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.
All These Things I've Done (Birthright)
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“The story is incredibly compelling–an intriguing future with a classic tale of star-crossed lovers. Readers will be racing to find out the sequel’s release date as soon as they finish the last page.” --School Library Journal
“…romance fans will likely adore the star-crossed passionate romance, the heroic gestures, and the responsibility-be-damned happy ending that brings the protagonists back together.” --BCCB
“The talented Zevin writes Anya and Win’s high-wire romance as jolting for both the participants and readers.” --Booklist, starred review
“…the achingly realistic romance between this latter-day Romeo and Juliet, told in Anya’s earnest voice, will attract readers as surely as chocolate attracts…mobsters.” --Horn Book Magazine
“In Gabrielle Zevin's All These Things I've Done, we fast-forward to 2083. Chocolate and coffee are contraband (can you imagine?!), paper and water are scarce, and New York is crawling with crime and poverty. But this is normal for sixteen-year-old Anya Balachine, daughter of the city's late crime boss. Until, that is, the chocolate her family manufactures accidentally poisons her ex and all fingers are pointed at her.” –TeenVogue.com
“The love story’s to die for, and the tangled web of relationships will keep readers intrigued to the last page.” –Kirkus Reviews
“Offering the excitement of a crime drama and the allure of forbidden romance, this introduction to a reluctant Godfather-in-the making will pique the interest of dystopia-hungry readers.” –Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Gabrielle Zevin is the author of award-winning books for young adults including Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac and Elsewhere. Her books for adults include The Hole We’re In and Margarettown. She was also the screenwriter for Conversations with Other Women, which received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Of her writing, The New York Times Book Review said, “Zevin’s touch is marvelously light even as she considers profundities.” A dog lover and Harvard graduate, she lives in New York City.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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As soon as I read the synopsis, I wanted this book! I was drawn to the idea of a future world where chocolate and coffee (two of my favorite things!) were illegal and available only through a black market controlled by the mafiya (not a typo, that's how it's spelled in this book). Think of underground coffee bars as opium dens and chocolate bars bought and sold like bags of weed. A lot of other things are also regulated in this futuristic world: postage is paid on emails, paper is a rare luxury, water is so scarce that fountains and swimming pools have been empty for decades, there are no more resources to make clothing so everyone wears vintage hand-me-downs, and just about everything else is rationed.
Anya Ballanchine is technically a chocolate mafiya princess, though she has distanced herself from the family business. Both of her parents were killed in mob hits, and the only thing she cares about is keeping her brother and sister safe while caring for their ailing grandmother and staying under the radar of Child Protective Services. But she can't escape her family ties forever, and three things happen that land her squarely back in the family's sights: she unknowingly gives her ex-boyfriend a chocolate bar laced with poison, the family lures her mentally-impaired brother into the business, and Anya falls in love with the new Assistant District Attorney's son.
Though I really enjoyed this book, it ended up being nothing like what I expected. Even though it takes place in the future and chocolate is the impetus for a world of mafiya violence, it was never really made clear why chocolate (and coffee, for that matter) was deemed dangerous and made illegal in the first place. So it kind of made these grown men look silly, running around threatening and shooting each other over chocolate. Even though the idea of a chocolate war was what drew me to the book, I felt like the idea wasn't fully fleshed out enough. Chocolate never came across to me as being so valuable that people would kill for it. (Although there are times when I think I could!) I think this story would have packed much more of a realistic, gritty punch if it had been set in the present and based on current mob activities.
Because the heart of this book is really a young woman's coming-of-age story. Anya is a great character, and I was instantly drawn to her. She's full of contradictions; a "good Catholic girl" who wants to prove that she's anything but her father's daughter, yet she lives her life by her father's words of wisdom. She's struggling to hold her family together, yet she resists anyone's efforts to help. She doesn't trust the family and wants nothing to do with them...until she needs something. And when she finally meets Mr. Right and he happens to be the D.A.'s son, complications arise that force Anya to determine what's important, what's worth sacrificing, and how she fits into the family organization. She's tough-as-nails and yet so vulnerable. My heart ached for her. The star-crossed love story is very sweet and poignant, although her boyfriend Win does seem a little too perfect. But Anya's story was so compelling that I could not put it down. This was my first time reading Gabrielle Zevin, but it won't be my last. She can write one heck of an emotional story: gripping, suspenseful, and perfectly paced, with some pretty good surprises thrown in. I'm looking forward to the continuation of Anya's journey.
