Croak

By Gina Damico

Fed up with her wild behavior, sixteen-year-old Lex’s parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than shoveling manure. He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach Lex the family business.
   She quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. But Lex can’t stop her desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she encounters a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. Will she ditch Croak and go rogue with her reaper skills?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Mar 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9780547822563

Gina Damico

Gina Damico is the author of Hellhole, Wax, and the grim-reapers-gone-wild books of the Croak trilogy. She has also dabbled as a tour guide, transcriptionist, theater house manager, scenic artist, movie extra, office troll, retail monkey, yarn hawker and breadmonger. A native of Syracuse, New York, she now lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two cats, one dog, and an obscene amount of weird things purchased from yard sales. Visit her website at www.ginadami.co.

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by Gina Damico

Map illustration copyright © 2012 by Carol Chu

All rights reserved. For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to [e-mail] or to Permissions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 3 Park Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10016.

hmhco.com

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

Damico, Gina.

Croak / by Gina Damico.

p. cm.

Summary: A delinquent sixteen-year-old girl is sent to live with her uncle for the summer, only to learn that he is a Grim Reaper who wants to teach her the family business.

ISBN: 978-0-547-60832-7

[1. Death—Fiction. 2. Future life—Fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.D1838Cr 2012

[Fic]—dc23

2011017125

eISBN 978-0-547-82256-3

v7.1018

For Mom, Dad, and Lisa.

In exchange for years upon years of supporting my nincompoopery, I offer you this simple, heartfelt dedication.

Call it even?

Acknowledgments

Let’s kick off this shindig with a Titanic-size thank-you to my rocktastic agent, Tina Wexler. Simply put, none of this would exist without you and your steadfast kickassery. You’ve breathed life into my work, loved my characters as if they were family, and read more emails, drafts, and misguided tangents than I can shake a scythe at. Thank you so, so much for seeing a spark and sticking it out with me.

To my editor Julie Tibbott, who finds the humor in board games, gentlemanly named roosters, and death-related puns and is therefore a rare, treasured find. Thank you for your encouragement, collaboration, and adoption of my merry band of misfits. Thanks also to Michael Neff and the New York Pitch Conference for giving me the kick in the pants I so dearly needed.

To my parents, for their unflagging love in all its forms (encouragement, money, eye-rolling). Mom, thank you for reading to me from day one—it made all the difference. Dad, thank you for keeping bookstores in business.

To my sister, Lisa, whose refusal to be killed by the Lego I fed her when she was a baby made me rather angry at the time but now pleases me greatly, as I can’t imagine life without her.

To my big, awesome Italian family for always sending good thoughts and good eggplant parm my way. And to the in-law clan, for coming with a pre-established YA fan club.

To every single member of the Committee for Creative Enactments at Boston College between 2001 and 2005: You are the reason I started writing. Hands down. I adore you more than any drunken Baggo words can say, and I thank you dearly. Profigliano!

To Brittany Hotpants Wilcox, for the countless Red Lobster dinners, and Allison Nickname Unprintable D’Orazio, for agreeing with me in thinking—nay, knowing—that sad trombones are the funniest things on earth.

To the Onondaga County Public Library for publishing my very first work when I was five years old, a story about dead rabbits that, in retrospect, makes a hell of a lot more sense now. Also, huge thanks to all libraries and librarians everywhere. Keep at it.

Other invaluable contributors include Azadeh Ariatabar Brown and her bitchin’ website skills, TVGasm, and everyone at all the jobs I’ve ever had, even that crappy temp one. Thanks also to milk, Australia, whoever invented the DVR, The Simpsons, Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Bauer, Toby the wee computer, and, finally, Utz Cheese Balls, for being both delicious and packaged in massive, heart-disease-inducing buckets.

To Big Fat Lenny Cat: your unconditional enthusiasm for anything having to do with me is so appreciated, even if you are roughly the same weight and shape of a bowling ball. To Carl, the other cat: you’re okay too.

To my husband, Will, whose adamant insistence that I not get a real job and instead pursue these writing shenanigans is the very reason this is an actual book and not some forgotten, scribbled notes on the back of a crossword puzzle. Thank you for not hurling me out of the house every time I’ve asked you to read the newest revision. Sooo much.

And finally, to you, dear reader, for picking up this book! There’s no way you could have known that it was rigged with explosives, but since it would be disastrous to put it down now, enjoy!

1

Lex wondered, for a fleeting moment, what her principal’s head might look like if it were stabbed atop a giant wooden spear.

I can’t imagine why you’re smiling, young lady, Mr. Truitt said from behind his desk, but I can assure you that there is nothing funny about this situation. How many of your classmates must end up in the emergency room before you get it through that head of yours that fighting on school property is strictly forbidden?

Lex yawned and pulled the hood of her black sweatshirt even farther over her face.

Stop that. Her mother pushed it back to reveal a messy head of long black hair. You’re being rude.

I’m in an awkward position here, the principal continued, running a hand through his greasy comb-over. "I don’t want to expel Lex. I know you two are good parents; Cordy is practically a model student!" He paused and eyed Lex for a moment to let this sink in, hoping to maybe guilt the wicked girl into obedience. Her face, however, remained stony.

But when it comes to Lex, I don’t see any other choice in the matter, he went on, frowning. I’m sorry, but the list of scars that my students have sustained at the hand of your daughter grows longer each week. Poor Logan Hochspring’s arm will forever carry an imprint of her dental records!

"You bit him?" Lex’s father said.

He called me a wannabe vampire, she said. What was I supposed to do?

"Oh, I don’t know—maybe not bite him?"

Lex zoned out as her parents once again launched into the traditional practice of begging Mr. Truitt for just one more chance. She had heard it so many times by now that she could even mouth the words in certain places, with a little She’s just troubled, you see sprinkled with a dollop of It’s probably just a phase and closing, of course, with the ever-popular It’ll be different this time, you have our word. Lex stuck a slender finger into her mouth and fished around until she found a small blond hair. She pulled it out of her teeth with a quick snap, the memory of Logan Hochspring’s startled cries of pain ringing through her ears.

Very well, Mr. Truitt finally said, standing up. One more chance. With only a week left in the school year, I can hardly justify an expulsion. He shook her parents’ hands with a meaty paw, then regarded Lex with a smile. Perhaps a summer away will do you some good.

