didn’t touch her, then one changed his statement. But it was all consensual. Jodie claimed it was force, but she did call the accused 49 times. The author spun me around when both lawyers presented their case.
Zara was Jodie’s advocate, but she was a Muslim herself. The pressures she had to go through when family, their religious heads, the community turned its barbs on to her, were realistic and scary. She went through racial slurs and attacks. I agreed that she was indeed Zara, the brave who fought for the innocent, even when victory was nowhere at sight.
Each character had shades of gray to them, lies and truths were the two sides of the same coin. I liked how the author twisted me inside out with the truth. Who was lying? What was the real truth? Even the last page could bring out a gasp.
There must be moments in your life when you must decide in an instant. But sometimes you needed time and perspective to walk away from something toxic.
The lives of all involved in the case would never be the same. Maybe they should have Taken It Back. Or maybe not…
MY RATING
BOOK LINKS
AMAZON USA: https://amzn.to/37Xt4RC
AMAZON UK: https://amzn.to/3qWzObh
BOOK BLURB
A shocking, twisting courtroom thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page is turned.
The Victim: Jodie Wolfe, a physically flawed 16-year-old girl accuses four boys in her class of something unthinkable.
The Defendants: Four handsome teenagers from hard-working immigrant families, all with corroborating stories.
The Savior: Zara Kaleel, a former lawyer, one of London’s brightest legal minds, takes on this case. She believes her client, even though those closest to her do not.
Together, they enter the most explosive criminal trial of the year, where the only thing that matters is justice for Jodie. But this time justice comes at a devastating cost.
BOOK DETAILS
Publication Date: August 2019
I downloaded the digital version of the book from an online retail, and this is my journey down its pages, straight from the heart. STRICTLY HONEST and UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be found here.
4 Responses
I’m loving the intriguing sounds of this. Excellent review!
Thank you so much. I am sure you would love it too
Brillant review, Shalini! Some books are really difficult to write about, especially when you don’t want to give anything away….
I agree it was a great read. Shocker