Anya Ballanchine is technically a chocolate mafiya princess, though she has distanced herself from the family business. Both of her parents were killed in mob hits, and the only thing she cares about is keeping her brother and sister safe while caring for their ailing grandmother and staying under the radar of Child Protective Services. But she can't escape her family ties forever, and three things happen that land her squarely back in the family's sights: she unknowingly gives her ex-boyfriend a chocolate bar laced with poison, the family lures her mentally-impaired brother into the business, and Anya falls in love with the new Assistant District Attorney's son.
Though I really enjoyed this book, it ended up being nothing like what I expected. Even though it takes place in the future and chocolate is the impetus for a world of mafiya violence, it was never really made clear why chocolate (and coffee, for that matter) was deemed dangerous and made illegal in the first place. So it kind of made these grown men look silly, running around threatening and shooting each other over chocolate. Even though the idea of a chocolate war was what drew me to the book, I felt like the idea wasn't fully fleshed out enough. Chocolate never came across to me as being so valuable that people would kill for it. (Although there are times when I think I could!) I think this story would have packed much more of a realistic, gritty punch if it had been set in the present and based on current mob activities.
Because the heart of this book is really a young woman's coming-of-age story. Anya is a great character, and I was instantly drawn to her. She's full of contradictions; a "good Catholic girl" who wants to prove that she's anything but her father's daughter, yet she lives her life by her father's words of wisdom. She's struggling to hold her family together, yet she resists anyone's efforts to help. She doesn't trust the family and wants nothing to do with them...until she needs something. And when she finally meets Mr. Right and he happens to be the D.A.'s son, complications arise that force Anya to determine what's important, what's worth sacrificing, and how she fits into the family organization. She's tough-as-nails and yet so vulnerable. My heart ached for her. The star-crossed love story is very sweet and poignant, although her boyfriend Win does seem a little too perfect. But Anya's story was so compelling that I could not put it down. This was my first time reading Gabrielle Zevin, but it won't be my last. She can write one heck of an emotional story: gripping, suspenseful, and perfectly paced, with some pretty good surprises thrown in. I'm looking forward to the continuation of Anya's journey.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"All These Things I've Done" by Gabrielle Zevin, is about Anya, a 16 year old in the future,and is also the daughter of a deceased crime boss. Her dad was a crime boss because he runs a chocolate business, as chocolate is illegal. In this book, Anya will have to endure several life difficulties of a restricted world. It is restricted because there is a shortage of water (ie. regulating shower time, etc.), caffeine is illegal, taxes are high, crime is grand, and most is in ruins.
I think that kids would enjoy it because it is a book containing drama and some romance. It isn't too thick, but spread throughout the book.
My favorite parts were when Anya and Scarlet sent Leo to Japan to escape danger, and at the end of the book when most turns out well. I think this book is special because it shows us that we need to learn from our mistakes and we should listen to ourselves.
Girls from ages 14 to 18 who like drama would enjoy it.
Review by Young Mensan Paige M., age 13
I think that kids would enjoy it because it is a book containing drama and some romance. It isn't too thick, but spread throughout the book.
My favorite parts were when Anya and Scarlet sent Leo to Japan to escape danger, and at the end of the book when most turns out well. I think this book is special because it shows us that we need to learn from our mistakes and we should listen to ourselves.
Girls from ages 14 to 18 who like drama would enjoy it.
Review by Young Mensan Paige M., age 13
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin is the first of (what I think) will be a trilogy. In this book, Gabrielle has established a story line and a group of characters it would be extremely difficult not to become invested in.
We are a few decades into the future - and chocolate and coffee are illegal. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view) for our MC, Anya, she was born into a crime family. She can binge on chocolate whenever she wants. Of course, downside: her father, the previous boss of the family, was murdered when she was younger. Now she feels in charge of her two siblings and ailing grandmother. Anya's older brother suffers from a mental disability and her younger sister still has constant nightmares about their father's murder. Needless to say: Anya has her hands full.
Of course, that was just the stress she was used to. Add in an ex-boyfriend who is seriously poisoned by a stash of chocolate she gave him and her strong attraction to a boy who just happens to be the son of the city's defense attorney and Anya's family starts to seem like the least of her problems.