Lex hissed.

As she was yanked out to the parking lot, however, the principal’s cryptic farewell began to trouble her. And something about the way he had smiled—the way doctors beam at children right before jabbing them with tetanus shots—felt very ominous.

What did he mean, a summer away? she asked.

"I knew you weren’t listening, said her mother. We’ll talk about it over dinner."

Can’t wait, Lex said as her father shoved her into the back seat, taking note of the adorable way he attempted to engage the child safety lock without her noticing.

---

Lexington Bartleby, age sixteen, had spent the last two years transforming her squeaky-clean, straight-A life into that of a hooligan. A delinquent. A naughty little rapscallion, as it were.

To the untrained eye, it appeared as though Lex had simply grown bored. She had begun acting out in every way that a frustrated bundle of pubescence possibly could: she stole things, she swore like a drunken pirate, and she punched people. A lot of people. Nerds, jocks, cheerleaders, goths, gays, straights, blacks, whites, that kid in the wheelchair—no one was safe. Her peers had to admire her for that, at least—Tyrannosaurus Lex, as they called her, was an equal opportunity predator.

But something about this transformation didn’t quite add up. Her outbursts were triggered by the smallest of annoyances, bubbling up from nowhere, no matter how hard she tried to resist them. And worse still, they seemed to grow stronger as time went on. By the end of Lex’s junior year, every swear word was reverberating at a deafening volume, and each human punching bag lost at least one of his or her permanent bicuspids.

Parents, teachers, and classmates were stymied by the atrocious behavior of the menace in the black hoodie. These crime sprees simply did not fit with the bright, affable Lex everyone had known and loved for fourteen years prior. Even her twin sister, Concord, who knew her better than anyone, could not come up with a way to unravel this massive conspiracy. Lex was furious at something, and no one could figure out what.

But the truth was, Lex didn’t know either. It was as if her psyche had been infected with an insidious pathogen, like the viruses in all those zombie movies that turn otherwise decent human beings into bloodthirsty, unkempt maniacs who are powerless to stop themselves from unleashing their wrath upon the woefully underprepared masses. She just felt angry, all the time, at absolutely nothing. And whenever she tried to pinpoint the reason why, no matter how hard she tried, she was never able to come up with a single, solitary explanation.

---

The Bartleby house was a modest abode, squeezed and cramped onto a crowded neighborhood street in Queens, New York. One got the impression that the city planners, when making room for the slender pile of wood that the Bartlebys would one day call home, simply shoved the adjacent houses to either side, dumped a truckload of floorboards and piping and electrical wires into the empty space, and let nature take its course.

The dining room was at the rear of the house, overlooking a small backyard that contained the following items: a rusty swing set, a faded plastic turtle sandbox, a charcoal grill still crusty with the forgotten remains of last summer’s cookouts, and a once-beloved tree house now inhabited by a family of raccoons.

Lex looked out the sliding glass door at the remnants of her childhood and wondered if the tree house’s new tenants were rabid. Maybe she could train them as her minions.

Lex, said Mrs. Bartleby, rousing her daughter from her maniacal fantasies, your father and I are going to talk at you. And you are going to sit here and listen. Any questions?

Yes, said Lex. Are restraints really necessary this time?

You bet. Her mother sharply tightened the tangled mess of jump ropes around Lex’s midsection, all the while struggling not to let her heartache show. Mrs. Bartleby, despite all current appearances to the contrary, loved her children more than anything in the world. Each double knot she made in the rope mirrored the increasingly gnarled lumps tugging deep within her gut.

Isn’t this child abuse? Cordy piped up from across the table, eyeing her writhing twin. "She’s not going to bite us."

She might, once we start talking. Note the absence of cutlery as well. There’s a darn good reason I made tacos tonight.

Lex wriggled some more, but soon found that the ropes were tighter than usual. This is insane! she yelled, tearing at the knots. Seriously, what the f—

Lexington! Her mother pointed across the room to a large pickle jar filled to the brim with dollar bills. I don’t think I need to remind you that you’re already forty-two dollars in debt. You can’t afford to swear any more, my dear child. Mrs. Bartleby loathed swearing, but was in fact beginning to secretly enjoy the small stash her daughter’s foul mouth had produced. She was thinking of using the proceeds to purchase a desktop Civil War cannon replica for her fifth grade classroom, as the only thing Mrs. Bartleby loved more than her children was American history and the spectacular weaponry it had produced.

Can we get on with this? Mr. Bartleby said. The game starts in twenty minutes.

You and that infernal team, honestly— she started, but then closed her mouth after receiving a harsh glare from her husband, who often asserted that anyone crazy enough to name her daughters after the first battles of the American Revolution waived all rights to accuse anyone else of being too obsessed with anything.

Mr. Bartleby took a deep breath and gazed across the table at his small but loving family. Storm clouds were beginning to gather in the murky sky outside, artfully adding the right amount of gloom to the situation.

Okay, Lex, he began, here’s the deal. You’re our daughter, and we love you very much. He briefly glanced at his tired wife, as if to receive verification of this fact. But enough is enough. I don’t know what’s gotten into you over the past couple of years, but I don’t like what I’ve seen, and I definitely don’t like where it’s heading. He scratched at his goatee, trying to think of how to say what he had to say next. His shiny bald head, shaved smooth every morning, gleamed in the dull glow of the dining room light.

He looked helplessly at his daughter with kind, sad eyes. We think—your mother and I think—that it would be best for you to go away for a little while.

Lex’s eyes widened. Cordy dropped her taco.

Go where? Lex said, doubling her unknotting efforts. You’re kicking me out of the house?

Her mother shook her head. No, honey, of course not. We’d never put you out on the street.

Then what?

Mr. Bartleby looked at his wife, then at his non-tethered daughter, then up, at nothing. Anything to avoid the squirmy, hurt visage of his troubled baby girl. You’re going to go stay up north with Uncle Mort for the summer, he told the ceiling.

Lex, who a second ago had been fully prepared to explode into a vicious rage and had even started planning some sort of dramatic dive through the plate glass window, chair and all, was for once shocked into speechlessness.

Mrs. Bartleby put her hand on Lex’s shoulder. I know it’s a rather odd decision, but we think that a few months of fresh air could do you some good. You can get in touch with nature, lend a hand on Uncle Mort’s farm, maybe even learn something! You could milk a cow!

