Review: Anna K by Jenny Lee

Welcome to New York's Upper East Side: where privilege, partying and scandal rules.

Anna K is the golden girl of New York high society. She's beautiful, she's kind, she's unbelievably rich, and she has the perfect boyfriend.

Until she meets Alexi Vronsky. He's a notorious playboy, totally gorgeous, and he only has eyes for Anna.

Despite everyone who matters in New York talking about her, Anna still just can't resist Vronsky. Even if it means her carefully crafted life could come crashing down.

Review
As you might have gathered from the blurb, this is a modern-day retelling of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, set in New York City. I have to admit that I have never read Anna Karenina. I've seen parts of the Keira Knightley film adaptation and had a vague grasp of the plot, but I went into this virtually blind, which I think is the best way to approach it (I would be VERY interested to see what fans of the original make of this!) I had some initial reservations myself, but the plot translates so well to the age of social media where  gossip spreads like wildfire, to a world where status is everything. It's such a genius concept that I can't believe it hasn't been explored before now!

What really sold this book to me was the setting - the New York Upper East Side super-rich vibes that I have been desperately missing ever since Gossip Girl left our screens. The parties, the clothes, the excess, the scandal. (What I would say with regard to this is that this book is definitely on the YA/NA cusp. I certainly wouldn't recommend it for under 16s for the sex/drugs content. I'm no prude and this didn't bother me, but I feel it is worth mentioning for the benefit of other readers.)

You know when you're presented with a detailed list of characters at the start of a book that there's going to be a lot to take in. And there is. But once you have the families and various relationships sussed it's fairly easy to follow, and you some become invested in the characters. Vronsky the heartbreaker, Anna the golden girl, Dustin the underdog. Short chapters and cliffhangers kept me gripped, and I flew through this a lot faster than I expected to - for YA fiction it's a fairly hefty read! I've heard there's a TV adaptation in development already and I can't wait; there's SO much drama that it'll translate effortlessly to the screen. I won't spoil the plot but be prepared for lots of teenage angst and heartbreak. And some very glamorous parties.

If you're a Tolstoy super fan I would proceed with caution, otherwise I would heartily recommend Anna K. It's a fun, smart, modern take on Anna Karenina - Tolstoy colliding with Gossip Girl in a blur of privilege, scandal and teenage love amongst Manhattan's social elite.

*Thanks to Readers First for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review!*