Saturday, September 10, 2011

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD
Kendare Blake
Paranormal Young Adult
320 pages
Tor Teen
Available Now
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY
Theseus Cassio Lowood is a ghost killer just like his father, and his father before him. He travels town to town following the most gruesome of stories, locating and eliminating the nastiest of spectres and those responsible for taking human lives. Next on his list: Anna Korlov, better known as Anna Dressed in Blood.

It seems after she was murdered at age sixteen, Anna remained in her home in the white dress she was killed in, annihilating any who dared trespass on her property. Cas goes about his job in his usual fashion, gleaning information from his peers at his new high school and getting the full story (as much as anyone knows it) on Anna.

When he finally befriends several kids willing to take him to Anna, he finds himself tossed in her house as part of a prank, watching as her dripping red dress gets closer and closer. No one who's entered her house has ever left it alive. Until now. Anna spares Cas's life, making his job all the more difficult as he realizes within the monster lives a sentient young woman.

MY THOUGHTS
Gorgeously grim, Anna Dressed in Blood forces conflicting feelings toward the life-challenged upon us, instilling a great deal of fear at the murderous power they wield yet also ensuring we understand that those we have no choice but to see as villains are indisputably victims as well. We are drawn in quickly with Cas on one of his hunts, preparing ourselves to be shocked and appalled at the vile remnants certain individuals have left behind, and sure we're going to be solidly rooting for Cas as he destroys those who have destroyed the lives of so many since their own violent demise. What we aren't necessarily expecting is the sharp pang of sympathy Ms. Blake makes us feel for some of them, Anna especially, and we find ourselves emotionally involved with ghosts who can never truly earn back the label of "innocent" they had at their deaths, but nor can we firmly classify them as evil despite their grotesque deeds.

Cas is an outstanding protagonist, quick-witted and funny without being overly so, but he's also surrounded by an air of darkness, the price of the lonely life of a ghost killer readily apparent to us underneath the bravery and humor. He doesn't instantly swoon over the beautiful, popular girl at school, instead seeking her out as a source of information to help him find Anna, and we smile as her charms find no chink to exploit in the armor of singular purpose and duty he wears with such pride. While he is strong externally and we admire his dedication to the life that robbed him of his father, he's not so remote that we can't reach out and touch him. He is a perfect blend of characteristics–a young man so very human finding his way in the world of the paranormal.

As brilliantly executed as Cas is Anna, a girl whom we view with a kind of horrified fascination as terror and curiosity wage an epic battle within us when we first encounter her blood-soaked form. It's difficult to believe that shortly after we watch her rip a teenage boy in two we could feel anything for her other than disgust, but one of the highlights of this story is her dual nature–both vengeful murderer and guilt-ridden teenage girl–which forces us to struggle with wanting to forgive her while at the same time condemning her for the lives she's so brutally stolen. She manages to enchant and enthrall us equally, holding us captive in her story until we know all her secrets and find our need to pass judgment evaporates a little more with each page.

Anna Dressed in Blood is an extraordinary book, causing us to gasp in shock, close our eyes in fear, but also smile in sheer delight when two very isolated people start to find a home in each other. The gore is just enough to make us understand we should never underestimate Anna and what she's capable of, but we are not assaulted with blood merely for shock value. This is a ghost story dotted with death but vibrating with life and emotion, and we read the final pages praying there will be more time in the future with characters that have us wrapped tightly around their fictional fingers.

Rating: 5/5

43 comments:

  1. You had me at "watch her rip a teenage boy in two" !!! LOL!!

    I am so excited about this book; I need to get my hands on it soon!! Your review made it even higher on my list, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow. I am so glad this was one of the books you gave me! I can't wait to read it. I was going to read Hourglass next, but I think I'm going to read this one instead. *squee* I'm nerdily exited. Cas sounds like an amazing lead and admittedly, Anna sounds as scary as hell...i love her. Love this review, Jenny.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm really glad to hear this isn't as gory as the title led me to believe lol! Beautiful review -- I was excited to read this one before, but now I can hardly wait!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ooooh this book sounds absolutely chilling. I have to admit I've been seeing this around and haven't actually been paying attention to it but your review made me sit up and take notice. I think I want to read this book mostly to see how the author manages to create a believable dual nature in Anna which would cause us to feel for her rather than to simply fear her. Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome review, Jenny! I can't wait to read this book and I love the premise. It definitely has the dark comedy tone to it. A 5 from you is a must read. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I m so excited to read this book! Everything about it sounds amazing. Fantastic review :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jac - Haha yes, that was quite an introduction to Anna:) Hope you love it as much as I did!

    Jen - LOVED this one, can't wait to see what you think!

    Casey - It had it's moments, but it never felt over the top to me. And I'm a huge wuss:)

    Kris - Anna's dual nature was one of my favorite parts. She's terrifying and a murderer, but at the same time she's a victim and I couldn't help but like her.

    Rummanah - Hope you love it! I just liked how different it was and I always enjoy a good male protagonist:)

    Nic - YES! I'm ordering it for you on Monday:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yet another glowing review of this book. Darn. I'm going to have to cave and order it soon. So much for my budget...Lol. But I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I wanted to read this book when I first saw the gorgeous cover but ever since teh reviews have come out, I've been desperate to read it as everyone seems to have loved it!! Must buy soon!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fantastic review! I'm waiting for this book to come in, so I can read it. So far, I haven't seen a single negative review about it, so it must be really good :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Amazing review! Every review of Anna that I read boasts that it's 5/5! I'm so happy about it! I have high expectations for this book. And I know it will be a life-changing book. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really, really want to read this book (now more than ever) but I'm trying to hold off for a physical copy. I hope it comes to Dubai soon, I love the cover but don't want to have a kindle copy and an actual book.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow! 5/5!! This one is getting really good reviews. I'll have to get myself a copy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Natalie - I'm so bad with budgets. I try to put myself on one each month and I always blow it. Too many good books!

