Thursday, September 13, 2012

{DOUBLE REVIEW and GIVEAWAY} ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD and GIRL OF NIGHTMARES by KENDARE BLAKE

Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1)Series: Anna #1
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 316
Source: Personal Purchase
Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story...

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay. When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home. And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.


Anna Dressed in Blood is a book that's been highly recommended to me since it's release in August 2011. Granted, it's not a book that I would have been prone to jump at, because I don't consider myself a big fan of scary books, but that many readers can't be wrong, right?

As it turns out, the high praise for Anna Dressed in Blood was well-earned. Kendare Blake wrote a book that was both cringe-worthy and gorgeous. Scary and funny. In short, a fantastic read that reminded me a lot of Supernatural, but was completely it's own.

As well as the writing, I fell in love with the characters. Cas Lockwood is not a typically endearing protagonist. He's a teen curmudgeon. A loner. Snarky and dry-witted, but lovable all the same. Thomas, Cas' sidekick best friend, was a character that I immediately liked. Shy, awkward, and unpopular, Thomas can hold his own in the paranormal world, and it's cool to see him embrace his power. Carmel, the third member of the ghost busting trio, is a popular girl who basically runs the school. To see a girl with so much to lose, socially, sort of shrug her shoulders and hang out with Cas and Thomas was a nice surprise for me.

But I've left out the title character, Anna. I didn't expect Anna to be an actual character in the story. I obviously knew that she was important to the story, but I didn't realize that she was more than a scary ghost girl, dripping in blood. I expected Cas and Co. to spend the story trying to find a way to kill her. I didn't expect Anna to actually have a story. And what a sad, tragic story she has. It truly made me sorry for her. Sorry enough, maybe, to forgive her sins.

**Spoiler Alert**
The one problem I had with Anna Dressed in Blood is the fact that Cas basically goes gaga for Anna. This super strong connection is something that I didn't truly feel, and I just didn't get it or understand it. Why didn't Anna go after Cas? I mean, she knows he's after her. How could he just overlook the fact that she ripped kids apart, even if it wasn't truly her fault?
**End of Spoiler**

Okay, despite having that one, albeit major, problem with the story, I kind of loved Anna Dressed in Blood. I was riveted by the story, I had to know what would happen to Anna. Would she kill Cas?Would he kill her. The story was unique, beautifully written and highly entertaining.

Favorite Quote:

  "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?" (pg.32)


You can purchase Anna Dressed in Blood at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository



Girl of Nightmares (Anna, #2)
Series: Anna #2
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication Date: August 7, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Source: Received from publisher for review.
It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on.

His friends remind him that Anna sacrificed herself so that Cas could live—not walk around half dead. He knows they're right, but in Cas's eyes, no living girl he meets can compare to the dead girl he fell in love with. Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong...these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears. Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.


**This review is spoiler-free for Girl of Nightmares, but may contain spoilers for Anna Dressed in Blood.**

Anna Dressed in Blood ended with a fantastic and frightening bang. Anna took the plunge for Cas, Thomas, and Carmen; saving them and damning herself. It's an ending that had readers begging for me, and me feeling super happy that I didn't have to wait a year for Girl of Nightmares.

Girl of Nightmares picks up six months later. Cas, Thomas and Carmen are living in the aftermath of the brutal murders that occurred in Anna. They still go on missions, but the teen ghost hunters seem to have lost their groove. Cas is being haunted by visions of Anna, her being tormented in hell. Of course, this causes Cas to push towards finding Anna and freeing her, no matter the cost.

Thomas and Carmen want to be supportive, but there doesn't seem to be any way around what happened, and think Cas should move on. Carmen and Thomas were great in this book. Thomas is such a devoted best friend and never once hesitates, even though he surely is frightened. Carmen surprised me. She has moments of doubt, but is always strong. Her uncertainty and questioning made her the most realistic character in the story.

