WHY (18)

This week the question I have been thinking about is: WHY am I addicted to Goodreads?

     When I first discovered Goodreads in June of last year I had no idea how attached to the site I would become. Up until then I didn't keep track of the books I was reading or when I was reading them. But ever since I found the site I haven't spent more than a few days away from it. There are several reasons why I like the site. 

     Every time I see a new book that I might want to get or read I check it out on Goodreads. What is it about? Is it the first in a series, a stand alone? But I also want to know if others liked the book and why? Goodreads is a great and easy way for me to see how other readers felt about a book. If people mostly enjoyed it and it seems like something I would like than I'll go ahead and get it. But if others mention things like plot problems, poor character development, or any other issues I'm far less likely to pick that book up. I must say I check almost everything I read on Goodreads, it has become like a habit.

     Another reason I am addicted to Goodreads is because it is a great way to keep track of the books I'm reading. Like I stated earlier, before I got an account I really didn't pay attention to when I read what. I just read a book put it down and then started on the next one. But now I can see when I read something so I can get an estimate of how long it's been since I read a certain book. Plus, I can also find out how many books I've read each year. I didn't really try to figure out how many books I read in a year but I must say it's interesting to watch my progress throughout the year, as well as others. 

     Goodreads is also a convenient way to list the books that I want to read. I don't have to go roaming through the internet to try and find a book I saw once but can't remember any details about it, such as the name or author. It's all right there in one easy to find location, very helpful. 

     An additional reason I like the site is because it's a place to interact with other readers and find out what they are reading as well as their thoughts on certain books. Yes of course I can find this by going to their blogs (which I do) but sometimes time is an issue and I can look at what everyone thinks in one easy step. And not everyone has a blog, granted most do but not all. Plus, I can check out what others are reading. I can find books that I might be interested in but hadn't heard about before.

     At times I have had a few issues with Goodreads such as it's temporary unavailable. I go there desperately wanting to do some research and then I'm told nope you gotta wait. I have also noticed when I search for a book it can bring up some weird results, not at all what I was looking for. But I  think the good of the site far out ways any problems I've ever had. 

Are you a fan of Goodreads? Let me know.

     

Review "Switched" by Amanda Hocking

Switched (Trylle Trilogy)

Amanda Hocking

Publication Date: January 3, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Goodreads

Summary:

     Wendy Everly has never quite fit in, even her mother thought there was something wrong with her. When Wendy was six her mother tried to kill her, ever since she has lived with her brother Matt and Aunt Maggie. When the mysterious Finn Holmes comes into her life her whole world gets flipped upside down. She finds out she is a changeling and now it's time for Wendy to go home to a place she never knew existed. 

Review:
      I was very intrigued about Switched especially when I heard that it was about trolls(Trylle) and changelings. I haven't read any books about trolls so I was eager to give it a try. What I found was an imaginative world with captivating characters all woven into an interesting story.

     When we first meet Wendy she's feisty and confrontational. And I liked her character instantly. She doesn't seem to want to get into trouble but she usually does anyway. But then she meets Finn. He ends up changing her life forever. Finn tells her she's a changeling and now it's time for her to return home. Of course Wendy doesn't believe him but after she is attacked, Wendy has no choice but to go with Finn. Once in Forening, a Trylle stronghold, her life gets even more complicated. She isn't really told much about the Trylle except for what she needs to know. At times I became frustrated for Wendy because it seemed as though she was being kept in the dark. I wanted them to just tell her everything but of course that would be boring. Even though she doesn't know everything about the Trylle she still stands up for what she believes and definitely has her own opinions about what she learns.

     There are a ton of interesting characters inhabiting the world of Switched. Finn for one is a tracker who finds the changelings then brings them home. He seems to be a nice helpful guy, I found myself liking him. He's also protective of Wendy but he does try to keep his distance from her, emotionally. He also knows a lot about Trylle society and helps Wendy as she learns about her place within that society. We also meet Wendy's brother Matt and Aunt Maggie who also protective of Wendy, especially Matt. They uproot their lives each time Wendy gets in trouble. Through it all they continue to love her and give her support. Then there is Elora, Wendy's biological mother who is quite powerful but very distant emotionally which makes her seem cold. In Forening she is introduced to Rhys, a mansklig, who lives with her mother. Rhys is a very likable character. He's funny but a little weird though he does help Wendy feel more comfortable in her new home, which made me like him even more. Of course there are many other characters but since I'm writing a review and not a novel I'll leave it up to you to discover them.

