Book Review: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I've Done (Birthright #1) by Gabrielle Zevin
Published by: Pan Macmillan Australia
Publication date: 1st September, 2011
Source: Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia

Sixteen year-old Anya becomes the head of a mafia family after her parents are both murdered by rival gangs. Although Anya is embrolied in the criminal world, she is determined to keep her brother and sister out of the mafia family, but her father's relatives aren't so keen to let them go. When Anya's violent ex-boyfriend is poisoned with contaminated chocolate – chocolate that is produced illegally by Anya's mafia family – she is arrested for attempted murder and sent to the notorious jail on Manhattan Island.

Eventually she is freed by the new D.A. in town, who believs she has been framed. But this D.A. is the father of Win, a boy at school to whom Anya feels irresistibly drawn, and her freedom comes with conditions. Win's father wants to be mayor, and he can't risk having his ambition jeopardised by rumours spreading that his son is seeing a member of a notorious crime family. Anya knows she risks the safety of her family by seeing Win again, but the feeling between them may be too strong to resist...

My Review:

All These Things I've Done surprised me but I mean that in the best possible way.  I was completely captivated by this intriguing and tension filled story.

I have been reading quite a bit of dystopia lately and I loved that this novel did not focus on matching people or the government trying to control everybody.  In the year 2083 they are plenty of problems and changes but overall it feels more like a realistic future.  Chocolate is illegal (EEK! no chocolate would make me crazy)  together with a million other things like caffeine, paper without a permit, phones, cameras.  I felt the world was very convincing as it feels similar to the stories of the 1920's when alcohol was banned and smuggled in.

This is the first book of Zevin's I have read.  I found her prose sharp and alluring.  Writing that draws you in immediately.  It was perfectly paced story that had a cleverly constructed plot and world.

Anya is part of the Balanchine Family, one of the most well known crime syndicates in the world.  Her father use to be the head of it before he was murdered.  Anya mother was also killed in a hit gone wrong.  Now Anya is trying to do the best she can caring for her ill grandmother, her older brother Leo, who has a learning disability and her younger sister Natty.  Anya is a mature, brave and compelling character.  I love that she always but her family first.  I found the secondary characters to be just as well crafted and likeable as Anya especially Leo and Natty.  

Win, is the son of the head of the District Attorney Department and Anya's love interest.  So it is has a little bit of the star crossed lovers thing going on.   The romance between Anya and Win was passionate and yet sweet at the same time.

The mafia part of the storyline was probably the highlight for me though.  I found  myself fascinated by this mysterious and dangerous element of the story.  I would definitely like to see it play an even bigger part in the next installment.

I am so happy All These Things I've Done is going to be a trilogy.  Even though it ended in a good place I felt like the story was just getting started and it has left me desperately craving more.

Overall, I found All These Things I've Done to be a clever and engaging read.  Zevin definitely delivers all the right elements in this impressive novel.

Overall Rating: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Cover: 5/5

For more info:  Visit Gabrielle Zevin's website or Pan Macmillan Australia

For more reviews:  Visit Steph Su Reads