What do you think?
Rate this book
Croak #3
Rogue
Lex is a teenage Grim Reaper with the power to Damn souls, and it’s getting out of control. She’s a fugitive, on the run from the maniacal new mayor of Croak and the townspeople who want to see her pay the price for her misdeeds. Uncle Mort rounds up the Junior Grims to flee Croak once again, but this time they’re joined by Grotton, the most powerful Grim of all time. Their new mission is clear: Fix his mistakes, or the Afterlife will cease to exist, along with all the souls in it.
The gang heads for Necropolis, the labyrinth-like capital city of the Grimsphere. There, they discover that the Grimsphere needs a reboot. To do that, the portals to the Afterlife must be destroyed…but even that may not be enough to fix the damage. Things go from bad to worse, and when at last the fate of the Afterlife and all the souls of the Damned hang in the balance, it falls to Lex and her friends to make one final, impossible choice.
The gang heads for Necropolis, the labyrinth-like capital city of the Grimsphere. There, they discover that the Grimsphere needs a reboot. To do that, the portals to the Afterlife must be destroyed…but even that may not be enough to fix the damage. Things go from bad to worse, and when at last the fate of the Afterlife and all the souls of the Damned hang in the balance, it falls to Lex and her friends to make one final, impossible choice.
326 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2013
59 people are currently reading
2,673 people want to read
About the author
Gina Damico
7books782followersI grew up under four feet of snow in Syracuse, New York. I received a degree in theater and sociology from Boston College, where I was active with the Committee for Creative Enactments, a murder mystery improv comedy troupe that may or may not have sparked my interest in wildly improbably bloodshed. I have since worked as a tour guide, transcriptionist, theater house manager, scenic artist, movie extra, office troll, retail monkey, yarn hawker, and breadmonger.I live in Western Massachusetts with my husband, two cats, one dog, and and obscene amount of weird things purchased at yard sales.
NOTE: I don't check back here as often as I'd like to (OR write reviews), so instead of sending me a friend request or following me, why not hit me up on Twitter instead? @ginadamico
NOTE: I don't check back here as often as I'd like to (OR write reviews), so instead of sending me a friend request or following me, why not hit me up on Twitter instead? @ginadamico
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
September 19, 2013
2.5 stars - Spoilers
Disappointing. The first two books were fun and charming reads but this one was way too sad, also it was kind of dull. There was too much action, too many deaths, and a really really depressing ending.
-Most of the plot consisted of Lex and co running and hiding from Norwood and the other bad guys. It was rather boring.
-The characters were decent enough (apart from Ferbus and Mort). But Lex wasn't quite as entertaining this time around, her guilt and self-pity didn't make for interesting reading.
-I was sick of everyone blaming Lex for anything bad that happened. It wasn't her fault that the Afterlife was being destroyed or that there was a war going on between the Grims. Mort was the one who engineered the situation the Grims were in, he'd been planning the war before Lex was even fucking born� So why the hell was Lex to blame for it? The fucked up situation they were in was always going to happen. Just because Lex was caught up in the events that led up to the war didn't make it her fault. If anything, it was Mort's fault � he was the one that manipulated Lex, hid secrets from her and everyone else, and planned to take on the bad guys.
Lex should have told Ferbus and his attitude to piss off, he was such a dick. He should have been blaming Mort, the mastermind behind everything, instead of a clueless teenage girl that got embroiled in all of Mort's manipulations.
I HATED Ferbus so much. Driggs sort of dying wasn't even Lex's fault. Why the hell was he acting like she was some sort of evul irredeemable cow? Zara was the one who killed Driggs, Lex wasn't responsible for Zara's madness and she wasn't responsible for Driggs's safety either.
And Lex was annoying too with her excessive guilt and martyr act, she did a lot of fucked up things but most of the bad things that happened to her friends and family wasn't her fault.
I'm so sick of heroines being treated like shit, being blamed for everything, constantly begging for forgiveness, and acting like any bad thing that happens is down to them even when it's clearly not. Ugh.
-One thing I loved was Lex and Driggs's relationship. I loved how awkwardly geeky and cute they were when they were around each other. Their relationship actually felt realistic unlike most YA couples.
It was so refreshing having a YA couple where the heroines wasn't a bland goody-two-shoes Mary Sue, and the hero wasn't an inexplicably-beautiful-mysterious-teenage-manslut. I wish more YA couples were like Driggs and Lex, they were great� And that just made the ending even more sucky, I would have been happy if they'd died and got to spend their Afterlife hanging out with friends and family, but they didn't even get that � both of them destroyed themselves and ceased to exist. It wasn't just a depressing ending, it was also a WTF ending � for both main characters to have such a miserable end in a series that was up until then light hearted and fun was just over the top WTFery.
-I was irritated at Mort and his bloody secrets. I could understand him keeping some things to himself but there were quite a few times where his keeping things to himself made no sense� Like not telling Lex what the hole punch thing did or not telling anyone who the new president would be � why was it necessary to keep those things to himself? Ugh, I hate when characters don't reveal things for no other reason than to create contrived drama.
All in all, I wasn't impressed� If I knew that both the heroine and hero would end up worse than dead, I would never have started the series. Yea, I'm going to be even more wary about starting new series after this.
Disappointing. The first two books were fun and charming reads but this one was way too sad, also it was kind of dull. There was too much action, too many deaths, and a really really depressing ending.
-Most of the plot consisted of Lex and co running and hiding from Norwood and the other bad guys. It was rather boring.
-The characters were decent enough (apart from Ferbus and Mort). But Lex wasn't quite as entertaining this time around, her guilt and self-pity didn't make for interesting reading.
-I was sick of everyone blaming Lex for anything bad that happened. It wasn't her fault that the Afterlife was being destroyed or that there was a war going on between the Grims. Mort was the one who engineered the situation the Grims were in, he'd been planning the war before Lex was even fucking born� So why the hell was Lex to blame for it? The fucked up situation they were in was always going to happen. Just because Lex was caught up in the events that led up to the war didn't make it her fault. If anything, it was Mort's fault � he was the one that manipulated Lex, hid secrets from her and everyone else, and planned to take on the bad guys.
Lex should have told Ferbus and his attitude to piss off, he was such a dick. He should have been blaming Mort, the mastermind behind everything, instead of a clueless teenage girl that got embroiled in all of Mort's manipulations.
I HATED Ferbus so much. Driggs sort of dying wasn't even Lex's fault. Why the hell was he acting like she was some sort of evul irredeemable cow? Zara was the one who killed Driggs, Lex wasn't responsible for Zara's madness and she wasn't responsible for Driggs's safety either.
And Lex was annoying too with her excessive guilt and martyr act, she did a lot of fucked up things but most of the bad things that happened to her friends and family wasn't her fault.
I'm so sick of heroines being treated like shit, being blamed for everything, constantly begging for forgiveness, and acting like any bad thing that happens is down to them even when it's clearly not. Ugh.