   Switched is an entertaining story with a trollish(probably not a word) twist. There are fast paced moments but we also get to sit back and learn about the Trylle as well as their enemies the Vittra, who are also trolls. The characters come alive and make the reader eager to know what will happen next in their lives. Amanda Hocking has developed an imaginative world that I can't wait to learn more about. I'll definitely be reading the next installment of this trilogy, Torn.

Cover:
     This cover definitely stands out. I really like this cover, especially the bold cloudy-red background. I also think the swirls around the title make it stand out but are also pretty. Plus I like how Wendy is sitting far away from a castle in a beautiful field of flowers. 

    

Swoon Thursdays (29)

The ladies at YA Bound have created a hot and fun new meme called SWOON #YABound. If you want to join in here's what you need to do.

All you need to do is pick up the book you are currently reading or just finished reading. Find what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding and your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Then shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag  #YABound, post in the comments, or grab the awesome button from YA Bound (above) and share it on your blog!

This week my Swoon comes from Sweep V, Full Circle by Cate Tiernan

"I shivered as Hunter pushed his knee between my legs. I coiled one leg around his as we kept kissing each other over and over, as if we'd been separated for a year instead of a day. I wanted to drink him in, imprint him on my skin, be warmed by his touch" SWOON #YABound

This week I finished the last book in the Sweep series and I'm kind of sad that it's over. I feel like I have been reading these books forever :( 

Teaser Tuesday (8)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading. Anyone can join in. Here's what you need to do.

♥Grab your current read.

♥Open to a random page.

♥Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

♥Be careful not to include spoilers! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others.)

♥Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"I noticed that his arms were covered in very light freckles as well and that they were surprisingly well defined. I guessed he did more than just work on math problems, or else he had some really heavy pencils. Then I decided to stop gawking at his arms and look like I was actually there to help."

Cate Tiernan, Reckoning, Sweep V pg 116 

Review "Overprotected" by Jennifer Laurens

Overprotected

Jennifer Laurens

Publication Date: February 9, 2011

Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing

Kindle Edition 254 pgs

Goodreads

Summary:

     Ashlyn has spent the majority of her life under lock and key because her father has become obsessed with keeping her safe. He hires companions(bodyguards) to follow her wherever she goes including school. It's their job to keep her safe as well as keep tabs on whatever she does. But when her father hires Colin, someone Ashlyn can''t stand, he never thought her feelings for Colin might change.

Review:  

     Ashlyn is practically living in captivity since her father wants to keep her safe. Though she has access to almost any material thing she could ever want she would rather have her freedom. When she gets her last bodyguard fired her father decides to hire Colin, a boy Ashlyn has despised since childhood. Colin would constantly torment Ashlyn something she has never gotten over. The more time she spends with Colin the more she comes to realize that he is not who he used to be and she finds herself drawn to him. As I read about Ashlyn's life I started to feel bad for her. She is trapped, lonely, and sad. To me it seems as though her parents over-protection has stunted her growth socially and emotionally. She daydreams a lot and has little to no real life experience. She gets most of her love advice from the pages of romance novels. Ashlyn is not dumb by an means she just hasn't been given the chance to live her life which has left her innocent and naive. What I liked about Ashlyn was that she fought for control, she didn't just sit back and do what she was told. She knew she was missing out on a normal life and she tried several times to get out from under her parents tight supervision. I found myself hoping that she would get a chance to experience all the things that she missed out on because of her parents. 

     When Colin comes into her life everything changes. He is nothing like she remembered. He's young, professional and quite good at his job of protecting Ashlyn, though I'm not sure where he learned how to be a bodyguard. He treats her with respect but doesn't let her get away with trying to escape his protection by sneaking off. From early on it is apparent that Colin cares about Ashlyn's well being. He gets her out of the house when her parents are driving her crazy, he teaches her self defense, and worries about the way she is treated by her parents. I thought Colin was just the type of guy that Ashlyn needed in her life. He's serious about his job so he won't take advantage of her but he is someone she can talk to and depend on. 

     Let's just say I'm glad I did not have Ashlyn's parents. Her father is overbearing, manipulative, and expects complete obedience from Ashlyn. He treats her like a child who doesn't have a mind of her own. When she starts to rebel he threatens to tighten her security even more. He controls who she talks to, where she goes, and has only allowed her to have one friend. He purposely hires guards he knows Ashlyn will hate so that she will not be attracted to them. Her mother is no better. She treats Ashlyn like an accessory to be prettied up and brought out during special occasions. She's overly flirtatious with Colin and can't seem to keep her hands off of him, which id not only embarrassing for Colin but for Ashlyn as well.

