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bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
Why do I read books like this that make me feel things? I was a little worried after the second book, but this book redeemed the series. More complete review to come.
Complete review:
The Croak trilogy and I have had a lot of ups and downs. I adored the first book, was angry at the second, and spent a portion of this book still being mad. However, things did ultimately come together in a way that was not only satisfying, but which I also found moving. This book definitely redeemed the series for me. Some spoilers to follow, especially if you haven't yet read books 1 & 2--after all, it's a little impossible to discuss the last book in a trilogy without giving away what happens in the books before it.
My major beef with [b:Croak|13738462|Croak|Gina Damico|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1340706143s/13738462.jpg|16791637] was that I didn't think Lex suffered any very serious consequences from her actions. Her Damning was so over-the-top horrific in and of itself that I expected a good bit of social shunning, especially since it is so frowned upon by the Reaper society. But then when Lex's actions result in the deaths of innocents who were supposedly her friends, and the horribleness that becomes of Driggs, I kind of wanted to throw the book at the wall. I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book because I was so mad about it. I don't expect my main characters to be perfect, but when they do something so epically bad, there needs to be some kind of reckoning.
At first, I didn't think I was going to get that reckoning, and I was ticked at this book. Slowly, though, it all started to come into play, and it became more obvious that Lex did have some uncomfortable feelings about what she'd done. Still, I wasn't buying it at first. Her feelings seemed directed more outward than inward, more the sort of "I did a bad thing and it sucks that I'm suffering the consequences" than Lex feeling bad about what she did. Gradually, though, and with the help of Driggs, Lex does come to understand why what she did was so heinous. It's not that I wanted endless angsting, but I think I would have been more satisfied if Lex had suffered a bigger crisis of conscience once she absorbs the magnitude of her actions.
I also feel the need to critique the actions of her friends. Elysia is far too sanguine about what Lex has done and absolves her too quickly, which I think contributes to Lex's thinking that what she did wasn't all that big a deal. I was glad that both Driggs and Ferbus took her to task for it, but it seemed to me that Driggs went a littler easier on her than he'd have been entitled to act. He's a good boyfriend and a character with a lot of great qualities, but sometimes I think he's a little too understanding.
The revelation about his past does explain this a little, and it did give me more insight into why he didn't react the way Ferbus did. Driggs has some idea of what it's like to be in Lex's shoes, but I think the difference is that Driggs feels responsible for his actions in a way Lex doesn't. It felt like he learned a lot more of a life lesson than Lex had. Lex is a little too willing to absolve herself of guilt and to make justifications for her own actions. She does have a point that Driggs shouldn't flagellate himself as that's not healthy either, but at least Driggs feels the full brunt of what he did. This is in no way meant to minimize what he went through, because it was inexcusable, but it does show how that, even if you are justified in taking a certain action, it doesn't mean you won't have to face the consequences of your choice.
As for the main thrust of the story, I still felt the villainy tended a bit too much to the cartoonish, but I liked the twist the story took and the implications it had for the larger Reaper world. It's an interesting question to complicate, whether a person could give up their familiar and comfortable way of life in the interests of the greater good. Mort showed some growth thanks to this choice. I liked him before, but felt he was too flip at times. It was nice to see that he had depths.
A whole lot of bad things happen in this book, and I did admire that Damico did what she felt needed to be done. I imagine some of her choices may not be very popular with some readers, but that's what makes them bold choices. I cried more than once while reading this book, I was so affected by some of the fallout from the central battle. And that ending! It was the definition of tear-jerker, and I thought it was an excellent end to the series, though I'm confident in saying some people will probably hate it with a passion.
All in all, this was a satisfying conclusion to what was a fresh, innovative, and fun series that also managed to tackle some serious issues and pose some good philosophical questions. I look forward to reading a fresh new world from Damico.
Complete review:
The Croak trilogy and I have had a lot of ups and downs. I adored the first book, was angry at the second, and spent a portion of this book still being mad. However, things did ultimately come together in a way that was not only satisfying, but which I also found moving. This book definitely redeemed the series for me. Some spoilers to follow, especially if you haven't yet read books 1 & 2--after all, it's a little impossible to discuss the last book in a trilogy without giving away what happens in the books before it.
My major beef with [b:Croak|13738462|Croak|Gina Damico|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1340706143s/13738462.jpg|16791637] was that I didn't think Lex suffered any very serious consequences from her actions. Her Damning was so over-the-top horrific in and of itself that I expected a good bit of social shunning, especially since it is so frowned upon by the Reaper society. But then when Lex's actions result in the deaths of innocents who were supposedly her friends, and the horribleness that becomes of Driggs, I kind of wanted to throw the book at the wall. I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book because I was so mad about it. I don't expect my main characters to be perfect, but when they do something so epically bad, there needs to be some kind of reckoning.
At first, I didn't think I was going to get that reckoning, and I was ticked at this book. Slowly, though, it all started to come into play, and it became more obvious that Lex did have some uncomfortable feelings about what she'd done. Still, I wasn't buying it at first. Her feelings seemed directed more outward than inward, more the sort of "I did a bad thing and it sucks that I'm suffering the consequences" than Lex feeling bad about what she did. Gradually, though, and with the help of Driggs, Lex does come to understand why what she did was so heinous. It's not that I wanted endless angsting, but I think I would have been more satisfied if Lex had suffered a bigger crisis of conscience once she absorbs the magnitude of her actions.
