Born Wicked Book Review

Author: Jessica Spotswood. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Putnam Juvenile. ISBN: 9780399257452.

Annotation: After her mother’s death, sixteen-year-old Cate Cahill must protect herself and her two sisters from the prying eyes of the Brotherhood, the organization that reigns over the country of New England and would throw them in jail or worse if they found out the truth: the Cahill sisters are witches.  

Personal thoughts: This was one of those novels that really made me think. I was trying to figure out the whole time whether it was something along the lines of the movie The Village, where all the townspeople think they’re living in the 19^th century but it’s actually the present-day. This was very intriguing to me and almost outplayed the rest of the story. Cate’s struggle to find out the truth about her mother and the Cahill sisters’ powers as witches is interesting, but in picking up the sequel I will be wondering primarily about the nature of the world they live in. I would easily recommend this book to readers who want something dystopian but with a twist. Definitely one to look out for!

Plot summary: Sixteen-year-old Cate Cahill lives in the town of Chatham in the country of New England. Ruled over by the Brotherhood, society in New England is very rigid, women growing up with the expectation that their highest aspiration in life is to be obedient to their husbands and raise healthy children. Cate and her two younger sisters, Maura and Tess, are still struggling to cope with the death of their mother three years earlier. Not only did the loss of their mother leave them without someone to guide them into entering society as proper women, but it meant that no one could instruct them into hiding their most dangerous secret: all three Cahill sisters are witches. The Brotherhood regularly arrests young girls upon suspicion of witchcraft, sending them to asylums, work ships, or worse. Cate wants nothing more than to keep herself and her sisters safe from the prying eyes of the Brotherhood. After a mysterious letter arrives at the Cahill house, however, one that warns of imminent danger to the Cahill sisters, Cate is determined to find out the truth about her mother and their family secret.  

Review: Set in an alternate version of history where North America is divided between Indo-China in the west, Mexico in the south and New England in the east, this debut novel from author Jessica Spotswood marks to beginning of a new series for young adults that combines both fantasy and dystopia seamlessly. It’s unclear what exactly the circumstances are that have lead to the Brotherhood reigning in an iron-fisted theocracy over the “country” of New England. The reader is left wondering if the novel really takes place in the 19^th century as it claims, or is actually in the distant future following some terrible post-apocalyptic event. This makes for a very intriguing thread that runs throughout the story: what exactly is the truth? As Cate, both independent and strong-willed, struggles to learn more about her past and what danger the future might hold, the reader begins to discover more about the world Cate is living in. The theme of the Brotherhood fixating on punishing girls, witches or those who display attraction to the same sex in particular, permeates the novel as well, making for some interesting points to think about while reading. Overall, a multi-faceted and thought-provoking start to what appears to be a creative and original series for teens. The second novel, Star Cursed, is set to be released on June 18, 2013.  

Genre:  Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, Eve by Anna Carey and What Happened to Serenity? by PJ Sarah Collins.

Themes:  Witches, witchcraft, sisters, dystopian, duty, secrets, loyalty, romance.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Booklist.

Series Information: First novel in The Cahill Witch Chronicles. Second novel, Star Cursed, set to be released June 18, 2013.

Discussion questions:

-         Do you think Cate took her duty to protect her sisters too seriously? Why or why not?

-         Why do you think the Brotherhood arrested girls for witchcraft, even if they weren’t witches? Does this compare to historical periods you may have learned about (i.e the Salem Witch Trials, etc.)?

-        Why do you think Cate was so reluctant to use her magic and her sisters were more eager to?

-       Do you think Cate loves both Finn and Paul? Why or why not?

-        Do you think Elena was manipulating Maura?

-       Do you think Cate made the right choice in the end of the novel? What do you think will happen to her in the sequel?

 

 

 

Girl of Nightmares Book Review

Author: Kendare Blake. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Tor Teen. ISBN: 9780765328663.

