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Zara Kaleel #2
Truth Be Told
Kamran Hadid feels invincible. He attends Hampton school, an elite all-boys boarding school in London, he comes from a wealthy family, and he has a place at Oxford next year. The world is at his feet. And then a night of revelry leads to a drunken encounter and he must ask himself a horrific question. With the help of assault counsellor, Zara Kaleel, Kamran reports the incident in the hopes that will be the end of it. But it’s only the beginning…
Powerful, explosive and important, Truth Be Told is a contemporary courtroom drama that vividly captures today’s society. You will not stop thinking about it for a long time to come.
Powerful, explosive and important, Truth Be Told is a contemporary courtroom drama that vividly captures today’s society. You will not stop thinking about it for a long time to come.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2020
212 people are currently reading
5133 people want to read
About the author
Kia Abdullah
11 books1,549 followersKia Abdullah is a bestselling author and travel writer. Her novels include Take It Back (a Guardian and Telegraph thriller of the year), Truth Be Told (shortlisted for a Diverse Book Award), Next Of Kin (longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award) and Those People Next Door (a Times Bestseller and Waterstones Thriller of the Month). Her new novel, What Happens in the Dark, is out now.
Kia has won a Diverse Book Award (2022) and a JB Priestley Award for Writers of Promise (2020), and has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph and the BBC. She is also the founder of Asian Booklist, a nonprofit that advocates for diversity in publishing.
Website: kiaabdullah.com
Twitter: @kiaabdullah
Instagram: @kiaabdullah
TikTok: @kiawriter
Kia has won a Diverse Book Award (2022) and a JB Priestley Award for Writers of Promise (2020), and has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph and the BBC. She is also the founder of Asian Booklist, a nonprofit that advocates for diversity in publishing.
Website: kiaabdullah.com
Twitter: @kiaabdullah
Instagram: @kiaabdullah
TikTok: @kiawriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 560 reviews
August 24, 2024
true to KAs signature style, this is a relevant story that hits on necessary topics, delivers great courtrooms scenes, and ends in a reveal you dont see coming.
while all of these aspects are what makes KAs stories so great, my favorite parts are the ones that take place in the courtroom. KAs background as a lawyer does her a great service in being able to portray trials in a realistic, yet dramatic, way. which makes it fun and engaging to read.
my only complaint would be the ending. its extremely abrupt and caught me off guard. while it does provide all of the answers a reader needs, it still feels like its lacking closure.
but, ending aside, this is still a great addition to KAs bibliography and a sequel thats as good as the first book.
thank you, harper collins, for the ARC.
↠ 4 stars
while all of these aspects are what makes KAs stories so great, my favorite parts are the ones that take place in the courtroom. KAs background as a lawyer does her a great service in being able to portray trials in a realistic, yet dramatic, way. which makes it fun and engaging to read.
my only complaint would be the ending. its extremely abrupt and caught me off guard. while it does provide all of the answers a reader needs, it still feels like its lacking closure.
but, ending aside, this is still a great addition to KAs bibliography and a sequel thats as good as the first book.
thank you, harper collins, for the ARC.
↠ 4 stars
June 30, 2020
The talented Kia Abdullah follows her brilliant Take It Back with this superb and powerful, emotionally moving, and fascinating courtroom drama and legal thriller on the taboo and disturbing issue of male rape, amidst the background dynamics of family, class, culture and religion. From a wealthy family, the confident and assured Kamran Hadid has a younger brother, Adam. Kamran is an outstanding and well liked student at the exclusive all boys London Hampton boarding school with a glittering future ahead of him, having secured a place at Oxford. However, all this is threatened and his life derailed after what happens at a drunken party. Feeling at a loss, he tries to do the right thing as he looks for help and advice from the troubled assault counsellor, Zara Kaleel. The stage is set for tense and high profile court case.
I was delighted to see the return of Zara, with her difficult family life, along with other characters that we learn more of here. In this narrative of morality and ethics, Abdullah sensitively weaves in the impact and pressures of the norms and expectations that shape what is acceptable when it comes to perceptions of what it is to be a man, within family, culture and religion. How these stereotypes place rigid limitations on male opportunities and possibilities is outlined with skill here. Kamran's home life is far from easy, his father is a difficult character, and his mother is unable to stand up to him, leaving him emotionally unsupported. There are all the repercussions of privilege and wealth on the issues raised, so well observed in the novel, along with all the gritty contemporary realities of the courts when it comes to issues such as rape.
Abdullah is a writer to be treasured, she writes with intelligence, compassion and humanity, creating characters that feel all too real, complicated and authentic that snag our interest with ease, amidst the background of a world and issues that mirror the complexities of our diverse realities in London. This is often uneasy, heartbreaking and uncomfortable reading given the subject matter, but it is a truly riveting and compulsive reading experience as the reader is immersed in a intense and insightful look at culture, religion, family, wealth and the courts when it comes to male identity, stereotypes, and the issue of male rape. This really is must read fiction that will linger long in the memory after the last page is read. Highly recommended. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
I was delighted to see the return of Zara, with her difficult family life, along with other characters that we learn more of here. In this narrative of morality and ethics, Abdullah sensitively weaves in the impact and pressures of the norms and expectations that shape what is acceptable when it comes to perceptions of what it is to be a man, within family, culture and religion. How these stereotypes place rigid limitations on male opportunities and possibilities is outlined with skill here. Kamran's home life is far from easy, his father is a difficult character, and his mother is unable to stand up to him, leaving him emotionally unsupported. There are all the repercussions of privilege and wealth on the issues raised, so well observed in the novel, along with all the gritty contemporary realities of the courts when it comes to issues such as rape.
Abdullah is a writer to be treasured, she writes with intelligence, compassion and humanity, creating characters that feel all too real, complicated and authentic that snag our interest with ease, amidst the background of a world and issues that mirror the complexities of our diverse realities in London. This is often uneasy, heartbreaking and uncomfortable reading given the subject matter, but it is a truly riveting and compulsive reading experience as the reader is immersed in a intense and insightful look at culture, religion, family, wealth and the courts when it comes to male identity, stereotypes, and the issue of male rape. This really is must read fiction that will linger long in the memory after the last page is read. Highly recommended. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
November 23, 2021
An intense, powerful legal thriller featuring the return of Zara Kaleel.
Zara is still reeling after her last major case, in which a white, disfigured teenager accused four Muslim classmates of sexual assault. Zara is a legal representative at a sexual assault center (former barrister).
One day, a teenager by the name of Kamran Hadid shows up at Zara’s office. He’s popular, rich through his parents, and attends an all-boys boarding school. He also claims to have been raped by a male student.
Zara’s office specializes in women victims, but she can’t turn Kamran away after hearing his story.
Kamran is a Muslim, and his rich parents basically downplay what happened to him. It’ll be up to Zara to stand next to him as he decides to report his case and take it to court. Neither of them have any idea what lies ahead.
I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN!!
Author Kia Abdullah’s debut novel, Take It Back, was one of my favorite reads of 2020, and this is one of my favorite reads of 2021. The characters are authentic. The situations could be ripped from headlines, and the story is thoroughly thought-provoking.
Abdullah doesn’t shy away from tough topics. This book obviously discusses rape…but also the taboo of male rape (something that is very real, and yet under-reported based on a myriad of reasons). She also touches on homosexuality/shame within a Muslim family, cultural and religious stereotypes, and alpha male toxicity from parental figures.
It’s dark and disturbing, and yet Zara is such a compassionate, broken soul dealing with her own issues. She wants justice for her clients, and she’s affected by the pain they’re in. She’s truly a strong and fully developed character...the glue that holds the series together.
The pièce de résistance? The ending made my jaw drop to the floor! I literally threw the book down on my couch and walked around the living room...rubbing my temples as I tried to process what I just read...before I could pick it back up and read the last few pages.
This is book #2 in the Zara Kaleel series. If you haven’t read the first, that would probably be fine...although it does reference events from that one. I would recommend reading them both - and doing it sooner than later. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
The U.S. release date for Truth Be Told hasn’t been announced yet, so I’m thankful for eBay. I couldn’t wait any longer.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Zara is still reeling after her last major case, in which a white, disfigured teenager accused four Muslim classmates of sexual assault. Zara is a legal representative at a sexual assault center (former barrister).
One day, a teenager by the name of Kamran Hadid shows up at Zara’s office. He’s popular, rich through his parents, and attends an all-boys boarding school. He also claims to have been raped by a male student.
Zara’s office specializes in women victims, but she can’t turn Kamran away after hearing his story.
Kamran is a Muslim, and his rich parents basically downplay what happened to him. It’ll be up to Zara to stand next to him as he decides to report his case and take it to court. Neither of them have any idea what lies ahead.
I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN!!
Author Kia Abdullah’s debut novel, Take It Back, was one of my favorite reads of 2020, and this is one of my favorite reads of 2021. The characters are authentic. The situations could be ripped from headlines, and the story is thoroughly thought-provoking.
Abdullah doesn’t shy away from tough topics. This book obviously discusses rape…but also the taboo of male rape (something that is very real, and yet under-reported based on a myriad of reasons). She also touches on homosexuality/shame within a Muslim family, cultural and religious stereotypes, and alpha male toxicity from parental figures.
It’s dark and disturbing, and yet Zara is such a compassionate, broken soul dealing with her own issues. She wants justice for her clients, and she’s affected by the pain they’re in. She’s truly a strong and fully developed character...the glue that holds the series together.
The pièce de résistance? The ending made my jaw drop to the floor! I literally threw the book down on my couch and walked around the living room...rubbing my temples as I tried to process what I just read...before I could pick it back up and read the last few pages.
