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Dec 31, 2011

Stephen rated it:

Oh Anna…you strong, saucy, serial-killing, ripping-bodies-in-two “ghostess with the mostess”…where have you been all my life?

This book is a few menu items to the right of my normal literary diet and so I want extend a warm thank you to my YA sommeliers, Emily May, Wendy Darling and Maja, for turning me on to this. You took right and proper care of me with this recommendation, and while I couldn’t quite bring myself to give away the 4th star, I did find mucho to enjoy about this nove More...

80 comments like (97 people liked it)

Sep 12, 2011

Maja rated it:

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story.
4.5 stars

Not many authors can scare you to death by eliciting vivid, gruesome imagery and, at the same time, take your breath away with sheer beauty of their prose. I never expected Kendare Blake to be one of those authors – that’s why her book took me completely by surprise. It was very different from what I thought it would be. When I choose a book based on a beautiful cover and an intriguing title (and yes, I really AM t More...

29 comments like (59 people liked it)

Sep 14, 2011

Wendy Darling rated it:

Have you ever stood in your house, listening to a quiet, unfamiliar noise, and felt the hair rise on the back of your neck? Cas Lowood has, and the unholy hell of what he finds when he investigates will make you jump a little bit in your seat. He's a 17-year-old who kills the dead with a magic athame, just as his father did before him--and now he's faced with the task of killing Anna, a homicidal ghost who was murdered more than 60 years ago.

Cas is a fantastically strong and appealing More...

150 comments like (125 people liked it)

Feb 21, 2012

Stephanie rated it:

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

Sometimes you read books that are visibly bad. So bad, in fact, that they make you want to throw yourself head first out a window, but you keep on reading and reading. You might even feel yourself losing your will to live about halfway through. But somehow, by the end of the book, you end up liking it anyway because it entertained you. The badness was just that entertaining. Then, there are other books that are really good books, but just do nothing for you More...

53 comments like (33 people liked it)

Nov 18, 2011

karen rated it:

a million stars for anna dressed in awesome.

i was so hoping to be scared by this book. the way i was hoping to cry reading a monster calls. and it is fine that i wasn't and that i didn't - apparently i have no discernible human emotional response except an ability to become enthusiastic over well-written prose. and that's enough, for a life.

i don't even care that this book wasn't scary - it was so fun, and that is usually all i need to be riveted. did it have More...

40 comments like (80 people liked it)

Jan 10, 2012

Cillian rated it:

Another review to come.
Fuck my laziness.

I could go on and on and one forever about the awesomeness of Anna, Cass, Thomas, Carmel, Cass's mom and WILL-yeah, I liked Will; but why don't I just spare you my fangirl squeaks, eh?

If Anna was Asian, she would be:

Isn't she hot?
She's the sexiest ghost chick ever, I would marry her any time-I was going to say "and have her babies" but I better not go there, the mental picture alone is e More...

34 comments like (29 people liked it)

Jan 13, 2012

Lisa O. rated it:

3.5 stars.

And just when you think you’ve read every possible variable of a story in YA paranormal Anna dressed in Blood comes along. Kudos to Kendare Blake for that!

You know all those scary, blood-and-gore movies you’ve seen (which I can assure I haven’t) about ax-murderers, chainsawers, hellraisers or nightmares on Elm Street? The ones of which I can’t even watch the trailers on TV or I’ll hear creepy noises in the house at night at least for a month? If you have… have you e More...

8 comments like (29 people liked it)

Sep 30, 2011

The Holy Terror rated it:

I'm the first to admit that when something is hyped I give it the ol' stink-eye, and I very rarely enjoy something that's popular or that everyone and their brother tells me I'll like. I pounced on this book before the "ZOMG YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!!1!" crazy train rolled into the station, and I'm really glad I did. This is one of those rare instances where everybody likes a book because it's actually good.

I guess I wasn't paying much attention at first glance, mostly to avoi More...

24 comments like (36 people liked it)

Nov 21, 2011

Jo rated it:

“You do know what we’re dealing with here, don’t you?” I ask. “She’s not just a ghost. She’s a hurricane. Overkill is fine by me.”

Initial Final Page Thoughts.
I don’t know about something strange but there’s definitely somethingin this neighborhood.

High Points.
Cas. Anna. Telepathic Tagalongs. Girls with too much daylight about them. Bloody deaths. Ghosts. Ghostbustin'. Cool mamas. Daddy issues. Moody kitties. Attic Ladders. Hitchhikers. Prom dresses. Drip, More...

23 comments like (25 people liked it)

Nov 28, 2011

Penny rated it:

First off, I feel I should discuss the cover art: I know, I know--everyone loves this cover. Unfortunately it doesn't do anything for me. Look, I stopped being ~~fooled~~ wowed by cover art after reading Fallen. That's a lie--the cover for the third Paranormalcy book makes me ridiculously happy, but at least I'm fairly certain I'll like that book since I like the first two books in the series.

