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themezzaluna's review against another edition
2.0
Now, this wasn't a bad book. The plot was good and the overall arc of each character was quite nicely thought out.
My one problem with it is that it felt too technical compared to the first one. It started and progressed so slowly that it made me feel frustrated and like I was never going to finish it.
I really liked Anna Dressed In Blood, so this one was a bit of a let down because I had high expectations.
Despite everything, it was as unsettling and horrific as I wanted it to be and I don't regret reading it.
My one problem with it is that it felt too technical compared to the first one. It started and progressed so slowly that it made me feel frustrated and like I was never going to finish it.
I really liked Anna Dressed In Blood, so this one was a bit of a let down because I had high expectations.
Despite everything, it was as unsettling and horrific as I wanted it to be and I don't regret reading it.
coranada's review against another edition
2.0
The first book was much better. This one just went on. and on. and then on some more. There was too much nothing happening. If you are trying to rescue someone from Hell it seems like there shouldn't be so much nothing happening. And then it really kind of started bothering me when the main character who is telling the story from his junior in high school, boy perspective would describe a middle aged woman's hairdo as being stylish or the wooden door as being carved oak. Because... really? I dunno, maybe he would do those thing but since he's been primarily hunting ghosts for the last seven or so years I'm gonna guess he's not up on hair styles for women or wood identification.
And probably you'll say that I'm being kind of silly pointing out these little things but my point is that the story was just so slow and non engaging that I noticed these things.
It did pick up at the end but then the resolution was just a little too quick. Since we've just read two books about this guy and his girlfriend the ghost I'm thinking we could have taken another paragraph or two to explain what just happened.
My feeling after finishing it was that it was so-so, then better, with a tiny helping of "wha?" that snuck in at the end.
And probably you'll say that I'm being kind of silly pointing out these little things but my point is that the story was just so slow and non engaging that I noticed these things.
It did pick up at the end but then the resolution was just a little too quick. Since we've just read two books about this guy and his girlfriend the ghost I'm thinking we could have taken another paragraph or two to explain what just happened.
My feeling after finishing it was that it was so-so, then better, with a tiny helping of "wha?" that snuck in at the end.
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Late 90s/early 2000s TV fanfic, round 2. Sadly, the sequel wasn't as fun as the first book, but it did offer a satisfying conclusion.
• Anna went into a portal to hell? So, book 2 starts off as Buffy, season 3, since book 1 apparently ended with Angel going through a portal to hell. Oh, I mean Anna.
• Just as Buffy has the conversation with adults in her life about her friends, Cas has the "they're going to get themselves killed" talk with his mom about Thomas & Carmel.
• Signing yearbooks "have a neat summer" has the perfect Marcie Ross vibe. IYKYK.
• Correction from book 1 character assessment. Thomas = Willow & Xander combined. He's witchy but also completely awkward & lands the most popular girl in school.
• The Order located in Scottish Highlands. Watchers Council in London. Enough said.
• Ghosts... explode? In Buffy vamps explode to save money & help world logistics. Also, vamps are demons walking inside dead people, so of course the bodies don't last. Ghosts are not corporeal. Why do they explode? What?
• "tell mom... Tell her something good." - Cas. "tell them... Idk. Think of something cool. Tell them I said it." - Buffy.
• Demon with yellow eyes took parent. Pulled straight from supernatural. Of all the eye colors, yellow?
Book 2 was still fun, but the excitement and pacing dropped as compared to book 1. The plot felt tedious and almost caused me to give up. My desire to know what ultimately happens to Anna won out. New characters and more real time with previously only cameoed characters kept the book fresh.
• Just as Buffy has the conversation with adults in her life about her friends, Cas has the "they're going to get themselves killed" talk with his mom about Thomas & Carmel.
• Signing yearbooks "have a neat summer" has the perfect Marcie Ross vibe. IYKYK.
• Correction from book 1 character assessment. Thomas = Willow & Xander combined. He's witchy but also completely awkward & lands the most popular girl in school.
• The Order located in Scottish Highlands. Watchers Council in London. Enough said.
• Ghosts... explode? In Buffy vamps explode to save money & help world logistics. Also, vamps are demons walking inside dead people, so of course the bodies don't last. Ghosts are not corporeal. Why do they explode? What?