-One thing I loved was Lex and Driggs's relationship. I loved how awkwardly geeky and cute they were when they were around each other. Their relationship actually felt realistic unlike most YA couples.
It was so refreshing having a YA couple where the heroines wasn't a bland goody-two-shoes Mary Sue, and the hero wasn't an inexplicably-beautiful-mysterious-teenage-manslut. I wish more YA couples were like Driggs and Lex, they were great� And that just made the ending even more sucky, I would have been happy if they'd died and got to spend their Afterlife hanging out with friends and family, but they didn't even get that � both of them destroyed themselves and ceased to exist. It wasn't just a depressing ending, it was also a WTF ending � for both main characters to have such a miserable end in a series that was up until then light hearted and fun was just over the top WTFery.
-I was irritated at Mort and his bloody secrets. I could understand him keeping some things to himself but there were quite a few times where his keeping things to himself made no sense� Like not telling Lex what the hole punch thing did or not telling anyone who the new president would be � why was it necessary to keep those things to himself? Ugh, I hate when characters don't reveal things for no other reason than to create contrived drama.
All in all, I wasn't impressed� If I knew that both the heroine and hero would end up worse than dead, I would never have started the series. Yea, I'm going to be even more wary about starting new series after this.
March 21, 2015
“She wished she had a set of greeting cards at the ready, but Hallmark probably didn’t make any that said Thank you for giving up your life so that me and my friends could escape! It was SO appreciated. XOXO!�
You thought was cruel? Ha! You obviously haven't met Gina Damico. Girl studied the art of Fictional Murder at the hands of the master himself.
In this final installment, Lex and the gang are (still) on the run and they're joined by no other than the most famous Grim in history: Grotton. He's the first Grim with the power to Damn souls and the first Grim period. By giving humans the responsibility of guiding souls into the Afterlife, he's messed up the cosmos and now Lex and Co. have to find a way to reverse it before the Afterlife erodes.
No pressure or anything.
Only Gina. Only Gina can juggle a plot this complex and not fall flat on her face.
Lex is technically a Special Snowflake. She can Damn souls, she's the descendent of two Grims (Grims are not allowed to have kids with one another because they'd be too powerful), and supposedly has the ability to reverse the damage Grotton did all those eons ago.
But you can't help but love her. I wanted to give her a standing ovation in the end when . Her character develops full circle, going back to her initial anger in at not being allowed to punish murderers and her taking matters into her own hands in by killing criminals. You can't play God, and Lex learns this in the harshest way possible.
I never jumped on Lex/Driggs' ship, even though I adore their banter:
“You going to let him talk to me like that?� Driggs said to Lex. “Defend my honor, woman.�
“Defend your own honor.�
They're more of a decoration rather than squeal-worthy, like Mia/Michael in . It's hard to root for a couple that keeps mentioning spittle during make-out sessions. Way to set the mood.
The death toll is insane. I didn't think Gina would be that ballsy., yanked a limb off a survivor and stripped another of her powers midway.
And I'm not even mad. I was furious at Veronica Roth and Suzanne Collins for killing their characters. Each death moved the plot further and had consequences, whether it's for character development or to piss on readers who think YA is sunshine and daisies.
Hint: it's not.
My review of Croak
My review of Scorch
January 11, 2015
ASDFGHJKL;QWERTYUIOPZXCBNNLSHFHDJSJSBXBDIS:'?):!AHDJEOEASJFKG
This book has ruined me. Gina Damico has no mercy ;___;
This book has ruined me. Gina Damico has no mercy ;___;
August 12, 2016
This review will be spoiler-free for the series.
Today I shall exhort you to begin reading Gina Damico's Croak series, assuming you haven't already. If you stop by here often, then you probably know that I'm pretty stingy with my 5 star ratings, giving them out only in cases where a book has made me an emotional mess, sucked me in so much I forget the real world, AND been, from my limited perspective, unimpeachable in quality. Most series go out with more of a whimper than a bang, but, in this case, the finale is the strongest book in the series, which is why I am going to fangirl as hard as I can, and encourage all of you with good senses of humor to read this as soon as possible.
From Croak onward, Gina Damico has excelled at humor and narrative voice. She writes a mixture of black comedy and straight up silliness that I find positively enchanting. The sort of people who enjoy television shows like Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies simply MUST read this series. Her style has a really unique flair. She chooses really weird terms or phrasing at times, but somehow they're completely perfect for the moment. A good example is her creativity in coming up with swear words. Ordinarily, I find invented swear words in novels irritating, rather than amusing or clever, but Damico's are perfection and likely to enter my actual vocabulary. Here are some examples: "shitballs," "everdeathing," and "douchecrate." While probably not to everyone's tastes, if those make you giggle, it's a sign that Damico's writing is meant for you.
However, there's more than just humor in this series. Though Croak is, so far as my memory can recall, largely a darkly comic fluffy book, with a bit of intensity right at the end, both Scorch and Rogue have far more serious moments. In Scorch, they weren't quite as well balanced and that ended up being my least favorite in the series. By Rogue, Damico's got it down, handling serious moments with proper seriousness, making me want to cry, and then lightening the mood on the next page so that I'm grinning like an idiot. It's a bit of an emotional roller coaster, with much of the comedy being of the sort to help keep them moving in the face of overwhelming odds.
The characters all sparkle with wit, vivacity and uniqueness. I love each and every one of them, basically, though Mort is my special favorite and going on my book boyfriend list. Gina Damico writes banter between characters like no one else. All of the grim reapers in their little group make fun of one another constantly, but there is real love underneath that, so completely evident through it all. Even better, Damico doesn't neglect the supporting cast at all. In fact, by book three, there almost isn't a supporting cast because they're all so important to the plot and accomplishing what must be done. There's an ending for all of the characters you've come to love, whether happy or sad, and it's not just about Lex and Driggs, who I do ship something fierce by the way.
Since I'm not going to delve into any spoilers for the series, I'll keep this high level and relatively brief (for me anyway). The last thing I need to say is that Damico has guts. She steps outside of traditional YA lines and takes big risks. The stakes are high and she kills a lot of characters, with rather a Whedonesque flair. She gets the utmost respect from me for that. The series also abounds with twists, some of which I called and some which totally blindsided me, all combining to make a wholly engrossing and emotional reading experience.
Gina Damico's Croak series is officially ranked among my favorite books ever, and rereads in the future will be essential. As of this writing, Damico has another book deal for a book called Hellhole about a devil, and I'm already wondering who I have to do what to in order to be able to read that ASAP. So, friends, if you have a similar taste in humor, then you want this in your life. Trust me. If you don't trust me, why are you here?
