Scan barcode
deb_is_reading's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Positives: Depending on how you enjoy them, this mostly felt like a filler episode of Buffy or Supernatural. I did like this little Scooby Gang that has formed between our main characters. I liked their interactions, it felt natural.
Neg: I was waiting for more poignant moments regarding death and grief. I've started journaling and I liked to use quotes in the journal and it took me a while to find something that emotionally resonated with me. I expected more considering how popular and well liked this was when I was first entering the book space online.
Further thoughts: There's voodoo practices in this book, I'm not sure how well it was adapted, as I've never participated in the religion. It seemed to come out of nowhere imo.
Neg: I was waiting for more poignant moments regarding death and grief. I've started journaling and I liked to use quotes in the journal and it took me a while to find something that emotionally resonated with me. I expected more considering how popular and well liked this was when I was first entering the book space online.
Further thoughts: There's voodoo practices in this book, I'm not sure how well it was adapted, as I've never participated in the religion. It seemed to come out of nowhere imo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual assault
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
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
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
More...