• "tell mom... Tell her something good." - Cas. "tell them... Idk. Think of something cool. Tell them I said it." - Buffy.
• Demon with yellow eyes took parent. Pulled straight from supernatural. Of all the eye colors, yellow?
Book 2 was still fun, but the excitement and pacing dropped as compared to book 1. The plot felt tedious and almost caused me to give up. My desire to know what ultimately happens to Anna won out. New characters and more real time with previously only cameoed characters kept the book fresh.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
beccaj2180's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I am reeling a little, kind of on a Kendare Blake high at the moment. I am seriously impressed with this second book - and gladly - because so many sequels are so disappointing. Definitely a beautiful ending and a heart wrenching story line. I have a hard time thinking this will be the last book about Cas, but who knows. I'll hopefully get the chance to write a really good review sometime, but if not, I definitely recommend this book. Also, I have to say, if there was a good screenwriter out there somewhere, these books could make some pretty awesome horror movies. Seriously.
valouche13's review against another edition
5.0
I've just finished reading "Girl of Nightmares" and I must say, for a second book in a series, it still manages to bring something fresh to the table! The author style still resonates strongly with me, and I must say I couldn't predict the end at all, but I loved it. It was the best possible ending :)
I absolutely adored the way the author described the other side, and I loved all the creepy places this story takes us. There was a speed bump with a certain forest, but other than that, I loved it. :)
I trust that this book will never fall victim to one of my bookcase clearings and that I will reread it many times in the years to come! ^_^
I absolutely adored the way the author described the other side, and I loved all the creepy places this story takes us. There was a speed bump with a certain forest, but other than that, I loved it. :)
I trust that this book will never fall victim to one of my bookcase clearings and that I will reread it many times in the years to come! ^_^
sklus's review against another edition
3.0
Not terrrible, but also not the level of spooky and suspenseful that I was hoping for. The ending made more sense than I predicted it would, which is a positive, but the climax and ending all seemed rushed and out of place. The pacing was a little off and it still has the most unrealistic love story I have ever read in it.
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
I had high expectations for this book because I loved Anna Dressed in Blood. I wasn't even half way done with it and I couldn't stand Cas. He was super whiny in this book about Anna going to hell and wouldn't stop about it. I can stand a little whinnying but his was nonstop and such a total change from the 1st book. In the first book he was kind of cocky, strong and confident and this book I didn't like him at all.
I couldn't find a third book in this series so I'm not sure if there is going to be one or not. I would probably read it even if this was not the last one.
I couldn't find a third book in this series so I'm not sure if there is going to be one or not. I would probably read it even if this was not the last one.
bentersbookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ranforingus's review against another edition
3.0
I really REALLY liked the first book, but for some reason this sequel just lost steam for me about halfway through.
I ran through it like a train until 84% completion (hoping for something 'more' to happen...), and then.... I left it for half a year until I couldn't stand leaving it unfinished anymore.
The plot is quite well written as usual (thank you Kendare Blake!), but the characters are somewhat lackluster from what they were in the first book.
And when they started off on their quest to the mysterious secret society, I was feeling more 'meh' than I should...
I feel quite guilty for it, as it's still a great story but I couldn't get myself to like it nearly as much as the previous one.
That being said, the final battle (while quite short and frankly a lot faster and easier than I would've thought) was VERY good.
And then the ending rolls around and I'm back in the 'meh, good for them now let's go' feeling.
I really wanted to like this sequel as much as I did the original. I REALLY did. But it just didn't do it for me. Nevertheless it deserves a solid 3 stars!
Over and Out!
I ran through it like a train until 84% completion (hoping for something 'more' to happen...), and then.... I left it for half a year until I couldn't stand leaving it unfinished anymore.
The plot is quite well written as usual (thank you Kendare Blake!), but the characters are somewhat lackluster from what they were in the first book.
And when they started off on their quest to the mysterious secret society, I was feeling more 'meh' than I should...
I feel quite guilty for it, as it's still a great story but I couldn't get myself to like it nearly as much as the previous one.
That being said, the final battle (while quite short and frankly a lot faster and easier than I would've thought) was VERY good.
And then the ending rolls around and I'm back in the 'meh, good for them now let's go' feeling.
I really wanted to like this sequel as much as I did the original. I REALLY did. But it just didn't do it for me. Nevertheless it deserves a solid 3 stars!
Over and Out!