Today I shall exhort you to begin reading Gina Damico's Croak series, assuming you haven't already. If you stop by here often, then you probably know that I'm pretty stingy with my 5 star ratings, giving them out only in cases where a book has made me an emotional mess, sucked me in so much I forget the real world, AND been, from my limited perspective, unimpeachable in quality. Most series go out with more of a whimper than a bang, but, in this case, the finale is the strongest book in the series, which is why I am going to fangirl as hard as I can, and encourage all of you with good senses of humor to read this as soon as possible.
From Croak onward, Gina Damico has excelled at humor and narrative voice. She writes a mixture of black comedy and straight up silliness that I find positively enchanting. The sort of people who enjoy television shows like Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies simply MUST read this series. Her style has a really unique flair. She chooses really weird terms or phrasing at times, but somehow they're completely perfect for the moment. A good example is her creativity in coming up with swear words. Ordinarily, I find invented swear words in novels irritating, rather than amusing or clever, but Damico's are perfection and likely to enter my actual vocabulary. Here are some examples: "shitballs," "everdeathing," and "douchecrate." While probably not to everyone's tastes, if those make you giggle, it's a sign that Damico's writing is meant for you.
However, there's more than just humor in this series. Though Croak is, so far as my memory can recall, largely a darkly comic fluffy book, with a bit of intensity right at the end, both Scorch and Rogue have far more serious moments. In Scorch, they weren't quite as well balanced and that ended up being my least favorite in the series. By Rogue, Damico's got it down, handling serious moments with proper seriousness, making me want to cry, and then lightening the mood on the next page so that I'm grinning like an idiot. It's a bit of an emotional roller coaster, with much of the comedy being of the sort to help keep them moving in the face of overwhelming odds.
The characters all sparkle with wit, vivacity and uniqueness. I love each and every one of them, basically, though Mort is my special favorite and going on my book boyfriend list. Gina Damico writes banter between characters like no one else. All of the grim reapers in their little group make fun of one another constantly, but there is real love underneath that, so completely evident through it all. Even better, Damico doesn't neglect the supporting cast at all. In fact, by book three, there almost isn't a supporting cast because they're all so important to the plot and accomplishing what must be done. There's an ending for all of the characters you've come to love, whether happy or sad, and it's not just about Lex and Driggs, who I do ship something fierce by the way.
Since I'm not going to delve into any spoilers for the series, I'll keep this high level and relatively brief (for me anyway). The last thing I need to say is that Damico has guts. She steps outside of traditional YA lines and takes big risks. The stakes are high and she kills a lot of characters, with rather a Whedonesque flair. She gets the utmost respect from me for that. The series also abounds with twists, some of which I called and some which totally blindsided me, all combining to make a wholly engrossing and emotional reading experience.
Gina Damico's Croak series is officially ranked among my favorite books ever, and rereads in the future will be essential. As of this writing, Damico has another book deal for a book called Hellhole about a devil, and I'm already wondering who I have to do what to in order to be able to read that ASAP. So, friends, if you have a similar taste in humor, then you want this in your life. Trust me. If you don't trust me, why are you here?
July 17, 2014
Whatever I have to say about this book, it was definitely one thing: Unexpected.
Because who knew that such a funny and humorous trilogy would end up so...depressing.
But it was not unexpected in a good way. This book is probably the weakest of the 3. Other than the fact that it was full of Lex's self pity, it was also boring. I wouldn't usually associate that word with this series, but here I am.
It's like the humor and wit were thrown in to not make this as depressing as it should've been. I feel like the humor gave us this false sense of security that everything would be okay in the end. By the end, I had so many questions and I just felt it was left a little incomplete.
I will admit, the last two chapters were pretty moving. I did have a heavy heart the whole time and it just got heavier during the end.
I feel robbed of my happy ending ;_;
Because who knew that such a funny and humorous trilogy would end up so...depressing.
But it was not unexpected in a good way. This book is probably the weakest of the 3. Other than the fact that it was full of Lex's self pity, it was also boring. I wouldn't usually associate that word with this series, but here I am.
It's like the humor and wit were thrown in to not make this as depressing as it should've been. I feel like the humor gave us this false sense of security that everything would be okay in the end. By the end, I had so many questions and I just felt it was left a little incomplete.
I will admit, the last two chapters were pretty moving. I did have a heavy heart the whole time and it just got heavier during the end.
I feel robbed of my happy ending ;_;
August 31, 2015
My Deep and Thoughtful Thoughts on Rogue:
July 23, 2018
Tak a je konec. Fňuk. Už jsem to psala u dvojky - opět jsem dostala, po čem jsem tak dlouho toužila. Teď už chápu, proč si má člověk dávat pozor, co si přeje. :)
Ovšem - může mít série uzavřený konec, ale přitom i tak trochu otevřený? Čekala jsem něco definitivního, bez možnosti pokračování, ale co když to nebyl úplný konec? Nějak mi ta děcka přirostla k srdci, sakra...
Jinak musím ocenit jednak to téma a poměrně propracovaný svět, ale také fakt, že romantická linka není nijak explicitní, prostě ať si každý domyslí, co chce. A hlavně jim to většinou někdo překazil (uhm, strejdo Morte?), takže to bylo alespoň vtipné.
Jinak se vrátím k tomu prohlášení po prvním díle: Ano, tohle překládat do češtiny by bylo za trest, ale české vydání by téhle sérii prostě taaak slušelo... �
Ovšem - může mít série uzavřený konec, ale přitom i tak trochu otevřený? Čekala jsem něco definitivního, bez možnosti pokračování, ale co když to nebyl úplný konec? Nějak mi ta děcka přirostla k srdci, sakra...
Jinak musím ocenit jednak to téma a poměrně propracovaný svět, ale také fakt, že romantická linka není nijak explicitní, prostě ať si každý domyslí, co chce. A hlavně jim to většinou někdo překazil (uhm, strejdo Morte?), takže to bylo alespoň vtipné.
Jinak se vrátím k tomu prohlášení po prvním díle: Ano, tohle překládat do češtiny by bylo za trest, ale české vydání by téhle sérii prostě taaak slušelo... �
December 8, 2013
4.5-5 Stars!
*WARNING: HUGE SPOILERS IN THE SPOILERS LINK SO DON'T CLICK THEM IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS
Thank you Gina Damico. THANKS A LOT. I was hoping to go to bed and get somegood night's sleep, but I end up going to sleep with a stream of tears on my face. BRA-VO.
I LOVED AND HATED IT! Mostly loved it though. I got the same comedy and romance from books 1 and 2, if not more, and the characters are the same ones I know and love. I don't think there's not much for me to say that others haven't already mentioned, so I'll talk about the few things I didn't like about it.
The Climax
I wasn't very happy with the constant shift from past to present as the climax was approaching. I'm not saying Gina shouldn't have done it or it was a bad move to make because it did build up emotion and it probably brought out more emotion actually enacting the scene rather than having that person (don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it) give a summary about his/her life flashing before his/her eyes. Still, I wish there were a way for it to have been done more smoothly...it's perfect for a movie script though.
