Series ~ Birthright #1
Author ~ Gabrielle Zevin
Release Date ~ September 6, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Source ~ Zeitghost Media
GOODREADS SUMMARY
In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.
REVIEW
Team Anya FTW! All These Things I’ve Done tells the powerful story of Anya and the sacrifices she makes for her family and in the name of love. With an enormous amount of Girl Power, Anya is a heroine who fights back against the establishment. She is tough! What I really liked and could relate to was that Anya, even in the worst of situations, would put others first. I like this girl!
Anya comes from a mobster family that deals in the illegal commodity of chocolate. How cool, right? There are all sorts of hi-jinx going on with the chocolate and it’s all perfectly confusing as to who is responsible and who knows what about whom. Masterfully played!
Strong Anya has a sweet side hidden beneath her tough exterior. The target of her affection is soft-hearted Win. This guy is just so awesome because, although it was utterly impossible to accomplish, he did everything in his power to make Anya’s life better. Win is what Anya needs.
Set in 2083 New York City, this stuff is believable! I could actually see something like this happening where there is a popular commodity deemed to be illegal. Even if it’s not chocolate and coffee, it may be high-fat foods or sodas. You never know, do you? Little details made the setting come alive. For instance, The Statue of Liberty is a prison! A PRISON!
All These Things I’ve Done has all the elements I would expect in a dystopian, but it has much more. There is a contemporary feel because of Anya’s dedication to her family as well as a romantic subplot involving Win. I say it’s one amazing story!
RATING
5 Loved
COVER COMMENTS
The cover is dripping in chocolate! Hurray for an original cover that does not have half of a girl on it or the back of a girl’s head. If you take the jacket off, the actual hard back cover looks just like a chocolate bar. Such a nice touch!
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