My Rating: 3.5 hearts
Thoughts on the Novel: Basically, if Kendare Blake's Girl of Nightmares had featured more of Cas hunting ghosts and less of him obsessing over Anna, I'd have given it a higher rating. While a still a solid sequel though, it just lacked the creepiness of Anna Dressed in Blood.
Since I wasn’t keen on the romance between Cas and Anna to begin with, Cas’ constant moping about Anna made me annoyed with him, especially because it affected his ability to kill ghosts. Thank goodness for Thomas’ optimism and Carmel’s levelheadedness! In fact, I really liked Carmel’s characterization in Girl of Nightmares because she wasn’t afraid to take a step back and stop hanging out with Cas and Thomas when she found the situation becoming a bit too much for her to handle. Unlike Cas and Thomas, who are used to not living a normal life, I thought it was a really smart decision on Carmel’s part to try and figure out what she actually wanted.
I also liked the expansion of the world from Anna Dressed in Blood as Girl of Nightmares explores Cas’ father’s past as a ghost hunter and the athame’s connection to The Order of Biodag Dubh, which eventually leads Cas and his friends to visiting London and Scotland. Besides the awesome and scary scene in the Suicide Forest, I enjoyed meeting Jestine, who almost seemed like a female Cas to me.
Girl of Nightmares was released by Tor Teen in August 2012.
Comments About the Cover: I love the colours used, that you can see the dead faintly, and how Anna looks like she’s beckoning you to come join her. It’s brilliant!
I just realized that I still have to review this one, but I liked it a bit more than you did. I didn't mind Cas moping around since he seemed to finally find someone to connect to. I was happy at the end and thought it was a solid sequel.
ReplyDeleteI loved ADIB, but I keep putting off reading this book. It sounds like there are some good & bad aspects. I'll have to give a try soon!
ReplyDeleteNice honest review :)
I agree Z, I had hoped for a little more from this one as well. I really missed Anna! She was so creepy and interesting in the first one, so I definitely felt her absence throughout most of this book. Still, like you said, it was a solid sequel. I can't wait to start Kendare's other series!
ReplyDeleteI still need to read the first book. I've been meaning to and wanting to since it was released, but I just haven't found the time yet! And the jury's still out on whether I would just read the first one and leave it at that or if I would feel the need to read this one, as well. I don't know, everyone seemed to be disappointed in this one compared to Anna Dressed in Blood so as long as the first book can be read as a standalone, I will likely treat it that way. I have no desire to read about a mopey main character.
ReplyDeleteI've still not picked up this duology even though everyone keeps talking about it, but I'm glad you enjoyed this sequel and I definitely need to bump these books waaaay up my TBR. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI loved Anna Dressed in Blood! So much, but I agree, Cas obsessing over Anna is a teeny bit strange. She's a ghost for goodness sakes! I do need to read Girl of Nightmares, I mean I want to. So many books.
ReplyDelete