But...it sort of felt like Cas' not-quite-charming-but-still-endearing personality went down the chute right along with Anna. I don't know what this kid expected. To fall in love with a girl that's been dead for sixty years, bring her back to life and live happily ever after? I know this story is fiction, it's a paranormal ghost tale. But I really wanted to punch Cas in the shoulder and tell him to "Get real for a minute." I could probably overlook it for the most part, if I ever truly understood the connection between Cas and Anna. The whole ripping people apart (even though she wasn't in control) is something I could never get past. Also, I'm bothered by his willingness to risk his, but especially his friends' lives, in order to save Anna. I sort of get it, but I mostly felt conflicted.

But when I take that aspect out of the equation, I really liked Girl of Nightmares. We learn more about the history of the athame and why Thomas has the ability to use it. Though I must say, I never felt like I had a truly clear answer about who the athame was meant for and why. I spent a nice portion of the story interested, yet put off by Cas' single-mindedness. I was worried that he would jerk around and cause me to be really disappointed with Girl of Nightmares. The last sixty-ish pages of the story saved it, for me. It was scary, exhilarating, surprising, and wound up leaving me feeling very, very satisfied.


Favorite Quote:

  "It's the Suicide Forest. I'm walking through the f^cking Suicide Forest with two witches, and a knife that flashes to the dead like a damn lighthouse."  (pg.235)

You can purchase Girl of Nightmares at:
Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Book Depository

 
Giveway
I accidentally have two copies of Anna Dressed in Blood. So I'm giving one away. All you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter form. a Rafflecopter giveaway

38 comments:

  1. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens.

    I have other favorite ghost stories but "A Christmas Carol" is my favorite.

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  2. Anna Dressed In Blood is one of my all time favorite books, so I'm glad you liked it. I really liked how it creeped me out and the whole mystery was great. That being said, I did not think Girl of Nightmares was nearly as good. I enjoyed it, but I just didn't love it the way I did Anna. Great reviews!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  3. I really just enjoy ghost stories in general, especially when they're good ones, but I've always loved the story of Bloody Mary. I remember playing it when I was a bit younger with all of my friends. We'd always get so freaked out that she was going to get us. :D

    Thanks for the giveaway!! (:

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  4. A Christmas Carol, for sure. It's really nostalgic and always makes me wish it were Christmas. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  5. Two great reviews, Andrea! I passed on this series too but now I am seriously regretting it!

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  6. Great reviews! I'm so glad you enjoyed these books, Andrea! I love Cas...he was definitely a little flat in the beginning of Girl, but I think he totally redeemed himself for me there at the end. :)

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  7. I'm still a scaredy cat when it comes to horror books, even though I own the first book, I still haven't started it. After reading your review, I will prob. put it off. I think I'm more on a romance and fantasy kick right now, and I'm actually quite absorbed in the Hush, Hush series.
    Loved both honest reviews!

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  8. Great review! I've been meaning to start this series. My favorite ghost story? I haven't read much ghost stories but i do like Ever by Jessa Russo.

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  9. I'm so glad that you enjoyed these books. I know what you mean about Cas in the second book. He is missing a lot of his charm and humor. I thought that Thomas and Carmel were really great in the second book though. I definitely loved Anna Dressed in Blood better than Girl of Nightmares, but I though they were both fantastic. Awesome reviews!!

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  10. Haha so you found your other copy? I can't wait to read Girl of Nightmares!

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  11. Great reviews love! The covers alone kind of scare me. These would probably have to be day reads for me. LOL

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  12. Awesome reviews. I haven't read either of these yet, but have heard about them and have been wondering how they were. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. I loved Anna Dressed in Blood and I can't believe I haven't started Girl of Nightmares yet, but it is definitely on my to-do list. Wonderful reviews!

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  14. I really enjoyed these books and I totally get your complaints. Cas did seem pretty mopey in the second one and the gaga love was a bit unbelievable. But I thought that for how far fetched it was it was pulled off surprisingly well. Great reviews!