The Ending
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It made me utterly depressed at the end, but I certainly don't regret reading this magnificent series. This particular book made me laugh, cry, and love as much as the first two book combined. If you haven't read the 3rd book yet, READ IT NOW! Unless you're deathly allergic to sadness (which I'm assuming you're not since some sad stuff has gone on in the previous two books), but even if you hate a lot of sad scenes, read this book, but be wary. If you're a fan of the series, you must read it in order to get some closure on what happens! If you're new to the series, START IT NOW! You need a series that not only make you laugh and feel good, but also reminds you what sadness is because IMO I think we all need a little dose of sad reality from time to time in a book.
Big thanks to Gina Damico for writing this series! If you didn't come up with this story while you were bored at your job, the world would have one less entertaining book series to read.
*WARNING: HUGE SPOILERS IN THE SPOILERS LINK SO DON'T CLICK THEM IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS
Thank you Gina Damico. THANKS A LOT. I was hoping to go to bed and get some
I LOVED AND HATED IT! Mostly loved it though. I got the same comedy and romance from books 1 and 2, if not more, and the characters are the same ones I know and love. I don't think there's not much for me to say that others haven't already mentioned, so I'll talk about the few things I didn't like about it.
The Climax
I wasn't very happy with the constant shift from past to present as the climax was approaching. I'm not saying Gina shouldn't have done it or it was a bad move to make because it did build up emotion and it probably brought out more emotion actually enacting the scene rather than having that person (don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it) give a summary about his/her life flashing before his/her eyes. Still, I wish there were a way for it to have been done more smoothly...it's perfect for a movie script though.
The Ending
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It made me utterly depressed at the end, but I certainly don't regret reading this magnificent series. This particular book made me laugh, cry, and love as much as the first two book combined. If you haven't read the 3rd book yet, READ IT NOW! Unless you're deathly allergic to sadness (which I'm assuming you're not since some sad stuff has gone on in the previous two books), but even if you hate a lot of sad scenes, read this book, but be wary. If you're a fan of the series, you must read it in order to get some closure on what happens! If you're new to the series, START IT NOW! You need a series that not only make you laugh and feel good, but also reminds you what sadness is because IMO I think we all need a little dose of sad reality from time to time in a book.
Big thanks to Gina Damico for writing this series! If you didn't come up with this story while you were bored at your job, the world would have one less entertaining book series to read.
January 7, 2016
5 huge stars for this book, and the series as a whole, even though I rated Croak only 4 stars. With each new installment, the series continued to surpass my expectations. Gina Damico kept things natural (well, as natural as a supernatural story could be), down-to-earth, sarcastic, and dark. A great combination in my opinion. It wasn't all rainbows and butterflies when it came to young love, there were complications, stressors, obstacles, and heartbreak.
Lex continues to run headlong into danger while thinking she is finally making unselfish decisions to help others, and of course, without too much forethought, she keeps making things worse. She manages to come through in the end though. Her sarcasm in stressful situations was something I could definitely relate to, as I have said many an inappropriate thing during the most inappropriate times for this reason alone. I think this personality, and Driggs' as well, is what kept this story from plunging into the dark abyss. They kept it right on the edge.
Driggs was optimistic as always, especially despite his situation. He stuck to his values and reacted appropriately. I'm glad Lex and him got to experience something "cracktastic", that is something most teenagers think about when the concept of dying young comes up. I also enjoyed the struggle they had to get there.
All the other supporting characters provided the right amount of dialog and background to give this story the depth it deserves. The sacrifice of Mort, Pip, Skyla, etc., Grotton's change of character, Ferbis' grudge and help, A.J.'s circumstances, Pandora's position, Cord's and Zara's support, and Edgar Allen Poe's presence (my 2nd favorite supporting character).
The story ended beautifully. I don't want to go into too much detail because I want you to experience it the way I did. If you liked the first in the series, they only get better from there. I'd recommend this series as a whole, and will not hesitate to pick up another from Gina Damico.
Lex continues to run headlong into danger while thinking she is finally making unselfish decisions to help others, and of course, without too much forethought, she keeps making things worse. She manages to come through in the end though. Her sarcasm in stressful situations was something I could definitely relate to, as I have said many an inappropriate thing during the most inappropriate times for this reason alone. I think this personality, and Driggs' as well, is what kept this story from plunging into the dark abyss. They kept it right on the edge.
Driggs was optimistic as always, especially despite his situation. He stuck to his values and reacted appropriately. I'm glad Lex and him got to experience something "cracktastic", that is something most teenagers think about when the concept of dying young comes up. I also enjoyed the struggle they had to get there.
All the other supporting characters provided the right amount of dialog and background to give this story the depth it deserves. The sacrifice of Mort, Pip, Skyla, etc., Grotton's change of character, Ferbis' grudge and help, A.J.'s circumstances, Pandora's position, Cord's and Zara's support, and Edgar Allen Poe's presence (my 2nd favorite supporting character).
The story ended beautifully. I don't want to go into too much detail because I want you to experience it the way I did. If you liked the first in the series, they only get better from there. I'd recommend this series as a whole, and will not hesitate to pick up another from Gina Damico.
May 5, 2014
I never write reviews but I have NEVER been so disappointed in the end of a trilogy as this one. The first two books were fun and snarky and humorous even though there was death and destruction. To end it so utterly DEPRESSING...I can't even comment on what REALLY pisses me off the most about this book with spoilers. Suffice to say I wish I hadn't wasted the time on this trilogy.
April 6, 2015
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.
October 3, 2013
Well...that was tragic. Might write a longer review after I finish my psychotherapy sessions that I now require.
Ms. Damico has done it again--she first amazed me with a second book that was stronger than the first. Then there's this, a book that looks at YA literary tropes, declares "shitballs", and kicks them all in the face, reinventing the proverbial wheel. I guess in a book about reapers, death is inevitable. But I won't say anymore. Spoilers! I respect any book, movie, tv show, etc that is willing to take the inexplicable American need for happy endings that vomit rainbows and shit glitter and say "nope, not this time. Not everything is happy. Deal with it!" I loved it in Hunger Games, it's a huge plus for anime (thank you, emotional Japanese people), and it just makes a story more real. This book--it's real.
Lex will forever reside in my brains as one of the most kickass heroines I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. She's up there with Katniss and Hermione, people. And why? Because she is so SO flawed. She's just so damn human, it's endearing. She's angry, impulsive, jealous, and more than a little volatile. But she's also loving, loyal, selfless, and hysterically funny. You like Lex because she's normal; not a paragon by which our every act should be modeled, but the black-hooded screwup that you just want to smack and hug simultaneously. She is this series--the other stuff is just foam on the Yorick.
Now, after therapy, I need to find a new series. Which may require more therapy.
