All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

I clearly did not know what I was in for when I picked out this read. All I know was it was some ambitious book trying to portray the future.

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Our protagonist is Anya Balanchine, a mafia princess.

In a future set in New York, nearly a hundred years from now where water and paper is rationed, coffee and chocolate is illegal and a strict curfew of 12AM on all minors, the story of Anya begins.

Having been the daughter of  notorious mafia emperor and chocolatier Leonyd Balanchine Sr., her life has always been on the danger zone. With both dead parents, she faces life with such maturity and the words of wisdom her dad had told her while growing up.

With a 12-year-old sister Natty(Nataliya Balanchine), 19-year-old brother Leo(Leonyd Balanchine Jr.) who's in a special mental condition and a dying grandmother, Anya who is only 16 is left to fend for all of them over the years since.

In her Junior year at Holy Trinity School together with her BFF Scarlet Barber, she meets Goodwin Delacroix. Goodwin or Win is the son of Charles Delacroix who is the new DA.

Anya who always has her gaurd up falls in love with Win.

Will she pursue it? Will Charles Delacroix approve it?
What will happen next and what are the things that already happened that I overlooked hence, is not in this short review?

It's better read than said.

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My goodness, this book is jam packed. Such a fast-paced novel with no shortage of characters and themes. This book contains the following: elite private Catholic school, Star-crossed lovers, futuristic setting, mafia, food poisoning, troubled-children's facility, politics, prom, genius sister, lawyers, chocolate business.... and more!

What else did this book forget to include?

I finished this less than 24hours... and my, such a whirlwind it was.

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It ended so open-endedly, the swift manner it was told and then you're suddenly cut-off, frustrating!
Can't wait for the sequel, Because it is My Blood.



10 comments:

Michelle | August 2, 2012 at 3:27 PM

Great read, isn't it! Such a different approach to all the other YA dystopian novels out there. Can't wait for Because It Is My Blood :)

Loraine | August 2, 2012 at 6:47 PM

I totally agree with you Michelle! I can't wait either.... =)

Kerry | August 2, 2012 at 7:53 PM

Thanks for pointing me to your blog! Great review. I always worry about giving too much away while not repeating what is on the back of the book jacket. It's nice to read what you have written. I'll be back!

Sam (Realm of Fiction) | August 3, 2012 at 1:40 AM

I'm glad you liked it! This book wasn't for me, but it's interesting to read your thoughts. :)

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Andra Lyn | August 3, 2012 at 8:54 PM

I'm glad you got a lot more out of this book than I did! I really wanted to like it, and I did enjoy the mafia theme and whatnot...but I think the ending was what shut me off the most. It's so...abrupt is the perfect word! Great review :)

Unknown | August 5, 2012 at 8:43 PM

Thanks for linking me to your post! I haven't read that many of this novel!

Britta Kirk | August 7, 2012 at 12:01 PM

Great review, Loraine! I thought it had just about everything needed for an awesome book. I can't wait to see how this adventure soars further in Because It Is My Blood, and seeing how Yuji Ono factors...

Thanks so much for commenting on my review!

Loraine | August 7, 2012 at 3:12 PM

To Kerry: thank you! I worry the same things too! and you are always welcome here =D

To Sam: Thanks for visiting mine, too =) good day to you!

To Andra: I've read a lot of reviews who expresses the same feeling as you do, I guess it's not for everybody. Thank you :) and yes... abrupt is "the word"!

To Erika: You're welcome and thank you also, for stopping by. =)

To Britta: YES! YES!!! I can't wait either. I failed to include Yuji Ono here so I'll atone for it in Because it is My Blood. You're welcome and Thank you as well! =)

Nina @ Death, Books, and Tea | August 9, 2012 at 5:01 PM

Good review! I can't wait for Because it is My Blood either. Thanks for coming to my blog :)

Loraine | August 13, 2012 at 11:24 AM

To Nina: You're welcome and thank you, also! =) Have a nice day!

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