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ktdakotareads's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Grief, Gore, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Child abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Child death
phoenixlovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my first read of the year, and I absolutely loved it. I fell in love with Anna and her story, and Anna & Cas were sweet together. I will 100% continue the duology and novella :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Body horror, Child death, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Minor: Physical abuse
alex_wordweaver's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pedophilia
gen_wolfhailstorm's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
September pick for Amy McCaw's YA Book Club 2023.
I've had this on my tbr for the longest time, so I'm glad to have had an opportunity to read this with the book club and tune into to fellow readers thoughts real time.
I thought Anna Dressed in Blood was equal in atmosphere and horror. The ghost slaying themes were fascinating and uncomfortably eery, but sadly a solitary life.
I liked how focused Cas was as a main character and how serious he took reaping the ghosts of the dead from the land of the living, but it made me sad how much he distanced himself from his peers and how closed off he was from normal high school life/the future. I couldn't help but see that he did want to flock to people and "widen his circle" but there was that constant worry of being held back by others and the risking of innocent lives.
The romance was a bit too instant for me, but I think it unfurled quite tenderly and sweet, despite still not really getting how it happened.
Overall, this was a fantastic story!
I've had this on my tbr for the longest time, so I'm glad to have had an opportunity to read this with the book club and tune into to fellow readers thoughts real time.
I thought Anna Dressed in Blood was equal in atmosphere and horror. The ghost slaying themes were fascinating and uncomfortably eery, but sadly a solitary life.
I liked how focused Cas was as a main character and how serious he took reaping the ghosts of the dead from the land of the living, but it made me sad how much he distanced himself from his peers and how closed off he was from normal high school life/the future. I couldn't help but see that he did want to flock to people and "widen his circle" but there was that constant worry of being held back by others and the risking of innocent lives.
The romance was a bit too instant for me, but I think it unfurled quite tenderly and sweet, despite still not really getting how it happened.
Overall, this was a fantastic story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Grief, Gore, Murder, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
seilahuh's review
3.5
at least, it's a paranormal romance. at most it's a story about two cursed teens, one dead, one alive, afflicted with bloodlust and hellbent on revenge. regardless, i loved it. it's unfortunate these feelings couldn't carry over to the sequel however...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Sexual harassment, Gore, Blood, and Child abuse
pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Abandonment, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Pedophilia, and Violence
meecespieces's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse
displeased_ghoooost's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Beginning was OK middle I almost dnf and ending was ok
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
echosong's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
'Anna Dressed In Blood' is one of my Fave books.
The story follows a Boy named Cas, Birth name - Cassio Thesus Lowood,(he could have been named Thor.) and how he hunts Ghosts. Until he arrives and meets Anna, then everything goes downhill. It's in first person, and in the POV of a Male character.
When you first meet Cas he is in a Car and driving down a road, why? To get a Ghost, named the 'Hitchhiker, who only comes out for expensive and cool Cars. From that alone you get the feeling that Cas, is used to what he does, and is only slightly scared. Of course, it also has to be noted how calmly he acts when the Ghost finally calms down.
After that he goes to the House he and his mother are currently staying in. Where is his Father? Killed by a Ghost with biting tendencies. Seriously, he bites his victims.
The relationship between Cas and his Mom, is slightly awkward but still loving. As Cas did say, that ever since his father had died, it was like she wasn't fully there. She also sells Wicca objects having come from a Wiccan Family.
Now, Cas is a slightly damaged boy, filled with revenge towards the Ghost that killed his father. SpoilerTurns out the Ghost had hidden himself inside the Athame that Cas used, to get more energy. But he's not 'Sasuke Uchiha' worthy, no, he never turns that obsessed. Thankfully.
The following day he get's a letter from 'Daisy' a friend in New Orleans, - a really haunted place, - and Cas's own Contact that he can trust. Apparently, he doesn't have many of those. On the letter, in 'Daisy's' own blood, is a name. 'Anna Dressed in Blood'.