     Overprotected is essentially a story about a teenage girl who wants some freedom. This story was kind of sad but also hopeful. We are able to see what happens when parents go overboard in trying to keep their child safe. They inevitably end up hurting the one they were trying to protect. I liked Overprotected it is a well developed story with fascinating characters that I became invested in. I wanted to know if Ashlyn got the freedom she sought. I'm really glad I read this book, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Jennifer Laurens work.  

Cover:

     I think this cover accurately represents what the book is about. A girl who has spent her life being protected by bodyguards. Though I do wish the male model was a little younger as to portray Colin better. 

Swoon Thursdays (28)

The ladies at YA Bound have created a hot and fun new meme called SWOON #YABound. If you want to join in here's what you need to do.

All you need to do is pick up the book you are currently reading or just finished reading. Find what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding and your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Then shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag  #YABound, post in the comments, or grab the awesome button from YA Bound (above) and share it on your blog!

This week my SWOON comes from Need by Carrie Jones.

"My heart pings in my chest, hope making it beat fast, too fast. His hand reaches out and touches the back of my head. His fingers entwine with my hair. It happens again, that melting feeling, the longing feeling. I want to gesture my body against his body, to explain things like need." SWOON #YABound

Review "The Vincent Boys" by Abbi Glines

The Vincent Boys (The Vincent Boys #1)

Abbi Glines

Publication Date: October 12, 2011

Kindle Edition 174 pgs

Goodreads

Summary:

     Ashton has spent years trying to be perfect to live up to the expectations of her parents and her boyfriend, Sawyer. But when Ashton starts spending time with her childhood best friend, Beau she finally gets to be herself. The more time she spends with the unbelievably sexy Beau the more she realizes how much she has missed him. Beau loves his cousin Sawyer more than anyone else but when he gets the chance to hangout with Ashton he takes it even though it may mean hurting the one person who has always been there for him.

Review:

     I'm not generally a fan of contemporary novels but once I started reading The Vincent Boys I was glad I gave it a shot. It was interesting, completely consuming, and at times super steamy. The story is told from both Ashton and Beau's POV which I liked. I always love when I get both sides of the story.

     Ashton used to have a bit of a wild streak but when she started dating Sawyer she vowed to try and be good enough for him. She trys to be as close to perfect as possible. She feels she needs to be this way not only for Sawyer but because she is a preachers daughter living in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business. But when Ashton starts hanging out with Beau she's able to be herself. He doesn't judge the choices that she makes, he just wants her to be happy. The true Ashton has been hidden in order to be what others think she should. I liked how Ashton was able to be more carefree when she was with Beau she didn't have to pretend to be someone she wasn't around him. He makes her feel alive. As Ashton struggles with her feelings of being good enough she also struggles with her growing attraction to Beau. At one point I wished that Ashton wasn't so dependent on those around her. I wanted her to stick up for herself but she never did. Which I thought was a little irritating. 

     Beau is the town bad boy, who just happens to be crazy hot. He doesn't really care how others see him. He would do anything for his cousin Sawyer since Sawyer has always stuck by him, no matter what. But when he starts hanging out with Ashton he knows he's going behind his cousins back but he can't seem to help himself. I really liked Beau he tried really hard to stay away from Ashton but he finally had the one thing he had always wanted. Beau seems like a really great guy, he actually listens to Ashton when she needs to vent. He also does things for her that show he really isn't as bad as people think he is. He doesn't want Ash to be perfect he wants her to be who she wants to be, not who she thinks she should be. Another aspect of Beau that endeared him to me was how protective he was of Ashton. Even when they were young he never let anyone treat her badly. My only issue with him is that he is fictional.

   

     We don't get to know Sawyer that well since he is away for the summer. He seems to be a good guy even though at one point I did want to smack him but I think he made up for what he did in the end. We will get more of him in the sequel which I am looking forward to. 

     Overall, I really enjoyed The Vincent Boys. We see how one summer can change so many lives. As well as how the choices we make effect those around us. The Vincent Boys is an easy, fun read. I was drawn into the story which had well developed characters and I wanted them to be happy. I would recommend this book to older YA readers since there are a few mature scenes.

Cover:

     I love this cover not only because of the bold bright colors that make the cover stand out but because of the simplicity of it. After seeing the cover for the first time I definitely wanted to know more about this book. 

Teaser Tuesday (7)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading. Anyone can join in. Here's what you need to do.