Cordy let out a snort. She’d probably punch the cow.

We’ve been thinking this over for a while now, and we really believe it is the best thing for everyone at the moment, said Mr. Bartleby. It’ll only be for the summer, sweetie.

Lex couldn’t believe what she was hearing. They were really doing it. They were kicking her out.

But they were her parents! Putting up with all of her crap was their official job—they couldn’t just wriggle out of it! She tried to swallow the lump forming in her throat. How could they do this to her? How could they not see past all the recklessness and beatings and remember the real daughter they had raised? She was still in there somewhere, deep down. Wasn’t she?

Almost as an answer to that very question, the inescapable anger arose once again. With one last tug at the knots, Lex stood up, slammed the untangled jump rope onto the table, and, well aware of how bratty it sounded, spat out the only thing her reeling temper could think of.

I hate you!

Her father sighed as she thundered upstairs. I know.

---

Lex flopped onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. She wished, as almost all kids wish at one point or another, that she could turn into a pterodactyl and fly away and never come back.

Cordy cautiously made her way into the room that she and her sister had shared for the entirety of their sixteen years together. It should be noted, however, that the mere word room could in no way convey the sheer dimensions of it all; it seemed, in fact, to bend the very fabric of space. A normal bedroom could not possibly contain this much stuff.

Clothing littered every available surface. Schoolwork converged in a pile in the middle of the floor. Walls were no longer visible behind a plethora of posters, tapestries, and artwork. Cordy, who from the age of five had dreamed only of designing roller coasters for a living, kept a trunk full of engineering projects under the window; while Lex, who despite years of flawless report cards had yet to be struck by a single career aspiration, stored a graveyard of abandoned hobbies under her bed. Bowing wooden shelves held scores of books, candles, McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, movies, snow globes, awards, and stale, forgotten pieces of candy. It was a veritable museum of useless crap.

But all of these treasures paled in comparison to the photographs.

Pictures of Lex and Cordy blanketed the room like oversize confetti, not an inch of blank space left exposed. An inseparable childhood, all summed up in an endless series of four-by-six-inch prints: several taken in the hospital nursery shortly after their birth, a few of their first steps, two featuring their matching pink backpacks on the first day of school, one taken on Halloween when they were eight and had dressed as salt and pepper shakers, and another taken five seconds later, as the cumbersome headpiece had toppled Lex to the floor. Birthday parties, backyard antics, school plays, soccer games—no event escaped diligent documentation.

And although the more recent photos implied the evolution of two separate, distinct species, the Bartleby girls were undeniably twins, through and through. The shared room was merely an extension of their shared lives, and Lex found her hands trembling as Cordy sat down on her bed. She couldn’t remember the last time they had been separated, because it had never happened.

Hey, Cordy said softly, are you okay?

Lex sat up and looked at the person with whom she had shared a womb, studying the contours of the face that was so very similar to her own. Though the girls were not identical twins, many features were still mirrored in perfect biological harmony: the small nose, the light olive complexion, and, of course, the large, almost black eyes that both sisters considered to be their best feature.

Unanimously agreed upon as their worst feature, on the other hand, was the dark, pathetic excuse for hair atop their heads: Lex’s a long, thick, wavy mop, and Cordy’s an irreparable mess of frizz and curls. Neither took any interest in this hopeless situation, which led to more fights with their mother than anyone would dare to count.

What do you think about all of this? Lex asked.

Cordy picked up a nearby rubber band and absent-mindedly tangled it through her fingers. I don’t know. It sucks.

Yeah, said Lex. Cordy wasn’t looking at her. It’s just not fair, she went on. I mean, I know I’ve been a total sh— She cut herself off, wondering if her mother could possibly be listening right outside the room, ready with the swear jar. I’ve been a brat. But—

"But why have you been a brat? Why are you acting like this? Cordy narrowed her eyes. You used to be a hall monitor."

Yeah, those were truly magical days. Nothing like the tyrannical power to give detentions to freshmen.

But now you give them concussions! Cordy jumped to her feet, her face flushing red with anger. I just don’t understand why you have to be this way! Do you realize how many times I’ve defended you, told people that this isn’t the real you, only to have it shoved right back in my face whenever you get suspended for breaking someone’s nose? Can’t you just stop? she said, desperation straining her voice.

I’ve tried! Lex looked down. You know I’ve tried.

Cordy slumped. Then go, she said, her voice cracking. I don’t want you to, but if Uncle Mort is the only thing that’ll keep you from decimating the school population, if that’s what it takes to bring back the old you, go.

She crossed the room and sat down on her own bed. Lex watched, forlorn, unable to argue with her sister’s logic—until something occurred to her. She gave Cordy a funny look. Huh.

What? Cordy asked irritably.

It’s kind of weird, isn’t it?

What’s weird?

"That they picked Uncle Mort."

So? What’s wrong with Uncle Mort?

Cordy, come on. We haven’t seen him in years. Can you even remember the last time he visited?

Cordy scrunched up her face. Sort of. We were six, right? He brought those things, whatever they are. She pointed to a pair of spherical glass trinkets on a nearby shelf. They featured a whirl of small lights inside, and smelled faintly of alcohol.

"Exactly. Other than the random crap he sends for birthdays, we barely know the guy. Half the time it’s like Dad forgets he even has a little brother. So why him? She crept to the edge of the bed. Why not Aunt Veronica, in Oregon? Or Uncle Mike? Or Mom’s cousin Dom—he’s a corrections officer! She lowered her voice. For all we know, Uncle Mort could be some dumbass hillbilly who lives off roadkill and drinks his own urine. How is spending two months in some disgusting shack in upstate rural hell going to turn me into an obedient young woman?"

Cordy furrowed her brow. Mom and Dad must have their reasons. They wouldn’t just ship you off to a mass murderer. Maybe they want you to get to know him better. Maybe he’s a cool guy?

That doesn’t make any sense.

Well, you don’t make any sense either.

Lex looked wearily at her twin, whom she had never once punched, smacked, bitten, or even noogied. I’m sorry, Cordy, she said. I mean, I’m sorry that you’re a part of this. I can handle leaving the city, but leaving you . . .