In my opinion the following would have made a better cover for Anna Dressed In Blood:
More...

13 comments like (24 people liked it)

Jan 07, 2012

MISS VAIN rated it:

The city smells of smoke and things that rot in the summer. I think of her again. Anna. Anna Dressed in Blood.

I wonder what tricks she'll try.

I wonder if she'll be clever.

Will she float?

Will she laugh or scream?

How will she try to kill me?

This gothic ghost story is Eery, and Spooky, and Romantic, and Heartbreaking. All I can think about is how Kendare Blake is going to fulfill my expectations in the sequel Girl o More...

26 comments like (15 people liked it)

Oct 13, 2011

Karen rated it:

DAMN! I am extremely pissed off right now. Alice (aka Goodreads Error girl) has decided to become a permanent fixture on my computer and I’ve been spending three hours trying to post my review to no avail. The only good that has come of it, is that Alice inspired me to make this:

Photobucket

Goodreads really should replace their original picture with this one, since we all know that Alice is out to get us. Ahem, anyway…

REVIEW TIME!!!

Note: Do not click on the sp More...

41 comments like (25 people liked it)

Sep 19, 2011

~Tina~ rated it:

If there is one thing you should know about me, is that I am a big.fat.chicken.shit. Yes, my favorite genre is indeed paranormal; vampires that explode, werewolves clawing a mans head right off and feyfolk turning there victims into ice cubes and smashing them into bits? Yes yes yes.
Scary-as-hell supernatural little girl ghost haunting in her pretty little bloodied white dress as she savagely rips her victims entrails out as it plops it to the floor? No no no.
I'm amazed I even survi More...

17 comments like (17 people liked it)

Dec 02, 2011

Jillian -always aspiring- rated it:

The truth: Kendare Blake's young adult horror novel Anna Dressed in Blood certainly is a surprise to be had. It's pretty puzzling to me that, in a YA climate with plenty of paranormal-themed books, it's so difficult to find young adult novels that actually focus on the horrific aspects. Wouldn't you think such elements would be explored with so many dangerous supernatural creatures gallavanting about these novels? Horror is on display plenty within the bounds of movies and television, but books More...

9 comments like (15 people liked it)

Sep 18, 2011

Giselle rated it:

Anna Dressed in Blood is YA meet Amityville Horror. It was creepy and ominous, but also funny. I didn't find it incredibly scary, just kind of spooky - well ok, a lot spooky. I did love it though, I absolutely did!

Firstly, it was refreshing to have a male protagonist. I wish there were more books as such. Theseus Cassio (Cas) is our main character in this novel and he's awesome! He has a great sense of humour and he's such a sweetheart. I adored his character. He's had a tough life b More...

2 comments like (17 people liked it)

Dec 09, 2011

LethalLovely~I'm Superman & It's My Show rated it:

I have a confession to make: I’m afraid of ghosts. Terrified. To the point where the only way I could watch Ghostbusters was between the cracks in my fingers. So when my friend Shannon had a bookgasm over this book, I shrugged. When she practically threatened me with bodily harm if I didn’t read it, I was ready to take my ass whipping like a big girl. I mentally kicked myself on the way to the library to pick it up. And now I’m mentally kicking myself for almost letting my fear of ghosts keep me More...

24 comments like (10 people liked it)

Sep 22, 2011

Rane rated it:

Ghosts scare the crap outta me.

But like a moth attracted to a bright bug zapper, I’ve always loved reading ghost stories or watching those scary ghost movies. So going to sleep with half the lights on in the house making it feel like mid-day instead of midnight is a given for me, but I just can’t pass up a good ghost story.

Anna Dressed in Blood scared the crap outta me, gave me nightmares and I loved every bit of it.
The book had the perfect pitc More...

2 comments like (19 people liked it)

Jan 24, 2012

Laura rated it:

I ~~sometimes~~, ~~occasionally~~, every once in awhile---giggle, giggle—okay, okay…I fall for fictional characters a lot! This past year quite a few characters have swept through my heart and many more have remained there. But, once in a blue moon, I fall head over heels in love with an author! After reading Anna Dressed in Blood, I have the biggest crush on Kendare Blake! :D

This book had me at “hello”. The cover jumped right out and spoke to me. What a gorgeous introduction! Then as More...

13 comments like (10 people liked it)

Dec 18, 2011

Emily rated it:

Anna Dressed in Blood was a surprisingly good read. I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting, something typical of young adult urban fantasy perhaps... same old characters, lots of romancing, maybe even an interesting little mystery to give the book some semblance of plot if we're lucky. I was really quite pleased with this exciting, slightly spooky, and wholly entertaining start to the series.

I cannot stress highly enough how glad I am that Kendare Blake wrote a romance that was g More...

