Take It Back

Starred review from September 7, 2020
Barrister Zara Kaleel, the heroine of this riveting, thought-provoking legal thriller from British author Abdullah (Child’s Play), is a rising star in a prominent London law firm, until she decides to do something more meaningful: become an advocate for sexual abuse victims. Her first case in this new role involves four teenage boys, all English Muslims from East London, accused by their classmate Jodie Wolfe, a 16-year-old disabled white girl, of rape. That Zara is an English Muslim herself advocating against Muslim boys guarantees front-page attention. Zara is torn by her family’s dismay over her role and her firm belief in Jodie, even though Jodie’s alcoholic mother and best friend don’t believe the girl. The residents of East London, immigrants and poor native born, each come across as distinct individuals. In the courtroom, shifting testimony and constant new revelations reveal the humanity—good and bad—of all participants. Readers may find themselves believing one side, then the other, up until the shocking ending. Abdullah is definitely a writer to watch. Agent: Jessica Faust, BookEnds Literary.

Starred review from October 1, 2020
Zara Kaleel is an independent sexual-violence adviser in London, where she works at Artemis House, a sexual-assault referral center. It's there that 16-year-old Jodie Wolfe is referred to Zara. The girl, who claims she has been raped by four boys from her school, suffers from neurofibromatosis and is horribly disfigured but has an unrequited crush on one of the boys, handsome, desirable Amir. Zara takes the case, but there's a wrinkle: Jodie is white, but the four boys, whose families are from South Asia, are Muslim, and so is Zara. Perhaps predictably, Zara is quickly branded a traitor to her people and is greeted by angry mobs every day when the case goes to trial. But it's not for nothing that she is called Zara the Brave, not afraid to fly in the face of convention (she has left an arranged marriage, to the horror of her traditional family), adamantly refusing to abandon Jodie. But is the girl lying? The boys stoutly deny her allegation, and evidence seems to suggest they may be telling the truth. The story is principally told from Zara's point of view, although it visits those of other characters periodically. Abdullah has done an exemplary job of character development and is especially good at ratcheting up suspense as the trial proceeds; and the steadfast Zara proves the validity of her nickname.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)