Title: Anna Dressed in Blood
Author: Kendare Blake
Publisher: Tor
Publish Date: August 30, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 316
Source: Publisher

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

Cassius Theseus Lowood is as unusual as his name implies. The only son of a white witch and a ghost hunter, Cas inherited his strange trade at the tender age of fourteen when his father was brutally murdered by the ghost he was hunting. Now, while other kids his age are thinking about college, Cas is armed with an atheme and preparing to meet the most dangerous ghost he may ever meet. Her name is Anna, and the white dress she was murdered in over fifty years ago is stained with her own blood. Cas has been planning it for a long time, but the time has come. Daring to enter Anna's domain is one thing. Expecting to come out alive is another. But Cas and Anna have a lot more than blood and vengeance in common though.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of horror (even if I do have to watch the aforementioned horror movies with my ears plugged so I'm not as terrified.) Truthfully though, books that are dark, or slightly unhinged, or perhaps just tinged with the macabre are books that I seek and don't often find. Anna Dressed in Blood, however, wholeheartedly fit all my criteria. Author Kendare Blake has written an inspired debut that is bone-chillingly gruesome and graphic, all the while spellbinding you with rich, vivid and breathtaking prose that mesmerizes you and keeps you transfixed. With an intense and action-packed plot and a story that very well leaps from the pages, Anna Dressed in Blood is sure to captivate even the most reluctant horror fan.

Anna Dressed in Blood was a bit of a mystery from the start. Cas's fate was sealed when his father died. He knew he wanted to avenge his father's death, and he wanted to carry on his father's legacy by dispatching the angry dead who haunt their former haunts. His life is a maze of complexities though. He's balancing an attempt at teenage normalcy as instructed by his mother, all the while attempted to banish the most gruesome ghost he's ever encountered. His anger is acrid, and his fear is tangible, but so is his heart. Then there's Anna. Anna, was a million things at once, making her a character that I loved and feared throughout Anna Dressed in Blood. The visual of Anna in her bloodstained dress is gory, as his her daunting reputation, but the beauty of her character is that she was equal parts a murderer and a victim. She's a vicious killing machine, but there are shreds of the little girl she once was underneath her morbid facade. The relationship between Anna and Cas in Anna Dressed in Blood is going down as one of the most memorable I've read in a very long time. The combination of Cas's wit and sarcasm met head-to-head with Anna's vengeful, yet captivating demeanor was a web that slowly unravels, but keeps you guessing until the very end. Above all else though, Anna Dressed in Blood is a perfect blend of shock value and utter entertainment, offering both the best of horror and the best of character-driven plots.

Anna Dressed in Blood is one of those rare books with near-perfect execution. Flawlessly engaging and original, it's sure to be on my list of re-reads for a very long time. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy paranormal stories and ghost stories. Fans of the television show, Supernatural, are sure to love this book.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Today I am SO excited to feature an amazing interview with the cover designer and the artist of Anna Dressed In Blood. The lovely ladies behind Kismet Book Touring have put together another incredible tour and coordinated with the too-awesome-for-words, Kendare Blake, to offer a fabulous giveaway for all of you, too! Be sure to read through the interview and find out how you can win the amazing prize! Also, my review for Anna Dressed In Blood will be up tomorrow with yet another giveaway for you guys because it is a must-read!

An Interview with Seth Lerner - Cover Designer

1. Can you give us some background on what your process is in designing a cover? Do you read a book first or do you work from notes and if so who makes the notes for you?

In most cases I work from the notes the editor puts together. In this case, a new series, and a new author, I felt I needed to read it. I also looked at the comparison titles the editor sent to get a feel for what it should look like. In the end I had a lot of help in putting it together. The editor’s ideas and take on what the cover should be really made the difference. As for the artist, I’ve known of Nekro’s work for a few years. I really didn’t have a project that spoke to what he was doing, until Anna came along. He really made it the success it is. My part was easy after that, don’t obstruct the really cool art with too much type, let it speak for itself. We haven’t posted it yet, but I can say the second cover in the series is just as wonderful as Anna is, and Anna is one of my favorites this year.

2. Do some books speak to you more than others or you have a favorite genre of books to design for?

Lately, I have really enjoyed working for the YA and Teen market. I don’t read a lot of it, but the books we’ve been doing are a lot of fun to design for. The market has changed over the years, and the consumer is really aware of bad design. I hope we’re putting out product that makes them take notice. I love to work with such talented artists and designers. It also doesn’t hurt that our editors are receptive to trying out new artists and ideas.

3. If you could design a cover for any book, published or unpublished, what would it be and why?

That’s an easy question to answer, the next big thing, whatever it may be. Why? Because if I’m successful, then I’ve helped launch it. It’s nice to be a part of something. I know it’s cliché, but it’s still true.

An Interview with Nekro - Cover Artist

1. Did you create the picture that was used for the cover of Anna Dressed In Blood specifically for that book or was it done before you'd even heard of that book?

Yes, it was made for the book.

2. If you created the artwork specifically for the book, do you do that often and what is your favorite part of working on a commission like that? 

Yes, usually, I receive a briefing with all the details to make the illustration. Although they use to be a very detailed commissions, my preferred part is the personal touch I can add to the image

3. Do you primarily do artwork for books or is that more of a side project for you?

At present, I mainly work making book covers but I also work in personal projects.

