In the Age of Love and Chocolate

Ilyana Kadushin narrates the concluding audio in Zevin's futuristic Birthright series. As in the first two audiobooks, her portrayal of Anya Balanchine is as complex as the heroine. Kadushin's youthful, world-weary tone is an accurate reflection of Anya's troubled life. She has lost her parents and her true love, been to prison, negotiated with sparring Mafia leaders, and supported her diminishing family members. Now the future appears brighter for the 18-year-old "Mafia princess" as she has turned into a nightclub darling who gives chocolate back to New York, where it's been outlawed. But Kadushin must continue to mirror Anya's indomitable spirit as darkness finds her one last time. This satisfying conclusion fulfills the promise of the series. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

January 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-Like a bar of gourmet chocolate, the concluding volume (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013) of Zevin's "Birthright" trilogy will satisfy even the most discriminating literary palate. Anya Balanchine has transformed from juvenile delinquent into savvy businesswoman. She and her former nemesis Charles Delacroix now run a successful nightclub franchise where "medicinal" chocolate is readily available. Publicly, Anya is the picture of success. Privately, she's battling both family drama and personal demons. Complicating matters are her confusing relationship with a friend and coworker, Theo, and her continued feelings for her ex-boyfriend, Win. Then an unorthodox business proposal ends in a deadly encounter with Sophia Bitter, leaving Anya severely wounded. During her slow and painful recovery, Anya reevaluates her life-and concludes it's finally acceptable to love and be loved. Zevin gives her unique, mob-themed saga a strong finish, taking both story and characters to new levels. Secrets are revealed and loose ends are tied up, but there are still plenty of surprises in store! Returning reader Ilyana Kadushin's knowledge of the characters is unmistakably intimate. Her somber, world-weary interpretation of Anya reflects the hardships the character has endured and brings to light a maturity not present in earlier books.-Alissa Bach, Oxford Public Library, MI

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