All These Things I’ve Done

October 11, 2011 Uncategorized 0

All These Things I’ve Done

Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication Date: Sept. 6, 2011
Pages: 354
Series: Birthright, book one
Source: ARC from BEA

About the Book: 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. (goodreads)

My Thoughts: Reading this book was unlike any other reading experience I’ve ever had. I loved it so much. At the same time I had to force myself to continue reading because I knew trouble was ahead. But then again even while I was “forcing myself” to read it I couldn’t put it down. Does that make sense? No. Can I explain it any better? Also no. What does that prove? That I’m a bit crazy? That the book is amazing? Probably both.

Anya is telling the reader what happened after it has actually occurred. She is looking back knowing how it turned out. I liked what this added to the story. The reader gets some insight and there are lines here and there that really make you wonder about what happens next.

The world Anya was living in really intrigued me as well. Chocolate and caffeine are illegal?!? I get twitchy just thinking about it. As I was reading I was seriously tempted to run to the store and buy all the Diet Coke and chocolate I could find! I also loved the aspects of our world today that were worked in as history in Anya’s world. 

I cannot end this review without talking about how much I enjoyed the ways Anya and her best friend Scarlet interact. They actually have a real friendship that isn’t just superficial. I so appreciated the fact that they support each other and are loyal but also call each other out when it’s deserved. It was very refreshing. 

Gabrielle Zevin has written yet another story that will engage readers and has the potential for great discussion. I will definitely be recommending it to all the book clubs I know!

Random Things I Loved:
*Chapter Titles
*The fact that the chapters are numbered using Roman Numerals
*Anya and Scarlet’s friendship
*The fact that the girl was the strong and dangerous one
*Anya’s grandmother
*Everything about Win
*Since I didn’t mention it above, the kissy times! This isn’t a lovey dovey book but there is definitely a fabulous romantic vein. 

Leave a Reply