Kia Abdullah’s debut ‘Take It Back‘ was such an incredibly outstanding story that I was very excited to find out if she could repeat that same level with Zara Kaleel’s second outing in’Truth Be Told‘. Don’t worry, this can quite easily be read as a stand-alone. There are a few references to the previous book but if you haven’t read that one, you will not be feeling lost at all.

Seventeen year old Kamran Hadid is one of the privileged few. But his life is about to fall apart at the seams. While at his elite all-boys boarding school, a night of partying and drinking leads to an encounter that will change Kamran’s life for ever.

No, I’m not going to tell you any more than that. I will tell you that, in case you didn’t yet know this, Kia Abdullah does not shy away from tackling the tough topics. Prepare yourself for that age-old debate about consent but with a bit of a twist to it.

‘Truth Be Told’ has an extremely interesting, yet disturbing premise. However, for some reason, it never quite managed to grab me. Events often felt repetitive, not just throughout this story but some were also very reminiscent of the previous book. There are one or two things I didn’t see coming, one of which is particularly devastating but the other thing felt just a little bit … cheap, maybe. Although that reveal did turn the whole tale onto its head, it didn’t really sit well with me.

I can’t help but wonder if my feelings towards this book are to do with the fact that Zara isn’t quite as involved as she was in the previous book. The organisation she works for is geared towards women so she takes time off to be by Kamran’s side but apart from a few well-placed words of advice and chauffeuring him around, she felt rather superfluous to the proceedings.

For me, ‘Truth Be Told’ did not live up to the level of ‘Take It Back’ but that will not stop me from picking up Kia Abdullah’s next book. I love the hard-hitting topics she delves into, I love that I get a glimpse into how some of these issues are dealt with in the Muslim community and I love her writing. Even if this one didn’t quite work for me, I really think she’s an author to watch.

I felt that this book was a carbon copy of her first book, Take It Back. It's the same premise, she gets attacked again! I guessed the outcome pretty early on so that made the book a bit boring to finish. Sorry but it only gets 3 stars.

I am a big fan of courtroom dramas and this is an outstanding example of its genre, dealing with some difficult issues in both a sensitive and compelling manner. Kamran, a pupil at a boarding school, accuses one of the other boys at the school of rape. Male rape is an issue rarely explored - the book explores questions around consent, as well as issues around family, culture and religion. That is quite a lot to pack all into one book but Abdullah does it very well without a level of sensationalism that it could easily have descended into - it is an absorbing read that kept me on the edge of my seat to its shocking conclusion and left me pondering on the issues it raises. Abdullah has become a must read author for me.

A subject that’s never discussed.

Kamran Hadid is a senior at the exclusive Hampton School near his home. He has his own room which is filled with all the luxuries he is used to at his home in Belize Park. His younger brother, Adam also attends the school.

Kamran and his crowd were supposed to be away for the weekend, but arrangements were changed at the last minute so instead, the boys hold a party at school, all getting very inebriated. Kamran staggers back to his room and is woken by someone in his bed, undressing him. What follows is traumatic for Kamran and he decides to get help and counselling from Zara Kaleel. With her help, he decides to report it to the police and a case is opened and the boy involved is charged with rape. But is it rape or mistaken identity?

A harrowing tale of one mistake leading to a catastrophic ending. Kia Abdullah has raised a subject none of us like talking about – the rape of a man, and yet, it is a subject that we should be discussing as it is very prevalent. It leaves deep scars that the victim very rarely recovers from. Zara Abdullah makes us aware through her brilliant writing just how traumatic this is for men. The shame, and the fear of recriminations.

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

This is the first book I've read by Kia Abdullah and I found it to be a sensitively written and compelling read. Abdullah covers issues such as male rape, race, class and religion with empathy and sensitivity alongside superb characterisation, gripping court scenes and a compelling plot. This is an excellent , well paced read that I would highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

Kamran Hadid attends an all boy’s school. After getting more drunk than he has ever been in his life, he returns to his dorm and passes out in bed. He later wakes up to find that he is not alone in his bed and someone is having sex with him.

Kamran reports his rape to Zara who understands the hesitation Kamran has to report this to the police due to the cultural shame he will experience.

Meanwhile, Kamran’s rapist Dean insists that Kamran has misunderstood what happened that night. He asserts that they were both equally drunk, had a good time and then Kamran regretted it in the morning and so convinced himself he was raped.

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This book was almost as well written as the previous one. The characters are fantastically well developed and Zara’s own character continues to develop and grow. What was particularly brilliant is how, despite knowing that Dean is guilty of rape and that not all rape is a violent act, I also found myself believing that Dean truly believes his version of events and it was really difficult not to feel sorry for him as his life fell apart. This book does an amazing job of covering consent and, the author shows such skill in how she covers this topic that I am in awe.

I did find the ending predictable, which is why this book did not quite hit the same numerical rating that the first does.