4. Who is your favorite artist and why?

I can’t say only one artist, I admire and look for inspiration in a lot of artists, like: HR Giger, Kris Kuksi, Brom, J.S. Rossbach, Aleksi Briclot or Jason Chan, among others. I specially admire their style and originality. 

Kismet Book Touring has put together an incredible giveaway for you guys, giving you the chance to win a Kindle 3 with the skin featured above, as well as the book pre-loaded on the device! Be sure to check out all the features at each of the tour dates listed below for your chance to win...Here's how the contest works:

Contest Info: Who is about to take on Anna next? Last week we met the ghost hunters and this week they reply!

Each day this week, each of the ghost fighters introduced last week will reply to Anna's challenge. Follow the tour for the next two weeks to find out who accepts the challenge, who does not and, ultimately, who among the five is the one who will enter Anna's house on the last day of the tour! A list of all the tour dates, including last week's dates where the ghost hunters were introduced, click here.

On the last day of the tour, a link will be provided where you can enter the ghost hunter's name for 15 entries into the contest to win a Anna Dressed In Blood skinned and loaded Kindle 3! Open US/Canada.

My Ghost Hunter - (Click to enlarge):

For an extra points in the meantime, you can gain +1 point a day by tweeting the following:

Who will make it to Thunder Bay? Join the contest to best Anna and win an Anna Dressed In Blood Kindle! Follow #ADIBtour @KendareBlake

Monday, September 12th - Rachel, Parajunkee
Tuesday, September 13th - Stacey, A Reader's Record
Wednesday, September 14th - Alyssa, Teens Read and Write
Thursday, September 15th - Heather, Buried In Books
Friday, September 16th - Jenny, Supernatural Snark


Monday, September 19th - Melissa, I Swim For Oceans
Tuesday, September 20th - Tawni, The Book Worms
Wednesday, September 21st - Alice, Alice Marvels
Thursday, September 22nd - Julie, That's Swell
Friday, September 23rd - Angela, The Reading Angel


Monday, September 26th - Julia, Rex Robot Reviews
Tuesday, September 27th - Ashley, Smash Attack Reads!
Wednesday, September 28th - Britta, I Like These Books
Thursday, September 29th - We Fancy Books
Friday, September 30th (Anna's 1 month birthday!) - Kristi, The Story Siren


Tuesday, October 4th: Announcement of the big prize winner on Kendare's Site!

Find Kendare on:

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In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW:

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - (ARC) Thank you, EgmontUSA

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - Thank you, TOR and KBT

The Iron Quill by Shelena Shorts - Thank you, Shelena

The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison - (ARC) Thank you, EgmontUSA

And By the Way by Denise Deegan - (ARC) Thank you, Hachette Books Ireland

And For Your Information by Denise Deegan- (ARC) Thank you, Hachette Books Ireland

-------------------------------------

Remember, to enter in the two giveaways I'm running!

For a signed copy of Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar, click HERE...For an ARC of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, click HERE!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books That Are On The Top Of My TBR List For Fall:

1. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - As one who has a penchant for all things creepy and macabre, allow me to tell you how very stoked I am to be reading this one VERY soon.

2. The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson - Usually, series are the death of a great first book for me (that didn't make sense, but you know what I mean). This one, however, I am just DYING to start.

3. Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey - Well, for one, it has one awesome premise. For another, the cover is to die for. For yet another...it's going to be a different read for me with the LGBT story line, and I like to read out of my comfort zone.

4. Frost by Marianna Baer - Two words - Boarding. School. Nothing good can come of it, and I'm just fascinated by both the premise and the creeptastic cover. I'm in the mood for spooks, kids!

5. As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott - If I'm not wrong (and I often am), this one sounds a bit different than her usual books, and that excites me. I love it when an author pushes the boundaries of his/her comfort zones! Plus, holy great premise!

6. Variant by Robison Wells - You know what I love more than a great premise? A premise that only hints, but that hint is enough to spark my interest. Again with the creep factor, I'm loving the touches of originality this one seems to have.

7. Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon - I have this one sitting my shelf, and while I'm a cover slut, the premise is equally incredible. Plus, Leigh is fabulous, so I can't wait to start this one.

8. Bunheads by Sophie Flack - Confession time. I was a ballet dancer once upon a time before I gave it up to swim full time. Was I good? Adequate is probably more like it. Anyway, this contemporary read is one that's been sitting on my shelf tempting me, and it sounds so good.

9. Seizure by Kathy Reichs - It's no secret I'm a huge BONES nut, and when I read Virals, I absolutely died with glee. I'm so excited to see if the second installment is better than the first.

10. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler - Well, it's two great authors, a highly entertaining and intriguing premise and, frankly, I can't imagine a life before my facebook, so let's be honest...who doesn't want to read this?

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Anna Dressed in Blood
Author: Kendare Blake
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: September 2011
Pages: Unknown
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Thriller

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

Colour me crazy...I might have a thing for the macabre with this title. But seriously?! That is one crazy, creepy, pretty cover, and let's be honest, Anna Dressed in Blood sounds like a fun twist on your run-of-the-mill paranormal story these days. Plus, I don't think there are nearly enough books about ghosts. It seems a bit like Bloody Mary for the younger lot, so yes, sign me up! I can't wait to read this (sooooo long from now). What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?