Cordy lay down and hugged her tattered plush octopus, Captain Wiggles. Lex looked at her sister’s watering eyes and sighed. How upset could they really get over this? They’d probably just be separated next year anyway, if they went to different colleges (if Lex managed to scrounge up the teacher recommendations to even get into college). They couldn’t stay kids forever.

Afraid that much more introspection would lead to a frustrated crying jag, Lex sniffed back her own tears and fell into her pillow. I just can’t believe I’m really going, she said finally, in what she hoped was a mature-sounding voice.

Cordy nodded. It’s going to be so weird.

Lex glanced at the bookshelf. There, nestled snugly between a softball trophy and a photo of the two girls grinning with finger paint smeared all over their faces, their arms wrapped tightly around each other’s shoulders, sat Uncle Mort’s strange glass contraptions, wobbling ever so slightly.

She raised a single eyebrow. No kidding.

2

Lex stared out the window of the Greyhound bus at the raging, apocalyptic storm. Ferocious winds whipped through the blackened sky, massive drops of rain pelted the glass, and every so often a lightning bolt would illuminate the entirety of the coach, repeatedly terrifying the man sitting behind her whose cocaine habit had become obvious to anyone within a five-seat radius.

Clearly, the weather was not the only foul element of this trip.

Lex was quite unhappily sitting next to a homebound college student. She was able to discern this by the sweatshirt he was wearing, which boasted a trio of Greek letters, and by his shirt collar underneath, which was unabashedly popped and sticking straight up. He resembled a preppy Count Chocula. And, as with most preppy Count Choculas, he had no idea how ridiculous he looked.

Deducing that any interaction with her fellow bus travelers would likely lead to some form of manslaughter, Lex had done everything in her power to avoid getting stuck with a seatmate. She had poured all the contents of her bag onto the empty seat beside her. She spread out her body and pretended to be asleep. And when the driver ordered her to give up the seat, she threw a shoe at his face.

All in vain,

Reviews for Croak

[jwitt33 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read a lot of books so it's amazing when I find a book with a unique concept, and this is that book! Lex is a juvenile delinquent with a deep anger that she doesn't understand, and can't even begin to control. Her parents love her very much and have tried everything to help her, so when summer vacation comes around just when Lex is about to be expelled from yet another school, they decide to try something drastic - they decide to send her to her Uncle Mort's for the summer. Needless to say, she is NOT happy with this, nor is her identical twin sister, Cordy, but they are outvoted, so off she goes. Her trip is uneventful, until the bus is stopped due to an accident on the road, and when Lex sees bright flashes of light coming from inside the vehicles of people who died at the scene, but nobody else on the bus sees them, it becomes much more interesting. Then when her Uncle Mort shows up on his motorcycle looking and acting like a crazy man, things really get weird. Lex is about to learn that she knows nothing about him and the new life she is about to be thrown into.I loved this book! I loved the characters, the town, the whole grim reaper theme, and the mystery Lex and her friends are called on to help solve. The setting was described so well I felt like I was visiting the town of Croak along with the tourists who occasionally happened upon it. Lex was a juvenile delinquent but she was so torn up by it, it was hard not to feel bad for her, and when she found out why she was so angry all the time, I was relieved right along with her. I felt like all the characters grew from the beginning to the end. And that end was such a surprise! I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens next.In summary, I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it to fans of YA fantasy/grim reaper stories.5/5 stars.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

teen fiction; supernatural (grim reapers). Unexplainably angsty teen gets sent to live with her "Uncle Mort" for the summer. Hm, have I heard this story before?

[librolindsay · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

On the surface level, this was really fun to read. Plucky teenagers, snappy dialogue, snarky narration, awesome death utopia where I totally want to try some of that Elixir. It could totally work as a campy Hollywood teen horror-comedy.

That's probably also because it plays into your same old Hollywood stereotypes. The very few PoCs were super flat and stereotyped (you were made sure to notice they were there by the food-like hue of their skin and that the Latina is the only one who says "chica"), and women almost always deferred to men. I found the Driggs confession at the very end to be made even creepier by his insistence that it wasn't creepy. Also, there is virtually no one else to greet you in the Afterlife except for old white men? For whom is the Afterlife supposed to be welcoming?

[readingbeader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lex’s personality change is the key to finding her niche in life as a Grim Reaper. She’s funny, snarky, and in no way ready to just take things at face value. Lex’s relationship with Drigg, her partner, is fun to watch develop, as they both make mistakes along the way. What a fun read! While I don’t agree with the author’s take on the afterlife, this was a funny exploration to what happens when we die.

I got caught up in mystery and the twist at the end, caught me unaware. Nice job. I’m putting the sequel on the top of my TBR pile, having already purchased it for the library.

[carol420 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It’s a Young Adult novel but it fit a challenge so I picked it up. I was surprised how much I liked it….not loved it…but liked it. The characters were ‘different” but they were also sometimes a bit funny. The main character...Lex...was most of the time...obnoxious...but I believe that was supposed to make the reader feel empathy for all she had been through. Since I'm not 16 years old...I just wanted to slap her. I believe the best description for the book would be it was Harry Potter with reapers instead of wizards.

[kayla.krantz · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I really liked the premise of this book but the more I read, the more I wish I wouldn't have. The characters aren't likable and the dialogue is just flat out unrealistic. Definitely not for me.

[ltl1red · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story that follows a teen who is rebelling against herself in ways she has no understanding of. In her parents attempts to get her in line they send her to her Uncle for the Summer before her Senior year. Little does she know, this is an introduction to a career that she is destined for not a punishment. She is a Grim and great at it until things take a turn for the worse leaving her totally hanging by the end of the book and the reader wanting the next book now!

[roses7184_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Croak caught my eye early on. Grim reapers. A strong and sarcastic main character. What more could a reader ask for? I was looking for something a little bit different in my reading list, and I thought that this would be just the ticket. As soon as I opened the book and met Lex in the flesh, I knew I was in for a treat! This book drew me in right away, and I happily followed along.

First off, I absolutely must talk characters because they are all so fabulous Each one has their own unique personality, and it's impossible not to fall in love with this motley crew. Lex's unflinching sarcasm, Drigg's cocky demeanor, overly optimistic Sofi, they all just shine off the page. I found myself giggling out loud, a lot. I also caught myself reading pages again, just to relive the hilarious banter and altogether random insults that they throw at one another. These are people I'd love to hang out with, and that made reading this book so much more fun.