This book addresses a very important issue that's not discussed nearly enough nowadays as its seen as taboo to even talk about it, let alone admit it happened....male rape. But what if the accused genuinely didnt realise he'd done something wrong until he was accused? The twist at the end is clever and unique, although I'm not sure how I feel it about it ending the way it did, maybe Adam should have said something.
Over all a good book but a hard read at times.

Kia Abdullah does it again!

Truth Be Told is the second book in the Zara Kaleel series and I've got my fingers crossed for a third.

This time Abdullah explores male rape. Kamran Hadid accuses Finn Andersen of raping him and not only does he have to come to terms with what has happened, he also has to face his father who has strong feelings about what a boy should be.

I love how Abdullah creates a gripping and fascinating story whilst exploring taboo topics and discussing Muslim tradition. It is souchore thought provoking than your average thriller whilst still giving you that addictive feeling to race to the end of the book.

It's powerful and explosive but also quote heartfelt and as you hear the story from both sides it's hard not to feel for both of the main characters. And the ending will really make you think about everything you just read!

Absolutely brilliant courtroom drama novel that I definitely recommend to everyone.

Truth Be Told book is an incredible read. In it we follow Kamran, a teenage boy who is the victim of rape by another boy at his boarding school. Kamran goes to see Zara Kaleel at a rape crisis centre and she agrees to help him. This is such a powerful novel that explores so many issues around rape and consent, race and gender, and the impact on the victim, but also the people around the victim when a rape accusation is made. It was very hard to read at times but the issues are handled really sensitively and in a way that is so believable. This is the second novel that features Zara but this novel does work as a standalone. I enjoyed the author’s previous book but this one is even better. I didn’t want to put this one down and now I’ve finished it I keep finding myself thinking about it. I highly recommend this one!

This story is another compelling courtroom drama with believable contemporary characters, a well thought out plot and surprising twists. Again young people are the author's focus, and the crime that leads to the court case is disturbing and relevant. Zara, who we met in 'Take it Back', is a potent force in this story.

The reader sees the evidence from many viewpoints but must decide about their reliability. It's this unknown that allows the plot to be unpredictable. The story is poignant, and the reader may empathise with most of the main characters at some point.

This is powerfully written and encompasses many of today's moral and social issues.

I received a copy of this book from HQ via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

“Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for my honest review.**

Kia Abdullah is a brilliant storyteller - I love her books! The synopsis and other reviews have more or else outlined the plot - but it goes way, way deeper than that. I found myself questioning my point of view several times about issues and beliefsI thought I had . Kia Abdullah writes in such a way that that challenges my so called ‘liberal views’ and I loved this. Her writing is captivating and direct, but never forceful.
I shall definitely look out for any of her future books - no matter the genre!

This is a brilliantly written book. The book explores male rape and so much more. A book that will stay with me for a long time after I’ve finished it

A truly moving difficult subject, male rape, religion, cultures. Cover so much. A great read with a outstanding ending. Thank you so much for letting me read this. Can’t wait wait to read more.

I had heard a lot about this book so thought I would give it a read. It was an ok read for me , but not something I would read again

Wow what a read.
This is a brilliantly written book. Set around a male rape the book explores that and so so much more.
Family relationships, culture, religion and how a person gauges their own worth against what others expect from them.
A book that will stay with me for a long time after I’ve finished it

Loved this! So good, so exciting, so gripping and great story. Can't wait to read more by this author - absolutely brilliant.

A story built around the issue of male rape.

I find it difficult to review this book. Using the topic as a source of 'entertainment' didn't sit right with me. Important issues are raised about consent and concepts of masculinity but in a rather shallow way. The court case and the difficulty of gaining a conviction seemed realistic enough but the male protest group (and particularly their uniform) just seemed ridiculous.

A sensationalised act of violence and the final reveal added to my unease.

I'm sure the author has the best of intentions (her previous book covered female rape and false accusations) but the format does not allow for the depth of analysis needed for such a debate.

Geez I cannot believe this book, I was in pieces most of the time, it handles such sensitive subject matter so well and had me ploughing through it at warp speed, absolutely awful tale of male rape and what comes next, you feel for the main character immensely and has you thinking a lot about the culture and taboo and all that goes with it, what a moving read it was and had me thinking about it long into the night when the book was over, this is the second book in a series but can be read alone without reading the previous, though I’ve read the previous novel and that was also a fantastically written piece of literature also, this author is on fire! 🔥

This book grabbed me from the very beginning and didn't let me go until the very last page. A wonderfully written book about a sensitive topic that had me strangely on both sides of the main characters. The author writes well about the pressures and expectations of family and privilege. I was not expecting the ending at all which left me feeling so sad for all the characters. This is the first book of Kia Abdullah that I have read but it won't be the last.

This was a very emotive story about the rape of a Moslem male and all the associated implications. Very well written story that kept me guessing to the very end.