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amandalyn's review
4.0
This book was really interesting. A world where caffeine and chocolate are illegal? No thank you! But it did make for a great read!
I read some complaints about how the coffee and chocolate affected people in this world. But it really didn't bother me at all. Haven't you ever had a caffeine high? Or a sugar rush? Imagine if you only had caffeine and chocolate once a month or even less? Wouldn't it taste better and hit you harder? Especially if you had too much at a time. It made perfect sense to me. Chocolate drunk sounds pretty good to me!
I loved reading about Anya's crime family. The dynamics between Anya and her extended family was so intriguing and different than anything I've read before. It was honorable that Anya was trying to keep her brother and sister far away from it, but family doesn't go away that easily. Not to mention everyone immediately judged her by her last name, assuming she was just like her father. I felt so bad for her!
But I felt worse for her brother and sister. It felt like they just couldn't win! Her brother was in the accident that killed their mother and was brain damaged because of it. It's an understatement that they deserved more than life gave them but they were trying to make the best of it. I loved both of them.
Win... hmm. I liked him as a character, but I didn't really like the love story between him and Anya. It seemed like a mixture of insta-love and teenage rebellion, like they only got together because they knew they weren't supposed to. It wasn't enough for me. And the end really made me mad! Make up your mind already, geesh!
Anya was definitely my favorite though. She had a really hard life and had to grow up too fast. But she was dealing, and trying to protect her family. I admired that so much! I can't wait to see what she decides to do in the next book!
There was one plot twist I saw coming from miles away, and it bothered me that Anya couldn't see what was happening. It was right in front of her face! She kept almost fixing the situation, but then got distracted by something. And by something, I mean Win. Maybe that's why I didn't like them together...
All in all, a really interesting read and I can't wait to see what happens next!
I read some complaints about how the coffee and chocolate affected people in this world. But it really didn't bother me at all. Haven't you ever had a caffeine high? Or a sugar rush? Imagine if you only had caffeine and chocolate once a month or even less? Wouldn't it taste better and hit you harder? Especially if you had too much at a time. It made perfect sense to me. Chocolate drunk sounds pretty good to me!
I loved reading about Anya's crime family. The dynamics between Anya and her extended family was so intriguing and different than anything I've read before. It was honorable that Anya was trying to keep her brother and sister far away from it, but family doesn't go away that easily. Not to mention everyone immediately judged her by her last name, assuming she was just like her father. I felt so bad for her!
But I felt worse for her brother and sister. It felt like they just couldn't win! Her brother was in the accident that killed their mother and was brain damaged because of it. It's an understatement that they deserved more than life gave them but they were trying to make the best of it. I loved both of them.
Win... hmm. I liked him as a character, but I didn't really like the love story between him and Anya. It seemed like a mixture of insta-love and teenage rebellion, like they only got together because they knew they weren't supposed to. It wasn't enough for me. And the end really made me mad! Make up your mind already, geesh!
Anya was definitely my favorite though. She had a really hard life and had to grow up too fast. But she was dealing, and trying to protect her family. I admired that so much! I can't wait to see what she decides to do in the next book!
There was one plot twist I saw coming from miles away, and it bothered me that Anya couldn't see what was happening. It was right in front of her face! She kept almost fixing the situation, but then got distracted by something. And by something, I mean Win. Maybe that's why I didn't like them together...
All in all, a really interesting read and I can't wait to see what happens next!
juicygreenmom's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
pulchritudinous_panda's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was good, but what set it apart for me was its handing of religion and relationships. While I have no interest in the remaining books, the story it managed to tell here was captivating and well worth the read.
goodem9199's review
2.0
*SPOILERS* BOOK CLUB GIRLS DON'T READ UNTIL YOU'VE FINISHED!
OH MAN, am I ever frustrated! I devoured the first 3/4 of this book and then....SCREECH. WTF? Things fell apart for me very quickly after good 'ole granny died. The writing felt watered down, the scenerios were ridiculous. REALLY? The DA was only bothered that Win was shot because it got out in the media? Everything felt rushed. And another thing. I think with "dystopian" lit, you've either got to go balls to the wall, or don't do it at all. The cover of this book mistakingly makes you think it's dystopian. That should have been a major part...it took a huge backseat, and wasn't fleshed out enough. I often forgot it was supposed to be in the future until she threw something about paying for water in there all of a sudden.