This is book #2 in the Zara Kaleel series. If you haven’t read the first, that would probably be fine...although it does reference events from that one. I would recommend reading them both - and doing it sooner than later. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
The U.S. release date for Truth Be Told hasn’t been announced yet, so I’m thankful for eBay. I couldn’t wait any longer.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
May 20, 2023
How does Kia Abdullah manage to create such compelling plotlines, centered around sensitive issues like racism, sexuality, harassment, verbal and physical abuse, and transform them into perfectly executed novels with deeply layered characters? Her ability to weave these themes into her stories, coupled with stunning court statements in the third act and unexpected plot twists, is truly remarkable.
Right from the first act, her books start with a slow burn, drawing you in with an impactful incident that turns the characters' lives upside down. As the pressure mounts, each chapter's pacing intensifies, leaving you hooked. In the second act, you witness how the characters' lives are shaped in the aftermath of the incident, gradually spiraling out of control. The third act introduces legal thriller elements, offering perspectives from both the victim and the presumed perpetrator. After the courtroom drama concludes, the story wraps up with a dark, smart, and heart-wrenching twist that will leave you gasping.
Kia Abdullah has mastered this brilliant formula for her psychological thrillers, and each of her books will tear your heart apart. If you haven't yet met Zara Kaleel, I highly recommend reading "Take It Back" to gain a clearer understanding of the events in this book.
In her latest novel, Zara Kaleel sets out to help a male rape victim, Kamran Hadid, who is unlike her previous cases. Kamran is a privileged 17-year-old student at Hampton, an elite all-boys school, hailing from a powerful and wealthy family. His future is carefully planned, with dreams of attending Oxford and pursuing a business master's degree in the US. However, one fateful incident at a campus party, where Kamran gets excessively drunk and forgets to lock his dorm room, changes the course of his life.
Seeking help, he finds himself in Zara Kaleel's office, known for assisting assaulted underage young women. Zara aims to save Kamran from the traumatic aftermath of the incident, which raises questions about his secrets and sexual preferences, given his Muslim background. Can a gay Muslim perform the religious rituals while grappling with this trauma? Kamran faces further challenges as his bullying, alpha-male father pushes his boundaries, and his best friends question the credibility of his assault report.
And what about the presumed perpetrator, Finn? Could he have been influenced, clouding his judgment about the consequences of his actions? How can he continue attending the same school as his friends, who suspect him of being a sexual predator targeting vulnerable boys?
I'll stop here to avoid spoiling too much. (I've already revealed quite a bit!) Overall, I devoured this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm eagerly anticipating more Zara Kaleel books that will undoubtedly blow my mind.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Harper 360/HQ for providing me with a digital review copy of this incredible book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Right from the first act, her books start with a slow burn, drawing you in with an impactful incident that turns the characters' lives upside down. As the pressure mounts, each chapter's pacing intensifies, leaving you hooked. In the second act, you witness how the characters' lives are shaped in the aftermath of the incident, gradually spiraling out of control. The third act introduces legal thriller elements, offering perspectives from both the victim and the presumed perpetrator. After the courtroom drama concludes, the story wraps up with a dark, smart, and heart-wrenching twist that will leave you gasping.
Kia Abdullah has mastered this brilliant formula for her psychological thrillers, and each of her books will tear your heart apart. If you haven't yet met Zara Kaleel, I highly recommend reading "Take It Back" to gain a clearer understanding of the events in this book.
In her latest novel, Zara Kaleel sets out to help a male rape victim, Kamran Hadid, who is unlike her previous cases. Kamran is a privileged 17-year-old student at Hampton, an elite all-boys school, hailing from a powerful and wealthy family. His future is carefully planned, with dreams of attending Oxford and pursuing a business master's degree in the US. However, one fateful incident at a campus party, where Kamran gets excessively drunk and forgets to lock his dorm room, changes the course of his life.
Seeking help, he finds himself in Zara Kaleel's office, known for assisting assaulted underage young women. Zara aims to save Kamran from the traumatic aftermath of the incident, which raises questions about his secrets and sexual preferences, given his Muslim background. Can a gay Muslim perform the religious rituals while grappling with this trauma? Kamran faces further challenges as his bullying, alpha-male father pushes his boundaries, and his best friends question the credibility of his assault report.
And what about the presumed perpetrator, Finn? Could he have been influenced, clouding his judgment about the consequences of his actions? How can he continue attending the same school as his friends, who suspect him of being a sexual predator targeting vulnerable boys?
I'll stop here to avoid spoiling too much. (I've already revealed quite a bit!) Overall, I devoured this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm eagerly anticipating more Zara Kaleel books that will undoubtedly blow my mind.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Harper 360/HQ for providing me with a digital review copy of this incredible book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
February 28, 2022
Although Kamran has a system in place “she knew that wealth and privilege were no antidote to corrosive shame”
The sequel to the fascinating and gripping ‘Take it Back’, was sure to provide the same thrills, spills, and chills from this very talented author, and it did. However, there is a but!!!, I had worked out the plot too early on because the story line in the two books, although different, followed very similar threads of duplicity, the wrongly accused, the not so innocent, and a heavy theme involving rape against a backdrop of strong Muslim and family traditions.
That said do not be put off by my own experience, I should have left a bigger gap between reading, because both books are excellent, well written and if you don’t work out the plot an exhilarating storyline too.
The Plot
Two aspiring Oxbridge students, brothers Kamran and Adam, take up residence at the prestigious Hampton College not far from their parents’ home. A boarding school that gives the boys enough distance and independence to experience college life whilst close enough to monitor and influence their lives. However, with a father who believes ‘every man is an architect of his own fortune’ and with a perfectly mapped out college and career route, there is little room for negotiating a different life and little forgiveness for brining shame and public attention to a family that values privacy.
After a drunken party, Kamran goes to Zara Kaleel with an accusation of rape. He knows his accuser, but he only has a vague recollection of what happened, making the case difficult to prosecute and defend, which sets the scene for a gripping court case that lifts the lid on everything that is traumatic and dramatic for the accused and the accuser, as one male is accused of raping another.
Review and Comments
The author did a fantastic job at writing a fast-paced and thought-provoking story that was disturbing, evocative, and shocking as we struggle to deal with the trauma of rape and the less common rape of male on male. Combining a dramatic rape story with the traditional values, influences and expectations of Muslim families was excellent and provided a perfect canvas for a story that is sure to captivate.
I love authors that do not shy away from heavy evocative themes, and through their work highlight some very real challenges within families and different traditions that we would otherwise not be fully aware of.
The unspoken voice of some rape victims may be comforted by knowing there is help. However, in an imperfect system that prevents many rape victims from coming forward, there is hope that the ‘true' victims will receive justice more easily someday. Balance that with not wanting the wrong person to be accused and prosecuted, because that brings about another brand of injustice, equally as ugly. One of the ways to help achieve that is through an improved legal system, the power of voice and works of fact and fiction, like this, that keep these issues to the fore front of our mind in the hope that victims are better cared for and have the strength and support to come forward. As for the aggressors lets hope they experience justice befitting the crime.
Excellent, captivating and thought provoking. Well worth reading, just don’t read the two books close together.
The sequel to the fascinating and gripping ‘Take it Back’, was sure to provide the same thrills, spills, and chills from this very talented author, and it did. However, there is a but!!!, I had worked out the plot too early on because the story line in the two books, although different, followed very similar threads of duplicity, the wrongly accused, the not so innocent, and a heavy theme involving rape against a backdrop of strong Muslim and family traditions.
That said do not be put off by my own experience, I should have left a bigger gap between reading, because both books are excellent, well written and if you don’t work out the plot an exhilarating storyline too.
The Plot
Two aspiring Oxbridge students, brothers Kamran and Adam, take up residence at the prestigious Hampton College not far from their parents’ home. A boarding school that gives the boys enough distance and independence to experience college life whilst close enough to monitor and influence their lives. However, with a father who believes ‘every man is an architect of his own fortune’ and with a perfectly mapped out college and career route, there is little room for negotiating a different life and little forgiveness for brining shame and public attention to a family that values privacy.
After a drunken party, Kamran goes to Zara Kaleel with an accusation of rape. He knows his accuser, but he only has a vague recollection of what happened, making the case difficult to prosecute and defend, which sets the scene for a gripping court case that lifts the lid on everything that is traumatic and dramatic for the accused and the accuser, as one male is accused of raping another.
Review and Comments
The author did a fantastic job at writing a fast-paced and thought-provoking story that was disturbing, evocative, and shocking as we struggle to deal with the trauma of rape and the less common rape of male on male. Combining a dramatic rape story with the traditional values, influences and expectations of Muslim families was excellent and provided a perfect canvas for a story that is sure to captivate.
I love authors that do not shy away from heavy evocative themes, and through their work highlight some very real challenges within families and different traditions that we would otherwise not be fully aware of.
The unspoken voice of some rape victims may be comforted by knowing there is help. However, in an imperfect system that prevents many rape victims from coming forward, there is hope that the ‘true' victims will receive justice more easily someday. Balance that with not wanting the wrong person to be accused and prosecuted, because that brings about another brand of injustice, equally as ugly. One of the ways to help achieve that is through an improved legal system, the power of voice and works of fact and fiction, like this, that keep these issues to the fore front of our mind in the hope that victims are better cared for and have the strength and support to come forward. As for the aggressors lets hope they experience justice befitting the crime.
Excellent, captivating and thought provoking. Well worth reading, just don’t read the two books close together.
