Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Oct 15, 2011 Netanella rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ghosts, young-adult, horror, witches

Kendare Blake can write a good story. And she can write well. That's a great combination that's not as common as it should be.

If you liked Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, you'll enjoy this book. Anna makes a great ghost, and Cas has got a great nerdy-loner-James-Dean thing going on. Add a great cast of cool side characters, and this is a 5-star book in my humble opinion. Ms. Blake, care to work on the movie script? This would make a hell of a movie - better than anything currently on SyFy. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 01, 2011 Logan rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-tour, paranormal, young-adult, book-club

First impressions: Male POV! Yes! Not only is Cas a great male protagonist, he's funny. Swoon!

Lasting impressions: Great little horror book for the ghost hunting set.

Conflicting impressions: Can we have a new rule where nobody falls in love with ghosts?

Overall impressions: This book was so much fun, which feels weird to say about a sometimes gruesome, often scary tale about a demonic ghost. Kendare Blake sets the tone with our fearless narrator, Cas. He's witty, funny, quirky, and has an intere First impressions: Male POV! Yes! Not only is Cas a great male protagonist, he's funny. Swoon!

Lasting impressions: Great little horror book for the ghost hunting set.

Conflicting impressions: Can we have a new rule where nobody falls in love with ghosts?

Overall impressions: This book was so much fun, which feels weird to say about a sometimes gruesome, often scary tale about a demonic ghost. Kendare Blake sets the tone with our fearless narrator, Cas. He's witty, funny, quirky, and has an interesting occupation: ghost killer.

Cas has inherited a knife and an ability from his father that allows him to put murderous rampaging ghosts to rest. He grew up traipsing around the world after his dad, who followed leads on where to find the worst ghosts. His mother, a witch, sells candles and other Wiccan supplies online, thus supporting the ghost killer habit. When Cas's dad dies at the hand of a particularly brutal ghost, Cas takes over.

Now following tips of his own, he pursues a lead on a ghost in Canada known locally as Anna Dressed in Blood. Murdered in the 50s on her way to a school dance, she now haunts her old house, taking out anyone who dares enter. She proves this in epic fashion on Cas's first visit to the house, when a bully from school locks him in the house and Anna unleashes her wrath upon the bully.

There is plenty of violence and a smattering of foul language (f-bombs flying!), so this is one for the older set. I, for one, did not mind the language, but a few times it seemed to pop up so suddenly that it took me out of the world for a second. Maybe it's because I've been reading so clean lately?

Anna is as wonderful a character as is Cas. She's bold, confused, and full of hideous secrets she tries desperately to hide. I don't want to give too much away, because the joy of the novel is discovering Anna's story as well as Cas's. The two of them have to explore their histories and destinies in ways that make them uncomfortable, but it must be done in order to set things right.

This is a magical, dark, funny novel full of interesting characters. I loved the story, and its twists and turns kept me guessing. There were a few elements that could have been developed a little further, and I'm not a fan of the fact that this turned into a paranormal romance when it could have been a great standard horror book, so four stars from me. It's still a great read, however, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great male protagonist.

Marry me, Cas! ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 04, 2011 Charlotte (Buried in Books) rated it it was ok

Shelves: fiction, young-adult, ghosts

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. If only this book was as good as the cover....

I'll admit it, I'll hold my hands up. I bought this book because of the cover - it is beautiful. The synopsis sounded promising and then I started reading it and what happened? I've got "Carry on Wayward Son" stuck in my head, because I'd rather be watching "Supernatural".

Cas is a 17 year old ghosthunter, he kills ghosts with a knife he inherited from his Dad (who was killed by a ghost he was trying to put to rest). He travels all over with his Mum ( ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2012 lia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-fiction, young-adult

Horror books are usually not my thing. But Anna Dressed in Blood has been in my nook's library for sometime and i feel that i have to read it. And it is somehow fitting that it is the last book that i finished in year 2012.

Theseus Cassio (you can call me Cas) comes from a long line of ghost hunter/killer. When he was seven years old, his father was killed by a ghost he supposed to hunt and Cas takes out his job afterward. For three years Cas has successfully killed 23 ghosts and based on inform ...more

Like · see review

Mar 05, 2011 Melissa-The Book Addict rated it it was amazing

I have read a lot of books so far this year, a lot of great books but I think this has been the best so far! This was pretty non stop and at times majorly creepy. I loved Cas from the very start, he reminded me of one of my favorite men, Dead Winchester. *swoon* The beginning with the hitchhiker really set the tone for the rest of the book. Dark, ominous, and fantastic. From the first mention of Anna I couldn't wait to meet her. And when I finally did meet her I loved her. She was so many things ...more

Like · see review

Mar 19, 2012 Christal rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-and-na, magic, male-lead, ghosts, horror, witches-warlocks-and-mages, death-as-a-character, reapers-and-ghost-whispers, voodoo, magical-or-paranormal

I would give Anna Dressed in Blood 3.5 stars if I could, but I can't quite justify 4 so it stands at 3 for now. There were some things I really enjoyed about this book and other things that I didn't like so much. Overall, I enjoyed the read enough to pick up the next book when it comes out later this year.

I liked Cas as a protagonist. He had his moments of smarminess, but they had almost disappeared by the end of the book. Ms. Blake wrote his character believably; the aloof, detached hero shtick I would give Anna Dressed in Blood 3.5 stars if I could, but I can't quite justify 4 so it stands at 3 for now. There were some things I really enjoyed about this book and other things that I didn't like so much. Overall, I enjoyed the read enough to pick up the next book when it comes out later this year.

I liked Cas as a protagonist. He had his moments of smarminess, but they had almost disappeared by the end of the book. Ms. Blake wrote his character believably; the aloof, detached hero shtick worked. I really liked Anna. She was the best part of the book. Crazy demon Anna was BA and sweet, controlled Anna was smart and selfless. I would have enjoyed seeing more of crazy demon Anna at the beginning, but she still made the book for me. Her back story was heartbreaking. Caramel and Thomas were great side characters. I was worried they would just be traditional stereotypes, but Ms. Blake developed them into characters that stood on their own merits. I did get a bit of a "Scooby Gang" feel, but I'll roll with it.

I liked the opening plot of Cas carrying on his family legacy of ghost slaying. The hitchhiker slaying set the tone for the book well. I liked the reasoning that was given for Cas and his mom moving so much and the brief introduction to the underground network that Cas uses.

What I didn't like very much were some of the less clear aspects in the story. The villain was creepy, but he seemed a villain of convenience. I wish we had learned more about him, what his true motivations were, and how exactly he came to be so powerful in the first place. I did not like what happened with Tybalt either. I didn't really like the romance so much. I just can't see how it can end well. The ending seemed a little lackluster to me. The action was impressive, but I felt like Cas' "rope-a-dope" was less of an actual plan and more along the lines of "let's get the villain where we want him and hope for the best." I also didn't really like what happened with Anna at the end, but I see how it is setting up the sequel. The mythology of the world was a little lacking for me. I hope we find out more about Cas' connection to the athame, why his bloodline is important, and how ghosts come to be in the next book. ...more

Like · see review

Dec 13, 2011 Deyara rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, young-adult, death-and-dying, ya-paranormal, char-ghosts

Very good. Liked the story, Anna's story was sad, not scary, and that was interesting to read. Cas I was of two minds about - A: male protag, yay! and B:I'm just not that into you. But ztill, he was okay, and I did enjoy the book. ...more

Like · see review