Now that's not to say that the story here isn't good too. The beginning of the story is a little odd, but once Lex finds herself in Croak everything else starts to make sense. Without spoiling I can tell you that Lex finds herself in some pretty interesting situations. One of which involves some fluttery feelings for a boy. Now don't mistake, Lex isn't the shrinking violet type. Far from it. Let's just say that bruises ensue. Anyway, it is really the mystery aspect of the story that steals the show here. Damico drops just enough hints to keep you reading, and to keep the pace flowing really nicely. Even though I figured out the culprit pretty early on, the book was still a great read. That says a lot.

The one thing that I was so disappointed about was the ending. After being so caught up in Lex's life, and so enthralled by the mystery surrounding Croak, the ending just felt so flat to me. I'm sure others will love it, and still others will feel no big emotion either way. In my opinion though it was just too convenient and kind of anti-climactic. I know that this is the first in a series though, so I'm hopeful! I'll be back for more.

[mrs_mcgreevy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lex was a good girl: loving daughter, devoted twin, straight-A student. But at age 16 she has been possessed by a towering rage that causes her to lash out violently at everyone around her, friend or foe. Out of options, her parents send her to stay with her Uncle Mort for the summer. Uncle Mort is not what Lex expected. It turns out Uncle Mort is a Grim Reaper (scythe and all), and he wants Lex to join the family business.

Croak is Gina Damico's first novel, and it shows. It shows in her infectious enthusiasm for her characters and world. It shows in her exuberant descriptions. And it show in some uneven plotting and pacing and some short-shrifting of characters and motivations.

This is book one of a series, and it's clearly introduction and set-up for adventures to come. But it feels like a lot of set-up for a small payoff (at least in book 1). The abrupt ending is also pretty dark for a story that has been pretty humorous, albeit darkly humorous.

Still, it's a fun, quick read. Damico has an ear for snappy teen dialog and the premise is interesting enough that I'll be on board for book 2.

[altheaann · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The premise is what drew me to pick up this book: a rebellious teen discovers that her true calling is to become a Grim Reaper. Awesome, right?
Well, it is fun. The author aims for a Terry-Pratchett-esque style and sense of humor (It specifically calls 'Mort' to mind), but it often feels obvious that this is the work of a new writer. The characters can feel a bit flat, and some act more juvenile that they might, given their stated ages.
The book also ends with many unanswered questions, and an obvious set-up for a sequel, which is a bit annoying. It was still a light, enjoyable read.

[alllycat-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book blew my mind! Lexington Bartleby is a great character, and throughout the story I really got attached to her! She is dark,hilarious, and tells everybody exactly what she thinks of them!

The book starts out in a principals office, where Lex is being scolded for biting a boy who called her a "wannabe vampire." But was Lex listening to her elder's remarks? No, of course not! Instead she was wondering what her Principals head would look like on a giant wooden spear...which pretty much sums up our spunky protagonist!

What i think makes this book so amazing is that it completely lacks that slow, boring beginning that most books tend to have. It starts off running, and doesn't stop in till the very end!
Everything about this story is captivating! The plot, the characters, and the little town of Croak were all wonderful! I really couldn't put the book down!! At the end of every chapter I was like..


Intill I was finished with the whole book!


What i hope stay consistent throughout the series is Lex's kick-butt attitude! But overall I recommend this book!! It's entertaining throughout the entire novel, and have I mentioned that its absolutely pee your pants hilarious? Because it is!


Oh, and by the way...I absolutely adore Driggs!

[lizasarusrex · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love books about death, and reapers, or anything involving the two. It fascinates me, and this book satisfied my need for a new reaper book. It's a juvenile book, but it didn't make it any less fun to read for me. I would recommend it to anyone over the age of 13. Lex's parents are sick of her behavior in and out of school and decide to give her a not so fun vacation at her uncle's house for the summer. She's surprisingly not dreading it, except for the fact she will be apart from her twin sister Cordy for the first time ever. They share a room, and are the typical twins with a very close relationship, but they couldn't be more different in personality. When she arrives at her uncle's house, in the city of Croak, she quickly realizes she's not there to help work on a farm, which she presumed based on what her parent's told her to expect. What she IS there for, is something she could have never imagined in her wildest dreams, but it's not all bad, she's finally finding a group that accepts her for who she is. I absolutely rate this book a 5/5 and will be starting on Scorch the second book in the series immediately.

[mirandalg14 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting idea, and fairly funny in a snarky way.

[erlangerfactionless · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Croak is about Lex. Lex is a troublemaker, a fighter, a compulsive swearer. A Grim Reaper. This hilarious and thrilling book is the beginning of an amazing series following the adventures of Lex and her new friends through the Grimsphere.

[wiseyoungfools · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Croak is about a girl named Lexington. She is a newly minted Grim Reaper, and discovers that a little rural town called Croak may be the place that she belongs. As she learns more about being a Grim, she witnesses a series of strange deaths that have seemingly no cause. Lex and her partner, Driggs, work together to solve how, why, and who. This is an incredible read that is simply hard to put down.

[vhanson-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found this book on Amazon, and after reading the description on what it was all about, I really wanted to read it. (I loved the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewer and this seemed sort of similar.) Sadly, after reading the book, I felt it didn't really give off the same impression as the description had given me. The description had made me want to read it, because, I mean, who doesn't find the idea of being a Grim cool? You get a cool jacket, a scythe, and you get to live in the awesome town of Croak, scything into the ether and releasing and collecting souls! These are the reasons why I loved the book: First of all, the humor. I absolutely loved it. Mort was hilarious and so was Driggs and everyone else. I especially loved Edgar being in the book, along with the presidents, but I loved Edgar being there the most. He was hilarious. The scenery. I liked the way Croak was set up. I loved all of the buildings and how descriptive they were presented. Things I didn't like about the book: There's only a few things I didn't like about the book, but they kind of hindered my reading experience a little bit. First of all, the scythes. I image them as Grim Reapers scythes as shown on the front cover. So I couldn't really get over the idea of being some sort of rock or something that had an indention that the scythe came from. It just confused me a little.Aside from that, there was only one other thing. Lex. I didn't like her, not at the beginning of the book, nor half way through. I can't really relate to her that much, and was a little annoyed, especially when she tried to break Mort's arm and stabbed him with a stick. I get that she's supposed to be angry, but stabbing your own uncle when all he's trying to do is talk to you? That's just rude. So yes, I find Lex incredibly rude. Even at the end of the book I still didn't like her, but not as much as I had when I had first started reading. Lastly, I didn't like how things were named, like the ether for instance. Why couldn't it have been the Ether? Instead of the ether? I don't know why, but that bothered me. The fact that Edgar's raven is names Quoth also bothers me, because the one in 'The Raven' didn't have a name, it was just simply the raven. My rating: 3 starsI give this book the rating of 3 stars because even though I enjoyed the premise and had things sort of figured out by the end, the only thing that really kept me going was the constant humor and the mentioning of items that I adore. This book is YA for: Lots and lots of cussing. Kissing (No detail given, though)