Annotation: After Anna sacrificed herself to save him and his friends, everyone in Cas’ life seems to think it’s best that he just forget the girl who used to be the vicious ghost known as Anna Dressed in Blood. Cas is convinced, however, that Anna is trapped in Hell, and once he begins having nightmarish visions of Anna being tortured, he knows that he must join her to set her free.   

Personal thoughts: Anna Dressed in Blood was one of my favorite books of 2011 and something I like to recommend to teens who are interested in a good, scary story. I was eagerly anticipating the release of Girl of Nightmares, but was also a little nervous because I have read a few sequels this year that didn’t impress me. Thankfully, Kendare Blake delivered and managed to create a story that, while different from the first, was just as enjoyable! I was very intrigued by Anna’s disappearance, Cas’ uber-creepy visions of her in various stages of torture, and the history and secrets behind Cas’ weapon, the athame. I also was really happy with the the relationship between Cas, Thomas and Carmel, and like that the author doesn’t skim over the support characters but takes the time to let the reader get to know them as well. I haven’t seen anything as far as an announcement about a third Anna novel, but I hope that Kendare Blake decides to keep the story going!

Plot summary: Six months have passed since Anna sacrificed herself to save Cas and his friends, Thomas and Carmel, from the Obeahman: the evil ghost who killed Cas’ father and nearly ended his life as well. Cas doesn’t know where Anna went; where does a ghost go when it dies? Everyone in his life seems to think that he needs to forget Anna. Cas is convinced, however, that Anna is trapped in Hell. When he begins having nightmarish visions of Anna being tortured, he knows in his heart that his suspicions were correct. Determined to find a way to bring Anna back, Cas begins to investigate the origins of his athame: the knife that he, his father before him, and so on have used for centuries to kill vengeful spirits. Unsure of how a living person can cross into Hell without first dying, Cas soon learns that the answers he’s seeking might lie in the very tool he uses to send ghosts on to the afterlife. But how far is Cas willing to go to save the girl who saved his life and with whom he has fallen in love?

Review: Kendare Blake continues her sharp and scary series with Girl of Nightmares, the sequel to the 2011 best-selling novel, Anna Dressed in Blood. Oftentimes, books that achieve a lot of success lose steam in the stories that follow. Fortunately, Blake manages to maintain the creepy vibe of her first novel in the sequel, delivering a story that is just as gruesome, scary, and exciting as its predecessor. One of the most interesting parts of both Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares is acid-tongued but courageous Cas and his best friends, Thomas and Carmel. The trio’s relationship was well-established in the first novel, and their dynamic is the majority of the reason why the second book is as enjoyable as it is. The reader feels like they know the characters, they care about their fates and wonder how they are going to survive going through, literally, hell and back. Anna is only a very minor character in this novel, mostly appearing in Cas’ horrifying visions of death and torture. Blake certainly has an eye for creating scenes of horror, and non-squeamish readers will get a good squirm from all of the scenes of terror. As with the first novel, teachers, parents and librarians should be aware that this book is definitely for an older teen audience. There is quite a bit of swearing and a great deal of gore. For readers who are mature enough to venture into Hell with Cas, however, this series is quite a ride.

Genre:  Horror

Reading level: Grade 10+

Similar titles: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Hereafter series by Tara Hudson, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Everneath by Brodi Ashton, Falling Under series by Gwen Hayes, Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire, Soul Screamer series by Rachel Vincent, On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker, Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach.

Themes:  Ghosts, death, Hell, Wicca, occult, ghost hunters, witches, friendship, loyalty, revenge, England.  

Awards/Reviews:  Starred review from Kirkus, sequel to positively reviewed novel.   

Series Information: Sequel to novel, Anna Dressed in Blood. Third novel not yet announced.    

Discussion questions:

-       Which novel did you like better: Anna Dressed in Blood or Girl of Nightmares? Why?

-       How do you think Cas changed between the two novels? Thomas? Carmel?