March 31, 2022
Thought-Provoking fiction which examines Muslim Culture and expectations, Sexuality RAPE, Identity Politics, and Jury Bias.
Zara Kaleel, herself a Muslim, left her role as barrister several years ago, to join Artemis House as an independent sexual violence advisor for women. She is still battling her own demons-some personal-and others the result from the trial of Jodie Wolfe from book #1.
Jodie was a white girl who Zara was criticized for representing as the accused were four Muslim boys.
I STRONGLY SUGGEST you read “Take It Back” (Zara Kaleel #1) PRIOR to reading this book-as this installment does spoil the result of that case.
This story opens with Kamran Hadid, seeking out Zara for help, specifically because she is Muslim. Studying at the elite Hampton School, in London, with a place at Oxford next year, he is enjoying a life of privilege, with great promise, until one drunken encounter threatens to bring it all crashing to an end.
He has been sexually assaulted by another student-Finn Anderson-at his all-boys boarding school?
DOES NOT SAYING “NO” MEAN THE SAME THING AS SAYING “YES”??
Kamran and Finn are of even height and build-so unlike a case with a man and a woman, where a clear physical balance exists, the question of how Finn could rape Kamran becomes inevitable. The case does meet the definition of RAPE, but the lines become blurred.
IT’S MORE COMPLICATED THAN “YES” VS. “NO”.
As the cover says: “One Night. Two Stories…It’s His Word Against His. May the TRUTH BE TOLD.”
Explored in two parts-the event in question and then the trial-the book gives us much to think about and even more to discuss, with a heartbreaking and SHOCKING revelation in the end. 💔
I am not sure when this book will become available in the U.S., but I purchased a copy from www.bookdepository.com which offers free delivery worldwide.
A buddy read with DeAnn and Mary Beth. Be sure to check out their amazing reviews as well!
Zara Kaleel, herself a Muslim, left her role as barrister several years ago, to join Artemis House as an independent sexual violence advisor for women. She is still battling her own demons-some personal-and others the result from the trial of Jodie Wolfe from book #1.
Jodie was a white girl who Zara was criticized for representing as the accused were four Muslim boys.
I STRONGLY SUGGEST you read “Take It Back” (Zara Kaleel #1) PRIOR to reading this book-as this installment does spoil the result of that case.
This story opens with Kamran Hadid, seeking out Zara for help, specifically because she is Muslim. Studying at the elite Hampton School, in London, with a place at Oxford next year, he is enjoying a life of privilege, with great promise, until one drunken encounter threatens to bring it all crashing to an end.
He has been sexually assaulted by another student-Finn Anderson-at his all-boys boarding school?
DOES NOT SAYING “NO” MEAN THE SAME THING AS SAYING “YES”??
Kamran and Finn are of even height and build-so unlike a case with a man and a woman, where a clear physical balance exists, the question of how Finn could rape Kamran becomes inevitable. The case does meet the definition of RAPE, but the lines become blurred.
IT’S MORE COMPLICATED THAN “YES” VS. “NO”.
As the cover says: “One Night. Two Stories…It’s His Word Against His. May the TRUTH BE TOLD.”
Explored in two parts-the event in question and then the trial-the book gives us much to think about and even more to discuss, with a heartbreaking and SHOCKING revelation in the end. 💔
I am not sure when this book will become available in the U.S., but I purchased a copy from www.bookdepository.com which offers free delivery worldwide.
A buddy read with DeAnn and Mary Beth. Be sure to check out their amazing reviews as well!
March 1, 2023
This is my first read by Kia Abdullah , I got it in the library & snapped it up straight away, but unfortunately triggers were going on in my head as I have anxiety, PTSD & depression this was too hard to continue.
It was well written & Miss Abdullah is an accomplished writer that I will give high praise for writing a powerful prose & dealt with it delicately, I am not going to write a full review on this one as so many of my friends have given this due justice, all I know is that you all know I am very honest in my reviews, I really hope you all understand WHY I could not finish maybe I should not open up to you all on this wonderful bookish site but just thought I would be totally honest with you all my dear.friends
It was well written & Miss Abdullah is an accomplished writer that I will give high praise for writing a powerful prose & dealt with it delicately, I am not going to write a full review on this one as so many of my friends have given this due justice, all I know is that you all know I am very honest in my reviews, I really hope you all understand WHY I could not finish maybe I should not open up to you all on this wonderful bookish site but just thought I would be totally honest with you all my dear.friends
July 21, 2020
Seventeen year old Kamran Hadid has a great future ahead of him, he comes from a wealthy family, attends prestigious Hampton College where he boards and he has a place at Oxford. On the eve of an exeat ( a weekend away) he joins enthusiastically in the pre- exeat party where he, like many others, becomes very drunk and hazy. What happens that night with Finn Andersen becomes a court case after which nothing will ever be the same for Kamran and his family. Zara Kaleel becomes involved and helps fellow Muslim Kamran to the best of her ability.
This is an exceptional book and I think it will stay with me for a long time. I found it a profoundly moving reading experience and deeply thought provoking. The impact on Kamran is very emotional, his feelings are depicted very strongly and he feels the whole range from guilt to shame, embarrassment, anger and so on. He’s a boiling cauldron of emotion. He is pulled in different directions by the expectations of a conservative and very privileged school environment and also by the demands of his father Mack (Mustaque) who is the product of his upbringing and whose influence in his family is stifling and demanding. This book examines the taboo of homosexuality in the Muslim Faith and also what masculinity means. The author shows how this can be a cage and how the desire to be an alpha male can have toxic effects. The court case is excellent and you feel the tension as both sides of the argument are presented. There are a lot of shocks and things you don’t see coming that it jolts you like an electric shock, especially after the verdict. The characters are brilliantly portrayed and I really like Zara, she is fascinating and her background adds another dimension to the storytelling.
Overall, an outstanding book that covers relevant issues in a way that draws you into the narrative and makes you feel something. It’s hard to put down, it’s skilfully written and I am definitely a fan of Kia Abdullah.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the ARC.
This is an exceptional book and I think it will stay with me for a long time. I found it a profoundly moving reading experience and deeply thought provoking. The impact on Kamran is very emotional, his feelings are depicted very strongly and he feels the whole range from guilt to shame, embarrassment, anger and so on. He’s a boiling cauldron of emotion. He is pulled in different directions by the expectations of a conservative and very privileged school environment and also by the demands of his father Mack (Mustaque) who is the product of his upbringing and whose influence in his family is stifling and demanding. This book examines the taboo of homosexuality in the Muslim Faith and also what masculinity means. The author shows how this can be a cage and how the desire to be an alpha male can have toxic effects. The court case is excellent and you feel the tension as both sides of the argument are presented. There are a lot of shocks and things you don’t see coming that it jolts you like an electric shock, especially after the verdict. The characters are brilliantly portrayed and I really like Zara, she is fascinating and her background adds another dimension to the storytelling.
Overall, an outstanding book that covers relevant issues in a way that draws you into the narrative and makes you feel something. It’s hard to put down, it’s skilfully written and I am definitely a fan of Kia Abdullah.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the ARC.
August 16, 2023
Harrowing. Heartbreaking. Infuriating.
Just a few words to sum up this reading experience.
An elite boys school. A night of drinking and revelry that leads to an accusation of rape.
Two male students - one claims they never gave consent, the other claims the other never said no.
Does NOT saying no mean the same thing as saying yes?
Victim shaming and toxic masculinity are explored in depth. Kia Abdullah does not shy away from making her readers think which is why her books are always so compelling. My mind spun this way and that way to try to figure what actually transpired between the boys. Of course, Abdullah, being the exceptional storyteller she is, is not just satisfied with a simple guilty or not guilty verdict. Oh no. When the truth comes out it's like a punch to the gut. I was completely stunned by the last chapter of this book.
Impeccably written, shocking, and simmering with social commentary. This book was a momentous success. 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for my complimentary copy.
Just a few words to sum up this reading experience.
An elite boys school. A night of drinking and revelry that leads to an accusation of rape.
Two male students - one claims they never gave consent, the other claims the other never said no.
Does NOT saying no mean the same thing as saying yes?
Victim shaming and toxic masculinity are explored in depth. Kia Abdullah does not shy away from making her readers think which is why her books are always so compelling. My mind spun this way and that way to try to figure what actually transpired between the boys. Of course, Abdullah, being the exceptional storyteller she is, is not just satisfied with a simple guilty or not guilty verdict. Oh no. When the truth comes out it's like a punch to the gut. I was completely stunned by the last chapter of this book.
Impeccably written, shocking, and simmering with social commentary. This book was a momentous success. 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for my complimentary copy.
October 22, 2025
The first book's ending left me so angry. Although this one has no relation to the first book, it did reference some little bits which did give me closure. Once again, Zara returns to help another young teenager through a horrific ordeal. Kamran opens his heart to her after a party at his school boarding house, another student enters his room and the worst happens to him.
This book stirs lots of emotions. It wasn’t as powerful as the first, but it comes pretty close. Kamran is from a wealthy family, where only the best is considered, and the pressures of what a father expects his young man to be really come through. The twist at the ending was even more overwhelming, I was probably blind not seeing it, but I felt it.
This book stirs lots of emotions. It wasn’t as powerful as the first, but it comes pretty close. Kamran is from a wealthy family, where only the best is considered, and the pressures of what a father expects his young man to be really come through. The twist at the ending was even more overwhelming, I was probably blind not seeing it, but I felt it.
December 17, 2021
Powerful, courtroom/crime mystery involving sensitive subjects and family dynamics.