♥Grab your current read.

♥Open to a random page.

♥Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

♥Be careful not to include spoilers! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others.)

♥Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then he smiles at me and my heart starts beating harder, which I'm ashamed to admit, but it's true. Hearts betray you like that. This is why it's perfectly acceptable to be cardiophobic, afraid of hearts. 

Carrie Jones, Need, pg 132

Review "Descended by Blood" by Angeline Kace

Descended by Blood (Vampire Born #1)

Angeline Kace

Publication Date: August 26, 2011

Publisher: Accendo Press

Kindle Edition 263 pgs

Goodreads

Summary:

     Brooke is a teenage girl who has spent the majority of her life moving all over the country. She has a chance to set down some roots in Buena Vista, Virginia. Brooke has a loyal and amazing best friend, Kaitlynn and has finally gotten a chance at the guy she's been drooling over. But when she is attacked by a fanged monster her whole world turns upside down. She learns things about herself that are terrifying but she'll need to embrace what she learns about herself or else she may not survive. 

Review:

     There were so many things that I liked about Descended by Blood. Firstly, the characters were believable and felt real especially the language they used. I have read a few books where I was totally thrown off by the language the characters used. It either felt awkward or as if the author was trying too hard to make the characters sound like teens. Secondly, I liked all the descriptions of places or people. I didn't feel loaded down with details. One issue I had was that there were a ton of words that I had no clue how to say which I tripped over throughout the book. In other words the way I pronounce them and the way they are actually said are probably not even close. 

     The story focuses on Brooke a shy teenager who is not fond of confrontations. She has issues with defending herself but luckily her best friend Kaitlynn does not have those same issues. As the story progresses Brooke realizes that she will have to get stronger in order to protect herself as well as her friends and family. And eventually she does start sticking up for herself which I liked. I am not of fan of characters that constantly need to be rescued even though they are quite strong. I liked that we were able to see Brooke change. It wasn't a drastic change as to make it seem unbelievable but a more subtle change that fit with the story and the character. When the novel starts Brooke only has to deal with typical high school stuff but once she gets attacked by a vampire her life changes drastically. Her life starts to revolve around training and trying to stay alive in a supernatural world. I had one issue with Brooke that annoyed me to no end and it had to do with the two guys in the book, Jaren and Mirko. But saying too much about this will give a lot away.

   Another big part of Brooke's life is her relationship with Kaitlynn. I was really glad to see a supportive best friend who didn't turn her back on Brooke when things got tough. Kaitlynn is loyal and there for Brooke whether she is dealing with boyfriend drama or weird vampire stuff. The relationship felt believable and I was happy to see that Brooke was just as protective of Kaitlynn as Kaitlynn was of Brook. I did feel as though Brooke leaned on Kaitlynn more but it seems as though they have a strong friendship. 

    In Descended by Blood we are also introduced to Jaren. A guy Brooke has had a crush on forever. When he finally notices her and they start hanging out Brooke is overjoyed. Jaren seems nice but I'm not really a huge fan of his. Jaren is too indecisive when it comes to his relationship with Brooke which kind of messes with her emotions. Then there is Mirko. He is a vampire who was made, he really didn't have a say in the matter but has made the best of his situation. I liked him instantly. He's funny, honest, strong and protective. He's been through a lot but seems to be able to open up to Brooke. We learn a little about his past and I'm hoping we get a little more insight into who he is in the next book. 

     All in all I really liked Descended by Blood. There were some things that annoyed me but it wasn't about the writing or the plot it was more about how the characters behaved sometimes. I guess it did make them feel more believable but at times I felt like shouting at them. Maybe I didn't mention it enough but this book is about vampires. Which I don't mind but I know some take issue with them so just a little heads up in case you are unaware. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book in this trilogy, Enemy Within.

Cover:

     I really like this cover. Brooke is the focus with a creepy red sky in the background. It's not overly done or to busy. I think it portrays nicely what the book is about, Brooke's life. I also think the colors are well done it's not too bright because it wouldn't make sense to have a sunny cover when the character is dealing with trying to survive vampires. 

WHY (17)

This week the question I have been thinking about is, WHY do I wait so long to get highly awaited releases?

There are a ton of books that I am looking forward to reading and as many of their release dates approach I find that I am not rushing out to go get them. There are several reasons why I'm not jumping in my car, headed to my local bookstore.

