Book Review: Because it is my Blood by Gabrielle Zevin

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books; Unabridged edition (29 Aug 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330537903
• ISBN-13: 978-0330537902

Freed from jail, Anya hopes that things will get back to normal. But life on the outside is even more dangerous than life behind bars. Some of her gangland family want revenge for the crime for which she has done time: the shooting of her uncle. Forced to flee the country, Anya hides out in a cacao plantation in Mexico. There she learns the secrets of the chocolate trade, a trade that is illegal and deadly in her native New York. There too she discovers that seemingly random acts of violence carried out across the world have a single target: her family. As innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire Anya must act fast and decisively to stop it, no matter what the danger to herself.

Because It Is My Blood was as action-packed and thrilling as the first book in this tremendous series. Anya has just been released from prison and she wants nothing more than to go back to normal. But unfortunately for Anya, nothing can ever be the same. She is still fiercely protective of her family, of her brother Leo who she hasn’t seen in forever for his own safety, and the brilliant Natty, and for good reason, since a few members of the Balanchine family seek retribution for the shooting of her uncle. Anya can’t even seem to find a school willing to take her, what with the criminal record and ties to the mafia, and all. And worst of all, is Win, who seems like he has had no trouble whatsoever in getting over Anya. 

And someone isn’t willing to sit back and let Anya, or any of her siblings, enjoy their lives and a hit is ordered on all three of them. Because It Is My Blood quickly becomes a thick-plotted murder mystery with creeping vines of subplots that both distracts the reader and gives them valuable clues as to what may have happened.

Because It Is My Blood was a rich and engrossing novel and I drank it in, savouring each and every word. I adored Anya’s story in this instalment of the trilogy and loved seeing how much she has grown as a character. I was kept guessing for the most part of this book and the moment it was finished I felt like I could finally let the breath go that I had been holding. 

I simply cannot wait for the final book in this wonderful trilogy. 

Many thanks to Macmillan Children's Books for the review copy.