The second installment in the series Zara Kaleel by Kia Abdullah. She pulls off another emotional and thought provoking case putting the reader in the courtroom as the trial takes place. This could be a standalone, but there are spoilers regarding book one.
A drunken night of partying leads to questions, trama, accusations and an emotional filled trial. It involves two teenagers that attend an elite all boys boarding school in London. Claims of male rape (he said, he said).
The verdict is in.... Guilty or not guilty of rape? The foreman reads the verdict.
One breathes in deeply, the other is stunned! But, it isn't over yet.....
Tense, gripping and unpredictable read. Recommend for those who enjoy legal, courtroom dramas.
I can't wait to see where the series goes next!
A loan from a GR friend/ Read December 2021
The second installment in the series Zara Kaleel by Kia Abdullah. She pulls off another emotional and thought provoking case putting the reader in the courtroom as the trial takes place. This could be a standalone, but there are spoilers regarding book one.
A drunken night of partying leads to questions, trama, accusations and an emotional filled trial. It involves two teenagers that attend an elite all boys boarding school in London. Claims of male rape (he said, he said).
The verdict is in.... Guilty or not guilty of rape? The foreman reads the verdict.
One breathes in deeply, the other is stunned! But, it isn't over yet.....
Tense, gripping and unpredictable read. Recommend for those who enjoy legal, courtroom dramas.
I can't wait to see where the series goes next!
A loan from a GR friend/ Read December 2021
September 10, 2023
3.5⭐️ important story but too many holes in the plot
September 25, 2020
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
A great fan of legal thrillers, particularly those that leave the reader contemplating the law and societal norms, I turned to the latest novel by Kia Abdullah. Full of gritty story telling and tackling the issue of consent, Abdullah pulls readers into the middle of this piece and allows them to become quasi-jury members. Kamran Hadid has everything he could want, living at a prestigious prep school in the London suburbs and recently accepted to read at Oxford. While his family is quite strict with their Muslim beliefs and their wealth denotes a stoic demeanour, Kamran has found a way to let himself go. When he overindulges at a party, Kamran finds himself slinking back to his room to sleep it off. In a partial stupor, he feels someone else get into the bed with him and finds that the haze in his brain leaves him somewhat unable to react. He’s sure that he’s been sexually assaulted, though when he wakes up the next morning, he’s still shocked to see Finn Andersen in bed with him. Kamran tries to piece it all together, but is unable to justify it to himself. He seeks out Zara Kaleel, a counsellor for sexual assault victims who made a name for herself previously when she helped bring four young men to court for another rape. Kamran not only struggles with understanding what this rape might mean about his sexuality, but how it might fit in the face of a Muslim upbringing. While he oscillates on what to do, Zara does her best to counsel him as a victim and they agree to take things through legal channels. While the school pushes back, Zara and Kamran are adamant that the truth must come out. Finn Andersen has his own narrative, one in which Kamran did not refuse, thereby implying consent. As the case proceeds, mud slinging begins and Kamran is forced to weather the storm, particularly as his family tries to downplay it to uphold their reputation. Zara, too, must deal with some demons in her past, as she tries to use the courts to rectify an error that has tarred her. Both sides provide strong arguments, but only one can prove victorious, It is in the hands of the jury, though the reader is invited to offer their own opinion as the narrative builds to the climactic reveal and a final twist. A strong story that will keep readers wondering throughout. Recommended to those who love a great crime thriller, as well as the reader who needs some social commentary to fuel their love of courtroom dramas.
This is the third novel that Kia Abdullah has written that left me wondering. While the easy route would be to present a case and have it easily sail through the courts, with the victory all but guaranteed. Instead, Abdullah pushes the reader to think and provides some social issues that cannot be ignored along the way. Kamran Hadid proves to be a great protagonist in this piece, suffering greatly as he tries to come to terms with what’s happened. He hates to be called a ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’, and yet he is not about to let his entire life be defined by something he does not feel he brought on himself. Struggling to define himself while his conservative parents sweep it under the rug and begin branding him, Kamran does his best to hold his head high when justice intervenes.
Abdullah offers readers an in-depth look into the young man’s struggles without over sensationalising it. Zara Kaleel proves to be a needed second protagonist in the book, returning in her role as counsellor and legal advocate. Readers who read the first book in which she was a main player will remember the end to that case, something that still haunts her. Zara’s struggles with addiction and constant branding by those within the South Asian community prove troublesome, though she refuses to ignore the need for justice to protect those who have been harmed. Her determination and struggles are equally helpful as the piece progresses, showing her many sides and that she, too, might be a victim of something not easily handled. There are a number of secondary characters whose presence helps push the story along while shaping the direction in which things go. Abdullah does a masterful job of flavouring the narrative with these individuals, using dialogue to help shape her social commentary throughout. The story was strong and held my attention throughout, with legal and social issues peppered throughout the narrative. While the piece is not entirely courtroom based, the strong undertones of legal rights and social understanding of norms are essential pieces, sure to provoke active thinking as the story unfolds. Larger chapters might have been better whittled down into shorter ones, as there is no clear understanding why there must be so many separate vignettes of the different plot twists under the single numerical heading. That said, things move along well and the reader will likely find themselves demanding more, particularly when the verdict is revealed and its aftermath ensues. Kia Abdullah is an author worth noting and her work helps bolster the legal thriller genre a great deal. I’ll definitely read more of what she writes when I can.
Kudos, Madam Abdullah, for another winner. I love when a book makes me think, while entertaining me so thoroughly.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
A great fan of legal thrillers, particularly those that leave the reader contemplating the law and societal norms, I turned to the latest novel by Kia Abdullah. Full of gritty story telling and tackling the issue of consent, Abdullah pulls readers into the middle of this piece and allows them to become quasi-jury members. Kamran Hadid has everything he could want, living at a prestigious prep school in the London suburbs and recently accepted to read at Oxford. While his family is quite strict with their Muslim beliefs and their wealth denotes a stoic demeanour, Kamran has found a way to let himself go. When he overindulges at a party, Kamran finds himself slinking back to his room to sleep it off. In a partial stupor, he feels someone else get into the bed with him and finds that the haze in his brain leaves him somewhat unable to react. He’s sure that he’s been sexually assaulted, though when he wakes up the next morning, he’s still shocked to see Finn Andersen in bed with him. Kamran tries to piece it all together, but is unable to justify it to himself. He seeks out Zara Kaleel, a counsellor for sexual assault victims who made a name for herself previously when she helped bring four young men to court for another rape. Kamran not only struggles with understanding what this rape might mean about his sexuality, but how it might fit in the face of a Muslim upbringing. While he oscillates on what to do, Zara does her best to counsel him as a victim and they agree to take things through legal channels. While the school pushes back, Zara and Kamran are adamant that the truth must come out. Finn Andersen has his own narrative, one in which Kamran did not refuse, thereby implying consent. As the case proceeds, mud slinging begins and Kamran is forced to weather the storm, particularly as his family tries to downplay it to uphold their reputation. Zara, too, must deal with some demons in her past, as she tries to use the courts to rectify an error that has tarred her. Both sides provide strong arguments, but only one can prove victorious, It is in the hands of the jury, though the reader is invited to offer their own opinion as the narrative builds to the climactic reveal and a final twist. A strong story that will keep readers wondering throughout. Recommended to those who love a great crime thriller, as well as the reader who needs some social commentary to fuel their love of courtroom dramas.
This is the third novel that Kia Abdullah has written that left me wondering. While the easy route would be to present a case and have it easily sail through the courts, with the victory all but guaranteed. Instead, Abdullah pushes the reader to think and provides some social issues that cannot be ignored along the way. Kamran Hadid proves to be a great protagonist in this piece, suffering greatly as he tries to come to terms with what’s happened. He hates to be called a ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’, and yet he is not about to let his entire life be defined by something he does not feel he brought on himself. Struggling to define himself while his conservative parents sweep it under the rug and begin branding him, Kamran does his best to hold his head high when justice intervenes.
Abdullah offers readers an in-depth look into the young man’s struggles without over sensationalising it. Zara Kaleel proves to be a needed second protagonist in the book, returning in her role as counsellor and legal advocate. Readers who read the first book in which she was a main player will remember the end to that case, something that still haunts her. Zara’s struggles with addiction and constant branding by those within the South Asian community prove troublesome, though she refuses to ignore the need for justice to protect those who have been harmed. Her determination and struggles are equally helpful as the piece progresses, showing her many sides and that she, too, might be a victim of something not easily handled. There are a number of secondary characters whose presence helps push the story along while shaping the direction in which things go. Abdullah does a masterful job of flavouring the narrative with these individuals, using dialogue to help shape her social commentary throughout. The story was strong and held my attention throughout, with legal and social issues peppered throughout the narrative. While the piece is not entirely courtroom based, the strong undertones of legal rights and social understanding of norms are essential pieces, sure to provoke active thinking as the story unfolds. Larger chapters might have been better whittled down into shorter ones, as there is no clear understanding why there must be so many separate vignettes of the different plot twists under the single numerical heading. That said, things move along well and the reader will likely find themselves demanding more, particularly when the verdict is revealed and its aftermath ensues. Kia Abdullah is an author worth noting and her work helps bolster the legal thriller genre a great deal. I’ll definitely read more of what she writes when I can.
Kudos, Madam Abdullah, for another winner. I love when a book makes me think, while entertaining me so thoroughly.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
March 22, 2023
Truth be Told (Zara Kaleel, #2) by Kia Abdullah
Synopsis /
Kamran Hadid feels invincible. He attends Hampton school, an elite all-boys boarding school in London, he comes from a wealthy family, and he has a place at Oxford next year. The world is at his feet. And then a night of revelry leads to a drunken encounter and he must ask himself a horrific question.