Ms. Damico has done it again--she first amazed me with a second book that was stronger than the first. Then there's this, a book that looks at YA literary tropes, declares "shitballs", and kicks them all in the face, reinventing the proverbial wheel. I guess in a book about reapers, death is inevitable. But I won't say anymore. Spoilers! I respect any book, movie, tv show, etc that is willing to take the inexplicable American need for happy endings that vomit rainbows and shit glitter and say "nope, not this time. Not everything is happy. Deal with it!" I loved it in Hunger Games, it's a huge plus for anime (thank you, emotional Japanese people), and it just makes a story more real. This book--it's real.
Lex will forever reside in my brains as one of the most kickass heroines I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. She's up there with Katniss and Hermione, people. And why? Because she is so SO flawed. She's just so damn human, it's endearing. She's angry, impulsive, jealous, and more than a little volatile. But she's also loving, loyal, selfless, and hysterically funny. You like Lex because she's normal; not a paragon by which our every act should be modeled, but the black-hooded screwup that you just want to smack and hug simultaneously. She is this series--the other stuff is just foam on the Yorick.
Now, after therapy, I need to find a new series. Which may require more therapy.
July 16, 2014
Oh no, I did not just give up studying today for this....this...this...
I was quite disappointed. Contrary to what the majority might think, this was not a happy ending. After all the fun/humorous/sarcasm/entertaining stuff around, I expected this kids to have a HALLELUJA of happy life and grow old.
After Lex practically got screwed seven ways to Sunday and got blamed for everything, things just got worse. Everyone kept dying for the greater good, kept killing themselves in the process. Then of course there has to be the final HEROIC SACRIFICE because why? Because stupid thinking.
This started out very good. I was expecting some closure, for Driggs somehow to Un-die and they find happiness. Wasn't it enough that all those people had to die?
And in the end, the guy who started it all walks away. Like, whistling and having a happy life. Like, seriously? That? That's all? I never thought that things could get worse, apparently I underestimated the imagination of certain authors.
There was crying, laughing, kissing. Good. Then there was excessive dying, killing, murdering, suicide, amnesia, crying, sobbing, torture, villains, war, battles, bombs, guns. Just, for God's sake stop.
These kids went through Hell, quite literally. So don;t blame me for wanting for them to have a Heaven induced life.
Thank you for killing off my new found friends and characters.
I was quite disappointed. Contrary to what the majority might think, this was not a happy ending. After all the fun/humorous/sarcasm/entertaining stuff around, I expected this kids to have a HALLELUJA of happy life and grow old.
After Lex practically got screwed seven ways to Sunday and got blamed for everything, things just got worse. Everyone kept dying for the greater good, kept killing themselves in the process. Then of course there has to be the final HEROIC SACRIFICE because why? Because stupid thinking.
This started out very good. I was expecting some closure, for Driggs somehow to Un-die and they find happiness. Wasn't it enough that all those people had to die?
And in the end, the guy who started it all walks away. Like, whistling and having a happy life. Like, seriously? That? That's all? I never thought that things could get worse, apparently I underestimated the imagination of certain authors.
There was crying, laughing, kissing. Good. Then there was excessive dying, killing, murdering, suicide, amnesia, crying, sobbing, torture, villains, war, battles, bombs, guns. Just, for God's sake stop.
These kids went through Hell, quite literally. So don;t blame me for wanting for them to have a Heaven induced life.
Thank you for killing off my new found friends and characters.
March 6, 2017
There may possibly be a HUGE spoiler ahead for whoever hasn't read Scorch. There IS a huge spoiler. And if you haven't read scorch and don't know what happens, get off goodreads! What's wrong with you? Go read croak and scorch!! Go go go! It's going to be worth your time :) I can virtually bribe you with cheesecake and chocolates if you want.
I know this book is going to be super amazingly awesome and I obviously haven't read it yet but it's worth rating!!! But I'm not giving it 5 stars until I find out how a ghost-y Driggs and a human/grim reaper can be together.
I need to read this!!!! Why did scorch have to end that way? Reading the ending of scorch made me want to throw cacti at random people on the street.
September....September is before October....and October is before November....and November is before December...which is the last month of the year! I have to wait till the end of the year for rogue? Why? WHY?!
I know this book is going to be super amazingly awesome and I obviously haven't read it yet but it's worth rating!!! But I'm not giving it 5 stars until I find out how a ghost-y Driggs and a human/grim reaper can be together.
I need to read this!!!! Why did scorch have to end that way? Reading the ending of scorch made me want to throw cacti at random people on the street.
September....September is before October....and October is before November....and November is before December...which is the last month of the year! I have to wait till the end of the year for rogue? Why? WHY?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2015
5 fucking stars! If you have not read this hilariously dark trilogy of a girl who winds up being a Grim Reaper you must.
This conclusion, this finale, this end to a twistedly heartfelt trilogy, about a bunch of hooligan teens trying to save the world was amazeballs.
I would describe these books as YA paranormal comedy-coming of age story. All the teens grow in this book. They all become better in some way. I've always been fascinated with the Grim Reaper and this trilogy satisfied that craving and then some. I can't remember a book where I didn't just giggle but laughed out loud and couldn't stop smiling.
Lex...balls to the walls kind of girl. At the beginning of her grim career she punched and bit people but she became a great leader in the end. All the Juniors did. I want Uncle Mort to be a member of my family. I want to have these crazy teens as my friends. And Pandora......she was the absolute best.
I loved this trilogy.
This conclusion, this finale, this end to a twistedly heartfelt trilogy, about a bunch of hooligan teens trying to save the world was amazeballs.
I would describe these books as YA paranormal comedy-coming of age story. All the teens grow in this book. They all become better in some way. I've always been fascinated with the Grim Reaper and this trilogy satisfied that craving and then some. I can't remember a book where I didn't just giggle but laughed out loud and couldn't stop smiling.
Lex...balls to the walls kind of girl. At the beginning of her grim career she punched and bit people but she became a great leader in the end. All the Juniors did. I want Uncle Mort to be a member of my family. I want to have these crazy teens as my friends. And Pandora......she was the absolute best.
I loved this trilogy.
May 22, 2014
50 bazzilion stars for completely breaking my heart.
So while Scorch and Croak were funny and awesome they were mostly just funny.Now yes there was death and references eternal damnation and all that, but Rogue completely blows all that out of the water with one of the darkest and best endings to a trilogy I have ever read.And I loved every second of it.
Now I'm sure that some fans will wonder where the everything's perfect atmosphere gone.And they won't like it.That's fine.Personally I believe the author proved just how good she is by writing what was needed and completed the series rather than the preferred they lived happily ever after becoming stronger by what they experienced and recognized as awesome everywhere blah blah...
However that doesn't mean it wasn't raining on my face.
Also if you are like me you'll have certain pages bookmarked for sure .
So while Scorch and Croak were funny and awesome they were mostly just funny.Now yes there was death and references eternal damnation and all that, but Rogue completely blows all that out of the water with one of the darkest and best endings to a trilogy I have ever read.And I loved every second of it.