I haven't read any of Gabrielle's other books, but her writing style and characterization seriously impressed me. Unfortunately, I still didn't feel as connected to the characters as I would have liked to be. Maybe it's because I had to way to relate to anything going on, because goodness knows that is certainly true (considering I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma versus a crime lord's den in New York City).
But, even though I never felt a deep chemistry or a real sense that I was getting to know the characters, I absolutely devoured the book and fully intend to continue the series. Maybe with a foundation with the characters established, I'll connect more with them in future books. I hope my thoughts are making sense - I actually feel like my thoughts about the book are a little peculiar since I enjoyed the book so much despite the problems I had with it.
Ultimately, if you're a fan of dystopians (or even contemporaries really), I think this book is worth reading. Even though I have reservations about the lack of attachment I felt to the characters - I feel very invested in their story.
We are a few decades into the future - and chocolate and coffee are illegal. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view) for our MC, Anya, she was born into a crime family. She can binge on chocolate whenever she wants. Of course, downside: her father, the previous boss of the family, was murdered when she was younger. Now she feels in charge of her two siblings and ailing grandmother. Anya's older brother suffers from a mental disability and her younger sister still has constant nightmares about their father's murder. Needless to say: Anya has her hands full.
Of course, that was just the stress she was used to. Add in an ex-boyfriend who is seriously poisoned by a stash of chocolate she gave him and her strong attraction to a boy who just happens to be the son of the city's defense attorney and Anya's family starts to seem like the least of her problems.
I haven't read any of Gabrielle's other books, but her writing style and characterization seriously impressed me. Unfortunately, I still didn't feel as connected to the characters as I would have liked to be. Maybe it's because I had to way to relate to anything going on, because goodness knows that is certainly true (considering I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma versus a crime lord's den in New York City).
But, even though I never felt a deep chemistry or a real sense that I was getting to know the characters, I absolutely devoured the book and fully intend to continue the series. Maybe with a foundation with the characters established, I'll connect more with them in future books. I hope my thoughts are making sense - I actually feel like my thoughts about the book are a little peculiar since I enjoyed the book so much despite the problems I had with it.
Ultimately, if you're a fan of dystopians (or even contemporaries really), I think this book is worth reading. Even though I have reservations about the lack of attachment I felt to the characters - I feel very invested in their story.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Killers Song, Good Book
Initially I was underwhelmed by it, mostly due to the fact I had either forgotten or was unaware that it would be more of a YA story. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Zombitologist
3.0 out of 5 stars
pleasant read for younger YA readers
Anya is 16. Her father ran a crime syndicate bootlegging chocolate (it's the future and chocolate is illegal). He was killed. So was Anya's mother. Read more
Published 18 days ago by G.G. Miranda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
I loved this book! Each page kept me wanting more! Very very good book! That's all I can say. Awesome story...I definitely want to read the next book.
Published 1 month ago by Rachel Bjornebo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Birthright book 1
Anya's father may have been the head of the Balanchine Mafia family before his death but she wants nothing to do with her family's illegal activities. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Sarah Gibson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
A futuristic prohibition-esque novel. What a fun concept! I really enjoyed the main character - she was gritty and honest. Another win for Zevin!
Published 2 months ago by R. Bradley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Could not put this book down! Highly recommended
All These Things I've Done is brilliant and hilarious and I couldn't put it down. In the NYC of 2083 that Zevin has created, anyone can purchase alcohol and cigarettes as long as... Read more
Published 2 months ago by M. Lapus
2.0 out of 5 stars
Bland and rather boring
All These Things I've Done suffered from a lack of action. The entire first 100 or so pages were set aside for world building but the author did not need that many pages to... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Emily @ Falling for YA
5.0 out of 5 stars
A humorous and well thought-out story of loyalty to family and friends
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A humorous and well thought-out story of loyalty to family and friends. Read more
Quick & Dirty: A humorous and well thought-out story of loyalty to family and friends. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dark Faerie Tales
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty Good
Off the bat, I gave the concept of the story 2 stars, but as the characters were introduced and the path they began to go down became more interesting. Read more
Published 4 months ago by austin wells
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creative and spectacular...
There are books that I love to read and want to keep on reading, All These Things I've Done is one of those books. The characters are very lively and realistic. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sarah Woodard
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