Thursday, May 17, 2012

Review: Croak

Book: Croak
Author: Gina Damico
Series: Croak #1
Release Date: March 20, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 311
Source: Thomas Allen & Son (Thank you so much!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5
Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.

He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.

Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.

Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?


(summary taken from Goodreads
MY THOUGHTS:  

Absolutely 5 SHINY (like this cover) STARS! Sometimes I think I read so many books that finding an original and captivating gem in the bunch gets harder by the day, but Croak reminds me why I love to read. It's knee-slappingly fun but still dark at the same time! 

As a huge Soul Screamers fan, I already have a weakness for reapers but Gina Damico still brings something new to the table! These reapers carry actual scythes and only have the job of carting souls off to the Afterlife, where quirky ghosts like Elvis and Edgar Allan Poe can wallow in peace. 

Lex has to be one of the most spunky, temperamental, and stubborn heroines I've ever met but she's also one of my favourites! She doesn't take crap from anyone, not even her twin sister Cordy, but her fair heart still makes her wince when she has to reap the souls of a murdered victim. Along with her swoon-worthy partner Driggs and a whole group of misfit apprentice reapers, they will make you want to move to Croak ASAP!

But it's not just all fun and games. The mysterious murders in the novel add a serious undertone, along with how Lex is wholeheartedly against unfair deaths. And that twist at the end... Break my heart, why don't you, Gina?? Intense is only the beginning of this amazing debut!

With a hilarious cast, a mysterious plot, and creativity packed to the max, it's safe to say that I love Croak to death! Like Adam Rex said, there are so many books with worlds that I would love to live in, but dying in this one doesn't sound like such a bad idea. ;)  

BUY or BORROW?: If my five stars aren't enough to convince you, maybe me adding this to my Favourites shelf will? I usually don't pre-order books this far in advance, but I'm already planning on buying the sequel, Scorch! :) 

-Mimi

30 comments:

  1. You really had me with the: a book that reminded me why I love the read. If a book can give you that feeling, it must be REALLY good.

    And:
    Lex has to be one of the most spunky, temperamental, and stubborn heroines I've ever met —

    that is another thing I like! Thanks for the review, sweet Mimi!

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  2. So glad you loved this one so much! I ... didn't love it so much. I really enjoyed te dialogues they were snakry and fun but .. I just didn't fully get into this story..

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  3. I love reapers! I think Tod made everyone love reapers lol but really I've always been fascinated with their profession. What a job to have right?! I really loved the town of Croak though. It sounded like they had a lot of fun and I loved that they could drink lol It would make any misfit happy to have that job. Driggs was pretty hot but I was hoping for a bit more in the romance department. Hopefully in the next book.

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  4. MIMI!!!!!! This is one of my favourite books ever too, HOLY CRAP, and this was such a stunningly amazing review!!! I want to hug my shiny-covered book every time I pass it on my shelf, and I seriously could NOT pack my bags fast enough -- I don't care if I have to plow down some Killers, I'm getting into Croak! Maybe if real-life boys were as sweet and snarky as Driggs (Wasn't his banter with Lex just killer funny?), maybe the world would be a much better place! (x

    FAN-freaking-TASTIC review, Mimi!! You always make me so proud; I could never spill my my gutless feelings like this! (': <33333333

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  5. :0 <3 I love your review Mimi!
    I definately can't wait to read this book now! I haven't read much reaper books but i will definately try some out!
    i love stories that remind me of why i enjoy reading!!!!!
    Great work!!
    Rachel

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  6. Oh WOW Mimi! I LOVE your review! Croak sounds absolutely captivating, so much so, that I am going to have to read it right away! Plus, I do love me some swoony characters and Driggs sounds great! I can't wait to get reading!