Now I'm sure that some fans will wonder where the everything's perfect atmosphere gone.And they won't like it.That's fine.Personally I believe the author proved just how good she is by writing what was needed and completed the series rather than the preferred they lived happily ever after becoming stronger by what they experienced and recognized as awesome everywhere blah blah...
However that doesn't mean it wasn't raining on my face.
Also if you are like me you'll have certain pages bookmarked for sure .
November 18, 2015
Best of the three and a great conclusion.
March 10, 2016
Owwwww. OWWWWW. My heart.
October 23, 2013
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 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 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.
May 20, 2015
Series Rating: 2.5
The first book, Croak, is pretty great, but as the series goes on there becomes a disconnect between all the horrible things that happen and the characters' reactions to them. Basically, the mood whiplash in these books is ridiculous.
I started out loving how snarky everyone was. Every character here is funny and sassy and there were more than a few moments were they had me laughing out loud. But then, starting in the second book and definitely by the third, the story got more serious and the stakes grew to incredible heights, and I just wanted to see some genuine emotion from these guys, befitting their experiences, instead of the non-stop snarkfests. It was there occasionally, and when it showed up it was great in a "damn it, this book is makin my heart physically hurt" way (which does not happen to me often and is not an easy feat). But then a page later, or even just in the next paragraph, one or more characters will throw out a quip and completely ruin any emotional resonance. Which just got exhausting and is not good storytelling.
If you want to write a humorous book, that's perfectly fine. But you can't throw in truly heart-wrenching, moving events and conversations and the promise of character growth in between the snark. You have to commit to that type of emotion 100%. You can't back out, or be like "Just kidding!" a paragraph later or else your readers are going to be confused about what they should feel.
These books had a ton of potential. But they got bogged down in the humor, which kept them from really developing into a solid, touching narrative with weight.
... I never thought I'd criticize a book for being too funny.
The first book, Croak, is pretty great, but as the series goes on there becomes a disconnect between all the horrible things that happen and the characters' reactions to them. Basically, the mood whiplash in these books is ridiculous.
I started out loving how snarky everyone was. Every character here is funny and sassy and there were more than a few moments were they had me laughing out loud. But then, starting in the second book and definitely by the third, the story got more serious and the stakes grew to incredible heights, and I just wanted to see some genuine emotion from these guys, befitting their experiences, instead of the non-stop snarkfests. It was there occasionally, and when it showed up it was great in a "damn it, this book is makin my heart physically hurt" way (which does not happen to me often and is not an easy feat). But then a page later, or even just in the next paragraph, one or more characters will throw out a quip and completely ruin any emotional resonance. Which just got exhausting and is not good storytelling.
If you want to write a humorous book, that's perfectly fine. But you can't throw in truly heart-wrenching, moving events and conversations and the promise of character growth in between the snark. You have to commit to that type of emotion 100%. You can't back out, or be like "Just kidding!" a paragraph later or else your readers are going to be confused about what they should feel.
These books had a ton of potential. But they got bogged down in the humor, which kept them from really developing into a solid, touching narrative with weight.
... I never thought I'd criticize a book for being too funny.
October 8, 2013
Your being forewarned! There will be MAJOR spoilers in this review. So, if u hate spoilers then quit reading right now.......
I was only going to give this book 3 stars. But then I got to the last couple chapters and they wrecked me! I was crying like a baby at a Honda dealership while my car was being worked on. I'm sure they thought I was quite crazy, but I didn't give a fuck. I had to know how it all played out! I cried for Mort, I cried for Lex, I cried for Driggs, I just sat there crying and reading. And any book that can make me feel emotions that strong deserve 5 stars! I didn't see their deaths coming and I was certainly shocked by Lex' s choice!! Damn you conscious!!! I do wish the author would write one more book or a novella cause I felt like too much was left open. I didn't feel complete when I finished the book. I want to know what grotton did before he died, I want to know if the afterlife was saved, I want to know how her parents did after her death, and I especially want to know where lex and Driggs went! Did they cease to exist and if not then where are they. How's their life/existence now? Ah, see too many open ended story lines.
But since it brought out such strong and I guess positive (or at least not angry or disgust) emotions I have to give it 5 stars.
I was only going to give this book 3 stars. But then I got to the last couple chapters and they wrecked me! I was crying like a baby at a Honda dealership while my car was being worked on. I'm sure they thought I was quite crazy, but I didn't give a fuck. I had to know how it all played out! I cried for Mort, I cried for Lex, I cried for Driggs, I just sat there crying and reading. And any book that can make me feel emotions that strong deserve 5 stars! I didn't see their deaths coming and I was certainly shocked by Lex' s choice!! Damn you conscious!!! I do wish the author would write one more book or a novella cause I felt like too much was left open. I didn't feel complete when I finished the book. I want to know what grotton did before he died, I want to know if the afterlife was saved, I want to know how her parents did after her death, and I especially want to know where lex and Driggs went! Did they cease to exist and if not then where are they. How's their life/existence now? Ah, see too many open ended story lines.
But since it brought out such strong and I guess positive (or at least not angry or disgust) emotions I have to give it 5 stars.
June 19, 2015
It took me almost 2 years to finally read this series ender, but it didn’t feel like it. By the time I read the first 10 pages, I was completely sucked in and felt comfortable understanding everything that was happening. That’s a great sign since the previous books obviously made an impression somewhere in my memory. This book fit right into those impressions, and fulfilled my expectations wonderfully.
The darkest in the trilogy, this book still has the overall humour vibe of the series. It meant the book was very entertaining, even with a lot of darker undertones. Like the previous books, the characters face real dangers, and not everyone escapes unharmed, which makes for some tense reading.
The ending was very satisfying. I’m always a little nervous about series endings since I want everything to be wrapped up neatly, but in a logical way. This book did that well, and even left me feeling good about ending my adventures with the characters. I never want to say goodbye, but this book made me okay with it. And that’s a really rewarding way to end things.
The darkest in the trilogy, this book still has the overall humour vibe of the series. It meant the book was very entertaining, even with a lot of darker undertones. Like the previous books, the characters face real dangers, and not everyone escapes unharmed, which makes for some tense reading.
The ending was very satisfying. I’m always a little nervous about series endings since I want everything to be wrapped up neatly, but in a logical way. This book did that well, and even left me feeling good about ending my adventures with the characters. I never want to say goodbye, but this book made me okay with it. And that’s a really rewarding way to end things.
December 31, 2014
I liked this series overall, a neat premise and likeable characters.
But...
It was really let down by the resolution.
While I appreciate that it was an act of 'self sacrifice'. I think the conclusion sends a really really bad message.
Lex was burdened with a hell of a lot of "other people's problems" and the solution that gave everyone else a 'happily ever after' was that she take her own life.
Not even taking her own life secure in the knowledge that the Afterlife is real and she'd be with friends, there but a special kind of total self annihilation, because it's better for everyone else.