With the help of assault counsellor, Zara Kaleel, Kamran reports the incident in the hopes that will be the end of it. But it’s only the beginning.
My Thoughts /
Rounded up to 4.5 stars
Kia Abdullah certainly knows how to push the boundaries when it comes to societal expectations. In Take it Back, the first story in the Zara Kaleel series, Abdullah explores themes such as religion, xenophobia, and societal expectation, when a sixteen-year-old girl accuses four Muslim boys of rape. In Truth Be Told (book #2), Abdullah again raises the stakes with another story that grapples with tough topics.
“What would happen if appeasement were offered earlier? If society treated men more gently, perhaps they would be gentler. Instead of placing them in the hard, small case of masculinity, could we allow them to feel more deeply?”
The story opens with us meeting Kamran Hadid. At seventeen, Kamran is the eldest of two boys - with his younger brother, Adam, not too far behind in age, at sixteen. Both boys have grown up with a life filled with wealth and privilege. Their mother, Sofia has cocooned them between life at home, or at school, where they both attended an elite, all boys boarding college in London. Both boys boarded, despite their home being less than ten miles from the school. It's the night before Spring break and the pupils from Hampton School are wanting to let their hair down at the Hampton's spring fundraiser - an event where powerful alumni gathered to reminisce, write generous cheques, and drink copious amounts of alcohol. But it's the 'party after the fundraiser' that the students look forward to. Historically held at The Batts, this party provides a refuge for the students from school staff, tutors and matrons and is located on the south-eastern boundary of the school's grounds. Since all things at Hampton are very tightly controlled, this is one occasion in which all the students could readily indulge in things like alcohol and drugs.
Kamran wasn't planning on going to the party this year, but, when his original holiday plans were cancelled last minute, he thought to himself, why not? But, upon waking the next morning, with a massive hangover and, an arm slung over his waist - an arm that doesn't belong to him - he's wondering whether drinking to excess at the party was such a good idea.
'Ms Kaleel?' he asked hesitantly.
'Yes', she replied, also a question.
'My name is Kamran Hadid.'
'How may I help you?' She relaxed a little beneath his mild manner.
'May I shut the door?' he asked.
She studied him. 'If you tell me what this is about.'
He paused, a nervous shimmer of energy. 'Something happened to me.'
She recognised the wilt in his speech. 'Okay', she said gently.
He shut the door and pointed at a chair in query.
Zara nodded.
He sat down and pressed his palms into the soft black pleather.
'I think I was raped', he said.
We know from Take it Back that Zara Kaleel is a former Barrister, who now works as an ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) for Artemis House - SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre). Zara approaches each and every case that comes across her desk in a measured and highly intelligent manner, but sometimes, it's hard to put your personal feelings to one side when faced with grievous cases of sexual assault and a very traumatised victim.
Again, Abdullah excels in her characterisation of the main players in this story. Every main player in this story is characteristically human. Abdullah is able to deftly craft the reader the feel sympathy for both the victim and the accused. With discussions around what it's like to be Muslim in a Western Society; to issues of sex and race; justice of judicial ineptitude. We are also gifted with more of Zara. What her life like was growing up; her arranged marriage; and difficulties she's had with her father - not to mention her drug habit. Abdullah's skill at writing presents itself in Kaleel's character, far from making you think she's flawed, as you read, you find yourself championing her.
Again, we are shown, there are no easy answers in a case of one person's word against another. One thing stands out though - the difficulties and murky 'grey' areas of law surrounding sexual assault cases, highlighted in the judicial system, often cause trauma to both parties, not just for the victim.
Very much looking forward to what Abdullah has in store for Zara Kaleel next.
Synopsis /
Kamran Hadid feels invincible. He attends Hampton school, an elite all-boys boarding school in London, he comes from a wealthy family, and he has a place at Oxford next year. The world is at his feet. And then a night of revelry leads to a drunken encounter and he must ask himself a horrific question.
With the help of assault counsellor, Zara Kaleel, Kamran reports the incident in the hopes that will be the end of it. But it’s only the beginning.
My Thoughts /
Rounded up to 4.5 stars
Kia Abdullah certainly knows how to push the boundaries when it comes to societal expectations. In Take it Back, the first story in the Zara Kaleel series, Abdullah explores themes such as religion, xenophobia, and societal expectation, when a sixteen-year-old girl accuses four Muslim boys of rape. In Truth Be Told (book #2), Abdullah again raises the stakes with another story that grapples with tough topics.
“What would happen if appeasement were offered earlier? If society treated men more gently, perhaps they would be gentler. Instead of placing them in the hard, small case of masculinity, could we allow them to feel more deeply?”
The story opens with us meeting Kamran Hadid. At seventeen, Kamran is the eldest of two boys - with his younger brother, Adam, not too far behind in age, at sixteen. Both boys have grown up with a life filled with wealth and privilege. Their mother, Sofia has cocooned them between life at home, or at school, where they both attended an elite, all boys boarding college in London. Both boys boarded, despite their home being less than ten miles from the school. It's the night before Spring break and the pupils from Hampton School are wanting to let their hair down at the Hampton's spring fundraiser - an event where powerful alumni gathered to reminisce, write generous cheques, and drink copious amounts of alcohol. But it's the 'party after the fundraiser' that the students look forward to. Historically held at The Batts, this party provides a refuge for the students from school staff, tutors and matrons and is located on the south-eastern boundary of the school's grounds. Since all things at Hampton are very tightly controlled, this is one occasion in which all the students could readily indulge in things like alcohol and drugs.
Kamran wasn't planning on going to the party this year, but, when his original holiday plans were cancelled last minute, he thought to himself, why not? But, upon waking the next morning, with a massive hangover and, an arm slung over his waist - an arm that doesn't belong to him - he's wondering whether drinking to excess at the party was such a good idea.
'Ms Kaleel?' he asked hesitantly.
'Yes', she replied, also a question.
'My name is Kamran Hadid.'
'How may I help you?' She relaxed a little beneath his mild manner.
'May I shut the door?' he asked.
She studied him. 'If you tell me what this is about.'
He paused, a nervous shimmer of energy. 'Something happened to me.'
She recognised the wilt in his speech. 'Okay', she said gently.
He shut the door and pointed at a chair in query.
Zara nodded.
He sat down and pressed his palms into the soft black pleather.
'I think I was raped', he said.
We know from Take it Back that Zara Kaleel is a former Barrister, who now works as an ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) for Artemis House - SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre). Zara approaches each and every case that comes across her desk in a measured and highly intelligent manner, but sometimes, it's hard to put your personal feelings to one side when faced with grievous cases of sexual assault and a very traumatised victim.
Again, Abdullah excels in her characterisation of the main players in this story. Every main player in this story is characteristically human. Abdullah is able to deftly craft the reader the feel sympathy for both the victim and the accused. With discussions around what it's like to be Muslim in a Western Society; to issues of sex and race; justice of judicial ineptitude. We are also gifted with more of Zara. What her life like was growing up; her arranged marriage; and difficulties she's had with her father - not to mention her drug habit. Abdullah's skill at writing presents itself in Kaleel's character, far from making you think she's flawed, as you read, you find yourself championing her.
Again, we are shown, there are no easy answers in a case of one person's word against another. One thing stands out though - the difficulties and murky 'grey' areas of law surrounding sexual assault cases, highlighted in the judicial system, often cause trauma to both parties, not just for the victim.
Very much looking forward to what Abdullah has in store for Zara Kaleel next.
September 8, 2020
This is a powerful, thought-provoking, and important book. It is an intense character study that examines problems in present-day society. It focuses on the culture and traditions within the Moslem community, and pressure on males in both the White and Moslem communities to encompass a stereotype of the Alpha-male. This pressure may end up as toxic masculinity in both groups. What follows, may result in animosity towards gay and transgendered people.
The thin line between non-consensual sex and a mistaken drunken encounter and the legal consequences is explored. In court, the verdict often relies on the perceived credibility of the victim of the rape versus the accused. As there are rarely witnesses, justice may not be served. The trial can cause emotional damage on both sides.
Seventeen-year-old Kamran and his brother Adam attend an elite, exclusive, all-boys boarding school in London. They come from a privileged, wealthy Moslem family. Kamran had it enforced in him what is required to be a man by his strict, overbearing father. He has been accepted into Oxford and an entitled, successful future seems secure.
One night, after an alcohol fueled student party, Kamran is asleep in his bed. A popular student and athlete, Finn, stumbles drunkenly into Kamran's room under the mistaken impression that he had consent for sex. A drunken exhausted Kamran only had a vague, fleeting impression of what was happening and failed to protest. In the morning he is horrified and embarrassed that he had been raped.
A distraught Kamran approaches Zara Kaleel for counselling, wanting to talk about what happened to him. Zara also grew up in a strict, traditional household and still carries scars from her upbringing. Kamran files a lawsuit against Finn. During the trial, he experiences panic attacks, anger, and fear that his classmates, and especially his father, will regard him as homosexual. His father advises him to fight Finn on returning to school to regain his friends' respect. Both boys testify and the verdict leads to a shocking, explosive series of events, and Zara hears an unexpected, secret revelation.
This was a gritty, tense story, sensitively told. It examines probelems in present-day society and the difficulty of obtaining justice in similar cases.
The thin line between non-consensual sex and a mistaken drunken encounter and the legal consequences is explored. In court, the verdict often relies on the perceived credibility of the victim of the rape versus the accused. As there are rarely witnesses, justice may not be served. The trial can cause emotional damage on both sides.