[thelibraryhag · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lex used to be a normal teen from a normal family, but suddenly she turned mean and even violent. The family decides to accept the invitation for Lex to spend the summer with her Uncle Mort. on his farm. Lex is not happy. For one thing, Farm?, and for the other, she has never been separated from her twin Cordy. But off she goes. When she arrives she discovers that Mort is not a farmer, he is a reaper as in Grim. Mort tells Lex that she too is a reaper and that he is going to put her to work. At first Lex just thinks Mort is crazy but soon discovers that not only is he a reaper but indeed so is she and she rocks at it. For the first time in ages Lex feels at home with Mort and the other junior grims.But soon after her arrival, strange, unexplainable deaths start occuring. Could it have something to do with Lex?This is a fun read. Yes, the subject is sort of bleak and the humor is dark, but it is funny . The town of Croak is full of wonderful characters. The world of the Grims is interesting. This book would be good for tweens or teens who like a quirky read. There is some language. I have already checked out the second book because I am dying to see what happens.

[emmyson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the most hysterically funny books I've ever read that also had a depth to it that I wasn't expecting. Brilliant!

[ccathee17c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title : Croak
Series : Croak #1
Author : Gina Damico
Pages : 311
Release Date : March 20th 2012
Publisher : Graphia / Thomas Allen & Son
Format : Paperback
Source :
*Thank you to T. A. & Son for providing this!*



My Opinion :


I have to admit, and although I am now ashamed to admit it, that I wasn't planning on buying the book or anything. It didn't sound my kind of book, and I thought the cover... was weird. But, in person, it's wicked cool. What I mean is, that I, was, again, stubborn. And that I really enjoyed this book, WAY MORE than how much I taught I would.


Croak is about Lex (or Lexington... and that'S a weird name. I kept thinking about a town or something when I saw her whole name... anyways, moving on!), and Lex has been angry for a few years. Angry at nothing in particular, just.... angry. And, she's violent. I mean, she made her school's whole hockey team cry. But now her parents have had enough, and they send her to her uncle.That's when she discovers she is actually a Grim Reaper. Or a Killer. Which means she takes a person's soul from Earth to transport it to the Afterlife.


I think that my favorite thing about the book was Lex's... charms. Okay, not charms, because she's not exactly the charming type. But... I think it was more of her snarky and witty personality that made me love her as a character, and made me enjoy the book way more.

Also, something that always made me grin and/or snort unladylike was when there were some times about the Afterlife, and that there was someone previously famous, like Edgar Allan Poe. It was just so hilarious!

The writing style definitely is one that I like a lot! I love to have a good laugh when reading a book, and this book was just like that!

As I said, Lex was my favorite aspect of the book. But Diggs falls into that category too. Their 'romance-although-not-really-romance-more-kind-of-something-else' was just so funny. I loved it. And... when he said who was on his precious picture.... I was like this : 0.0 D'AAWW


An incredibly funny debut that I liked a lot!

[capnrandm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For anyone who found Hogwarts a little too cloying for the adult palette, the tiny town of Croak will be much more to your liking. Croak has no drinking age, a thriving cottage industry of cheating tourists, and the adults more likely to pick their nose and berate all teenagers than to provide wisdom or mentoring.

Despite the rough edges, this is the perfect place for our heroine. Though I'm usually not a fan of an angry protagonist, the sassy and funny Lexington Bartleby is filled to the brim with irrational anger. Billed in the description as a delinquent, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Lex's repuation is no joke. She opens the book punching, kicking, swearing, and sassing her way to the edge of her family's patience. And the solution is not navel gazing and ivy covered walls for Lex, she's shipped off north to work ten hour days. CROAK is a hysterical parody of YA boarding school genre, and though that could make the story predictable sometimes, the wit and characters never lost my interest. Uncle Mort is a sexy, genius of a Dumbledore who grifts tourists for Ramen money. Driggs is the teenage heartthrob, and his awkward, adolescent chemistry is just about the best I've ever read. Lex herself has a degree of "Boy-Who-Lived" fame, as the only recruit that comes from a loving, supportive family. Don't let these character sketches fool you, however. Damico does a great job of using gallows humor to turn a difficult subject into an entertaining romp, all without sacrificing the emotional punch that makes her characters to intriguing.

With it's portrayals of teenage drinking, heartbreaking references to abuse and murder, and the very real anger issues of the teenage workforce, CROAK still manages to maintain a light, tongue-in-cheek tone that I found winning. And just because the parody elements made some things predictable, Damico pulls no punches with her plot. The ending was a well executed surprise and I can't wait to see where book two takes us.

Full review to follow.

Sexual Content: Kissing.

[dauntless_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The grim reaper premise is cool, and the book is very humorous. I am not sure, however, that I care for the main character- she's quite a jerk. Throughout the book she does get better, but I am not sure how her bad behavior and attitude are explained away.