And to cap it off, in the epilogue Diggs has himself annihilated too.. and hints that against all the odds they find each other.
While I enjoyed the series I felt really let down that the author felt that the best resolution for her troubled teen was "romantic suicide". Lazy at the best of times, in a novel targeted at young adults it feels downright irresponsible.
But...
It was really let down by the resolution.
While I appreciate that it was an act of 'self sacrifice'. I think the conclusion sends a really really bad message.
Lex was burdened with a hell of a lot of "other people's problems" and the solution that gave everyone else a 'happily ever after' was that she take her own life.
Not even taking her own life secure in the knowledge that the Afterlife is real and she'd be with friends, there but a special kind of total self annihilation, because it's better for everyone else.
And to cap it off, in the epilogue Diggs has himself annihilated too.. and hints that against all the odds they find each other.
While I enjoyed the series I felt really let down that the author felt that the best resolution for her troubled teen was "romantic suicide". Lazy at the best of times, in a novel targeted at young adults it feels downright irresponsible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2013
It is difficult to rate Rogue as I was unimpressed with book two and this sentiment continued into this book. The book was largely boring and absolutely did not hold my attention. Honestly I skipped parts but read the end. I was impressed that Damico chose to end the series the way she did, although it will probably cause a sappy response from true lovers of the series. I, however, felt no attachment to the characters and was very happy to see the series end (with absolute finality it would seem). The first book had humor and an entertaining main character, but the trilogy just holds no interest to me overall and I will be hesitant to read further from the author.
September 18, 2013
I was going to wait until the broken pieces of my heart reassembled themselves somewhat in a few days before writing this review, but I'm going to use all these terrible, gut-wrenching emotions that are killing me inside right now to try and convey why Rogue is one of the best endings I've ever read and why Damico should never, ever, EVER stop writing.
You know a book is good and worthwhile when it manages to make you feel something really powerful, when it is able to evoke within you so many feelings and emotions that at one moment have you struggling to catch a breath after laughing so much and just a few pages later it has you broken down on the floor crying your eyes out. Rogue does that and more. Damico managed to create all these unique characters and breathe so much life into them than when the moment comes to say goodbye, you are chocking up as if they were real people you will never see again. And they were all so special and original and so flawed, I don't think I'll ever manage to forget them.
Damico is probably the bravest YA writer out there. She took major risks with this novel and they all came from this understanding of what it really means to make sacrifices for the greater good and the importance of things that go beyond one special girl and the boy she fell in love with, which is what most YA novels tend to forget about.
Croak and Scorch, the first two installments in the series, were unadulterated and unbelievable fun. Whenever I think about those books a smile immediately comes to my face. But Rogue, without cutting back on the fun, also managed to be extremely serious, relentless in its delivery of action, heart-breaking and full of absolutely stunning character growth. All these characters you thought you knew get so many new layers to them, they become truly complex figures and now you begin to understand that there was a lot more to them that you could possibly have imagined.
I'm trying to be as vague as possible as to not spoil anything for people that haven't had a chance to read this books, -which they should, like right this second -, so I'm just going to close this very sad attempt at a review by saying that, though I am devastated that this series has come to an end, I am incredibly glad I was able to be here for it from the very beginning and enjoy this amazing and fun ride of a series - even though it broke my heart in the end. This ending was perfect and I can't wait to see what else Damico has in store, because I promise you, it's going to be great.
You know a book is good and worthwhile when it manages to make you feel something really powerful, when it is able to evoke within you so many feelings and emotions that at one moment have you struggling to catch a breath after laughing so much and just a few pages later it has you broken down on the floor crying your eyes out. Rogue does that and more. Damico managed to create all these unique characters and breathe so much life into them than when the moment comes to say goodbye, you are chocking up as if they were real people you will never see again. And they were all so special and original and so flawed, I don't think I'll ever manage to forget them.
Damico is probably the bravest YA writer out there. She took major risks with this novel and they all came from this understanding of what it really means to make sacrifices for the greater good and the importance of things that go beyond one special girl and the boy she fell in love with, which is what most YA novels tend to forget about.
Croak and Scorch, the first two installments in the series, were unadulterated and unbelievable fun. Whenever I think about those books a smile immediately comes to my face. But Rogue, without cutting back on the fun, also managed to be extremely serious, relentless in its delivery of action, heart-breaking and full of absolutely stunning character growth. All these characters you thought you knew get so many new layers to them, they become truly complex figures and now you begin to understand that there was a lot more to them that you could possibly have imagined.
I'm trying to be as vague as possible as to not spoil anything for people that haven't had a chance to read this books, -which they should, like right this second -, so I'm just going to close this very sad attempt at a review by saying that, though I am devastated that this series has come to an end, I am incredibly glad I was able to be here for it from the very beginning and enjoy this amazing and fun ride of a series - even though it broke my heart in the end. This ending was perfect and I can't wait to see what else Damico has in store, because I promise you, it's going to be great.
July 31, 2017
Back when the first book in the series, Croak, came out my friend Zoë and I decided to read it together as a read-a-long, and we continued that trend all the way until Rogue...unfortunately when it first came our we were too buy to read it together, so it got swept aside, but we finally did it!! We finished the Croak trilogy. :P
I always struggle a bit writing reviews for final books in trilogies or series because I don't want to spoil anything, so forgive me for being SUPER vague, and for my brevity! After finishing Rogue, I was so conflicted!!! I loved it sooo much, but it also broke my heart! The characters are just as fantastic as they've always been, it was just as funny as the first two books (although this one was definitely much more sobering than the others), and the story still kept me absolutely hooked right up until the last page!
Overall, Rogue was a wonderful conclusion to this trilogy! It had me on edge the entire time, made me laugh, and it made me cry...I was absolutely WRECKED when I finished reading it, but I was also very satisfied with the story, and I think if you loved the first two you've definitely love this one! If you're new to this trilogy I think it's perfect for fans of the TV show Dead Like Me, and for anyone who likes their humour a bit on the morbid side. ;)
I always struggle a bit writing reviews for final books in trilogies or series because I don't want to spoil anything, so forgive me for being SUPER vague, and for my brevity! After finishing Rogue, I was so conflicted!!! I loved it sooo much, but it also broke my heart! The characters are just as fantastic as they've always been, it was just as funny as the first two books (although this one was definitely much more sobering than the others), and the story still kept me absolutely hooked right up until the last page!
Overall, Rogue was a wonderful conclusion to this trilogy! It had me on edge the entire time, made me laugh, and it made me cry...I was absolutely WRECKED when I finished reading it, but I was also very satisfied with the story, and I think if you loved the first two you've definitely love this one! If you're new to this trilogy I think it's perfect for fans of the TV show Dead Like Me, and for anyone who likes their humour a bit on the morbid side. ;)
March 21, 2017
Oh my, what an ending to a series that sneaked up on me, then grabbed me and didn't let me go until I was finished with the last book. I can't tell how many times I laughed and, especially in the third installment, actually cried with and for its endearing and memorable characters. I guess this story and its bittersweet ending will stay with me for quite some time to come. This is what great entertainment looks like. Very well played, Mrs. Damico!
