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traecrochet's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The world Gina Damico built is very unique and the characters are all well written and entertaining. I can't wait to read the next one.
carteremma's review against another edition
5.0
I was a massive fan of the Series Dead Like Me and I felt hollow and alone when it finished, not to worry though this new series of books looks like it might just be the ticket to fill the void. I have always thought the idea of being a teen reaper was cool so I was eager to jump right in and get started!!
Lex has become a problem child in the last couple of years. After punching out another pupil at school her parents decide that the best course of action is to send Lex to stay with her uncle Mort to "work on his farm". As soon as Lex arrives in Croak she finds out that her uncle Mort is not really a farmer, but is actually a grim reaper. Soon Lex starts to learn the trade and finally find a place where she fits in, but is what she is doing right and is Lex prepared to stay in Croak indefinitely?
Lexington or Lex for short makes bad decisions and has a very short temper. I really enjoyed this about her, she did not back down from a fight and when it came to dealing with her partner Driggs she held her own. At one point this did result in both of them having a black eye, but I thought this was really funny! I enjoyed Lex as a character and how she interacted with others, that may be because I could be difficult myself as a teen. Driggs was similar to Lex in that he is a headstrong character who often does or says the wrong thing, I thought they complimented each other well and that made for a good read.
The other cast of characters in this book were also complimentary to the story and I liked how they all worked together in this unusual town. The characters I felt we didn't get a chance to know very well were Lex's twin sister and her parents. They always felt like they were on the edge of Lex's life, even during the times she was at home and this made it a little difficult to understand their actions.
I really liked this book and I enjoyed the exploration of the themes of good and evil. When the reapers take a soul and can see a murderer standing by, should the reapers do something or should they just leave the situation. Lex struggles with this concept for the whole book and to what extent she should get involved, but there is always humour to keep the story fun and engaging. Also the details describing the town of Croak were well written with nice details and touches to make the town come alive for me.
I really liked the story in this book and I finished it really quickly. I can't wait to pick up the next in the series and see what happens next for the reapers.
Lex has become a problem child in the last couple of years. After punching out another pupil at school her parents decide that the best course of action is to send Lex to stay with her uncle Mort to "work on his farm". As soon as Lex arrives in Croak she finds out that her uncle Mort is not really a farmer, but is actually a grim reaper. Soon Lex starts to learn the trade and finally find a place where she fits in, but is what she is doing right and is Lex prepared to stay in Croak indefinitely?
Lexington or Lex for short makes bad decisions and has a very short temper. I really enjoyed this about her, she did not back down from a fight and when it came to dealing with her partner Driggs she held her own. At one point this did result in both of them having a black eye, but I thought this was really funny! I enjoyed Lex as a character and how she interacted with others, that may be because I could be difficult myself as a teen. Driggs was similar to Lex in that he is a headstrong character who often does or says the wrong thing, I thought they complimented each other well and that made for a good read.
The other cast of characters in this book were also complimentary to the story and I liked how they all worked together in this unusual town. The characters I felt we didn't get a chance to know very well were Lex's twin sister and her parents. They always felt like they were on the edge of Lex's life, even during the times she was at home and this made it a little difficult to understand their actions.
I really liked this book and I enjoyed the exploration of the themes of good and evil. When the reapers take a soul and can see a murderer standing by, should the reapers do something or should they just leave the situation. Lex struggles with this concept for the whole book and to what extent she should get involved, but there is always humour to keep the story fun and engaging. Also the details describing the town of Croak were well written with nice details and touches to make the town come alive for me.
I really liked the story in this book and I finished it really quickly. I can't wait to pick up the next in the series and see what happens next for the reapers.
ladydoubtless's review against another edition
4.0
A fun read, particularly for those who enjoyed the series Dead Like Me.
jennifervu's review against another edition
5.0
(4.5 stars)
Wow, this book was incredible!
The plot was perfect and original. It grabbed my attention and held it throughout until the final page. The plot twists were placed strategically throughout the book and were hard to predict! Pacing was well done! There was a healthy dose of humor into this too.
Lex was just so charming (cough cough) but she was honestly a breath of fresh air! Her wit and strength were something to admire. What I admired most about her was although she put up a strong facade, she honestly cared about other people and would not stand down when wrong was done. It was, like I said before, very admirable.
I enjoyed all the side characters, including Uncle Mort and Edgar. Oh Edgar Allen Poe...
The prose was so beautiful. It's hard to believe this is Gina Damico's debut novel! The language flowed well. I actually cried on the last page, though for reasons you would not expect. I find that if a book can make you cry, then it is one good book! :)
The only thing that I thought could be improved was the consistency of the narrative. It seemed to switch from third person omniscient to third person limited. I found it confusing at times. Also, I wish that that Gina Damico could have elaborated more on the science of everything.
