Because It Is My Blood (Birthright) [Hardcover]

Gabrielle Zevin (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 18, 2012 | Series: Birthright (Book 2)

“Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in.”- Michael Corleone, The Godfather

Since her release from Liberty Children's Facility, Anya Balanchine is determined to follow the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, her criminal record is making it hard for her to do that. No high school wants her with a gun possession charge on her rap sheet. Plus, all the people in her life have moved on: Natty has skipped two grades at Holy Trinity, Scarlet and Gable seem closer than ever, and even Win is in a new relationship.But when old friends return demanding that certain debts be paid, Anya is thrown right back into the criminal world that she had been determined to escape. It’s a journey that will take her across the ocean and straight into the heart of the birthplace of chocolate where her resolve--and her heart--will be tested as never before.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-In this sequel to All These Things I've Done (Farrar, 2010), Anya Balanchine's life becomes very complicated not long after she is released from a prison located near a future Manhattan. In her continued attempts to protect her siblings, manage her family's standing in the mafiya world of black-market chocolate, and plan her future, the teen finds herself in Mexico where she sees the cacao business from a different angle. Here she learns about the healing powers of chocolate and its rich folkloric tradition, causing her to wonder why it was outlawed and if it were possible that chocolate isn't dangerous, or even unhealthy. Anya's on-again, off-again romance with Win Delacroix persists in spite of numerous obstacles, including her rocky relationship with his District Attorney father. Threatened by her competitors in the criminal world, she is forced to return quickly to New York to intervene in her family's affairs. Anya finally finds a way to legitimize her family's longstanding ties to chocolate. The sequel is not as strong as the first book-the multitude of characters, plot twists, and conspiracy theories take readers on a bit of a bumpy ride. The romance is downplayed in favor of Anya's familial and political pursuits, but there is a satisfying, friendly relationship between Anya and Theo, a boy whose family is also in the chocolate business. Readers who enjoy mob stories and visions of future societies will be pleased. As in the first book, Zevin provokes thought about what we make illegal and why.-Nora G. Murphy, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, LaCanada-Flintridge, CAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

“An engaging heroine, lots of humor…in this Godfather for teens. B+” —EW.com

 

"Readers who enjoy mob stories and visions of future societies will be pleased. As in the first book, Zevin provokes thought about what we make illegal and why." —School Library Journal

 

"The idea of a world in which chocolate, coffee, and other stimulants have been outlawed is alluring, and Anya is a strong, smart protagonist. Fans will want to find out what happens to her.”—VOYA

 

"Discerning characters’ true motives will keep readers guessing, and the conflicting forces within Anya add an extra dimension of drama to this action-packed sequel. " —Publishers Weekly

 

"This sequel to All These Things I’ve Done (2011) paints on such a broad canvas that readers will be amazed at Zevin’s management abilities...Zevin’s strong suit is characterization, and it shines here. Whatever the nefarious plot, no one becomes a cartoon character—like chocolates, each is delicious in his or her own right." —Booklist

 

“Fans of the first will enjoy the author’s inventive combination of chocolate, crime and politics, as well as finding out Anya’s post-prison fate.” —Kirkus Reviews

 

"Anya's flaws are what make her a complicated, thoroughly human character, one whom readers will enjoy continuing to try to understand...Readers will love her, flawed as she is." —Teenreads.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 18, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780374380748
• ISBN-13: 978-0374380748
• ASIN: 0374380740
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #519,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Because It Is My Blood May 20, 2013

By M. Lapus VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I worry sometimes that I'm too enthusiastic about the books I review. There are some books that I skim over and am not that fond of - I often opt not to review them as I'd much prefer to spread the word about books that I believe give a good return on the time spent. I've been told that I should write a bit more about these books, if only to show that I am able to discern the good from the bad.

But this time, yet again, I have to enthusiastically recommend the second book in the Balachine novels, Because It Is My Blood.

The book is set in the future and it follows the story of Anya Balanchine and her family after her brother has escaped to Japan to avoid incarceration. Anya has survived her stint the NY juvenile facility but finds her future uncertain. She has been expelled from her old school before her senior year. Her best friend is pregnant with her ex-boyfriend's child. Her love and other ex-boyfriend has moved on despite his vows of eternal love.

Anya faces these heartbreaking problems with humor and spirit. Her resilience and grit -those characteristics that had us cheering for her in the earlier novel All These Things I've Done - are back in spades and we find ourselves hoping that Anya beats the odds yet again. This time, she faces larger grown up problems - the loss of her guardian, the threat of assassination, the possible loss of whatever is left of her family.

ISBN-10: 9780374380748 - Hardcover $14.00
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 18, 2012), 368 pages.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A girl tries hard to get out of the family business, but it keeps pulling her family back in. February 10, 2013

By Dark Faerie Tales

Format:Hardcover

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A girl tries hard to get out of the family business, but it keeps pulling her family back in. For fans of Ally Carter's Heist Society.

Opening Sentence: "Come in Anya, have a seat. We find ourselves in the midst of a situation," Evelyn Cobrawick greeted me, parting her painted red lips to reveal a cheerful sliver of yellow tooth.

The Review:

Anya thought that once she got out of Liberty Children's Facility she would be able to put the past behind her and move on with her life - separate from the Balanchine family business...and Win. But really, it's for the better, or at least that's what she keeps telling herself. But when a picture of Win and her holding hands hits the newspaper, Win's father's wrath comes down, especially with the election for the new DA growing closer. But Win's father isn't the only one after her. A new force is taking hold of the chocolate company - and they have set their sights on Anya. Fleeing to the birthplace of chocolate, Anya creates a new life in the country, but her old life is still waiting for her to come back. New events twist her arm behind her back until the only thing left to do is face the enemy. As if graduating high school is hard enough.

I'm not quite sure what to think of this book. Don't get me wrong - I loved the plot and the characters to death - but was it as good as the first? I think the jury's still out. As far as writing goes, Zevin's voice is still utterly hilarious and witty. Just not as creative and witty as the first book. There weren't as many scenes with witty banter as the first, and "Daddy's sayings" were scarce. But I see why. Anya is growing and learning on her own throughout this book, and Daddy's sayings wouldn't help in her situations. But I still miss them.

While the first book was mainly an introduction to the chocolate family arc and the romance arc between Win and Anya, the second book is all about Anya and her family. Anya develops so much through this book as she learns more and more about chocolate and her family. She's a very strong-headed girl with a concrete back-bone and witty remarks. She's similar to Kat from Heist Society by Ally Carter - she's trying to escape her family business, but it keeps pulling her back in. Anya's relationships with her friends and family are dynamic and complex. In this book, the romance isn't the number one arc, but don't worry there's enough to satisfy. I appreciate Zevin for not using the "misunderstanding" arc throughout the whole book. And the creation of a new arc between Win and Anya will throw you...It definitely threw me across the country and back.

If you loved the first book, I'm positive you will love the second. It is full of character development and action scenes (and even a scene where someone's hand is cut off!) but beware! MAJOR cliffhanger alert! Only another year to wait for the next one...

FTC Advisory: Farrar Straus Giroux / Macmillan provided me with a copy of Because It Is My Blood. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I need more! October 12, 2012

By Karen Mingain

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am hooked! I loved both books and cannot wait for the third one to come out. Does anyone know when that will be? I cannot find any information on it but - DON'T leave me hanging!!