7 comments like (18 people liked it)

Nov 03, 2011

Aly (Fantasy4eva) rated it:

In case you're wondering, yes, the cover is much more lovely in person. Also, The maroon ink used - instead of your typical black - is a fitting and nice touch.

“You make me want things I can't have.” <-- the line gave me a bit of a mushy moment :(

Theseus Cassio Lowood. Hehe. Understandably, he prefers Cas. Now Cas is not your typical teenager. With a witch for a mother and a ghost sniffing cat, he himself kills ghosts for a living. And he has done so ever since his fat More...

8 comments like (10 people liked it)

Nov 11, 2011

Hayden rated it:

Ladies and gents, I think I've found myself a new favorite.

Anna Dressed in Blood is not only a good book: it's a great book, and let me tell you why. You know how there is a book you see with a really cool cover and a really good summary and you're just like "Lemme have this now or else!"? This was one of those books for me. I had no idea that when I finally got it and when I finally read it, it'd be this good.

Anna Dressed in Blood is a story of a BOY, Cas Lowoo More...

13 comments like (12 people liked it)

Feb 22, 2012

Zemira rated it:

This book FREAKED ME OUT in the beginning. I was really scared,I had to see several episodes of South Park to stop looking in the dark corners of my room. :D

Was anyone thinking about Supernatural while reading this book? I was. It contains many of the same elements, and in many ways Cas is not unlike the Winchester brothers. He's funny and driven and talented and a damn fine person!

The secondary characters in this book:Thomas,Caramel,Will and Morfran are well deve More...

13 comments like (7 people liked it)

Dec 14, 2011

Dija rated it:

There are already many great in-depth reviews on Anna Dressed in Blood that do the book more justice than I ever could, so I'm not going to try.

Basically,

the cover is gorgeous,
the story is epic,
the plot is haunting,
and Anna and Cas deserve some sort of Characters of the Decade award!

15 comments like (13 people liked it)

Sep 14, 2011

Mocha ღ Latte rated it:

More of my reviews at "A Cupcake and A Latte"

'Thomas clears his throat. "This is my grandfather, Morfran Starling Sabin".
I have to laugh. "Why do you goth types always give yourselves weird names?"
"Strong words coming from somebody walking around calling himself Theseus Cassio".'

Theseus Cassio Lowood, better known as Cas, lives a life unlike anyone we know. His vocation-he kills the dead. Since the gruesome death of his More...

10 comments like (15 people liked it)

Oct 29, 2011

Ari rated it:

You know how from time to time you read in a book about a male character that you like a lot and you would just love to hear his version of the story? Well there is no more need for that, because in this case you get to hear his story - and you still love it.

Cas is the typical cool guy - he looks good and he knows it, he is charming and nice with everyone, and oh, there's also this cool thing about him: he is a ghost hunter.
Ok, so he is not the best ghost hunter in the world, More...

9 comments like (6 people liked it)

Oct 10, 2011

Lucy rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

10 comments like (12 people liked it)

Oct 06, 2011

Heidi rated it:

Anna Dressed in Blood

Four Stars: This is a chilling and thrilling read, perfect for Halloween!

Have you ever passed by a dilapidated house that just feels wrong? The paint is peeling, the yard overgrown and you get a prickling sensation that something is peering out at you through the grimy windows. You shiver and do what any rational person does, you hurriedly turn your back and slink away. Surreptitiously, you peek back over your shoulder to convince yourself that the More...

10 comments like (10 people liked it)

Feb 18, 2012

Kay rated it:

Well, I found the one picture that pretty much sums up the premise of the book:

Synopsis

AMIRIGHT???

I am taking some liberties, though the picture isn't too far off the mark. Young ~~Dean Winchester~~ Cas Lowood is a ghost hunter. He travels around the country with his mom and cat to fight off malevolent ghosts that harm people. One day, Cas gets a tip that an especially angry spirit, called ~~Paris Hilton~~ Anna Dressed in Blood, is killing people. Intrigued, Cas pa More...

0 comments like (7 people liked it)

Jan 23, 2012

Anzu rated it:

I started this with very high expectations. Everyone kept giving it high ratings, most of my friends were already reading it and talking about it between each other. I felt left alone! So I said f*ck it I’ll drop my current to-read list and start it. Good call that was.

Now how can I review Anna Dressed in Blood without acting like a total fangirl? Oh how about some pretty pictures that reflect my experience?

A-f*cking-mazing!! I was having the time of my life w More...

3 comments like (5 people liked it)

Sep 07, 2011

Isamlq rated it:

"I'd like to leave now. I'd very much like to leave now."

I haven't had this much fun reading a YA, since Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. And it's not just because there's a similarity in tone to the both of them. Yes, Cas is funny and snarky, but he has a confidence that guys like Cassel (White Cat; Red Glove) and Necromancer did not have. Cas knows what he was and is driven. It's this confidence that drew me in and bugged me a little. He could be so smug at times. But again, hi More...

8 comments like (14 people liked it)