Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Age Level: Young Adult
Format: Book

Cas Lowood is not your usual teenage guy...instead of hanging out with friends and attending parties, he spends his nights tracking down murderous ghosts and killing them.  Cas inherited this ability from his father, who was murdered by a ghost he was trying to kill. Armed with his father's athame, Cas and his mom move from place to place taking care of these harmful ghosts. However, their move to Thunder Bay, Ontario, is a bit different. Cas is drawn to Thunder Bay by the legend of Anna Dressed in Blood, a girl brutally murdered in 1958 who haunts her old home and murders anyone who dares enter its doors. For Cas, this sounds like every day work. Except, it's not. Cas soon discovers there's more to Anna then everyone knows, which prompts him to re-evaluate his mission.

Considering how many books I read with female main characters, it was extremely refreshing to read a book starring a male main character written in the first person! Blake's characters are quirky and very likeable. I liked this book for its unique concept - student by day, ghost killer by night - and for the characters. Though I have not seen the TV show "Supernatural," I have heard readers make comparisons between this book and the show. Blake's writing style keeps you reading to find out what happens next.

Readers who do not like violence or gory scenes may have to skip a few paragraphs throughout the book - killing ghosts is not a clean job. Though written for young adults, adults who enjoy ghost stories or the supernatural may enjoy reading this book.

The sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood, Girl of Nightmares, came out in August. I can't wait to read it!

Reviewed by Jessica