I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake Series: Anna #2
Published by Tor Teen on August 7, 2012
Pages: 304
Genres: Horror, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Author
Amazon・ Good Books・Book Depository
Goodreads
In this follow-up to Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas begins seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he’s asleep, and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong. These aren’t just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.
Cas doesn’t know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn’t deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it’s time for him to return the favor.
The following book has been found in an abandoned, run-down house along with a body, a pen, and a worn and tattered copy of Girl of Nightmares. The walls have many words and phrases written in blood. It’s contents provide the only clues to the events that led to the the death of a person and an increasing string of disturbances in the area.
It reads as such:
This is a journal of my reading expedition. I have traveled to this remote locale so that I may read Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake in solitude. Rumour has it that this book is cursed and that whosoever reads it is doomed to have their wits scrambled and to be left insensible. Nevertheless I bravely proceed and scoff in the face of superstition. My intention is that others may benefit from the experiences chronicled within my journal and use it as a reference guide in their own reading experiences of Blake’s second dip into the Anna Dressed in Blood Universe.
Page 1
I have been intrigued and saddened by the beginning. Dearest Anna, it seems, will likely not be a major character in this book, alas. But the writing remains of quality and it seems there are to be some ghost.
Page 48
There have been some instances of exciting ghost happenings, but also a great deal of plot set up and relationship dynamics. I rather wonder what the hype is but shall persevere for now.
Page 150
It has been a difficult slog. There has been average levels of awesome recorded and long stretches between badassery. I have grown weary of the angst and seek to end the experiment. Perseverance forces me onward and the everlasting hope that I shall one day be reunited with Anna. Her lack of presence in this novel has made it cumbersome and Cas’ angst, and the secrecy surrounding him is wearisome. I am starting to doubt the curse. Worse yet, I am starting to doubt Blake. How far I have fallen? Tonight I shall weep tears of disappointment as I sleep with the lights on.
Page 235
Hark? Is this the same novel? Surely some great charm has bewitched me. My instruments do not lie, yet surely there has been a mistake. When I documented the levels of awesome, I was forced to notarize in my ledger that it was over 9000 and was unable to take further measurements for I had incidentally crushed my scouter in response. “What? 9000?” I said in shock and awe. “There’s no way that can be right!”
I am not sure what happened next for I blacked out and was awoken the next day by hazy memories. There are now strange markings on the wall but I know not what they mean. I fear I have put them there. Am I becoming a monster? Can this curse be true and is it tampering with my senses?
Page 291
I understand now. I was foolish and ignorant before, but I have been shown the way. There is no human explanation. Yet I realize now that life has no meaning, but for this book. It is my only love. My purpose. It is the reason I have been born. There is no curse. Those who have not read it have been cursed. It is all so clear to me now. I have written a song for Blake that brings tears to my eyes as I sing it continuously throughout the night. It has become my only companion through out my enlightenment. I have written it down so that this knowledge may be passed on through the ages.
Blake Blake Blake Blake, Blake.
BlakeBlake, Blake Blake Blake Blake Blake,
Blake Blake Blake, BlakeBlake.
BlakeBlakeBlake…Blake Blake Blake.
Blake
I hope that I am one day able to sing this song to her in person and that SHE WILL BE PLEASED WITH ME!
Page 332
OHTHEMOTHERFUCKINGAWESOMEITHINKICRIEDITWASJUSTSOBEAUTIFULWHYDIDITHAVETOENDCANTTHEREBEMOREHOWCUOLDYOUDOTHISTO
MEBUTITWASJUSTSOPERFECTILOVEDITSOMUCHSOMUCHWIN!
Snargle half-blabber!
JOY!
Kat Kennedy
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smiling_ina
Twitter: smiling_ina
Oh my gosh, what I wouldn’t give to get my hands on that ARC!!! I am DYING to read this book!!! I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED Anna Dressed In Blood and have been waiting to read Girl Of Nightmares ever since. You are so, so lucky!!! Your fantabulous review makes me want to have it even more!!! 🙂
smiling_ina recently posted…Review: Fugitives by Alexander Gordon Smith
Kat Kennedy
@smiling_ina: It’s definitely worth reading – even if only for the ending which was remarkable!
Jana
Highly anticipated!! I actually didn’t really read your review because I don’t want to be spoiled at all. Just had to comment on how I cannot wait for this one!!
Jana recently posted…Tween Tuesday: Olivia Bean Trivia Queen
Kat Kennedy
@Jana: Haha! There are no spoilers, Jana! I promise. It’s a very general review.
Nicola
This series has me excited! I’m trying to hold out for the UK paperback of book 1 in July but it’s sooo tempting to just go and order the hardback.
Nicola recently posted…Review: Loving Emily by Anne Pfeffer
Kat Kennedy
@Nicola: It really is a fantastic series. I love Blake’s style so much.
Kara @ Great Imaginations
Twitter: NamasteRead
Hahaha this is one of the weirdest book reviews I have ever read. Glad to know that you loved the book. Did you like it more or less than the first book? That’s my main concern because I liked the first book but it didn’t blow me away.
Kara @ Great Imaginations recently posted…Wrecked by Anna Davies Giveaway!
Kat Kennedy
@Kara @ Great Imaginations: Hmmm, there are aspects of this book I liked better. Others less. One thing I would have liked was MOAR ANNA! But, then again, I loved Anna with a fiery passion.
Archer
What I wouldn’t give for that ARC… Any news on the actual release date yet?
Archer recently posted…Cinder by Marissa Meyer – Review
Kat Kennedy
@Archer: I haven’t heard anything yet.
Mary @ Book Swarm
Okay, I can’t read the whole thing because I’m dying to read the book but I starred it so I can come back and read it later! Loved ANNA and can’t wait to read this one!!
Mary @ Book Swarm recently posted…Testing…Yes, I’m being tested.
Kat Kennedy
@Mary @ Book Swarm: I hope you enjoy it when it comes out!
Lexie B.
This review is wonderful and creepy, which is rather fitting, considering those would be good adjectives for the books themselves.
Lexie B. recently posted…Frostbite