Anna Dressed in Blood

How had I not read this amazing ghost story, filled with blood and a touch of romance before now? Spurred on by the fact the author Kendare Blake will be here in town for a signing, and me just knowing by looking at the cover that I was going to love the book (and therefore read it at my usual breakneck speed), I had to read this at last. I know Blake has new books out but it's easy to see why this has become the sort of book that people recommend when you ask ' do you know of any good YA ghost stories?'. Well, yes, I do.

This is a 'new' classic: there's the chilling haunted house, the handsome ghost hunter Cas, the terrifying, beautiful ghost of Anna, and a tale that doesn't let up until the very last page. It's gory, funny, romantic, show more vivid, and just a brilliant piece of writing. It's also heartbreaking, and not just a fluffy piece of young adult literature. The best part of waiting a few years before getting to a book is that the second one has already been written! Nothing but good things to say about a very dark and chilling but fantastic novel. Instant favorite. show less

I am somewhat ashamed of myself. Anna Dressed in Blood is such a guilty pleasure book - there's nothing uplifting, educational, or literary in it, but oh my goodness did I enjoy it. Not only did I enjoy it, I devoured it.

I don't know about you, but I've never been a big fan of the whole ghost/romance thing. I mean, I just can't get over the fact that the story is about a ghost - and if it's solid then it must be a zombie. But Kendare Blake has a different set of rules for Cas's world, and it worked for me. It worked well enough that I kept forgetting that the ghosts were actually ghosts - until they did something totally disgusting.

I'm pretty sensitive to horror, but aside from a few choice scenes in this book, I wasn't really that show more bothered. What I admired was Kendare's willingness to sacrifice people who should be sacrificed in order for the story to progress - it made things interesting, and always kept me on my toes. I was unable to guess where things would go, and that makes reading an adventure! (Now I'll stop with the cheesiness, I promise.)

In all seriousness, although there were some things that were a little off-putting (Cas's confidence for one), this was a thoroughly enjoyable, paranormal romp that held just the right mixture of adventure, romance, horror, and downright spookyness to make for a fun, light evening read. show less

Can I just start off by saying HOLY MOTHER OF SIN ok now that thats over with let me tell you that this book is outstanding. And I don’t mean outstanding like “oh i really liked the plot and the book is actually printed in a deep red” NO. well I mean yes those things are true but that’s beside the point.

This book has so many winning qualities I don’t even know where to start. Alright, so first off the main character is a ghost hunter. And his name is Cas (well it’s actually Theseus Cassio but he prefers to be called Cas). Lets just take a moment to digest this.

The main character. a ghost hunter. is named Cas.

Now if you’re a supernatural fan then you’ve noticed what I’m getting at. I mean within reading the first couple show more of pages I may or may have not decided that Cas was a Destiel love child.

There was quite a lot of dark humour in this book which made me laugh. I mean this book is about a murderous ghost, but with a twist. Oh wow that’s really cheesy, i shouldn’t say things like that. But I don’t want to ruin the ending or quite frankly I don’t want to ruin anything about this book because I found it to be a late night page turner. I literally couldn’t put this book down. I was in tears at the end of this book because I found myself so attached to the characters. show less

oh my holy hell. This is an amazing hair-raising book.
I'm not a big fan of ghost books. Sometimes I feel like I've seen it all, I've read it all - there is nothing new to tell here.

Well, [a:Kendare Blake|4086715|Kendare Blake|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1276645449p2/4086715.jpg] is proving me oh so so very wrong.
There is a new story here and it's Anna. And Anna is a little angry....

Cas is a pretty real 17 year old. He's sassy, sweet, smooth and quite the liar. But, he's also blind to what's directly in his face.

I loved the slow build up of the whole plot while we learned about Will, Chase, Mike, Carmel and even Thomas. everyone had enough time on each page to be flushed out, but I wasn't bored or annoyed with any of them. If show more anything, I was annoyed at Cas for not noticing more in his life!! (What's wrong with your mom?? She looks tired with big purple bruises under her eyes!! ASK HER!!!) But, he's a teenage boy with a few other things on his mind - like Anna and very angry rage! Mike and the others down below....

This is just such an amazing spooky story. It was hard to put down and let the real world move this scary world from my hands. I think it's the first ghost story, mystery type book that I could and WILL reread. show less

This was a pretty typical example of the teen ghost hunter genre. If you are expecting a scary book, this is probably not the book for you. There are some gruesome scenes, but overall it is not the story of a haunting, but rather the type where a group of teenagers take on a big bad evil monster. I liked the characters and I liked that the grown ups were not non-existent in the story. I also liked how Cas developed throughout the story from a loner that doesn't need anyone to someone that learns to rely on his friends. Overall it was an entertaining read for the Halloween season and I will probably pick up the second book in this duology in the future.

Number one thing I loved about Anna Dressed In Blood above anything else? Cas. Hands down, it's Cas. He is the best male character I've ever read! You know the brooding, mysterious boy that makes a debut in almost every novel? He is always the crush of the female character because he is so different. That boy? That's Cas. It's amazing to finally get to see things from that boy's point of view, and let me tell you, it's a pretty intense point of view. As a main character, Cas shows us what it is like to be the lone wolf. The person trying to keep others at bay to protect them. It's sensational!

I do admit that this book scared the pants off me for a bit. Let's be honest, this isn't a book for the faint of heart. In fact, if you're not a show more fan of slightly gory occurrences? This might not be for you. However if you are okay with some violence in your reading, then you'll love Kendare Blake's story. This is a darker story. One filled with grief, vengeance, and yet still the hope that there is something better out there. The multiple layers create something that is wholly immersive, and easy to read.

Anna Dressed In Blood moves at breakneck speed, and I promise you that if you pick it up you won't set it down until you've finished reading. The way that the characters all compliment one another, the way that just enough suspense gets placed in just the right places, it makes this a story that is massively addicted. In fact, by the time that I reached the end I wanted to throw the book across the room. Not because I didn't love it. Nay, because I wish I had more! I cannot wait.

Suffice it to say, if you couldn't tell from my above ramblings, this is a book that I just adored. Kendare Blake has taken all of the elements that I love in a good story and blended them together into something that is just too good to be true. I never thought I'd find myself enamored with a ghost, but there you have it. Blake has managed to do that for me. I don't doubt you'll feel the same way when you pick up a copy of this book. Anna Dressed In Blood is amazing. Get it. show less

I loved this book. I like creepy things, I LOVE a good ghost story, and for some reason, they are sort of hard to find; in the novel form that is. I dunno why, but once you get a little too old for R.L. Stein and Goosbumps, there isn't much out there, or if there is, it sucks. Thankfully, this is different. Its funny, its got humor in it, I loved the voice of the main character Cas, he was witty but not annoyingly so, brave, but not unbelievable, and cared about the people around him despite just meeting most of them. The side characters were also refreshing, they weren't just there to add flair, they were interesting, they were rather well fleshed out. What actually happened to Anna was horrifying, and I'll admit it, I teared up a bit. show more I loved what they did with the ghosts, I liked this author's style. The way the novel ended was kind of up in the air, it could have a sequel, but it doesn't need one, if there is one, I will definitely pick it up, I recommend you do too.

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Loved it just as much the second time around:) show less