Bibliographic
Information
Anna Dressed in
Blood by Kendare Blake. Tor Teen (2011).
Price: $17.99 for hardback; $9.99 for paperback
Pages: 316 for hardback
Plot Summary
When his father died, Cas Lowood decided to take up his mission
and kill murderous ghosts. Armed with his father’s athame, a special knife, Cas
and his mother travel the country seeking out deadly ghosts and disposing of
them. Cas does the killing while his mother cleanses the knife and sells
magical items so that they have enough money to live on. Cas quickly becomes
used to killing ghosts but when he hears of Anna Dressed in Blood he knows that
she is special. Although he has never met her he feels a strange connection to
her and that excites him. Traveling to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Cas is determined
to learn more about Anna Dressed in Blood and dispatch her. But he quickly
learns that she is unlike any other ghost he has encountered. Most murderous
ghosts do not discriminate between victims and Cas rightly assumes that this is
the case with her. But when he ends up in the house she haunts she looks
directly at him, tears another victim in half, and spares his life. Fascinated,
Cas cannot help returning repeatedly visit Anna Dressed in Blood who continues
to spare his life. Finally Cas feels like he has met someone who understands
him but how can he simply let a ghostly serial killer exist? And what will
happen when he learns that Anna Dressed in Blood is not the only murderous
ghost in town?
Critical
Evaluation
Definitely a creepy novel, Anna Dressed in Blood, is not a book to read after nightfall. Chock
full of graphic violence and haunting scenes, Kendare Blake has successfully
created a modern scary ghost story. However, there is more to this novel than just
slasher scenes. Readers, even those who are not fans of scary stories, will
read on as they try to understand just what makes Anna feel compelled to kill. Readers
will also be interested in Cas’ emotional growth as he has closed himself off
to his emotions after the death of his father. However, despite Blake’s creation
of a good mystery and a haunting setting, this novel is not free of problems.
For one, while Cas does grow as a character he never fully becomes an emotionally
aware person. For another, with the exception of Anna, I simply didn’t find
Blake’s characters compelling. While Carmel begins to appreciate those around
her she still stays a witty, popular girl, and Thomas remains an overeager ally.
I believe that this novel will certainly interest mystery lovers and those who
enjoy scary ghost stories but I personally didn’t find the characters likable enough
to read the sequel.
Reader’s
Annotation
Traveling ghost killer Cas thinks he has met his match in
Anna Dressed in Blood but what if there is a eviler ghost out there that only
Anna can help kill?
About the
Author
Kendare Blake is a newly published author. Her first book
was Anna Dressed in Blood and her third
is the soon-to-be published sequel, Girl
of Nightmares. She has also written several short stories. When she is not
writing, she enjoys reading about Greek mythology.
To learn more about Kendare Blake and her books visit her
site here.
Genre
Paranormal fiction, Romance, Thriller
Readalikes
Girl of Nightmares by
Kendare Blake
·
The sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood
Possess by
Gretchin McNeil
·
Another creepy story about a girl who banishes
creatures back into death
Lord Loss by
Darren Shan
·
Also containing a male protagonist, a thriller
involving demons and werewolves
Tags
17 yr. old, Cats, Ghostbusters, Lake Superior, Only
child, Thunder Bay Ontario
Awards
Won/Lists On
2011—Cybils Award Nominee for Fantasy & Science
Fiction for Young Adults
2011—Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Books of the Year
2011—NPR’s Top Five Teen Books
2012—YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
2012—YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers
2012—Endeavor Award Finalist
Professional
Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Publishers' Weekly
School Library Journal
VOYA
Booktalk Ideas
Begin with Cas’ explanation of the dead (47) then move
onto how he lives his life (138) Cas’ speech on Anna (p. 31-32)
Bibliotherapeutic
Usefulness
This book could be used in discussions on one’s purpose
in life as well as one’s family. It could also be used to discuss the
afterlife.
Reading
Level/Interest Level
Reading Level: 4th grade
Interest Level: 9th-12th grades
These levels are according to AR Bookfinder
Challenge
Issues
This book includes the following potentially
controversial elements:
·
Auras
·
Deception
·
Decomposed bodies
·
Demons
·
Discussion of the afterlife
·
Ghosts
·
Graphic murder scenes
·
Magic
·
Murderous mother
·
Obeah voodoo
·
Profanity
·
Satanism
·
Séances
·
Sexually suggestive jokes
·
Slurs against homosexual people
·
Taking the Lord’s name in vain
·
Tarot cards
·
Telepathy
·
Voodoo
·
Wiccan practices
·
Witchcraft
Librarians can point out that while this book contains
many potentially objectionable elements it can be used as a way to explore
scary supernatural occurrences within the safe confines of a book.
Why Was This
Included?
I included this novel because I was doing a presentation
on ghosts and Anna Dressed in Blood had
received excellent reviews. With maroon font, this novel will grip readers
right away.
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