Overall though, an impressive novel that everyone should read.
Remember, there is a purpose for you in life. You just have to find it.
Wow, this book was incredible!
The plot was perfect and original. It grabbed my attention and held it throughout until the final page. The plot twists were placed strategically throughout the book and were hard to predict! Pacing was well done! There was a healthy dose of humor into this too.
Lex was just so charming (cough cough) but she was honestly a breath of fresh air! Her wit and strength were something to admire. What I admired most about her was although she put up a strong facade, she honestly cared about other people and would not stand down when wrong was done. It was, like I said before, very admirable.
I enjoyed all the side characters, including Uncle Mort and Edgar. Oh Edgar Allen Poe...
The prose was so beautiful. It's hard to believe this is Gina Damico's debut novel! The language flowed well. I actually cried on the last page, though for reasons you would not expect. I find that if a book can make you cry, then it is one good book! :)
The only thing that I thought could be improved was the consistency of the narrative. It seemed to switch from third person omniscient to third person limited. I found it confusing at times. Also, I wish that that Gina Damico could have elaborated more on the science of everything.
Overall though, an impressive novel that everyone should read.
Remember, there is a purpose for you in life. You just have to find it.
nokvi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This book had so much potential and nothing hurts me more than a flop with potential.
I try not to judge YA books too harshly, I am no longer the target audience and I'm not gonna lie this book had it's cute moments. Anyway....
It was hard to rate this book, every rating felt either too high because it's truly not that good but also too low because it's also not that bad because I've read worst.
First of all, Lex is not a lovable MC, and I'm guessing the author made an attempt to produce a kick ass FL that takes no shit and just is the opposite of the cliche good girl and Lex... she falls flat. A bit too hot headed and arrogant... or maybe that's just being 16.
Croak is full of death related puns and all that jazz and it really tries to produce a found family and a romance that... you could see coming that just happens.
The villian... expected but still a shame.
Overall it wasn't a BAD book it also wasn't an AMAZING book... just a book... that passes the time
I try not to judge YA books too harshly, I am no longer the target audience and I'm not gonna lie this book had it's cute moments. Anyway....
It was hard to rate this book, every rating felt either too high because it's truly not that good but also too low because it's also not that bad because I've read worst.
First of all, Lex is not a lovable MC, and I'm guessing the author made an attempt to produce a kick ass FL that takes no shit and just is the opposite of the cliche good girl and Lex... she falls flat. A bit too hot headed and arrogant... or maybe that's just being 16.
Croak is full of death related puns and all that jazz and it really tries to produce a found family and a romance that... you could see coming that just happens.
The villian... expected but still a shame.
Overall it wasn't a BAD book it also wasn't an AMAZING book... just a book... that passes the time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Violence
alle_kat97's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kimjamlee's review against another edition
4.0
Four and a half stars.
I can't believe I read this more than four years ago! Back then, I gave this a five stars because I absolutely loved the writing style, the dark humor (death-related puns and all that sarcastic jazz), and the story itself.
Now, I docked half a star from my original rating because for one, I found it hard to get into the writing style. I was so confused, though, because I loved this particular aspect when I read it for the first time. Secondly, though the characters are distinct from each other, their sarcasm and the way they tell jokes is the same. It's like most of the characters' jokes are formulated by and connected to one super brain or something. I don't know how else to explain it.
But other than that, I still love the book. I'm about to read the sequel, and to be honest, I don't even remember what happens in this book. It's been so long, and I'm such a forgetful dumbass.
I can't believe I read this more than four years ago! Back then, I gave this a five stars because I absolutely loved the writing style, the dark humor (death-related puns and all that sarcastic jazz), and the story itself.
Now, I docked half a star from my original rating because for one, I found it hard to get into the writing style. I was so confused, though, because I loved this particular aspect when I read it for the first time. Secondly, though the characters are distinct from each other, their sarcasm and the way they tell jokes is the same. It's like most of the characters' jokes are formulated by and connected to one super brain or something. I don't know how else to explain it.
But other than that, I still love the book. I'm about to read the sequel, and to be honest, I don't even remember what happens in this book. It's been so long, and I'm such a forgetful dumbass.
awildshey's review against another edition
I only got through 25% of the book and really did not like the main character. It felt as if she were being cruel and mean just for the hell of it. The world felt a little flat as well as the secondary characters. Another issue I had was the language. Characters would use a slur for developmentally delayed individual and "schizophrenic" as insults and I just didn't feel comfortable reading it. The premise of the book seemed really great and I feel like if this book was reworked it could become a great book.