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

Sep 18, 2011 Shannon rated it really liked it

Shelves: color-red, color-black, male-protagonist, magic, 2011, borrowed, novels, color-grey, young-adult, favorite-books

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 avoid spoilers, but I was 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 avoid spoilers, but I was surprised that the protagonist was actually male. I thought Anna was the main character, but even though she's not this is still very much her story. Anna is terrifying. She doesn't fuck around and she doesn't take shit from anyone. She makes you feel sorry for her though, which at first seems like an impossible feat, and yet it definitely happens. It's the sign of a capable author who makes you sympathize with a character who literally tears people apart.

Cas is the "ghost hunter" and reluctant hero of the story. He's definitely cocksure, but not annoyingly so. He doesn't whine, he doesn't act like an ass, and he doesn't make stupid decisions. Cas is one of the best young male protagonists I think I've ever come across. He's smart and knows his strengths and once he realizes he can't get his job done without the help of others, he accepts it and adapts.

The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was because the rhythm of the story stuttered a bit around the halfway point. We're essentially given two climaxes, and after the first one receded I knew it was just a matter of time before the other shoe dropped. There's a scene just before the villain emerges that was probably one of the scariest parts of a book I've ever read, but unfortunately after reading that bit, nothing else could compare. I expected something equally terrifying when Cas finally came face to face with his adversary, but it just didn't happen. Not that the ending and final fight were bad, just that I wanted something more.

Blake's writing is beautiful and incredibly lyrical. There were so many quotable passages that I wanted to type out almost a whole page for some of my updates. She writes realistic teenagers without relying on too many stereotypes and clichés, and her characters form believable bonds unlike a lot of stories where a group of kids just randomly band together to save the day. There were casualties along the way, and I liked that I didn't see some of them coming. I also enjoyed the gore and gruesome bits, and I don't think it ever got to the point where someone would be offended or disgusted by some of the graphic violence. It's over quickly, at least, and she does balance the spookier parts with some well-placed humor throughout.

I'm excited that she's writing a sequel to this story and I hope she writes other books and other series in the future. Anna and Cas are two of my favorite characters I've read about this year and I can't wait to see what's in store for them. It's so nice to finally read a paranormal young adult book that isn't absolute drivel. Bravo, Blake. Bravo. ...more

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Sep 22, 2018 Susan rated it really liked it

I wasn't sure if this was a 3.5 star book or a 4 star book but I decided it would be 4 stars from me. I don't read horror so for this being something way out of my comfort zone I totally loved it. I thought There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins was way scarier but I still really enjoyed the ghost story aspect of this book. I really didn't think I would like it at all. That is why I gave it 4 stars as well because I ended up really enjoying myself with this book.

Anna is a ghost i ...more

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Nov 19, 2011 Kristen rated it really liked it

Want to spend some time with a creepy scary ghost story? Then check out Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. It’s not the creepiest or the scariest but it’s another for the faint of heart either.

We are introduced to Cas while he is out one night killing a ghost. How does one kill something that is already dead? Well, he has an athame that was his father’s, before his father was killed, and Cas believes it is a special knife. He also believes that setting the ghosts free so they can not harm o Want to spend some time with a creepy scary ghost story? Then check out Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. It’s not the creepiest or the scariest but it’s another for the faint of heart either.

We are introduced to Cas while he is out one night killing a ghost. How does one kill something that is already dead? Well, he has an athame that was his father’s, before his father was killed, and Cas believes it is a special knife. He also believes that setting the ghosts free so they can not harm others is his calling. He is meant to do it. Because of this, he doesn’t stay in any one place long. His mother moves them where ever they need to be. And where they need to be is looking into the ghost story of Anna.

Anna is a ghost who was killed in 1958 and now like all the ghosts that Cas releases is killing. She kills and leaves no trace of her victims.

What ensues is Cas’ introduction into the social minefield known as high school. He sets out to find the queen bee because he knows that the popular kids will know all the ghost stories. And while he knows a little about Anna, he needs to know more including where he ghost is likely to be. And as expected, by identifying the queen bee, he pisses off the queen bee’s court which includes an ex-boyfriend jealous jock and his goon friends. Fast forward to them tricking Cas and taking him exactly where he wants to go – Anna’s house. But things go terribly wrong. And for Cas Ina. Creepy sort of way they go right because he meets Anna. And over time he finds that he wants to save her as much as destroy her. We get some quick glimpses into voodoo and other magics. We get introduced to and (thankfully) well acquainted with both the mystery and the answers to what happened to Cas’ father too.

This book had a great balance of creepiness, scariness, gore, evil, ghosts, good guys, magic and fear. It had just a hint of a teenage love story too. Normally I would say that I want to see more of the relationship develop. But here, since we are talking about a really bloody murdering ghost and teenage boy, it was ok to see only a little. And it was the perfect amount of the right stuff to see. The author made Anna scary angry and vulnerable and sympathetic at the same time. It was easy to route for an ending where she doesn’t end up the big bad evil. And it was easy to route for her and Cas even while knowing that they really couldn’t be together. It was also really nice to see the author not find some wacky convoluted was to resurrect Anna.

My biggest disappointment was actually when I realized that there will be a sequel based on Anna. I think that Cas and his ghost hunting abilities/story have potential. But bringing Anna back, when things were so nicely tied up, will likely be a little bit of a stretch. I hope I am wrong and the author has found a way to do the second installment without making the whole thing crazy, because I don’twant to see my opinion of Anna spoiled. But this means that I need to get on putting some pages together dedicated to this series…

This book is a great read for those who enjoy the creepy goose bump inducing story with just enough realizing in it to scare the daylights out of you! ...more

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May 11, 2012 Rachel Willis rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2012

Scared witless is the only way I can describe how I felt while reading this book. I had this horrible feeling of dread creeping up on me that was so real I felt the need to classify it in my actual life, only to realize it had nothing to do with me and completely related to the story. Scared beyond the ability to gather my wits. I love this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone in full control of their faculties, able to manage not peeing on themselves when they hear something go bump ...more

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Oct 14, 2011 Swiftsea marked it as to-read

Shelves: excited-2-read

I created a shelf just for you, beautiful book. Due to all your great reviews, I'm really excited to get started in reading you. Maybe after exams. Just maybe. (l) ...more

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Apr 18, 2012 Purple rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, ghosts, suspense, uf, series, action

This got me on the first page and I hope book two is already available. I was made aware that I'm reading this alone at the dead of night in a house with stairs and floorboards that my imagination almost almost got away with me. It was creepy. And Im easily scared so that may not be saying much. The story flows freely and the ending suggests more goosebumps to come. :-)

Will be sure to read the next one in the daylight. Hehe ...more

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Oct 01, 2011 Caroline rated it really liked it

looking forward to he next book.
Anyone ever watch Supernatural? Well this book reminds me of a young Dean doing what Winchesters do..... I think it could have been a 5 with a little bit of added depth and length.
Loved Cas, Anna and the crew. Loads of sweet scenes, dramatic scenes and some gory ones too. Really don't want to tell you any plot details, as you should really read it. ...more

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