Seventeen-year-old Kamran and his brother Adam attend an elite, exclusive, all-boys boarding school in London. They come from a privileged, wealthy Moslem family. Kamran had it enforced in him what is required to be a man by his strict, overbearing father. He has been accepted into Oxford and an entitled, successful future seems secure.
One night, after an alcohol fueled student party, Kamran is asleep in his bed. A popular student and athlete, Finn, stumbles drunkenly into Kamran's room under the mistaken impression that he had consent for sex. A drunken exhausted Kamran only had a vague, fleeting impression of what was happening and failed to protest. In the morning he is horrified and embarrassed that he had been raped.
A distraught Kamran approaches Zara Kaleel for counselling, wanting to talk about what happened to him. Zara also grew up in a strict, traditional household and still carries scars from her upbringing. Kamran files a lawsuit against Finn. During the trial, he experiences panic attacks, anger, and fear that his classmates, and especially his father, will regard him as homosexual. His father advises him to fight Finn on returning to school to regain his friends' respect. Both boys testify and the verdict leads to a shocking, explosive series of events, and Zara hears an unexpected, secret revelation.
This was a gritty, tense story, sensitively told. It examines probelems in present-day society and the difficulty of obtaining justice in similar cases.
June 5, 2020
This is the first book I have read by author Kia Abdullah and it certainly won't be the last. This legal thriller had me hooked early on and held me to the very end with me finishing it in one sitting.
Kamran Hadid comes from a wealthy family and attends Hampton the select boys boarding school in London. With a position already secured at Oxford next year the future couldn't look much better and the world his he's oyster. But everything is about to change for Kamran when an incident occurs after a drunken night out and things will never be the same again.
This is an excellent court room thriller that is very thought provoking but more importantly a very good novel. Great characters and a story superbly told that will keep you gripped and second guessing what is going to happen.
Very impressed by this author and I now plan to read her other novels hoping that the she maintains this standard.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Kamran Hadid comes from a wealthy family and attends Hampton the select boys boarding school in London. With a position already secured at Oxford next year the future couldn't look much better and the world his he's oyster. But everything is about to change for Kamran when an incident occurs after a drunken night out and things will never be the same again.
This is an excellent court room thriller that is very thought provoking but more importantly a very good novel. Great characters and a story superbly told that will keep you gripped and second guessing what is going to happen.
Very impressed by this author and I now plan to read her other novels hoping that the she maintains this standard.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2022
Book 2 in Zara Kaleel series published 2020
An other 5 star addition to this excellent series.
No one can accuse Kia Abdullah of being a shrinking violet when it come to confronting the more contentious issues of modern society.
Under the microscope on this occasion is the topic of male rape.
But, as in her first book, this is not the only topic in her sights.
Whilst reading this I couldn’t help but ponder at the number of way that we, as a race, have conceived to make our own lives and that of others a misery.
Just to mention a few. Religion, Race, Politics, Power, Control, Sexual Orientation, Gender equality. The list goes on and on.
This book starts in an elite, nepotistic English public schools. These schools educate and groom young entitled men to be better, read superior, than everybody else.
To be fair to the school, ethnicity is no longer a problem the colour of your money is the only colour that matters.
After a drunken end of term break-up Kamran Hadid, a student at the school, wakes to find that he is not alone in bed. Another boy, a boy he knows, is laying next to him. Memories start to surface of the night before. Kamran is sure that he has been sexually violated by this boy. Try as he might he can’t push this to the back of his mind. Unwilling to go to the police Kamran goes to the rape centre where Zara Kaleel is a councillor. Zara convinces Kamran that he has to go to the police.
Talk about the excrement hitting the fan.
Now along with his sense of violation he now has to contend with an over protective mother, a bombastic father, a school who wants this to just go away and being ostracised by his fellow students. And on top of all that he has to face court where he is portrayed as the villain. Fair to say that Kamran has been well and truly raped.
At the end when ‘Truth Be Told’ my jaw hit the floor and it’s still there.
This a great read and come highly recommended.
February 9, 2023
Great book!
December 10, 2020
Wow, I wondered how Kia Abdullah was going to follow up Take It Back which was one of my top reads of 2019. Truth Be Told has blown me away once again. It is a tough read which deals with so many sensitive subjects but it is a book that you will not want to put down. I really can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.
Kamran Hadid is a bright student at an elite boys boarding school. His life is all planned out for him and his family couldn’t be prouder. But a drunken encounter after a party on campus changes everything. He turns to Zara Kaleel for help, and she cannot say no.
It is a heartbreaking story at time, with a twist and ending that I really didn’t see coming. This book deals with themes of family, culture, class, male rape and the pressure of being a teenager.it is powerful and jaw dropping. You don’t want to miss this series.
Kamran Hadid is a bright student at an elite boys boarding school. His life is all planned out for him and his family couldn’t be prouder. But a drunken encounter after a party on campus changes everything. He turns to Zara Kaleel for help, and she cannot say no.
It is a heartbreaking story at time, with a twist and ending that I really didn’t see coming. This book deals with themes of family, culture, class, male rape and the pressure of being a teenager.it is powerful and jaw dropping. You don’t want to miss this series.
March 18, 2022
Kia Abdullah’s second novel featuring Zara Kaleel has been deservedly praised as an engaging legal thriller that addresses the controversial topic of male rape. It explores issues of class and culture and examines the meaning of consent in relationships. Beyond these themes the novel gains intrigue through its exploration of the unspoken constraints society creates for individuals and the way each individual internalizes these constraints.
Kamran Hadid is a seventeen year old Muslim man who has been cocooned in a life of wealth and privilege. He and his younger brother Adam attend an elite boys boarding school in London and his place in Oxford is assured. After an alcohol infused year end party, Kamran is involved in a hazy sexual encounter with another male student. His recollections of the event are confused and he struggles to come to terms with the possibility that he has been raped. Fearful of confiding in his tradition bound Muslim family, he seeks guidance from Zara Kaleel,a Muslim woman who is a high profile assault counselor.
The assault and subsequent visit to Zara provide the thread that propels the narrative, resulting in a tension filled legal drama. The legal ramifications of the difference between consensual and non consensual sex are explored. Kamran and his alleged attacker are both well drawn characters who elicit sympathy as their internal vulnerabilities become apparent. The emotional complexity of the young men’s psychological conflicts blends seamlessly with the ongoing legal battle imparting feelings of sympathy for both.
The emotional landscape of the novel gains additional depth through the portrayal of the influence of family and cultural expectations on individual self definition. The relationship between Kamran and Zara is central to this theme. Both individuals feel adrift in relation to their cultural traditions.Kamran’s career path seemed preordained and the assault has made him fearful of the stigma that can derail his social ascent and standing in his family. Zara had previously rejected an arranged marriage, causing an unresolved rift with family and tradition. As a result, both Kamran and Zara have an unarticulated symbiotic affinity stemming from their individual traumas that mark them as outsiders .Their responses to each other change as the legal process proceeds and provide a lens into the limitations placed upon individuals based on race, gender and culture.
The blend of legal drama and nuanced family dynamics creates a sophisticated novel that encompasses many viewpoints. Kia Abdullah raises a number of questions about attitudes towards masculinity, assimilation, privilege and cultural norms. She does not offer any definitive answers. Instead, we are left to contemplate the role of familial support as a mediating factor in the conflict between societal expectations and self perception.
Kamran Hadid is a seventeen year old Muslim man who has been cocooned in a life of wealth and privilege. He and his younger brother Adam attend an elite boys boarding school in London and his place in Oxford is assured. After an alcohol infused year end party, Kamran is involved in a hazy sexual encounter with another male student. His recollections of the event are confused and he struggles to come to terms with the possibility that he has been raped. Fearful of confiding in his tradition bound Muslim family, he seeks guidance from Zara Kaleel,a Muslim woman who is a high profile assault counselor.
The assault and subsequent visit to Zara provide the thread that propels the narrative, resulting in a tension filled legal drama. The legal ramifications of the difference between consensual and non consensual sex are explored. Kamran and his alleged attacker are both well drawn characters who elicit sympathy as their internal vulnerabilities become apparent. The emotional complexity of the young men’s psychological conflicts blends seamlessly with the ongoing legal battle imparting feelings of sympathy for both.
The emotional landscape of the novel gains additional depth through the portrayal of the influence of family and cultural expectations on individual self definition. The relationship between Kamran and Zara is central to this theme. Both individuals feel adrift in relation to their cultural traditions.Kamran’s career path seemed preordained and the assault has made him fearful of the stigma that can derail his social ascent and standing in his family. Zara had previously rejected an arranged marriage, causing an unresolved rift with family and tradition. As a result, both Kamran and Zara have an unarticulated symbiotic affinity stemming from their individual traumas that mark them as outsiders .Their responses to each other change as the legal process proceeds and provide a lens into the limitations placed upon individuals based on race, gender and culture.
The blend of legal drama and nuanced family dynamics creates a sophisticated novel that encompasses many viewpoints. Kia Abdullah raises a number of questions about attitudes towards masculinity, assimilation, privilege and cultural norms. She does not offer any definitive answers. Instead, we are left to contemplate the role of familial support as a mediating factor in the conflict between societal expectations and self perception.
April 4, 2022
4.5 Powerful Stars
This is a powerful story! It focuses on some tough subjects and the author does an amazing job with all the details.
We connect again with sexual assault counselor, Zara Kaleel, and I find her to be such a strong and flawed character. I do recommend reading “Taking it Back” which introduces the character before reading this book.