August 23, 2017
I really want to give this a 4, but I'm taking away 1 star until
February 27, 2015
WHY? ........... I'm still crying now! That ending though! How could Gina Damico do that???
June 16, 2019
I shed a few tears but it was a satisfying experience and ending.
Originally Reviewd on
Once again let's start with the amaze-balls covers, when they are all lined up together they are so pretty!!! This has taken me several years to finish as I have placed it on like every TBR pile through the years. It's not because it wasn't engaging it's because I didn't want it to end and as much as I love it and can go back and re-read; there's nothing like reading the ending and finding the twists for the first time. I procrastinated reading this because I didn't want the series to end, I didn't want to let go of the amazing characters and I was scared she wouldn't do it justice. Man I'm an idiot!!
I have loved this group of ragtag Grim Reapers from the first and didn't want to part with them. Lex has been one of my favorite characters to read in a long time. As I have said a few times before she reminded me of Toilet seat Girl in Dead Like Me.
Lex is an angry sixteen-year-old, unfortunately, she has plenty of reason to be, so much has gone down since she came to Croak and it all seems to be going from bad to worse. In the last book, we were left with some heartbreaking news and given the choices she has to make I can understand why she's still so angry. Betrayed, angry, heartbroken Lex is on the run and keeping secrets. Her town of Croak was damaged when they went to war and now the Juniors and Uncle Mort are on the run trying to right the wrong done generations ago. While trying to stay one step ahead of the mob hellbent on making them pay for their transgressions.
Running, Crashing and Reaping as they go the Juniors are doing their best to undo the damage being done to the Grimsphere. Except they don't have the help they should because their enemies are moving faster than they are and have better PR. This is the book that holds the most amount of adventure, growth, and development for the Juniors. They each get their moment to shine and show that even with Lex as their leader they are fearless as well. They back her plans and she and Uncle Mort begin to rebuild their relationship. Even as they face the dangers of their mission they wouldn't be them without Fergus cracking a joke or Pip being dramatic. There are some sweet reunion moments for Lex and heartbreaking goodbyes as well.
I will say I started to cry when we go to the last few chapters as betrayals happened to the team, as each member began to step up and make a difference for the ultimate mission. As their enemies get savior and take the fight to another level, Lex, Uncle Mort, and the Juniors try to find a way to bring the townspeople around to their side. As the battles continue, there are prices to pay and so many paid them, each taking a piece of Lex as it happened. Knowing that the Afterlife is in danger if they don't win the team keeps going even with the loses. New powers come into play, old enemies come back to *surprisingly* help when they realize they too will lose if the Grimsphere doesn't get the help it needs.
This is the darkest the books have gotten. And it's been the best adventure as well. I didn't see the ending coming and sobbed when I realized how far each town had to go to help right the wrongs. When you realize this is bigger than Lex and her quest for vengeance. When we learn all about Uncle Mort's past & some seriously surprising secrets about the history of Croak and the Grimsphere. When the end comes it's bittersweet, heartbreaking and at the same time so perfect. When the Last does their job and then lays down their Scythe?? I just fell apart.
A fantastic end to a great series. I highly recommend it my loves, be ready for an adventure, for young love, for a great found family and be prepared for the loses that come with war.
★★★★�
Books In Series
Croak (Book 1)
Scorch (Book 2)
RECOMMENDATIONS
Shows: Dead Like Me
Books: (Adult Grim Reaper) First Grave on the Right; Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
Song: Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Happy Reaping Reading my loves,
Originally Reviewd on
Once again let's start with the amaze-balls covers, when they are all lined up together they are so pretty!!! This has taken me several years to finish as I have placed it on like every TBR pile through the years. It's not because it wasn't engaging it's because I didn't want it to end and as much as I love it and can go back and re-read; there's nothing like reading the ending and finding the twists for the first time. I procrastinated reading this because I didn't want the series to end, I didn't want to let go of the amazing characters and I was scared she wouldn't do it justice. Man I'm an idiot!!
I have loved this group of ragtag Grim Reapers from the first and didn't want to part with them. Lex has been one of my favorite characters to read in a long time. As I have said a few times before she reminded me of Toilet seat Girl in Dead Like Me.
Lex is an angry sixteen-year-old, unfortunately, she has plenty of reason to be, so much has gone down since she came to Croak and it all seems to be going from bad to worse. In the last book, we were left with some heartbreaking news and given the choices she has to make I can understand why she's still so angry. Betrayed, angry, heartbroken Lex is on the run and keeping secrets. Her town of Croak was damaged when they went to war and now the Juniors and Uncle Mort are on the run trying to right the wrong done generations ago. While trying to stay one step ahead of the mob hellbent on making them pay for their transgressions.
Running, Crashing and Reaping as they go the Juniors are doing their best to undo the damage being done to the Grimsphere. Except they don't have the help they should because their enemies are moving faster than they are and have better PR. This is the book that holds the most amount of adventure, growth, and development for the Juniors. They each get their moment to shine and show that even with Lex as their leader they are fearless as well. They back her plans and she and Uncle Mort begin to rebuild their relationship. Even as they face the dangers of their mission they wouldn't be them without Fergus cracking a joke or Pip being dramatic. There are some sweet reunion moments for Lex and heartbreaking goodbyes as well.
I will say I started to cry when we go to the last few chapters as betrayals happened to the team, as each member began to step up and make a difference for the ultimate mission. As their enemies get savior and take the fight to another level, Lex, Uncle Mort, and the Juniors try to find a way to bring the townspeople around to their side. As the battles continue, there are prices to pay and so many paid them, each taking a piece of Lex as it happened. Knowing that the Afterlife is in danger if they don't win the team keeps going even with the loses. New powers come into play, old enemies come back to *surprisingly* help when they realize they too will lose if the Grimsphere doesn't get the help it needs.
This is the darkest the books have gotten. And it's been the best adventure as well. I didn't see the ending coming and sobbed when I realized how far each town had to go to help right the wrongs. When you realize this is bigger than Lex and her quest for vengeance. When we learn all about Uncle Mort's past & some seriously surprising secrets about the history of Croak and the Grimsphere. When the end comes it's bittersweet, heartbreaking and at the same time so perfect. When the Last does their job and then lays down their Scythe?? I just fell apart.
A fantastic end to a great series. I highly recommend it my loves, be ready for an adventure, for young love, for a great found family and be prepared for the loses that come with war.
★★★★�
Books In Series
Croak (Book 1)
Scorch (Book 2)
RECOMMENDATIONS
Shows: Dead Like Me
Books: (Adult Grim Reaper) First Grave on the Right; Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
Song: Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Happy Reaping Reading my loves,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.