Razia - Abda Khan

I literally raced through this novel, not wanting to put it down, because I had to know what happened. There are parts that I wanted to skip through, but others that I wanted to savor, and all in all both feelings balanced each other out.

Farah is a lawyer of Pakistani descent, living in the UK. She’s worked hard to get where she is, and loves her parents, who are still hoping she will find a lovely Pakistani man to marry at some point, all the while supporting her in her career and endeavors. She randomly discovers that one of her law firm’s clients, a rich and highly ranked Pakistani family, have trafficked and enslaved a young woman (Razia) in their home, and Farah does everything she can to help her. But once she sets the ball rolling, everything seems to become unraveled and sets off a whole chain of events, in both the UK and Pakistan.

I loved how deeply embedded the rich Pakistani culture, traditions, clothes, and food are in the novel. Abda Khan’s words take you to the streets of Islamabad and Lahore and you can literally smell the food she describes. Farah is a very likeable character and her strength and will are palpable. I also loved how Abda Khan brings up the very important and widespread issue of human trafficking, and how difficult and dangerous it can be to destroy the networks in place. I did find the characters and plot a little predictable at times, and some of the text was a little cheesy and felt a little rushed too. But all in all it was a good read and one that made me all the more intent on making a change in the world, especially when it comes to the trafficking of women and children.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this novel!