This time the story focuses on male-to-male sexual assault/rape charges at an elite boarding school in London. Kamran Hadid seems to be on top of the world when an encounter one drunken night causes him to question everything in his life.
One technique the author used was conversations with between Zara and her family and friends as they learned about the case. I found this to be a great way to explore every angle of this issue. Is it just drunk boys experimenting? Is it rape? If you don’t say no, is that giving consent? Can you be Muslim and gay? As Zara fights to find justice for Kamran, her beliefs and thoughts are challenged as well.
There are some courtroom scenes in this one and the lives of both boys and their families are altered as the testimony is delivered in court. The boarding school has an important role to play in this one too. Should issues like this be resolved at the school or should charges be reported to the police?
This one did not end how I expected and I’m still thinking about it, this one will stay with me!
This made for a compelling buddy read with Jayme and Mary Beth.
This is a powerful story! It focuses on some tough subjects and the author does an amazing job with all the details.
We connect again with sexual assault counselor, Zara Kaleel, and I find her to be such a strong and flawed character. I do recommend reading “Taking it Back” which introduces the character before reading this book.
This time the story focuses on male-to-male sexual assault/rape charges at an elite boarding school in London. Kamran Hadid seems to be on top of the world when an encounter one drunken night causes him to question everything in his life.
One technique the author used was conversations with between Zara and her family and friends as they learned about the case. I found this to be a great way to explore every angle of this issue. Is it just drunk boys experimenting? Is it rape? If you don’t say no, is that giving consent? Can you be Muslim and gay? As Zara fights to find justice for Kamran, her beliefs and thoughts are challenged as well.
There are some courtroom scenes in this one and the lives of both boys and their families are altered as the testimony is delivered in court. The boarding school has an important role to play in this one too. Should issues like this be resolved at the school or should charges be reported to the police?
This one did not end how I expected and I’m still thinking about it, this one will stay with me!
This made for a compelling buddy read with Jayme and Mary Beth.
July 26, 2020
Having thoroughly enjoyed Kia Abdullah's debut novel Take It Back which stayed with me for some time, I was excited to read the author's second novel. Similarly to her first book, Truth Be Told is a thought provoking and profoundly moving drama exploring the taboo subject of male rape.
Kamran is a confident 17 year old boy from a good Muslim family attending a prestigious boarding school. After a night of partying and drinking, Kamran wakes up and realises there is someone else in his bed. The experience haunts him and Kamran decides to report the rape in order to get a closure he desperately needs. However, by doing so he disrupts the successful path his father projected for him and the perfect world he used to live in comes crumbling down.The book features the assault counsellor Zara Kaleel from the first book who herself is an interesting character with a bumpy past who doesn't easily conform to her culture traditions and family expectations.
What I enjoyed most about both books is that when I think the story is nearing the end and there's nothing left to say, Kia surprises me with a twist that I did not see coming at all. She did it in her first novel but it caught me totally off guard again the second time around.
Many thanks to HQ for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Kamran is a confident 17 year old boy from a good Muslim family attending a prestigious boarding school. After a night of partying and drinking, Kamran wakes up and realises there is someone else in his bed. The experience haunts him and Kamran decides to report the rape in order to get a closure he desperately needs. However, by doing so he disrupts the successful path his father projected for him and the perfect world he used to live in comes crumbling down.The book features the assault counsellor Zara Kaleel from the first book who herself is an interesting character with a bumpy past who doesn't easily conform to her culture traditions and family expectations.
What I enjoyed most about both books is that when I think the story is nearing the end and there's nothing left to say, Kia surprises me with a twist that I did not see coming at all. She did it in her first novel but it caught me totally off guard again the second time around.
Many thanks to HQ for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2023
***4.5*** Rounding it up!
Kia Abdullah is becoming one of my favorite authors lately. I was blown away from the first book I read from her, Take It Back. Truth Be Told did exactly the same. Blew me away with her Zara Kaleel series. I hope there will be a third on the way. I will snatch it as soon as it hits the market.
Just like her previous book, this one deals with difficult subject matter that opens up tons of social commentary on rape/rape culture, toxic masculinity, social norms of being white/brown, privilege, private schools/culture, what it means to be a “man”, homophobia/homosexuality etc… So much thought provoking commentary is packed in one book. It would make a great book club discussion.
Kia Abdullah’s writing is really beautiful and sensitive to all cultures whether it’s White or Asian. She is not afraid to touch upon sensitive subjects such as racism, homophobia, sexual assault and toxic relationships. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged from beginning to end. The ending was fantastic! It was a great twist I didn’t see coming. I would highly recommend it.
Enjoy!
Kia Abdullah is becoming one of my favorite authors lately. I was blown away from the first book I read from her, Take It Back. Truth Be Told did exactly the same. Blew me away with her Zara Kaleel series. I hope there will be a third on the way. I will snatch it as soon as it hits the market.
Just like her previous book, this one deals with difficult subject matter that opens up tons of social commentary on rape/rape culture, toxic masculinity, social norms of being white/brown, privilege, private schools/culture, what it means to be a “man”, homophobia/homosexuality etc… So much thought provoking commentary is packed in one book. It would make a great book club discussion.
Kia Abdullah’s writing is really beautiful and sensitive to all cultures whether it’s White or Asian. She is not afraid to touch upon sensitive subjects such as racism, homophobia, sexual assault and toxic relationships. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged from beginning to end. The ending was fantastic! It was a great twist I didn’t see coming. I would highly recommend it.
Enjoy!
September 1, 2020
*TRIGGER WARNING* Racism, bullying, violence, Male rape, parental abuse, intimidation and family dynamics.
Kamran is seventeen and comes from a wealthy Muslim family, he attends private school and his future is looking promising. Kamran and his brother, Adam both attend the same Private school. Before breaking up for the holidays, the brothers attend a party on campus. Kamran has too much to drink. Kamran wakes up beside another student. But Kamran knows he's had sex but he also knows he didn't consent to it.
This is a cleverly crafted courtroom drama. I was hooked from the beginning. Zara Kaleel, is an assault counselor, is back as Kamran needs her help to get his life back on track. The story flows along at a steady pace. The trial has started and there's times when it's not easy to read. A thought provoking read that will have you thinking outside the box.
Kamran is seventeen and comes from a wealthy Muslim family, he attends private school and his future is looking promising. Kamran and his brother, Adam both attend the same Private school. Before breaking up for the holidays, the brothers attend a party on campus. Kamran has too much to drink. Kamran wakes up beside another student. But Kamran knows he's had sex but he also knows he didn't consent to it.
This is a cleverly crafted courtroom drama. I was hooked from the beginning. Zara Kaleel, is an assault counselor, is back as Kamran needs her help to get his life back on track. The story flows along at a steady pace. The trial has started and there's times when it's not easy to read. A thought provoking read that will have you thinking outside the box.
November 30, 2025
3.5 Stars
After the fallout from the last novel, Zara Kaleel has stepped away from being a barrister and is working as a victims advocate for women. Kamran is at the top of his class at his boarding school with hopes to attend Oxford the following year. One catastrophic event will bring Zara and Kamreen unexpectedly together.
This was a solid legal drama with one or two twists and turns along the way. While I was definitely surprised with the ending. It also kind of came out of the field. But it was shocking nonetheless.
I would suggest starting with the first novel as this one definitely has spoilers pertaining to the legal case in the first book. It had been a while since I read the first one and it was a quick refresh, as I did forget what had occurred.
For fans of legal/courtroom dramas this would be a good series to check out.
After the fallout from the last novel, Zara Kaleel has stepped away from being a barrister and is working as a victims advocate for women. Kamran is at the top of his class at his boarding school with hopes to attend Oxford the following year. One catastrophic event will bring Zara and Kamreen unexpectedly together.
This was a solid legal drama with one or two twists and turns along the way. While I was definitely surprised with the ending. It also kind of came out of the field. But it was shocking nonetheless.
I would suggest starting with the first novel as this one definitely has spoilers pertaining to the legal case in the first book. It had been a while since I read the first one and it was a quick refresh, as I did forget what had occurred.
For fans of legal/courtroom dramas this would be a good series to check out.
