Review: Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

24 April, 2012 Reviews 27 comments

*munch, munch*

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of me eating my words. Girl of Nightmares truly surprised me. I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t expecting to love or even like it because originally Anna Dressed in Blood and I didn’t get along. While everyone else ran around screaming high praises for it, I was left on the side lines. And I hate being on the sides lines. No matter how much I tried to love Anna Dressed in Blood I couldn’t. It had too many open ends and I’m of the belief that even when you are reading a series each book must stand on its own merit. So I was disappointed, but I also wanted to give the second book a try because regardless of my initial reservations, it wasn’t a bad book. And after that fun interview we did, I was convinced to try again. So imagine my delight when I started reading Girl of Nightmares and discover how much I was enjoying it. When I finished I felt like I had been on one epic ghost-busting adventure. And it was awesome.

Girl of Nightmares takes place six months after the events in Anna Dressed in Blood with Cas attempting to get on with his life without Anna. Unfortunately, that’s not going so well for him since he continues to witness Anna being tortured in his sleep and while he is awake. I’m not going to go off and describe the blurb for you, but I will say Cas gets to the bottom of EVERYTHING in Girl of Nightmares.

Everything that I complained about in Anna Dressed in Blood was addressed in Girl of Nightmares. The plot is solid with no inconsistencies that I could see. In fact, I really loved the plot because there wasn’t a dull moment. That partly has something to do with there being a lot of loose ends to cover: the mystery surrounding the athame, where Anna went, Cas’ background, ect. Despite there being so many issues needing to be addressed, I never once felt like Blake info dumped or rushed through explanations. It was all very smooth and engaging. I didn’t want to put my book down, but well, I have kids, so it was unavoidable. And that made me cranky. Also, this book was creepy! Do yourself a big favor and do NOT read the “Suicide Forest” scene late at night. *shudders*

Don’t ask, just obey…

The characters have seen a considerable amount of character development, most notably being both Cas and Carmel. Cas is no longer the cocky little prick who all girls fawn over like he’s God’s gift to womenkind. In Girl of Nightmares he is a broken character struggling to let go of Anna. He obsesses over it constantly to the point where it interferes with his ability to ghost hunt. This was a Cas I could easily sympathize with and I wanted him to find a way for both Anna and him to be happy. As for Carmel… I can’t really say much without giving away huge spoilers, but she was a badass. You will love her.

The best part of Girl of Nightmares was the hilarious dialogue. These characters feel so real to me because Blake has sat down and given them so much personality. Laughing is pretty much a given when reading Girl of Nightmares. You can’t get around it. But that’s okay because you want the humor when you in the midst of being scared shitless.

The ending was perfect. I can’t say anything about it because I refuse to ruin the book for anyone, but I think fans will be very happy and satisfied. Or not. Who’s to say? Lol.

But I would like to share with you a piece of wisdom. After finishing Girl of Nightmares I happened to learn one big lesson:

Reading this book in the second floor hallway right above the stairs at night, while my entire household was sleeping soundly, wasn’t one of my best ideas. Learn from me.

This ARC was generously given to Kat and I by Kendare Blake. This in no way swayed my views of the book. In fact, I think she was expecting me to dislike it, but she’ll just have to settle for my glowing review!

27 Responses to “Review: Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake”

  1. Rayne

    I’m so glad you loved it! I can’t wait to get my hands on Girl of Nightmares. I absolutely loved Anna Dressed in Blood, so I can only assume that I will adore this one too. Great review!

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      @Ali:

      Thank you! Definitely a daytime read. Anna didn’t scare me much, but Girl of Nightmares gave me a few chills!

  4. Mallorie Colvin

    Thanks for the great review! I’m glad to hear that the loose ends get tied up in the second book. I can’t wait to read it for myself!

  5. Heidi

    ahhhh now I am absolutely itching to get my hands on this…dang you Steph! If I didn’t like you so much I would have to hate you for making me WANT! I laughed at your lines about having kids.. know how they suck up your precious reading time..resorting to reading the book alone in the hallway in the middle of the night?! you are a brave soul!

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      @Heidi:

      Haha! Thank you! And yeah, it’s the only time I have to read most days. It’s why I’m starting to prefer ebooks. At least then I can read on my iPad in my nice, warm bed!

  6. Kat Kennedy

    This book is currently in the mail TO ME! Hahahahahahhahahaha! It will be mine to read soon!

  7. Lexie B.

    I don’t think I can properly express JUST HOW EXCITED I AM FOR THIS BOOK. I mean. I was already excited. But if someone who disliked ANNA gave this five stars . . . well . . . I suspect my rating will be somewhere in the billions. I love how Blake somehow manages to give her books a healthy dose of humor, horror, and emotion all at one. That is a difficult feat to pull off, but clearly, she is the master.

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      @Lexie B.:

      She is totally the master. I was creeped out one page and laughing the next!

  8. Reut

    Wait… this isn’t a trilogy??? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Never have I thought I would be so disappointed to find out a series isn’t a trilogy! I want more Cas and Anna! (On a slightly less hysterical note, I’m glad that there’s good dialogue. I found teen behavior in Anna to be really accurate, so nice to know that hasn’t changed.)

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      @Reut:

      I know! I was a bit sad to discover there isn’t going robe a book three. In a way I’m happy about it because really great series can be ruined with a prolonged story. But I’m still wanting more Anna and the gang! What to do? What to do? Read it over! Lol.

  9. Becca Schlichtig

    Why is it not August yet? D:

    I really enjoyed the first Anna book, and I can’t wait to read this one. I’m really glad to hear you liked it!

  10. Gellie

    I haven’t read this series yet but this review makes me want to grab it as soon as I can!

    Great review! 😀

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      @Gellie:

      Thank you! Give it a try sometime. It may really surprise you and the dialogue is awesome.

  11. Beatriz

    Awesome review! I’m glad you liket Girl of Nightmares way more than Anna Dressed in Blood. I was one of those people who loved the first book, but really, your review made me even more excited for Girl of Nightmares. I CAN’T WAIT to read it <3

    ~~Beatriz

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      @Beatriz:

      Thank you! Yes, get excited! I think fans of Anna with absolutely love Girl of Nightmares!

  12. Shiku

    Haven’t read the whole review because I don’t know the first book, yet, but it sure sounds great! But … there are “just” two books in the series? Now there’s even more reason to just hit the “order” button. 😉

    • Stephanie Sinclair

      @Shiku:

      Yup, just two books. I love how everything wrapped up nicely and wasn’t dragged out.

  13. Kate- Midnight Book Girl

    I just finished Anna Dressed In Blood last night (for Spring Into Horror Readathon) and now I am desperate to read the sequel, you lucky duck! Although I loved the first book, it’s great to know someone who wasn’t as enthralled as I was loved the second book. Can’t wait! Maybe I’ll get lucky and see it at BEA…

  14. Annabelle

    I am so happy to hear good things about this one! I’ve been wanting to read it so much after finished Anna…it’s good to know it’s worth that wait 🙂