[a_reader_of_fictions · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Damico has a really interesting writing style; she definitely has a cadence of her own. She also puts a unique spin on things. For example, due to Lex's extreme violence, her mom ties her up in jump ropes to have a serious talk. Lex's mom also is obsessed with American history, particularly military history, so much so, in fact, that she named her children for Civil War battles; Lex is short for Lexington.For example, here's a pretty typical quote from Croak: "She wished, as almost all kids wish at one point or another, that she could turn into a pterodactyl and fly away and never come back." Obviously, Damico's really funny, but it's definitely a quirky, dark humor. Her whole style definitely took some adjusting to, but I really appreciate the snarkiness of her writing.My initial thought, and why I was attracted to this one (aside from the fact that Gina is an Apocalypsie) is because the premise sounded very Dead Like Me. If you haven't seen the show, I highly recommend you go watch at least the first episode, which is one of the best things I have ever seen ever. Anyway, they do have some things in common, like the grim reapers and the sarcastic heroine and the dark sense of humor. However, I also got a bit of a Eureka vibe from Croak, since the town is full of such strange, intelligent people. How can those things not add up to be some brand of awesome?So yeah, it's pretty freaking awesome. Lex is a cool character, strong, sarcastic and sassy. Plus, she's so not the typical heroine. For one thing she's as violent as Ashline from Wildefire. Also unlike most YA heroines, she really doesn't want anything to do with all of that stupid teenage hormone-driven love stuff. For that reason, she is not pleased at having to share a domicile with the unfortunately super hot (and often annoying) Briggs. All of the characters are vibrant and quirky.If you like dark humor and stories out of the norm, do not miss Croak. Another stellar debut from the Apocalypsies! I am so excited that there's going to be more of this series!

[librarydanielle_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

interesting and the pace was pretty good. the story seemed to flow with only a few hiccups. the only thing I was disappointed in was that it seemed to be a teen version of dirty job and that it is a series. I was hoping for a stand alone.

[pussreboots · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Croak by Gina Damico follows a pretty standard plot — teenager in trouble is sent to a distant relative as punishment. There he or she has a life-altering experience with his or her amazing, not-at-all as described relative. In this case, the troubled teen is an angry girl named Lex who likes to sucker punch her classmates (among other things) and her relative is Uncle Mort, who as his name implies, is a grim reaper.The book is roughly divided into thirds: Lex being bad ass and grumpy, the wacky town and the equally wacky job of being a grim reaper, and finally a murder mystery with THE BIG BAD. It's a by the numbers coming of age / paranormal. As a starter book for someone not familiar with this type of story, it's fine but it could and should have been better.The problem is, bad ass young ladies as grim reapers has been done before and so much better. The bar is set high and Croak tries to limbo under the bar, rather than to jump to meet expectations. Reaper girls who come before Lex of note: Susan from The Hogfather by Terry Pratchett and Georgia (aka George) of the tv series Dead Like Me. Even the moral heavy Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler has a more interesting and believable reaper-like character in Lisabeth.

[themadhatters_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For the past 2 years Lex has been so difficult that her parents send her off for the summer to live with her Uncle Mort. She discovers he is a Grim Reaper and that she is destined to follow in his footsteps. The book can be very dramatic and exciting but also very funny. I liked it a lot

[mardel_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Croak. It's definitely a teen read. There are some parts that are just a tad melodramatic, but they are trifling compared to the rest of the novel. Mostly likely, teen reads should have a bit of melodrama, right? I enjoyed the writing style, the narration and the dialog of all the characters. Pretty much early on, I had guessed which of the characters was going to be trouble, but I was surprised at just exactly how that trouble was going to go down...Lex is a rather troubled young 'lady'. This book has been out for a while already, so many already have read it. I loved the premise of it. Troubled teen (and boy is she trouble!) goes north to live with her strange Uncle Mort and finds herself in the strangest town ever. Quirky characters abound, and you won't find this place on your own. People who accidentally stumble into this town find themselves leaving with hazy, vague memories of having a good time, and with quite a bit less money than they showed up with.Turns out there's a good reason Lex has been having, er... anger issues. She's been so angry and violent that her parents tend to tie her to kitchen chairs for dinner or talks. There's this talent that's just dying to get out (pardon the bad pun). And she's good at her talent, too good.Ms Damico has a wonderful way with teen dialogue, teen anger, and the character of Uncle Mort is just priceless. Wish I had an uncle who was as odd as Mort, who is just the right kind of off to deal with an angry, violent teen like Lex.I found Croak to be a fun read with believable sounding teens in fantastic situations. I would definitely recommend this to any teen who enjoys a good quirky story.

[msjessie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lex is the hard-edged and foul-mouthed teenage main character of Croak, and if you don't like Lex, chances are that this is not the book for you. Lex takes the stage early and that made Croak's beginning one of the weakest I have come across - I nearly set it down when "retard" came out to play as an insult early on. The reader's immediate, first impression within two pages of starting this is that this 17-year-old hellion is violent, volatile, impolite and frequently out-of-bounds. With a name like Lexington (plus twin sister Concord -- how cruel is that?! I'm a huge history nerd/double major and even I wouldn't do that to my kids!) and the attitude of a bear with four sore teeth, this is a highly individual character, but ultimately, never one I truly loved. Lex battled her way into my esteem, slowly creeping up in my estimations, but she is easily and obviously the weakest link in this morbid YA novel.Lex will never top, or even appear of any list of mine for favorite/memorable heroines, except for one. This is a funny girl with her own sarcastic, rough type of humor, and while I didn't love every single bon mot that fell from her lips, I absolutely, and more than once, literally laughed out loud several times at what she has to say. Even her name, taken from a battle that kick-started the American Revolution, unkind as her parents were to stick her with it, is a subtle reminder about how much this novel revolves around death. I also liked the symmetry present in the name: the battle of Lexington that began off a years-long war, and Lex's personal arrival in the town of Croak sets of a series of deadly events. Be warned, Lex is is rough shape at the beginning/middle: she's offensive, unrelentingly childish and overdone teenage cliches abound. What bothered me most, outside of the 'retard' comment, was Lex's double standards with her fellow Croakers. She constantly accuses everyone else of being cryptic and elusive with details, but sees no hypocrisy in shielding her own secrets and knowledge. But eventually, she evolved into a character that if I couldn't like, I could at least understand.I really enjoyed the lore and mythology the author created for her world, especially since I wasn't particularly invested in Lex or her life. What got me truly involved in Croak was...well, the town of Croak itself and the Afterlife. I thought the Killing/Culling pairs were a bit unwieldy and unlikely, but the structure reinforces the friendships between the teams so I can't complain too vociferously. The organization of the Grims is highly regimented, and seems like a viable plan for the tasks they must undertake (Ha! Death pun!). Croak itself is fun to read: from Slain Lane, Pushing Daisies flower shop (now I want to watch the tv show. I heart Ned!) to Dead Weight (a gym), death puns and wordplay appear and add and element of fun to an understandably less-than-teeming city. Let's talk about the Afterlife - very visually striking in the narration, very tactile in description. But what I liked best, out of the whole damn book, was the version of Edgar Allan Poe that Damico has crafted. He's morose, moody and just plain hilarious. I would read a book about his adventures in the Afterlife anyday. His rivalry with Teddy Roosevelt ("where's your big stick now, Teddy?!") was one of the aspects of Croak that kept me vastly amused and coming back for more. In fact, this whole book is "lol-worthy" - so much so that it inspired me to make a shelf named just that for future novels in the series/other books.Like Lex's, the uncle she lives with has a name that is a harbinger of death, though not nearly as subtle: his name is Mort. Mort and most of the other GRIMs (Gamma Removal & Immigration Managers - a bit of a reach for that acronym, no?) lacked the wholly rounded personality of Lex, but weren't total cartoon caricatures either. What I liked best about Mort was his repeatedly demonstrated ability to put Lex in her place, often and firmly. With a character like Lex, so full of heedless anger and self-righteousness, Mort's calmer, steady personality balanced out her high emotions. Despite a blip of character continuity, Mort is the responsible, smart member of the group, but his control over Lex is tenuous, which leads to their fractious, though loving, relationship. I could have done without the whole romance element, slight as it was, because it just seems superfluous. With Lex's tude, the whiteeye deaths, navigating being a Grim Reaper, couldn't the two just be friends? Is it that unheard of for two teens of opposing sexes to just be friends for a while? Damn - also, the picture "reveal"? I found it creepy, not adorable. And SPOILER: shouldn't Lex recognize a picture of herself when she sees it several times?Though it begins with a rather weak introduction, Croak happily gathers steam midway and eventually makes a more-than-favorable impression with its strong, complete ending. Besides Lex's overdone teenage tude, and a cliched villain monologue at the end (seriously, I swear it was Syndrome making a cameo) detailing every last element of the grand evil plan, this is enjoyable to read.