    Thank you so much for sharing Mimi and have a great weekend! <3<3<3

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  7. WOW, Mimi, I'm convinced!!! You don't give many books five shiny stars and it sounds fantastic! Lex sounds like a GREAT character and Croak sounds like an amazingly constructed take on grim reapers. This is totally going in my wishlist. Hilarious, creative and mysterious? It's totally something I want to read. And you had me with the Adam Rex quote! Thank you so much for the brilliant review, Mimi... I hope I get to read this soon <33

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  8. Oooooo a 5!!!! I have this one on my shelf and wasn't sure it was going to be for me, but clearly passing it over would be a HUGE mistake. Can't wait to pick this up now, thanks so much for the awesome review Mimi!!! I'm both super excited about a surprising twist and also terrified of it because you said it's a heart-breaker:) *bites nails*

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  9. So glad to hear you loved this one! Your mention of Soul Screamers reminds me (again) that I really need to pick up the series because I liked the reapers in this one and am eager for more. That twist at the ending just about destroyed me although it was very effective in getting me psyched for Scorch-can't wait to see a cover and more information for that.

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  10. I've read the first book of Soul Screamers which I really liked but still haven't found time to read the whole series. *facepalm* Anyway, Croak sounds a very enjoyable read - fun and dark at the same time! Yay! The MC sounds like an awesome and adorable heroine too. I'm looking forward reading this, adding this on my tbr now! Thanks for the wonderful review, Mimi! :))

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  11. With the enormous amount of books we read, I can really understand how finding an original and captivating gem is HARD! I REALLY need to read more books that make me laugh! x) The cover is absolutely amazing, and I watched the trailer and love it too! I can see that lex is absolutely a teenager - her snarky personality seems to make everyone either hate or love her! xD

    Absolutely adorable review, Mimi! Your gushing review never fails to plaster a smile on my face! x)

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  12. Okay WOW! I cant NOT read this now! If you loved it that much its gotta go on my must read shelf! I think I will have to get it from the library though cause I cant buy any books right now. But I will check and make sure they have it on their shelves and if they don't it will go on their to-order list!

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  13. Oh I've heard nothing but good things about this book and I'm glad to know that you enjoyed it as well. This is definitely a book I'm going to have to pick up in the near future because everyone is raving about it and I don't want to be left out!

    I love the concept of this one. It's so dark and morbid, but it sounds like it's peppered with a lot of humor and wonderful characters. That's only makes me want to pick it up even more. I love a good book with great characters and plenty of laugh out loud moments. Pinning this review! Thanks Mimi!

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  14. I reviewed this a couple of months ago and I really enjoyed it as well. The whole town of Croak rocks! I loved Uncle Mort and I totally wanted more of him in the book. The romance was just too fun, right? The whole, I can't stand you get away from me, oh but I really like you come go back. That photo Driggs carries...sigh. Yes you are right the ending was a big kick to the gut! I am lookijg forward to the sequel.

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  15. I've only read a couple of reaper story, and I really liked them, but I have yet to try a YA reaper book, so I think this is the perfect place to start! Lex sounds like my kind of girl. Plus, I'm really curious about the heart break thing. What happens? Me wants to know.

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  16. Woah, sure does sound like a keeper. I don't think I've read a book about reapers yet, but I'm dang sure curious now! I definitely want to read this one. I love the unique plot and that it's just as good as the summary makes it sound. :)

    -Lauren

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  17. Oh my gosh, Mimi, you make this one sound so awesome I'm actually checking where I can buy it asap. I have read a couple of books with reapers in them, but they didn't really steal my heart or anything. This, however, seems like the perfect candidate!

    Gosh, Mimi, I'm more than loving your reviews lately! ♥ Have a wonderful Thursday. And remember, Friday is just around the corner c: ♥

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  18. I love your reviews so much!! They are to the point and always make me want to read the book so much!! I wasn't sure how I was feeling about this book but you just made me totally NEED it!!

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  19. TBR for sure! This reminds a little of that TV series Dead Like Me.