I am so disappointed because I was loving this book for a good bit of it. Why'd ya do me this way, Gabs?
OH MAN, am I ever frustrated! I devoured the first 3/4 of this book and then....SCREECH. WTF? Things fell apart for me very quickly after good 'ole granny died. The writing felt watered down, the scenerios were ridiculous. REALLY? The DA was only bothered that Win was shot because it got out in the media? Everything felt rushed. And another thing. I think with "dystopian" lit, you've either got to go balls to the wall, or don't do it at all. The cover of this book mistakingly makes you think it's dystopian. That should have been a major part...it took a huge backseat, and wasn't fleshed out enough. I often forgot it was supposed to be in the future until she threw something about paying for water in there all of a sudden.
I am so disappointed because I was loving this book for a good bit of it. Why'd ya do me this way, Gabs?
brendalovesbooks's review
4.0
I really liked this one. It was memorable enough that even though I stopped reading it for a couple weeks during the holidays, I was able to pick it right back up again and remember everything I had already read.
The narrative was different and fun, and I really liked the main character. I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
The narrative was different and fun, and I really liked the main character. I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
shhchar's review against another edition
2.0
I had some trouble putting my finger on what it is that I disliked about this book. It had an interesting basis: a mobster family, a unique dystopian world, and a likable main character. In the end, it was the lack of plot and the completely boring romance plot line that did it in for me.
My favorite book quirk is probably family dynamics. They were plentiful in this book. Anya and Leo, Anya and her grandmother, Anya and her father, etc. I felt like it wasn't developed enough though. The book had such an opportune chance to develop the Balanchine family and I kept waiting for Anya to be drawn into the business, but she really wasn't.
Anya was such an intriguing and bad ass character, but she only had a few chances to show off. I never really got to know her, and while I pitied what she was going through (occasionally), I never felt an emotional connection to her. I disliked Win as well. His only flaw was that he annoyed me endlessly. When Anya and Win were together, that's when the book dragged the most.
The family dynamics and business were the most interesting part of the book. Most, if not all of my Goodreads friends loved the book, so it appears that I'm in the minority. Give it a try if you like dystopian!
My favorite book quirk is probably family dynamics. They were plentiful in this book. Anya and Leo, Anya and her grandmother, Anya and her father, etc. I felt like it wasn't developed enough though. The book had such an opportune chance to develop the Balanchine family and I kept waiting for Anya to be drawn into the business, but she really wasn't.
Anya was such an intriguing and bad ass character, but she only had a few chances to show off. I never really got to know her, and while I pitied what she was going through (occasionally), I never felt an emotional connection to her. I disliked Win as well. His only flaw was that he annoyed me endlessly. When Anya and Win were together, that's when the book dragged the most.
The family dynamics and business were the most interesting part of the book. Most, if not all of my Goodreads friends loved the book, so it appears that I'm in the minority. Give it a try if you like dystopian!
stephxsu's review
4.0
With a cover like that, a premise like that, and the name of one of YA’s most highly awarded authors attached to it, how could one not pick this book up? With her trademark intelligent writing and world-building, Gabrielle Zevin’s dystopian ALL THESE THINGS I’VE DONE should be a hit for those who like their YA dystopias a touch on the literary side. It doesn’t quite hit the mark in terms of characterization, but I still very much enjoyed this novel, and look forward to its sequels.
Anya’s New York is like the present day gone to seed and corruption. Famous landmarks have been transformed into slumming hangouts and holding areas, and prepubescent kids rob people off the street with stolen handguns. The setting is fraught with tensions of all sorts, and Zevin makes great use of it. We keenly feel Anya’s struggle to juggle taking care of her family, standing her ground against her corrupt extended family, developing platonic and romantic relationships, and staying on the right side of the law. It is a testimony to the world’s potential that I couldn’t put this book down, even when the plot trudged along like it had all the time in the world to tell its story.
I had the same problem with ALL THESE THINGS I’VE DONE that I had with Gabrielle Zevin’s other books: that is, I know that Zevin’s writing is wonderful and mature and intelligent, but for some reason, I don’t find myself connecting to the characters as much as feel like I should. For example, while Anya and Win’s relationship is pleasant, it didn’t, I dunno, sweep me off my feet or anything. Anya’s “enemies” are supposed to be sinister and scary, but I didn’t really find myself that indignant or protective on Anya’s behalf.
