I really enjoyed Perfectly Nice Neighbors, so was delighted to realize that I had another book from the same author but had forgotten about it. Take it Back is a legal thriller that explores the same themes of race, gender and class, but it is much darker. The pacing was not as consistent as PNN, but this was also the author's debut novel. It was a worthwhile read and I am still thinking about the ending.
This book started out very dry for me, but after having read some good reviews about it, I decided to keep reading. It steadily got better, but I am sided on how I feel about it. On one hand, I felt like it dragged out a bit too much. I found myself skimming a lot of it. This is why I can't give it 4 or 5 stars. However, I felt like the main story line was intriguing enough that I wanted to finish it. There are a lot of issues included that tie together and leave you thinking. Plus, the ending was a bit of a surprise. I would say that I liked this book about as much as I didn't like it so that's why I give it 2.5 stars.
Tedious reading, storyline an old one done many many times before so nothing new to it other than it involves Muslin boys abusing a white girl, so once you know the plot just skip to the end if you need to and you probably won't as it doesn't take much to know how this one ends
Won't be seeking anymore by this author, poorly written
Won't be seeking anymore by this author, poorly written
Attorney Zara Kaleel has left her legal career behind and is now working as a counselor at a rape crisis center. When a girl with facial deformities, sixteen-year-old Jodie Wolfe, tells Kara that she was raped by four classmates, Zara promises Jodie that she will help her through the legal fight that is ahead of her. The four boys who are accused of rape are from hard-working immigrant families. They are questioned separately, but each corroborate the others story. Zara is determined to help Jodie, but Zara's Muslim family is upset that she would side against the accused Muslim boys which puts the whole community at risk.
I heard a lot about this book so I thought I'd give it a try. It's a very thought-provoking story with heavy topics: sexual assault, race, religion, class, disabilities, and social justice. As I read the book, I wasn't sure who was telling the truth. Jodie sounded so believable when she told what happened to her; but the boys also had believable stories. The only part of the story I didn't like was Zara herself. She was kind of a mess, unable to build a relationship with her boyfriend, and popping pills to make it through the day. The only time I felt bad for her was when she would meet with her family and her brother would question her lifestyle, job, and every choice she made. My rating: 4 Stars.
I heard a lot about this book so I thought I'd give it a try. It's a very thought-provoking story with heavy topics: sexual assault, race, religion, class, disabilities, and social justice. As I read the book, I wasn't sure who was telling the truth. Jodie sounded so believable when she told what happened to her; but the boys also had believable stories. The only part of the story I didn't like was Zara herself. She was kind of a mess, unable to build a relationship with her boyfriend, and popping pills to make it through the day. The only time I felt bad for her was when she would meet with her family and her brother would question her lifestyle, job, and every choice she made. My rating: 4 Stars.