[shelver506 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I must take a moment before starting my review to apologize to anyone who ever told me to read Croak. I'm so sorry that I didn't do as commanded. I waited until the last week of 2012 to read it, and even then only because my sister got it from the library for herself. I'm so sorry. I should have believed all of you.I. Love. This. Book.

[kristibernard · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Imagine yourself in an environment filled with enemies, no friends, and loving parents who are so scared of you they tie you up before they talk to you about your behavior. Yes that would be horrible, but Lex Bartelby does have some behavioral issues. Her nickname at school is Tyrannosaurus Lex. To remedy her situation and to keep Lex from being kicked out of school her parents decide to send her to see Uncle Mort. She hasn't seen him in years and that's not the worst part, he lives on a farm. When Lex arrives she discovers there is a lot the family doesn't know about Uncle Mort. He has spiked hair, tattoos, rides a motorcycle and is the Grim Reaper. He introduces her to the town of Croak and teaches her the business of being a Grim. Lex is overwhelmed with learning her new job. She never had friends but with the new group of kids just like her, she finds that she is finally fitting in and actually having fun for the first time in years. The downside is that Lex is learning quick that there are a lot of bad elements in the world. The endless deaths of innocents is haunting her dreams. She battles with the horrid scenes and wants to take on the killer herself but it's against the rules. When Lex finds there is another kind of killer, a possible Grim, who isn't following the rules she has to decide if she will put a stop to the madness or take on the cause. Damico has done an excellent job of inviting readers into a world of imagination, that incorporates family, friends and growing pains. The vivid imagery and creepy characters will take readers into a world mixed with fear and laughter.

[daniela07_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lex was never this bad. She used to be the goody-two-shoes with straight A's and no absent marks. But for some reason unknown, Lex has turned into a quick-tempered, dirty mouthed bully. She's punched kids from wheelchairs to jocks and cheerleaders. But enough is enough. Lex has finally crossed the line.And what luck! Uncle Mort has suddenly appeared asking to take Lex away for the summer. A little vacation away from the civilized world to get Lex back into her place. And Lex's parents are all for it, but Lex can't stand being away from her twin sister, Cordy. They've never been separated for more than a couple of days. Summer was officially going to suck. Or at least that's what Lex thought. Apparently there's more to the dull, boring family she's always known. Lots more.In the small town of Croak with the population a soaring 80 people, things look groggy and boring. But never judge a town by it's population size, judge it by its people. One look at the place and it looks like a hillbilly hell (a nice hillbilly hell to be fair), but if you look closer you'll see the inhabitants carrying scythes and wearing black all day long. Some would even disappear for hours. Why? Because they're grim reapers. And Lex is about to become one as well, but just like most small towns, there's a Crasher on the loose. Someone is killing people instead of reaping the souls. And now they're after Lex.Croak can be described in one word: Hilarious. I was cracking up throughout the entire book. It's darkly witty and guaranteed to have you rolling in laughter page after page. The story line is original and entirely refreshing. The characters are exuberant and extremely enjoyable.Lex is someone who I hated and loved at the same time. She's a fierce heroine you definitely don't want to mess with. I loved her wit and sarcastic comebacks. She had a strong head and wouldn't let anyone move her. But she was incredibly arrogant and whiny. It made it more realistic since lots of teenagers are like that (me being an example), but it made it easier to grow tired of her too.Her partner, Driggs, was really super immature, especially for an 18-year-old. He did the stupidest things and acted like a 2-year-old, which is both good and bad. I loved his charm, the way he was never intimidated by Lex, and his personality altogether.But he too didn't know when to stop with the stupid act. The relationship between them both took time and even though it was expected, it didn't disappoint, but I did hate the fact that there were no swoon worthy moments between them. There was just a tiny bit of romance in the entire novel.The plot was incredibly predictable, which was the only downfall. I figured it all out by the middle of the book, and I didn't even have to try hard. There weren't much of any surprises, all of it is sort of common sense and maybe even a little cliche. The humor was the only thing that kept me going, the mystery wasn't so exciting. The pace is consistent throughout the book, not really slowing down or speeding up. The scenery was interesting and I got a clear enough picture in my head.In the end, the book seemed to lose it's cheerful note and was replaced by a depressing gloom. It's not at all scary, just sad.Overall, I ended up with tears rolling down my face with all the laughing. Yes, the ending was gloomy, but the rest of Croak will definitely cheer you up.I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a light, hilarious read for the summer.