Mimi's Reviews > Croak

Croak by Gina Damico
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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 soul 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! :)

(Original review at Mimi Valentine's YA Review Blog)
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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
March 19, 2012 – Shelved
May 11, 2012 – Shelved as: finished-copy-for-review
May 16, 2012 – Shelved as: adorable-favourites
May 16, 2012 – Shelved as: best-of-2012
May 16, 2012 – Shelved as: boys-i-wish-were-real
May 16, 2012 – Shelved as: pure-awesomeness
May 26, 2012 – Shelved as: reviewed

Comments Showing 1-24 of 24 (24 new)

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Kaylee Magic YOU FINALLY GOT A COPY OF THIS? :D yay!!!! You havetohaveto start soon!


Mimi I was totally planning on reading this next, so you have some solid timing, Kay! x) After being a complete Rachel Vincent fan, of course I had to add this one to my list of must-reads! ;)


Kaylee Magic Baha, you mean a total Tod fan, right? (x Because that's the main reason I wanted to read this book too, and I think I loved this version of reapers just a bit more! (: there are actual SCYTHES, Mim -- it's epic!


Mimi Actual scythes??? I think that totally gives this book an extra boost on the reaper coolness scale! x) Oh my gosh, you always recommend books to me that I end up loving completely, and I have a feeling this will be one of them! ;) <3


Kaylee Magic That works both ways, Mimi -- you already know how many times I've bought a book just because you recommended it! :P Driggs rocks, BTW! (: <333


message 6: by Mimi (last edited May 15, 2012 03:43AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mimi Awww, Driggs is the love interest, right? Is he as epically swoon-worthy as Tod? On a scale of cute to hot, where does he stand? x)


Kaylee Magic Mimi, Driggs BREAKS the hot/cute scale!! He's the kind of boy you DREAM about meeting: hot yet cute, rude yet sweet, snarky yet adorable, and TOTALLY swoon-worthy! Does he trump Tod? I think he just might! (x


Mimi HOTTER THAN TOD HUDSON, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? Oh my gosh, Kay, and to think I originally didn't want to read this book! :')


Kaylee Magic I know, it was a sin! :P but at least you have it now! You've got a cool finished copy, right? Isn't it SO SHINY?? (x


message 10: by Mimi (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mimi Yes, ohmygoodness!! When it came in the mail, I'm pretty sure I acted like a puppy for a few minutes and played with reflecting light off of it for a few minutes LOL... I love shiny covers! :') <3


message 11: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel wonderful update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


message 12: by Mimi (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mimi Thank you so much, Rachel!!!!!! <3 This book deserves all of those HAHAs -- I'm definitely finishing it tonight! :)


message 13: by Mimi (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mimi It is, Elena, it totally IS! But it's also so much more intense than I expected it to be -- like, Lex will be saying some ridiculously snarky line and then the mystery will bring you back to the awesomeness... I just finished and really loved this! :) <3


message 14: by Molli (new) - added it

Molli Moran Mimi! YAY! I LOOOOVED IT, TOO!


message 15: by Mimi (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mimi YAY MOLLI! I remember reading your review for it a while back and that's probably one of the major reasons I wanted to pick this book up, so thank you so much for convincing me! :') <3


message 16: by A (new)

A Great review! I finally decided to add this to my TBR, so thanks, because you definitely helped in that decision! :D


message 17: by Mimi (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mimi *cheers and dances* Yay, I'm so happy I could convince you to read this, A! Because this is one of those underdoggish books that DEFINITELY deserves to be read by everyone :) <3


message 18: by A (new)

A :D What I've read of reapers so far hasn't been great, but my friend has been pushing and pushing me to read Soul Screamers, which I was resisting and which I'll hopefully get to read in the next week or so. And it seems like this may be the book to really get me into the genre! :)


message 19: by Mimi (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mimi I can't believe you haven't read the Soul Screamers series before -- I'm officially joining your friend in the team to get you to read it! ;) The first few books are so awesome, but the latest one, If I Die? Absolutely AMAZING!! But I guess it's really smart for you to have waited this long because Before I Wake is coming out next month too LOL x) You don't have to wait too long!

But anyywaaaays haha... I really hope you like both Croak and the Soul Screamers series like I did, A! :) <3


message 20: by A (new)

A Thanks, I hope so too! :D


message 21: by Mimi (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mimi Haha go Team Reapers! (a.k.a. Team Tod and Team Driggs!) :') <3


Amanda Is it anything like the Showtime Series "dead like me"?


message 23: by Jasprit (new)

Jasprit Okay just your 5 stars has convinced me to add this to my tbr asap! It sounds fantastic! And you've been going through some great books lately you lucky thing! :)


message 24: by Mimi (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mimi @Amanda: I've actually never seen Dead Like Me before, but it's hilariously fun and creative and unlike any other book I've read, so maybe or maybe not, but I promise it's amazing! :)

@Jasprit: YAY! You have to read this one, J -- it's so much better than I expected it to be! And I know LOL I've never been so happy to be on a good book streak! 2012 is just filled to the brim with amazing books! :')


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