-       What do you think was the source of Cas’ visions of Anna? How did those visions impact the story?

-      Do you think that Jestine was a friend or enemy of Cas? Why?

-      How do you explain the ending of the novel?

-      Would you like to read a third Anna novel? If so, what would you like to see happen to the characters?

 

 

 

Dreaming Awake Book Review

Author: Gwen Hayes. Release date: 2012. Publisher: NAL Trade. ISBN: 9780451235541.

Annotation: After Theia Alderson made a deal with demon queen Mara in Under, she returns to the world of the living, half-human, half-demon like her boyfriend, Mara’s son, Haden. Unsure about her new powers, Theia struggles to get back to her normal life of high school and hanging out with her friends, Donny and Amelia. When students at her school begin to mysteriously fall ill, however, Theia worries that she brought something sinister back with her on her return from Under.

Personal thoughts: Falling Under was easily one of my favorite novels of 2011, so I was really excited to finally pick up the sequel. Although some of the elements of the first book that I loved so much were still there (Theia’s journeys to Under in her dreams, Haden’s charm, etc.), I wasn’t nearly as into the story as I was in Falling Under. There was too much fluff in the first half of the novel, leaving the action that occurred at the end feeling rushed and unsatisfying. I also felt that the author opened many doors in Dreaming Awake, but didn’t ever close them. I hope that she does write a third novel that can return the story to the level of originality and intrigue that was the first book. If she doesn’t then I think a series that had loads of potential would be squandered.

Plot summary: After Theia Alderson made a deal with demon queen Mara to protect Haden, Mara’s son and Theia’s boyfriend, she thought she would be stuck living in the beautiful but deadly world of Under for eternity. Thanks to her friends Donny, Amelia and Varnie, however, a summoning spell returns Theia to the world of the living. Reunited with Haden and her father, who thinks she ran away, Theia must now return to her normal high school routine while coping with the fact that she is now half-human, half-demon like Haden. Strange things start occurring in the weeks following Theia’s return from Under, however. Students at her high school begin to fall ill, she is plagued by dreams of a darkly beautiful garden next to a black, slow-moving river, and she can’t seem to shake the feeling that Mara is trying everything in her power to return her and Haden to Under. Will Theia have to choose between saving her friends and family or leaving them forever to spend an eternity as Mara’s servant in a land of skeletons, blood and nightmares?

Review: Following up her creative and riveting novel, Falling Under, Gwen Hayes continues her paranormal romance series for young adults with Dreaming Awake. The story picks up right where the first book left off, with Theia returning from several months in Under to a life on the surface that is different from the one she left behind. The same cast of characters are back: Theia’s wise-cracking but caring friends, Donny and Amelia, sweet, cross-dressing medium, Varnie, and Theia’s darkly handsome boyfriend (and reason for the events of the first novel to have taken place), Haden. What hasn’t returned for the sequel, however, is the captivating story that was Falling Under. Theia spends the majority of the sequel soul-searching (both figuratively and literally), trying to determine the nature of her new “demon blood” and wondering if she and Haden’s relationship will really work out. The mystery surrounding Haden himself is gone, replaced instead by a somewhat controlling, jealous boyfriend who can’t imagine why Theia has doubts about their amour. Mara, Haden’s demon mother, is arguably the most interesting part of the book. Icily beautiful and completely evil, she wants nothing more than to seek revenge on Theia for betraying her and leaving Under. The book ends with everything resolved more or less, but still open for another novel, which the author says may or may not be published. Fans of the wonderful Falling Under will likely want to read this novel, but not many will enjoy it with as much fervor as its predecessor.

Genre:  Fiction/Romance

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes, The Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent, Misfit by Jon Skovron, Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey, The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff, Everneath by Brodi Ashton.  

Themes:  Demons, Hell, love, romance, trust, revenge, friendship, spells, magic, witches.

Awards/Reviews:  Sequel to positively reviewed novel, Falling Under (2011).