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  15. Thanks for the great reviews! They both sound like great books. I haven't read any ghost tales to date, so I don't have a favorite. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  16. I'm so torn over Anna Dressed in Blood. I'm not a big fan of uber-scary stories, especially ones focusing on ghosts. However it seems like just about everyone loves this series. I'm so glad you made a connection to Supernatural because that definitely raises my interest. I love my Winchester boys! So far the only part, in which you agree, is that whole insta-connection that is formed. I really despise these kinds because they feel so unreal. Great review! You've definitely given me more to think about in turns of trying out Anna.

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  17. I'm really glad you liked these. I'm reading Girl of Nightmares right now. I adored Anna. I feel ya on the whole chemistry thing tho. It was quick and seemed unreal....no depth. But overall I loved the first one. I'm just starting the second and can't wait to see what happens. Great reviews love!

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  18. That is EXACTLY what I was thinking while I was reading the second book: What does Cal expect to get out of all of this? What is a realistic happily ever after? Liked the second book but really liked the first one. And yes, Anna was creepy as hell! Scared the willies out of me!

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  19. I don't really have a particular favorite ghost story.

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  20. My favorite Ghost Stories are the Evernight Series!

    Lindy Gomez

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  21. don't particularly enjoy ghost stories, but i've read a cozy mystery which had ghosts in it.......EJCopperman's Night of the Living Deed.......

    thank you for this giveaway!!

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  22. One of the scariest ghost stories I have read is The Brownstone by Ken Eulo.

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  23. I've heard the high praise too. I have it. It's on my shelf. But I haven't got to it yet. But since you are my #BookTwin if you liked it, I should too.

    Valerie
    StuckInBooks.com

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  24. Oooooh, glad you liked Anna, but shame Girl of Nightmares seemed a little 'meh'. I'm VERY interested about all the hype that's been flying, but still a little hesitant... GREAT reviews, Andrea! xx

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  25. Thanks for the giveaway! looking forward to reading this one

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  26. I have read the first book and I have to say it was all about Anna's story for me. I don't really like Cas that much so that would be the weak point for me in the first book and the fact that Cas breaks down as a character has me worried about reading the second book. Sigh decisions decisions...

    Thanks for the great reviews!

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  27. I felt the same way about Anna and Girl of Nightmares. I didn't really understand the connection with Anna and Cas but I loved Cas's snarky personality. Anna was better, IMO. GofN had a depressed Cas and he just didn't have the same zing as in the first book. I'm not a huge fan of ghost/human love stories because, really, how can it turn out well?

    So nice of you to hold a giveaway, Andrea. :)

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  28. I've read a few reviews about people having issues with Cas's feeling for Anna in this book. Not sure why but it was never a problem for me. I love how she rips people apart lol and that he's her anchor. i felt like they needed each other.

    My only issue with GoN was that Anna was in it enough for me.

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  29. Well, I am a bit of a fraidy cat when it comes to ghost stories. but I have heard absolutely the best reviews for this series. I have to read it..

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  30. I think Victorian Ghost Stories are quite scary. Especially the one about the man who never gave up and after he died still came for his bride and soon after she took ill and died.

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  31. I've been waiting to read your reviews of this series! I loved book 1 and just downloaded book 2 last week. Glad to hear you enjoyed it for the most part. The insta-love actually worked for me. I could buy it given Cas' character. Since he's around the dead all the time, it made sense that he fell from a dead girl.

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  32. Honestly, I have been too scared to read ghost ones lol! I want this one to be my first one as I have heard it is really good.

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  33. I don't really read ghost stories. I guess this'll be my first.

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  34. I love A Christmas Carol, it's a classic :)


    Jolene A

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  35. I kinda agree with you on the whole realistic love connection. But I loved Anna so hardcore I didn't even care. lol.

    I'm really looking forward to reading book two. On my xmas list for sure. :O)

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  36. Not really too scary, but I loved Casper.

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  37. I really enjoy ghost stories, and I'm so ready to read both of these! Thanks for the reviews and the giveaway, though I admit I didn't read your review on GoN *too* closely, cause I don't wanna learn any secrets :) I do love A Christmas Carol, it's a classic ghost story. I like the older gothic ghost stories the best. One of my favorites is The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. It's another classic!

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