But I feel like that’s just a “me” thing, because most others I know really like Zevin’s writing. Either way, I enjoyed ALL THESE THINGS I’VE DONE. At times it can feel like a really long setup to the second book, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll be able to enjoy the stellar world-building along the way.
Anya’s New York is like the present day gone to seed and corruption. Famous landmarks have been transformed into slumming hangouts and holding areas, and prepubescent kids rob people off the street with stolen handguns. The setting is fraught with tensions of all sorts, and Zevin makes great use of it. We keenly feel Anya’s struggle to juggle taking care of her family, standing her ground against her corrupt extended family, developing platonic and romantic relationships, and staying on the right side of the law. It is a testimony to the world’s potential that I couldn’t put this book down, even when the plot trudged along like it had all the time in the world to tell its story.
I had the same problem with ALL THESE THINGS I’VE DONE that I had with Gabrielle Zevin’s other books: that is, I know that Zevin’s writing is wonderful and mature and intelligent, but for some reason, I don’t find myself connecting to the characters as much as feel like I should. For example, while Anya and Win’s relationship is pleasant, it didn’t, I dunno, sweep me off my feet or anything. Anya’s “enemies” are supposed to be sinister and scary, but I didn’t really find myself that indignant or protective on Anya’s behalf.
But I feel like that’s just a “me” thing, because most others I know really like Zevin’s writing. Either way, I enjoyed ALL THESE THINGS I’VE DONE. At times it can feel like a really long setup to the second book, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll be able to enjoy the stellar world-building along the way.
mollywetta's review
Great world-building, but not enough plot. Characters didn't always make sense. Decent writing. Will try her other books.
thebrainlair's review
3.0
This second read improved my liking but also clarified the issues I had with this. Will review on blog.
christiana's review
4.0
I was not prepared for how much I ended up liking this book. Although it looks pretty dystopic, I think it's kind of dystopia-lite compared to the other broken futuristic societies I've read. I liked that Zevin kept this one 70 or so years in the future, but lots has stayed the same. It's mostly a realistic portrayal of what we could be looking at in 100 years if things continue-only recyclable materials, water shortage, paper shortage, etc.
I liked that this has a little bit of a mobster crime piece to it, although I would have liked a little bit more (honestly, I would love for Anya to take over the Balanchine chocolate empire because I think girlfriend is 16 going on 30). The characters were so strong in this book and Zevin gives teens the glory they deserve. If I have to read another book where some teen makes a totally unrealistic decision that is mostly plot-driven, I am going to throw a library book, I swear. I'LL DO IT.
What I really liked was that Anya is strongly Catholic, but in a way where religion helps her feel better about her shortcomings (although this girl is crazy GUILT-RIDDEN). I loved that Anya wanted to wait till she was married to have sex, but in a relatable way. (Note: it goes on the sexcy times shelf because I mean, she wants to. But SPOILER she stays strong END SPOILER). She's such a strong girl role model and I loved that about her. And it made me love Scarlet for being such a good friend to Anya, who really needs to be hugged more often.
Anyway. I usually don't have much to say about books I really liked, but this book really made me think and I will definitely tune back in for the next book. I already gave this to one of my 8th graders who hates reading and she is plowing through it too.
I liked that this has a little bit of a mobster crime piece to it, although I would have liked a little bit more (honestly, I would love for Anya to take over the Balanchine chocolate empire because I think girlfriend is 16 going on 30). The characters were so strong in this book and Zevin gives teens the glory they deserve. If I have to read another book where some teen makes a totally unrealistic decision that is mostly plot-driven, I am going to throw a library book, I swear. I'LL DO IT.
What I really liked was that Anya is strongly Catholic, but in a way where religion helps her feel better about her shortcomings (although this girl is crazy GUILT-RIDDEN). I loved that Anya wanted to wait till she was married to have sex, but in a relatable way. (Note: it goes on the sexcy times shelf because I mean, she wants to. But SPOILER she stays strong END SPOILER). She's such a strong girl role model and I loved that about her. And it made me love Scarlet for being such a good friend to Anya, who really needs to be hugged more often.
Anyway. I usually don't have much to say about books I really liked, but this book really made me think and I will definitely tune back in for the next book. I already gave this to one of my 8th graders who hates reading and she is plowing through it too.