    Mel - I adored it:)

    Kara - Thank you! It was a really quick read and just all around entertaining:)

    Precious - Thanks! Hopefully it lives up to your expectations!

    Jennifer - I love the cover of this one too, and sometimes you just want that physical copy instead of the e-book. This is definitely a physical-copy worthy book!

    Leanna - Do it! SO good:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I remember seeing Anna Dressed in Blood reviewed on Logan's blog last month. She really liked it too, though since it wasn't out yet, I had kind of forgotten about it. Your review put it back on my radar (and now, my wishlist, too). Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This always reminded me of Supernatural and it sounds so good. Even though I'm not big on gore I think it was needed to show Anna's murderous side.

    ReplyDelete
  17. *dances*

    YES! I was surprised in the mail with this book! Squee! I can't wait to get to it. And with this glowing recommendation... I'm itching to get to it. I needs to break out the calamine lotion! :) Brilly review. I can't wait now!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am not really sure about the title at all..nope, I just can't like it. But the book, well that is another story :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yay! This review makes me so happy! I can't wait to read this book. Sounds like Cas will charm me without even trying. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I don't normally read ghost stories but I have this one on my wishlist because I love the premise. If I didn't, the complex characters and your five star rating would have convinced me to :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Amanda - It was really good, I can't wait to read more from Kendare:)

    Jenny - There's definitely gore, but it serves a purpose I think so it was quite as bothersome. Certainly needed to make Anna terrifying:)

    Melissa - Yay! Can't wait to see what you think:)

    Blodeuedd - I know you're not a huge YA reader, but this one is really great.

    Missie - Cas is awesome, I loved everything about him:)

    Zahida - I don't read many ghost stories either, but this one was too good to pass up:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fantastic Review! Now I have to write my own and I'll be thinking of yours! I shouldn't have read it but I agree with everything you said. This was definitely a five our of five or even a six for me!

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gosh, this was such an absolutely amazing story, wasn't it? I loved Anna and, like you said, she had such duality in her nature -- coldly murderous one second and almost normal the next.
    I can't wait to see what this author has in store for us next.
    Mary @ BookSwarm

    ReplyDelete
  24. I loved this one too Jenny. I was just as shocked as you when after Anna murdered someone, I actually felt sorry for her!! Poor girl. Great review, Jenny. =)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Is this book amazing, or what? I loved it! Cas and Anna really are just the best characters. I hope we get to see another book soon! :) Great review, Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you so much for sharing today. I have so wanted this book for a while now and now feel perfectly justified in my obsession LOL

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow! Yippie...I'm so excited to read this book! I have a copy for review and need to read it pronto. I love spooky stories and this one sounds deliciously creepy. I probably want to read it with the lights on and maybe not before I go to bed. lol Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm desperately hoping my copy will arrive tomorrow! *fingers crossed* It sounds amazingly good and I cannot wait to read it. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I've this book in my TBR ! I think I will read it soon ! Thanks fot the great review !

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is one I am actually going to read because I have really been on a spooky book hunt! This looks like such an amazing read and doesn't seem like it would be heavy on typical YA Angst!

    ReplyDelete
  31. wow, mate, what a review.

    you had me from the phrase: gorgeously grim :D

    i am SO reading this one :)

    x Nomes

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh your review was kick-a**

    I loved this one too, it kind of gave me the same feeling after I read The Replacement, one of those horribly dark yet crazy beautiful types

    ReplyDelete
  33. I still can't get that whole ripping-a-teenage-boy-in-two scene out of my head. *shivers*

    Awesome review, Jenny! I'm about halfway through it now, so I'm glad to read such a positive review :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have been really on the fence about this book, but after reading your (absolutely glowing) review of this book? I gotta get my hands on a copy of it! Thank you so much for the insightful review Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
  35. FIVE stars???? OMG! WHY do I not have this on my possession RIGHT NOW? Going to order it this minute dude!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Fabulous review! I am reading this one right now and LOVING IT. I love the authenticity of the characters. Cas is very much a living, breathing character for me!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am surpirsed that when I read this book how much it made me cry! I loved Anna and Cas. Nice review Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I must get my hands on a copy of this book! Not only does it sound amazing, but the author is downright hilarious. Lovely review :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am so, so intrigued by this book!! And I keep seeing the best reviews for it as well. I've put it on hold at the library -- I can't wait for it to come in.

    ReplyDelete
  40. 5 out 5?! Everyone seems to be loving this book. Perhaps I should give it a try after all...

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sounds sooo good! Especially Cas (I'm always on the lookout for a well done male protag). Also, I love that the characters sound complex so that you can even feel sympathy for the "villains" of the story. Amazing review as usual, Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks for the amazing review! I've been waiting for awhile to read Anna Dressed in Blood but it's still not in stores in my area. *sad face* It's definitely a novel I'm going to have to order because it sounds so good! Thanks again, Jenny!

    And I just heard about your amazing win for BBAW!! Congratulations!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. I've been looking through some of your reviews and they are all excellent! I'm sure I'll be visiting your blog often. :)

    I really enjoyed Anna Dressed in Blood, too. It's one of my favorite books and I can't wait to see what the sequel has in store for us. :)

    Sam @ Realm of Ficton

    ReplyDelete