Series Information: Second installment in Falling Under series. First novel, Falling Under, released in 2011. Third novel in series may or may not be written.   

Discussion questions:

-     Which novel did you like better: Falling Under or Dreaming Awake? Why?

-       How do you think the characters in the novel changed between each book?

-      How did Theia and Haden’s relationship change between the two novels?

-       Why do you think Mara is so intent on seeking revenge against Theia?

-     How do you explain what happened in the series of chapters called “Up Is Still Down?” Did you like the author’s use of a shift between narrators?

-      If a third book is written in this series, what would you like to see happen? Do you think a third book is necessary to make the story feel complete? Why or why not?

 

 

 

The Magdalena Curse Book Review

Author: F.G. Cottam. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN: 9780312643256.

Annotation: A covert military operation in the Bolivian rainforest lead to former Colonel Mark Hunter encountering a beautiful but evil sorceress who cursed his offspring to commune with the dead.  Now, fifteen years later, his ten-year-old son, Adam, is possessed with the spirits of the departed, and Hunter must discover a way to end the curse and save his son’s life.

Personal thoughts: I really enjoy F.G. Cottam’s novels, and The Magdalena Curse was no different. His writing style and ability to create suspense and mystery is excellent. I was really intrigued by each of the characters in the book, and found it really difficult to put down, wanting to learn their fates. I always like Cottam’s inclusion of historical or cultural references and how they tie into the story so well. I can’t wait to read his next novel once it is published in the United States. F.G. Cottam definitely ranks high among authors I would recommend to older teens or adults who want an entertaining and spooky read!   

Plot summary: Fifteen years earlier, Colonel Mark Hunter was a newlywed sent on a covert mission from his London home to the rainforests of Bolivia. Expecting to uncover and destroy a drug trafficking facility, what he and his comrades actually discovered in the jungle was something far more sinister. An evil sorceress protected by an army of undead soldiers murdered his fellow soldiers, and cursed Hunter, promising that his offspring would commune with the dead. Now, Mark is retired and living in Scotland with his ten-year-old son Adam, his wife and daughter recently killed in an accident. Adam is an exceptionally bright child, but has recently become afflicted with terrifying nightmares. Although he knows in his heart that his son his possessed as a result of the curse, Mark calls upon local doctor, Elizabeth Bancroft, to try to determine if there is a medical cause of Adam’s illness. Elizabeth is no stranger to the idea of curses, having come from a family long associated with witchcraft. Elizabeth herself doesn’t believe in magic, but the more she learns about Adam, the more she is convinced that there is something truly evil at work. Determined to save his son, Mark searches for a way to end the curse. In trying to find a cure, however, Mark begins to uncover the truth about what is afflicting Adam, and how his presence in Bolivia fifteen years earlier was no accident at all.

Review: Always creating an intriguing mixture of historical fact and fiction, veteran author F.G. Cottam offers up yet another nail-biting novel in the same vein as his previous two works, The House of Lost Souls and Dark Echo. Cottam’s novels usually contain more than a little macabre details, and The Magdalena Curse is no different. Although somewhat toned down from his other two works, some of the grisly details make this novel appropriate only for the older teen and adult audience. For readers who want something spooky and suspenseful, however, this, like Cottam’s other novels, is an excellent choice. The details of what exactly is transpiring in The Magdalena Curse take awhile to unravel. Is Adam possessed? If he is, who or what is possessing him? How can the entity be stopped? These are all questions that the reader journeys through, all with an edge-of-the-seat quality that makes the novel difficult to put down. Cottam’s mixture of historic references makes the story even more intriguing, especially in generating interest in learning more about various locations, poets and songs. Overall, The Magdalena Curse is a scary and entertaining novel that fans of suspense are sure to enjoy.  

Genre: Fiction/Horror

Reading level: Grade 10+

Similar titles: The House of Lost Souls and Dark Echo by F.G. Cottam.

