Blake, Kendare. Anna Dressed in Blood. 2011. Tor Teen, 316 pages. $17.99 ISBN: 9780765328656
Plot Summary:
Cas and his mom have always moved around a lot, first because of his dad’s work and now because of Cas’s. Cas and his father before him is a professional ghost hunter. Every few months Cas and his mother move and Cas starts hunting a new ghost, finally using his athame to kill the ghost, if you can kill something that is already dead that is. Now Cas and his mom are in Thunder Bay, Ontario so Cas can kill Anna, Anna Dressed in Blood, so called because when they found her with her throat slit her white dress was stained red with the blood. Now Anna haunts her old house, ripping to shreds anyone who dares set foot inside.
The first time Cas visits Anna’s house he is with some of the kids from school including Carmel, Will, Chase, and Carmel’s ex, Mike. Mike knocks Cas out with a board and drags him into the house. Anna does something strange though, instead of killing Cas she ignores him and goes for Mike, letting Cas escape. With Thomas’s help Cas escapes Anna’s house, but Cas finds himself drawn back to Anna’s. Anna behaves like no ghost Cas has ever known; never has a restless soul resisted the urge to hurt their victim. Anna, however, is able to fight off the monster within when she is with Cas and the two quickly become friends. Cas knows he has to stop Anna from killing, but the more time he spends with Anna the more he begins to fall for her.
Critical Review:
Generally I do not go in for the horror genre, but Blake smart novel drew me in. Of all the paranormal romances out there right now, Blake’s Anna Dressed in Blood, stands out with its fresh and unpredictable plot. Like any horror novel Anna Dressed in Blood has its fair share of violence and bloodshed. This is definitely a book for mature readers as there are references to gruesome murders, sexual abuse, and child abuse besides other general violence. Cas is a thoughtful narrator, but one senses he is also very lonely. That starts to change when he meets Carmel and Thomas. Cas’s recklessness is borderline suicidal at times and one wonders if he is not over confident.
Genre:
Fantasy
Horror
Romance
Interest Level/Reading Level:
Grade 9 and up/Grade 6 and up
Subjects/Themes:
Ghosts
Murder
Witchcraft
Voodoo
Awards/Honors:
Kirkus Best Books for Young Adults 2011
NPR Top 5 Young Adult Novels 2011
2011 Cybil Award Finalist
Author’s Website:
Annotation:
Cas Lowood has spent his teenage years moving from place to place hunting ghosts, but that all changes when he moves to Thunder Bay to take on the ghost known as Anna Dressed in Blood.
Book Talking Ideas:
Anna Dressed in Blood is a fast paced horror novel with a romantic twist.
Why I chose to include this book:
I first encountered this book on NPR’s top five young adult novels of 2011 and I was intrigued by the plot. Usually I do not care for horror novels, and though this book does not skimp on the gore, Blake also weaves a complex storyline that kept me reading. I think this book would appeal to teens who want to read a good ghost story and teen who might want something grittier than your typical paranormal romance.
Potential Challenges:
Parents maybe concerned that Anna Dressed in Blood includes some violent scenes of sexual and physical abuse and murder.
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