Great story, distracting reader

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I read this book first and then decided to listen to it. I love the story, The main character is a teen girl who up until lately has been a model student and daughter. no spoilers here, but suffice it to say there is a reason she went weird, and it makes for an interesting story!

Downside: While the reader definitely has the teenage voice down she kind of distracted me from the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lex's partner, he really brought out the best in her.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Like I said, it was distracting.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end, I'm not giving any spoilers!

12 people found this helpful

A little more teenage angst than I anticipated

It isn't that I disliked the book - I liked it. But I had a couple of issues.
a) There was a LOT more teenage angst than I anticipated - a little more than I could comfortably stomach - but I'm an old man so don't go by that.
b) The whole Grim-Reaper thing is getting a little overdone - how many different ways are there to tell the same story?
c) I can understand ending a book leaving hooks for sequels, but I really object to a book that stops cold and leaves you totally hanging, trying to force you to buy the sequel. This is the second book in a row that used that trick, and because it pisses me off I am not buying the sequels.

17 people found this helpful

Good but....

Make no mistake: this is definitely a YA book. I've listened to quite a few YA books that were well crafted and enjoyable ("Firelight" by Sophie Jordan comes to mind), but between the attitude and the angst and unsophisticated storyline of "Croak", I probably will not be continuing with the series (unless it goes on sale maybe). It's not bad, just not engaging enough for my adult mind to latch on to.

24 people found this helpful

Juvenile

Yes, I know it is YA, but this is juvenile even for YA. It isn't so much fantasy about being a Grimm Reaper but a different kind of fantasy, the kind preteen and teens have about life as an adult: having a boyfriend, having cool friends that really make them feel like they belong to an exclusive group, and doing it all without parental supervision.

This book had so much potential, the premise is great if not entirely original, the plot itself is actually okay, but it is ruined by the fact that nearly every character is is an obnoxious child. They never stop bickering and wise cracking and it really isn't ever cute or funny, just annoying.

I really kept thinking they would all just suddenly grow out of it when things got serious, but no, they never did. This was a bad buy on my part and that's on me, but maybe I can save someone else the disappointment.

I liked the narrator, some of the voices were irritating but I think that is because they were accurate representations of the characters.

28 people found this helpful

Cute Book For Young Adults

Any additional comments?

I'm 37 and found this book very entertaining. It's a cute young adult book. The narrator was pretty spot on. The reason that I'm not giving it 5 stars is because the "who did it" was VERY predictable. Also, the surprising death at the end should have been more tragic. The main character should have been more upset about it. Be advised that the story doesn't end. You have to purchase book 2. I've already started book 2 and am about to finish it. It looks like 2 will also be like 1, and require a purchase of book 3 to get any closure.
So, if you purchase this book, be prepared to spend more money to get the ending. (I always like to be warned that the story will end up costing more to get to the actual ending.)

6 people found this helpful

I usually pick bad books, but did alright on this!

What made the experience of listening to Croak the most enjoyable?

It was a fun story that didn't take a lot of concentration. I worked and listened to it and made the day fly by.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think Lex was my favorite character. Even though some of her antics were far fetched in the beginning of the book she turned funnier and more likeable by the end.

What does Jessica Almasy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I'm almost a couple decades removed from being a teen so having the teen voice in my ear made it all the more real.

4 people found this helpful

Smart and Funny

In Croak, we first meet Lex, a troubled teen who doesn't fit in...until she discovers her calling as a reaper. This is a great series start. I can't wait to see if Lex seeks revenge or redemption in Scorch.

13 people found this helpful

Smarta** Reapers

This book has some great banter between characters keeps you laughing and during this you forgive the learning curves of the world that can slow down other first books in a series. What the author lacks in mature characters she makes up for in fast and funny coming joke i recommend this for a car ride with kids.

12 people found this helpful

Glad I survived

This was difficult to listen to for me. The main character is a very angry person and the narration of the book is done in a sort of angry way which is hard to take hour after hour. Makes the main character feel very one dimensional and it made me feel a bit tense. Although I imagine that a younger audience might like this quite a bit (and I'm by no means old). In terms of narration and tone, it was a bit similar to Divergent which I also was not a big fan of. The premise was unique and some of the other characters were pretty likable, namely, Uncle Mort. However, that's not enough to make me want to continue with this series. Does not help matters that I predicted the ending long before I reached it.

24 people found this helpful

Love. Love. Love. Love.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Because it's one of the smartest books ever! SOOOOOO funny, witty, clever, great story, unique characters, can't beat it!

What did you like best about this story?

I really liked the board game scene. Funny and very telling. The chemistry between Driggs and Lex. The bond between Mort and Lex. Good stuff!

What does Jessica Almasy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She's one of my favorite voice actors. She has charm and diversity in all her voices. I enjoy all her work.

Any additional comments?

I would give this book 6 stars if I could. Can't wait for book 2!

18 people found this helpful