Themes:  Possession, witches, curses, the occult, wolves.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from The Times, Saga and Good Book Guide.  

Series Information: N/A   

Discussion questions:

-     What do you think Miss Hall and Mrs. Mallory were doing in Bolivia?

-     How do you think Lillian Hunter and Elizabeth Bancroft were connected?

-     Why do you think Mrs. Mallory was fixated on Adam?

-     What do you think Elizabeth accomplished at the end of the novel?

The Near Witch Book Review

Author: Victoria Schwab. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Hyperion Book CH. ISBN: 9781423137876.

Annotation: After a mysterious stranger shows up in the small village of Near, children begin disappearing from their beds at night. Lexi is convinced that the disappearances have nothing to do with the stranger, a kind but distant boy named Cole, and are instead the work of the Near Witch who was brutally murdered by the townspeople hundreds of years earlier.

Personal thoughts:  I love historical fiction, ghost stories and fairy tales and The Near Witch seemed to be the perfect combination of the three! Victoria Schwab is a very talented author and her writing style really helped to transport the reader to the village of Near. I liked the relationship between Lexi and her sister Wren and her determination to protect and care for her sister. I also liked the slow but sweet romance between Lexi and Cole. While I don’t think the novel will appeal to readers who want something full of action or adventure, I definitely would recommend The Near Witch to anyone who enjoys quiet but intriguing mysteries.    

Plot summary: Like all the residents of the small village of Near, Lexi knows the legend of the Near Witch well: hundreds of years ago, a kind witch lived in Near and loved the children of the village. She could speak to the moor and control the winds and the rain and protected the village until the day she died. Most of Near thinks the story is an old wives tale, but Lexi, like her late-father, respects the story and the harsh but plentiful landscape of the moor that surrounds the village. One night, however, a mysterious stranger appears in the village. Curious about the handsome but haunted boy with dark eyes and pale skin, Lexi wants to learn more about how the stranger, whom she calls Cole, came to be in Near. Unfortunately, Cole’s arrival in the village occurs on the same night as the first of many children begin to go missing from Near. Lured from their beds by the wind, the townspeople are convinced that Cole is responsible for the disappearances. Lexi, however, knows that it is the work of the Near Witch who, despite what the legend says, was actually brutally murdered by the people of Near hundreds of years earlier. Desperate to protect her younger sister, Wren, and prove the innocence of Cole, Lexi must use the skills her father taught her to save the village from the wrath of the Near Witch.

Review:  Quiet but haunting, this debut novel from author Victoria Schwab paints a magical and unique fairy tale ghost story that thoughtful readers are sure to enjoy. Almost as important as the characters in the novel is the setting. The village of Near and the surrounding moor, a foggy grassland full of hills and valleys, play a major role in the story. Schwab does an excellent job of establishing the atmosphere of The Near Witch, describing in detail Lexi’s love and respect for her village and the moor and the importance of legend in Near. Although the time period is never stated in the novel, it is clear that the story takes place at some point in the past, likely the 19^th century, when tales of witches and enchantments would still hold a great deal of meaning for people living in an isolated village. The disappearances of the children, the arrival of the mysterious strange, Cole, and the resurgence of the Near Witch all fit perfectly into the world that the author has so effectively crafted, creating an intriguing story that can be enjoyed by tweens, teens and adults alike.  

Genre: Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: Sweetly and Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce.      

Themes:  Witches, kidnapping, legends, moor, historical fiction.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from best-selling authors Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl, Carrie Ryan, Kendare Blake and Michelle Hodkin.

Series Information: N/A     

Discussion questions: 

- Research more about moors and moorland. What is it? Where are these habitats located? How do you think the landscape helped tell the story?

- How did Lexi use the skills she learned from her father in the novel? Which do you think were the most helpful?

-   Do you think the village trusted the Thorne sisters? Why or why not? How did that change during the story?

- What did it mean for the Near Witch to be “of the moor”?  

