Because It Is My Blood

In "Because It Is My Blood," the second novel of Gabrielle Zevin's Birthright series, Anya Balanchine struggles to leave her mobster past behind after her release from Liberty Children's Facility. Despite her desire for a fresh start, her criminal history complicates her efforts to fit into a normal life, with friends moving on and new challenges arising. When old acquaintances return, demanding the payment of debts, Anya is pulled back into the world she tried to escape, leading her on a journey across the ocean that will test her resolve and emotions in unexpected ways.