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  20. Well by GOLLY. Mimi, I was already excited about reading "Croaked" before this review - but now I'm just ITCHING to get a copy!! Man, the pile just gets larger and larger and the books look better and better and why oh why can't I just read them all at once?! In any case, your review is brilliant, gripping me, as the to-be-reader, and giving me JUST enough information to make my skin crawl with excitement!

    You rock, Mimi!
    :D
    <3

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  21. It's like this book just jumped out of my mind and became a reality. I have been so deciding whether it would be okay to kill off murders in books and TV. I must check this one out. So glad that this one stands out amongst the YA crowd.

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  22. Ooh! Great review! Croaked seems really awesome... I love finding an amazing book that helps you remember why you love reading so much. <3 I haven't heard a lot about this book, so looks like I have one more book to add to my forever growing TBR list. *sigh* But this one will definitely be at the top!!! :) Fantabulous review as per usual Mimi!
    You never fail to make me smile and your reviews are always brilliant.

    Check out My Latest Post?

    xx
    Riya (The Teen Book Guru)

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  23. Oh wow! that good? Now I really really want to read this book soon! eeep. Such a great review Mimi. eeeep<3

    Ƹ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

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  24. Mimi, long time, no comment! (I'm sorry, but I've been busy!) Today I totally had to do it, though, since I've wanted to get Croak since I saw its cover a couple of months back. I know how shallow that sounds, but the reaper bit looked awesome, and when I read the summary, it seemed even better.

    While I know Croak has mixed reviews, I'm glad you had a better experience than most while reading. I like strong characters and very much admire them, and when their friends/partenrs are strong, yeah. I so approve. Also, I hate to sound morbid but murders in books, especially when they serve a higher (plot) purpose, are great. I'm so excited!

    I don't know if I'll get this in hardcopy, though. If I see it, sure, but otherwise I'll wait for an e-book, I guess. Until then, I'll wait patiently! Thanks for the review, Mimi! :*

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  25. This sounds so good Mimi! I don't think I have read a book with a grim reaper but this sounds fun and exciting and Lex sounds awesome! Great review! :)

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  26. Oh, my gosh, I loved this too! Not as much as you did, but I really enjoyed the originality of the setting.I really wanted to move to Croak, perhaps we could both go! Maybe we'd even get teamed up together. I'd make a great reaper. :D
    Lovely review, Mimi! I'm so happy you enjoyed this book. Hopefully, when book two comes out, we can do a readalong or something.

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  27. OH MY GAWDDDDDDDD! 5 SHINY STARS?!?!?!?! SHIRLEY IS INTRIGUEDDDDDD! Truthfully, the first time I saw this cover, I was like "Mehh...not interested" BUT after reading your review, I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO READ THIS!!!Gahh..WHY have I not read The Soul Screamers series yet?!?! WHYYYYYYYYY?!?! You and everyone else in the blogging world are all HUGE fans of the series and it seems like REAPERS are INCREDIBLY INTERESTING! Goshh..you sure know how to make a girl go crazy excited to read a book!! I freaking CANNOT WAIT TO MEET LEX! I think I'm going to LOVE the girl :) FANTASTIC REVIEW MIMIIIIII!<3

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  28. REAPERS!!! I actually don't think I've read any books that focus on a reaper main character, but I am so insanely excited to! And damn, I had seen this book around, but not read any reviews until now. AND IT SOUNDS SO FREAKING GOOD. Why have I waited this long to grab myself a copy?! It's got reapers! It's FUNNY. There's a sexy love interest! And Lex sounds like my kinda girl :D

    Yeah. Congrats. You're officially send me broke with your incredible reviews :P

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  29. Lex sounds like my kind of gal. The cover is interesting but it didn't pull me in. What does? The reaper aspect. WHO DOESN'T LOVE A GOOD REAPER STORY?

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  30. I have to say, the idea of a town called Croak completely cracks me up! Just think of all the jokes waiting to be made...lol. Glad you really liked this one though, Mimi! :)

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It's really nice to meet you!