Snow in Summer: Fairest of Them All Book Review

 Author: Jane Yolen. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Philomel. ISBN: 9780399256639.

Annotation:  Snow-in-Summer Morton was seven when she lost her mother, and her father has been inconsolable ever since. After years of grieving, Summer’s father meets and quickly weds a mysterious woman who Summer can only call “Stepmama.” At first, Summer is hopeful that she will finally be able to have a normal family like in the fairy tales, but soon realizes that what she has gotten instead is a wicked Stepmother.

Personal thoughts:  I picked this novel up by chance after seeing that Jane Yolen was the author (I am very familiar with her books for younger children.) I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this quiet but intriguing version of Snow White! One of my favorite parts of the novel was the setting. It is clear that Yolen has a passion for the area, it being the home of her husband’s family, and I thought that all of the local names for plants, customs of the people of Addison, and the time period were very charming. I would highly recommend this novel to tweens, teens, or adults. It is short but excellent!   

Plot summary: Snow-in-Summer Morton’s life changed forever at age seven when her mother died in childbirth, leaving her alone and her father, Lemuel, with a broken heart. Cousin Nancy, the widow of Summer’s father’s favorite cousin who was recently killed in World War II, helps to care for Summer after her father slips into a deep, dark grief unable to cope with the death of his beloved wife.  One day, four years later, now eleven-year old Summer is shocked when Lemuel returns with a mysterious but beautiful woman. Cousin Nancy and the rest of the townsfolk in Addison, West Virginia fear that Lemuel has become bewitched by the enchanting woman. When Lemuel quickly marries her, Summer hopes that she, her father and her new Stepmama will be able to form the family she’s longed for. As the years pass, however, Summer begins to realize that Stepmama is far from loving. Stepmama seems to have Lemuel in some kind of spell causing him to become withdrawn and unaware. In the meantime, Summer is subjected to abuse and eerie behavior at the hands of the woman, while Cousin Nancy can only look on in worry about her goddaughter. One day, Summer happens into Stepmama’s room where she encounters a strange mirror that seems to speak to her. The mirror warns of danger, danger that threatens to end in Summer’s death. Will Summer ever be able to escape the clutches of the woman that has appears to have bewitched the entire town and save her father’s life?

Review:  From award-winning author Jane Yolen comes this enchanting re-telling of the classic Snow White story set in 1940s Appalachia. The author is clearly a masterful storyteller as Snow in Summer flows easily and quickly from start to finish. Although it is relatively short, the characters are well-thought out and effective in allowing the reader to venture into the world of Addison, West Virginia. Yolen’s enthusiasm for the town, which she states in the beginning was the birthplace of her late husband’s family, is evident throughout the book. The rolling mountains, lush greens, and simple way of life all play an important role in setting the tone of the novel. Although Summer’s story is based on a very well-known tale, Yolen’s interpretations make for a fresh take on the classic. Summer’s creepy Stepmama as well as her kindly Cousin Nancy help narrate the plot, allowing the reader to see exactly what is going on inside the mind of the “wicked stepmother.” Overall, an excellent novel for tweens, teens or anyone who is a fan of Snow White or the American south.

Genre: Fairy Tale/Historical Fiction

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: Sweetly and Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Entwined by Heather Dixon.   

Themes:  Snow White, fairy tales, West Virginia, 1940s, death, grief, stepmothers, magic, witches.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions: 

- How does Snow in Summer compare with the classic fairy tale Snow White written by the Brothers Grimm? How about the Disney movie version?

- Why was Lemuel unable to sing to the plants after his wife’s death? Do you think people change after someone they love dies? Why or why not?

- What do you think Stepmama was referring to when she said “the Craft”?

-  How did Summer’s knowledge of plants help her in the novel?

- Were you happy with the ending of the novel? Why or why not?

Anna Dressed in Blood Book Review

Author: Kendare Blake. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Tor Teen. ISBN: 9780765328656.

