I read this when it was first published in 2011 when I was still a teen. I loved it then and I love it even more now! If you're a fan of Supernatural and the ghost-hunting genre, you'll love this one!

I'm so glad that I finally got the chance to read Anna Dressed in Blood. I've been hearing great things about this books for years and all it was clearly well deserved. This book is creepy, sweet, sad, and lovely all at the same time. It's just the kind of complex ghost story that keeps the haunted house subgenre alive and well; as full of humanity as it is bodily dismemberment.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. Check it out! It is worth picking up and taking home for the weekend! #NetGalley

Great book - review posted here: https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-anna-dressed-in-blood-by-kendare-blake/

This book surprised me so much a first and foremost. I love the idea of taking over the role that the main character father did. After the father passed away, it was like a passing of the mantle with killing ghost, and sending them to the afterlife. Anna was going to be a hard task for the main character to figure out where the powers coming from, as well as how to pass her on to the afterlife there was a lot of things that were uncovered towards the end of the book that made sense when it came to the curse of what the main character was going through and how it impacted the family, I think the mother role of supporting the sun I found a bit unusual, but it is fiction and fantasy and I loved how supportive she was when he thought he was just doing the right thing, even though their family was at risk. I love that he took time to really unpack what was going on with dinner rather than going all Lynn, and just trying to kill her and help her pass on the buildup of connection that they had was done so well.

This was Supernatural for a new age. I loved all the characters and the setting and plot. The twists and turns were fabulous and I could not put it down. This needs to be more than just two books, because lord this was just so good.

"Anna Dressed in Blood" by Kendare Blake is a haunting and riveting paranormal romance that expertly blends elements of horror and suspense with a touch of unexpected tenderness. The novel introduces readers to a world where the supernatural and the human realm intersect, delivering a unique and captivating reading experience that lingers long after the last page.

The protagonist, Cas Lowood, is a complex and intriguing character who inherited his father's macabre profession of killing vengeful spirits. Armed with his father's enchanted athame, Cas and his unconventional team, including his spirit-sensitive mother and a perceptive cat, roam the country seeking out malevolent ghosts to eliminate. Cas's narrative voice is engaging, and his journey to confront the ghostly and often gruesome challenges he faces keeps readers hooked.

The heart of the story lies in the encounter between Cas and Anna, a ghost with a tragic and brutal past. The description of Anna, still wearing the bloodstained dress from her murder, creates a chilling visual contrast. The intricate development of Anna's character is a highlight of the novel, as the layers of her story and her motivations are unveiled piece by piece. The unexpected dynamic between Cas and Anna—neither wholly enemies nor allies—adds depth to the story and keeps the readers guessing about their fates.

Kendare Blake's writing style is atmospheric and evocative, immersing readers in a world of both supernatural horror and human emotion. The pacing is well-balanced, gradually building tension as the mysteries surrounding Anna and her haunting are unraveled. The vivid descriptions of the eerie settings and chilling encounters with other ghosts contribute to the overall spine-tingling atmosphere.

The addition of a bonus novella in this edition further enriches the reading experience, providing fans with more insight into Cas's world and the events that follow the main story.

In conclusion, "Anna Dressed in Blood" is a captivating and beautifully written paranormal romance that masterfully blends the supernatural with the emotional. Kendare Blake's ability to create a memorable protagonist, intricate ghostly lore, and an intense relationship between the living and the dead sets this novel apart. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy a perfect blend of horror, romance, and mystery within a well-crafted and immersive narrative.

The beginning of this was intriguing, but I didn't love the MC's point of view and the way his mom was so totally uninvolved was very 2000's YA. I was going to give it three stars because I liked some parts, but then I skimmed the end and ALSO (spoiler/TW) the cat died for no reason, so two stars.

A classic YA horror novel! I'm so glad it's being rereleased for today's teens - it definitely deserves the attention.

This book was not for me. I usually love ghost stories but this one just missed the mark for me. I am a huge fan of YA horror, but this book was just too something for me. I’m not even quite sure I can put my finger on what exactly I didn’t like, because overall I just didn’t like it. I really didn’t enjoy Cas as a character, he seemed like an arrogant jerk. I really did like Anna and felt for her. I wish we would have learned more of Cas’s backstory and why his knife was so special. Just a few plot holes I wish we could have spent some time on. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the romance, it felt almost forced and then just awkward – it didn’t work for me.

Overall, this book just ended up lacking in too many ways for me to truly enjoy it.

Thank you so much to the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Ghost hunter Cas Lowood intends to dispatch Anna Dressed in Blood with his athame, but is bewitched by her instead - and soon needs her help.

Anna was murdered in 1958 at age sixteen, and the case was never solved. As Cas seeks her, bad things happen, very bad indeed. Cas becomes obsessed with Anna's back story.

The tale hits a crescendo in a final confrontation, with Cas's life on the line. Highly recommended!

I requested a digital copy in order to sample the prose on my phone (since I don't have a eReader) before requesting a physical copy for review. My review will be based on the physical ARC I read (if I qualify)