Cas at first lies to 'Daisy', saying he may check it out. But the end of the conversation he's already on the 'let's meet Anna' train.
'Anna Dressed in Blood' is a Girl and daughter from two immigrants. SpoilerTurns out her mother is also a Witch, who then killed and cursed her. Yep, she has some parent issues. Her MO? Ripping and tearing bodies apart and putting them in the basement... Awkward...
So he then goes to the town, joins a School and becomes friends with the 'Queen Bee' of the School. And ends up making her Jock (Ex)Boyfriend jealous. Cas also meets a Telepathic kid, who I also can't remember. The Jock, then decides to strike out when they are at a Party, later on. How does he do this? He hits Cas over the head with some Cardboard in Anna's House. Talk about sending someone to their Death's.
But, don't worry Cas is alright, Anna doesn't kill him. SpoilerShe kills the other two guys instead. And by this moment and the way Cas describes her, you pretty much have the idea that he has a crush on her. Yep. Right after she kills two guys in front of him.
What follows involves: Betrayal, idiotic moves, Ghost with biting tendencies, A dead Cat, SpoilerPoot Tybalt. So funny with Cas's line though.
The story follows a Boy named Cas, Birth name - Cassio Thesus Lowood,(he could have been named Thor.) and how he hunts Ghosts. Until he arrives and meets Anna, then everything goes downhill. It's in first person, and in the POV of a Male character.
When you first meet Cas he is in a Car and driving down a road, why? To get a Ghost, named the 'Hitchhiker, who only comes out for expensive and cool Cars. From that alone you get the feeling that Cas, is used to what he does, and is only slightly scared. Of course, it also has to be noted how calmly he acts when the Ghost finally calms down.
After that he goes to the House he and his mother are currently staying in. Where is his Father? Killed by a Ghost with biting tendencies. Seriously, he bites his victims.
The relationship between Cas and his Mom, is slightly awkward but still loving. As Cas did say, that ever since his father had died, it was like she wasn't fully there. She also sells Wicca objects having come from a Wiccan Family.
Now, Cas is a slightly damaged boy, filled with revenge towards the Ghost that killed his father. SpoilerTurns out the Ghost had hidden himself inside the Athame that Cas used, to get more energy. But he's not 'Sasuke Uchiha' worthy, no, he never turns that obsessed. Thankfully.
The following day he get's a letter from 'Daisy' a friend in New Orleans, - a really haunted place, - and Cas's own Contact that he can trust. Apparently, he doesn't have many of those. On the letter, in 'Daisy's' own blood, is a name. 'Anna Dressed in Blood'.
Cas at first lies to 'Daisy', saying he may check it out. But the end of the conversation he's already on the 'let's meet Anna' train.
'Anna Dressed in Blood' is a Girl and daughter from two immigrants. SpoilerTurns out her mother is also a Witch, who then killed and cursed her. Yep, she has some parent issues. Her MO? Ripping and tearing bodies apart and putting them in the basement... Awkward...
So he then goes to the town, joins a School and becomes friends with the 'Queen Bee' of the School. And ends up making her Jock (Ex)Boyfriend jealous. Cas also meets a Telepathic kid, who I also can't remember. The Jock, then decides to strike out when they are at a Party, later on. How does he do this? He hits Cas over the head with some Cardboard in Anna's House. Talk about sending someone to their Death's.
But, don't worry Cas is alright, Anna doesn't kill him. SpoilerShe kills the other two guys instead. And by this moment and the way Cas describes her, you pretty much have the idea that he has a crush on her. Yep. Right after she kills two guys in front of him.
What follows involves: Betrayal, idiotic moves, Ghost with biting tendencies, A dead Cat, SpoilerPoot Tybalt. So funny with Cas's line though.
You Killed My Cat!
and the normal Teenager life of one Cassio Thesus Lowood.
It's a good book. And I love it.
It's a good book. And I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Toxic friendship, and Bullying
shelbyleigh_'s review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual harassment