Annotation:  Seventeen-year-old Theseus Cassio “Cas” Lowood has an unusual life: he hunts murderous ghosts and sends them to their permanent graves. But nothing can prepare him for his next target: the ghost of Anna Korlov, a beautiful sixteen-year-old who was murdered fifty years earlier.

Personal thoughts:  I love a good ghost story, so I was really looking forward to reading this novel. I was not disappointed! Although it took a few chapters for me to get used to Blake’s writing style, I really enjoyed Cas’ narrative and thought it did a lot to help tone down some of the absolutely horrifying scenes in the novel. I got a little grossed out at times with all the dismemberment, dead bodies, etc. but I think that this novel would be really enjoyable for older teens who want something scary and creepy with a bit of romance thrown in. I’m looking forward to the sequel.

Plot summary: Seventeen-year-old Theseus Cassio “Cas” Lowood spends his life on the move. Following in his father’s footsteps, he hunts murderous ghosts and sends them to their permanent graves with the knife he inherited after his father was killed in the line of duty. Hoping to somehow avenge his father’s brutal murder, Cas, his mother, a white witch, and their cat travel the country dispatching the not-so-restful dead. Nothing can prepare Cas for what he encounters upon arriving in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After receiving a tip about a spirit called “Anna Dressed in Blood,” Cas feels a strange pull to the case that he isn’t used to. It seems that the ghost of sixteen-year-old Anna Korlov has been haunting her old Victorian mansion since she was murdered in 1958. To say that Anna has simply been rattling chains and slamming doors shut would be the understatement of the century: she has killed over 25 people since her death, ripping limb from limb anyone who dares enter her house. In an effort to learn more about Anna, Cas befriends Carmel, the “queen bee” at his new high school, and Thomas, a nerdy telepath who comes from a long line of witches himself. When Cas is lured to Anna’s mansion by Carmel’s jealous ex-boyfriend, he makes his first encounter with Anna: a beautiful but frightening ghost with jet-black eyes, wearing a dress dripping with her blood. For reasons unknown, however, Anna spares Cas’ life, and he is left wondering whether he should, or can, kill her like the rest of the ghosts he has hunted.

Review:  Told in a bitingly sarcastic tone with blood-red type, Anna Dressed in Blood is not your typical boy-meets-girl love story. Almost from the beginning, it is clear that Blake’s writing-style is unique. Cas is the narrator of the story, and the character’s jaunty wit permeates what would be an otherwise horrifying plot. Cas is a very likeable protagonist, and his job as a ghost hunter makes for an interesting twist in his dealings with Anna. Oftentimes in ghost stories written for young adults, the characters seem to haphazardly stumble upon their spectres. Cas, however, seeks Anna out, despite tales of her dismembering the townsfolk for fifty years. The result is a fun and fresh approach on horror that makes for a very exciting read. With that said, parents, teachers and librarians should be warned. Although it is a very good story with a lot of the typical young adult cast of characters (i.e. the outsider, the queen bee, the nerdy sidekick, the overprotective mom, etc.), Anna Dressed in Blood is a novel for older teens. The book is chock full of cussing, gore, violence and horror that would likely land it on the no-fly list for parents of anyone under fifteen. For older teens, however, it is a well-written, enjoyable, and genuinely creepy ghost story that is sure to leave readers clambering for the sequel, Girl of Nightmares, set to be released in 2012.

Genre: Horror

Reading level: Grade 10+

Similar titles: Hereafter by Tara Hudson.

Themes:  Ghosts, Wicca, occult, murder, ghost hunters, witches, friendship, death.   

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Kirkus and Booklist.

Series Information: First installment in Anna series.  

Discussion questions:

- Did you learn any new words from Wicca or VooDoo lore after reading this novel?
- Where do you think the spirits that Cas killed were sent?
- What was the scariest part of the novel in your opinion?
- Why do you think Anna was murdered?
- What would you like to see happen in the next installment?