September 1, 2020
The authors previous book ‘Take It Back’ ( Aug 2019 ) had me transfixed, and as many others still comes to mind now, it is then a massive thing for an author to reproduce this with the next book, the expectations are set and they are set high
‘Truth Be Told’ again follows the story of Zara and her counselling of a rape victim, this time male, and as before Zara as a Muslim ( and not a conservative one ) is helping a fellow Muslim and also as last time there is much prejudice’s to overcome ( culturally as well as personally )
The story is emotive and on the whole fair in its arguement/fact finding to each side, at times a bit repetitive and you do start to wonder where the book is leading, is this to be a simple reenacting of a ‘he said’, ‘No,he said’ court case and a detailed ( and not simple ) look at how male victims of rape and also males accused of raping another man cope with all the terrifying aspects of this
I have to say the glimpse into Muslim life ( as the author tells it re the accuser’s family) is fascinating re the hierarchy and how the families interact and the various social graces and perfomances they go through, however in this book the look into Zara herself and her problems, her family and her lack of romance felt stilted and lacked any real bonus to the story
The court case was deftly described and we got a verdict, various reactions to this and then a massive reaction to it from one of the characters, I thought ‘fair enough, this is unexpected but will run with this’ but then, almost out of the blue at 88% the whole story changed, literally on it’s head and was a real WOW moment, pleased there was still a good 10% of the book to go I was more than disappointed it ended at 90%, 1. Because it didn’t follow through on the game changer and left more unanswered than answered and 2. Because we then had 10% of the last book, this gave the reader at the crux of it all at 88% a false sense of ‘ right,lets see what happens’, only to finish much quicker than expected
No one can fault this authors boundary pushing, her ability to tell a controversial story and with vigour and although I favour her first book and it seems like I criticise this one a lot it is still a worthy read
7/10
3.5 Stars
‘Truth Be Told’ again follows the story of Zara and her counselling of a rape victim, this time male, and as before Zara as a Muslim ( and not a conservative one ) is helping a fellow Muslim and also as last time there is much prejudice’s to overcome ( culturally as well as personally )
The story is emotive and on the whole fair in its arguement/fact finding to each side, at times a bit repetitive and you do start to wonder where the book is leading, is this to be a simple reenacting of a ‘he said’, ‘No,he said’ court case and a detailed ( and not simple ) look at how male victims of rape and also males accused of raping another man cope with all the terrifying aspects of this
I have to say the glimpse into Muslim life ( as the author tells it re the accuser’s family) is fascinating re the hierarchy and how the families interact and the various social graces and perfomances they go through, however in this book the look into Zara herself and her problems, her family and her lack of romance felt stilted and lacked any real bonus to the story
The court case was deftly described and we got a verdict, various reactions to this and then a massive reaction to it from one of the characters, I thought ‘fair enough, this is unexpected but will run with this’ but then, almost out of the blue at 88% the whole story changed, literally on it’s head and was a real WOW moment, pleased there was still a good 10% of the book to go I was more than disappointed it ended at 90%, 1. Because it didn’t follow through on the game changer and left more unanswered than answered and 2. Because we then had 10% of the last book, this gave the reader at the crux of it all at 88% a false sense of ‘ right,lets see what happens’, only to finish much quicker than expected
No one can fault this authors boundary pushing, her ability to tell a controversial story and with vigour and although I favour her first book and it seems like I criticise this one a lot it is still a worthy read
7/10
3.5 Stars
March 7, 2025
“Two handsome boys caught up in a rape trial at an exclusive all-male boarding school. It was the stuff of tabloid dreams.”
Kamran Hadid’s life is on a fast track headed for the skies. He’s from a wealthy family, he’s attending an elite all-boys boarding school and he has secured at place at Oxford for his college year. Despite his deeply inculcated Muslim inhibitions and perennially repeated parental warnings, he indulges and then over-indulges at a year-ending party that ends up in a sexual encounter so blurred that he can scarcely convince himself that it actually happened.
TRUTH BE TOLD, like Kia Abdullah’s fabulous debut novel TAKE IT BACK, deals with edgy modern themes, legal issues, and phobias, in a gripping, forthright and provocative style that Jodi Picoult, an author who deals with her thematic novels in a similar fashion, would have been proud to write. The issues – rape, date rape, male homosexual rape, misogyny, Islamophobia, and homophobia (whew! … are you kidding me?!) – are all brought out in their turn in a novel that will keep you breathless!
Well, almost to the end! Unlike Jodi Picoult’s NINETEEN MINUTES or MY SISTER’S KEEPER that seemed to have the uncanny ability to showcase modern ethical issues front and center, to force the reader to assess their own feelings, and then to produce a twist ending completely out of left field that left readers utterly gob-smacked, TRUTH BE TOLD’s moderate “twist” ending was satisfactory, pleasing, and convincing without being particularly shocking or eye-opening.
OK, I’ll admit that my unduly high expectations created by my enjoyment of TAKE IT BACK and the tension that Abdullah crafted through the first three-quarters of this novel were probably responsible for my mild let-down. That’s the ONLY reason I withheld that 5th star!
Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
Kamran Hadid’s life is on a fast track headed for the skies. He’s from a wealthy family, he’s attending an elite all-boys boarding school and he has secured at place at Oxford for his college year. Despite his deeply inculcated Muslim inhibitions and perennially repeated parental warnings, he indulges and then over-indulges at a year-ending party that ends up in a sexual encounter so blurred that he can scarcely convince himself that it actually happened.
TRUTH BE TOLD, like Kia Abdullah’s fabulous debut novel TAKE IT BACK, deals with edgy modern themes, legal issues, and phobias, in a gripping, forthright and provocative style that Jodi Picoult, an author who deals with her thematic novels in a similar fashion, would have been proud to write. The issues – rape, date rape, male homosexual rape, misogyny, Islamophobia, and homophobia (whew! … are you kidding me?!) – are all brought out in their turn in a novel that will keep you breathless!
Well, almost to the end! Unlike Jodi Picoult’s NINETEEN MINUTES or MY SISTER’S KEEPER that seemed to have the uncanny ability to showcase modern ethical issues front and center, to force the reader to assess their own feelings, and then to produce a twist ending completely out of left field that left readers utterly gob-smacked, TRUTH BE TOLD’s moderate “twist” ending was satisfactory, pleasing, and convincing without being particularly shocking or eye-opening.
OK, I’ll admit that my unduly high expectations created by my enjoyment of TAKE IT BACK and the tension that Abdullah crafted through the first three-quarters of this novel were probably responsible for my mild let-down. That’s the ONLY reason I withheld that 5th star!
Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
September 24, 2020
One word to describe this book: brilliant!
What a strong and thought-provoking book!
Once again Kia Abdullah impressed me with her writing skills.
She writes with great confidence, maturity and great knowledge of human nature.
The storyline and its development is very engaging and the dialogues are terrific.
On her excellent debut, “Take it Back”, the protagonist defended a girl who was raped by 4 Muslins boys.
In this book the protagonist defends a Muslim boy who claims to have been raped by a white boy.
Goodness!
The implications! The conflicts!
And the “taboo”of male rape!
I just did not want to stop reading this fascinating drama. And that twist at the end was absolutely brilliant.
I can hardly wait for her next book.
What a strong and thought-provoking book!
Once again Kia Abdullah impressed me with her writing skills.
She writes with great confidence, maturity and great knowledge of human nature.
The storyline and its development is very engaging and the dialogues are terrific.
On her excellent debut, “Take it Back”, the protagonist defended a girl who was raped by 4 Muslins boys.
In this book the protagonist defends a Muslim boy who claims to have been raped by a white boy.
Goodness!
The implications! The conflicts!
And the “taboo”of male rape!
I just did not want to stop reading this fascinating drama. And that twist at the end was absolutely brilliant.
I can hardly wait for her next book.
August 12, 2020
Wow, wow, wow another amazing book from Kia Abdullah. I had read her previous novel Take it back and I didn’t think anything could get better than that, but she has done it again with another powerful, controversial courtroom drama.
Seventeen-year-old Kamran Hadid has a great future ahead of him. He comes from a wealthy family, and he resides at Hampton select boarding school in London and already has a place at Oxford. You could say that life is sweet.
But one night after a drunken party and the boarding school something happens to him that changes, he life forever. After mistakenly leaving his room door open, he is raped by one of his fellow classmates.
Zara is at the helm pleading his case. Yet again it’s controversial as both boys are from different backgrounds and religions and the case is the matter of, he said she said and which of them are telling the truth. But also, if his family and his friends think that he is gay he will be shunned not only by his family but the community he lives in.
This is another brilliant thought-provoking courtroom drama from Kia Abdullah. That everyone will be taking about. I couldn’t get enough of it. I like how the author is not frightened to push the boundaries on such controversial subjects and it is so superbly written.
Once again thank you HQ and NetGalley for a copy of this book. It’s amazinnggg!!
Seventeen-year-old Kamran Hadid has a great future ahead of him. He comes from a wealthy family, and he resides at Hampton select boarding school in London and already has a place at Oxford. You could say that life is sweet.
But one night after a drunken party and the boarding school something happens to him that changes, he life forever. After mistakenly leaving his room door open, he is raped by one of his fellow classmates.
Zara is at the helm pleading his case. Yet again it’s controversial as both boys are from different backgrounds and religions and the case is the matter of, he said she said and which of them are telling the truth. But also, if his family and his friends think that he is gay he will be shunned not only by his family but the community he lives in.
This is another brilliant thought-provoking courtroom drama from Kia Abdullah. That everyone will be taking about. I couldn’t get enough of it. I like how the author is not frightened to push the boundaries on such controversial subjects and it is so superbly written.
Once again thank you HQ and NetGalley for a copy of this book. It’s amazinnggg!!
June 14, 2020
I finished reading Kia Abdullah's Truth Be Told and I am a bit dazed by it.
I haven't yet read another book that manages to pull off what this one does.
That is to frame the important subject of rape and rape culture within a scenario that allows an exploration of it without cause to refer to the usual tropes of writing this kind of story - and also managing to get in much wider family themes within it that speak to so many other issues in a totally non judgmental and thought provoking way.
She manages to create a realistic perspective wherein the outcome, the truth of it is well..I'll leave that for you to discover. Find me another author that can do this and I will read them.
Highly recommending this one. These are the books that need to be read, the talent of this particular author in entertaining you whilst making you think and assess our society on every basic level is second to none.
I haven't yet read another book that manages to pull off what this one does.
That is to frame the important subject of rape and rape culture within a scenario that allows an exploration of it without cause to refer to the usual tropes of writing this kind of story - and also managing to get in much wider family themes within it that speak to so many other issues in a totally non judgmental and thought provoking way.
She manages to create a realistic perspective wherein the outcome, the truth of it is well..I'll leave that for you to discover. Find me another author that can do this and I will read them.
Highly recommending this one. These are the books that need to be read, the talent of this particular author in entertaining you whilst making you think and assess our society on every basic level is second to none.
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