I also feel the need to critique the actions of her friends. Elysia is far too sanguine about what Lex has done and absolves her too quickly, which I think contributes to Lex's thinking that what she did wasn't all that big a deal. I was glad that both Driggs and Ferbus took her to task for it, but it seemed to me that Driggs went a littler easier on her than he'd have been entitled to act. He's a good boyfriend and a character with a lot of great qualities, but sometimes I think he's a little too understanding.
The revelation about his past does explain this a little, and it did give me more insight into why he didn't react the way Ferbus did. Driggs has some idea of what it's like to be in Lex's shoes, but I think the difference is that Driggs feels responsible for his actions in a way Lex doesn't. It felt like he learned a lot more of a life lesson than Lex had. Lex is a little too willing to absolve herself of guilt and to make justifications for her own actions. She does have a point that Driggs shouldn't flagellate himself as that's not healthy either, but at least Driggs feels the full brunt of what he did. This is in no way meant to minimize what he went through, because it was inexcusable, but it does show how that, even if you are justified in taking a certain action, it doesn't mean you won't have to face the consequences of your choice.
As for the main thrust of the story, I still felt the villainy tended a bit too much to the cartoonish, but I liked the twist the story took and the implications it had for the larger Reaper world. It's an interesting question to complicate, whether a person could give up their familiar and comfortable way of life in the interests of the greater good. Mort showed some growth thanks to this choice. I liked him before, but felt he was too flip at times. It was nice to see that he had depths.
A whole lot of bad things happen in this book, and I did admire that Damico did what she felt needed to be done. I imagine some of her choices may not be very popular with some readers, but that's what makes them bold choices. I cried more than once while reading this book, I was so affected by some of the fallout from the central battle. And that ending! It was the definition of tear-jerker, and I thought it was an excellent end to the series, though I'm confident in saying some people will probably hate it with a passion.
All in all, this was a satisfying conclusion to what was a fresh, innovative, and fun series that also managed to tackle some serious issues and pose some good philosophical questions. I look forward to reading a fresh new world from Damico.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Small review because a lot of things happened that are spoilers and I don't want to spoil this epic book.
So the story immediately starts where left off in the previous book, and while it has been a year, I never felt the need to read the previous book again, I was just sucked in the book immediately and it was like I just took a break and continued reading the book.
Which is really great, some books have little recaps and while that is nice, I think it wouldn't have fitted this book.
And what a ride this book was, I can say, I was sad because of a lot of things, I even cried a few times. Yes it was that sad! But I also laughed a thousand times and enjoyed the book.
Thanks Gina Damico, for the awesome book, and I really hope you will write a new series!
So the story immediately starts where left off in the previous book, and while it has been a year, I never felt the need to read the previous book again, I was just sucked in the book immediately and it was like I just took a break and continued reading the book.
Which is really great, some books have little recaps and while that is nice, I think it wouldn't have fitted this book.
And what a ride this book was, I can say, I was sad because of a lot of things, I even cried a few times. Yes it was that sad! But I also laughed a thousand times and enjoyed the book.
Thanks Gina Damico, for the awesome book, and I really hope you will write a new series!
iceangel32's review against another edition
5.0
Great ending. A little sad, very fitting, but still great. This one kept you guessing. You never knew who was helping or not. I loved the intro and how it left you wondering about it the whole book and then it all connects at the end. I like how your ideals of good and bad get challenged the whole time and loved the end. Just such a great book, series, author.
kberry513's review against another edition
4.0
So....I wanted to love this as much as I loved the second one. And I did, all the way up until the end. It's not that I feel as though all the books I read have to have a super happy ending. And it's also not as though I feel like authors can't kill off major characters. Or that the author wouldn't kill off major characters - she has since the first book: Kloo, Cordy, Pip, the list goes on. And the end of this one, with the death of Uncle Mort and all of his contemporaries was sad enough. But this is like the end of the Divergent series for me. I absolutely loved that series and after all that, the main character dies at the end. Again, I'm not entirely surprised that Lex died and I'm not even saying that it should have had a different ending. Mostly, I just feel depressed and I, personally, like to end a series without feeling devastated. And that's why it's 4 stars and not 5 - not because it wasn't well written or because I didn't like overall, but because I (personally) hated the ending.
camille_abelanet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A shocking end to a fun series. A lot of this series did not age well, but overall it was an enjoyable book. I will miss this silly little book. The concept is incredibly intriguing, and I'm glad I read it.
postitsandpens's review against another edition
4.0
What a satisfying ending to a really great series. This book was decidedly darker than I'd been anticipating, considering the previous two installments, but it fit with the narrative, and did a great job of tying up loose ends. I loved Lex so, so much in this book - the soul-searching, realizations, and ultimate choices she made were perfect, in my opinion, and had my heart breaking for her. I was a tad bit annoyed with Uncle Mort, on the other hand, though, as I dislike the trope of miscommunication as a plot device, but I understand why he had to hold some of his secrets close to his chest. We get some back story in this book as well, some questions answered, and honestly I just really like how this series finale was plotted out and put together. Highly recommend this series to everyone!
bookslucyking's review against another edition
5.0
Tak takový konec jsem fakt nečekala, ale bylo to super. Stálo to za to. Až mi tahle série bude chybět.
ashkitty93's review against another edition
5.0
I have no words.
Now please excuse me while I go drown my book hangover in a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Also, immense thanks to Inge, Aly and Sarah for not shutting up about these books.
Now please excuse me while I go drown my book hangover in a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Also, immense thanks to Inge, Aly and Sarah for not shutting up about these books.