     Firstly, I have so many books sitting on my selves or in my computer waiting to be read that I am not lacking for new reading material. I feel as though I should work on my TBR pile so I don't end up with a ton of books I'll never get to. I've said it before I feel bad for having books just sitting on the shelf forever. I have actually read a few of the books in my pile and did the corresponding reviews for them. I know, yay me! 

     Secondly, I don't always rush out to buy a highly awaited release because I've already waited a long time so what is a few more days or weeks? Plus I know that it's going to take forever for the next book to come out. If I delay buying the book the wait won't be so long for the next installment. Crazy reasoning I know but it works for me. It would be different if I had just finished the last book and the newest one was coming out. I would still be stuck in that world wanting more. But if enough time has passed say a few months then I don't mind waiting a little longer.

     Lastly, I have mentioned before that I love to re-read. It takes a lot of time to get caught up and sometimes I just don't have time to do that before a books release date. I could always buy the book and just put it on my shelf until I get to it. But for some reason I don't like doing that. I have had the last book in the Sweep series sitting on my shelves since Christmas. I am still waiting to re-read the other books so I can get to it. There are 13 previous books I need to re-read and not doing so would make me feel too lost. Not that the books are long but it takes quite a bit of time to read 13 books.

Of course there are those rare books that I will drop everything to read. I don't always delay getting new releases.

Any thoughts on this question?

Swoon Thursdays (27)

he ladies at YA Bound have created a hot and fun new meme called SWOON #YABound. If you want to join in here's what you need to do.

All you need to do is pick up the book you are currently reading or just finished reading. Find what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding and your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Then shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag  #YABound, post in the comments, or grab the awesome button from YA Bound (above) and share it on your blog!

My SWOON this week comes from Torn by Amanda Hocking. 

     "His mouth covered mine, and warmth stirred inside me. He tasted sweet and cool, and his skin smelled of fresh rain. My knees felt weak, and my heart battered against my chest. his hands moved back, tangling in my hair and pressing me to him.
      I wrapped my arms around him, and he felt strong and powerful against me. I could actually feel his muscles, like warm marble, and I knew he could crush me if he wanted to. But the way he touched me was passionate and delicate all at once." SWOON #YABound

I had to go with the extended scene on this one, it was just so swoony. If you have a SWOON let me know.

Teaser Tuesday (6)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading. Anyone can join in. Here's what you need to do.

♥Grab your current read.

♥Open to a random page.

♥Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

♥Be careful not to include spoilers! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others.)

♥Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"I didn't feel much like talking anymore. there were still a million questions I had about everything, but I'd rather wait and talk to somebody else, anybody else."

Amanda Hocking, Switched, page 91 

I haven't started this one yet but I'm about to, it sounds really good and my sister loved it so I hope it's good.

Happy Easter!

Why (16)

The question that I have been thinking about is, WHY do I skip to the end of a book?

     Yep, I'm totally guilty of this reading faux pas. I don't start out a book by thinking I am going to skip to the end. And I don't do it with every book that I read. It depends on the book. This is an issue that has gotten worse recently.

     There are several reasons why I feel the need to read the ending of a book before I should. I tend to get to an intense moment in the book and I want to know if the characters survive. I get super anxious and I just have to find out what happens immediately. I hate when I feel like something awful is going to happen so I skip ahead to see if it does. I guess then I feel better prepared or something. I don't quite know. Does it get confusing? Yes it does. But I do it anyways so that I'll know if my favorite characters survive or if they'll have their lives turned upside down.

     Another reason I skip ahead would be I get to a lull in the action and I want to know what's going to happen next, end result I end up reading the last half of the book before I should. It's not that the book is boring. I just want to read the actiony, or romancey parts to see how things end up. Once I am satisfied I will continue on where I left off.

     Should I read the ending while I'm in the middle of the book? No, probably not but I do it anyway whether it is wrong or not. I just can't seem to help it. I still go back and read the book all the way through but now I know what happens. Is it weird, maybe so but I'm probably not going to stop.

So, am I completely crazy for doing this? Do you ever feel the need to skip ahead? Let me know, I won't feel bad if it's just me :D

Review "Croak" by Gina Damico

Croak (Croak #1)

Gina Damico

Publication Date: March 20, 2012

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

ARC 

Goodreads

Summary:
     Lexington Bartleby is a sixteen year old with major anger issues and being sent to the principals office is nothing new to her. When her parents get fed up with her behavior they decide to send her to her Uncle Mort's farm in Croak. But as Lex comes to realize Uncle Mort is not at all what she thought. He is a reaper and intends to show Lex the ins and outs of the business. What Lex finds in Croak is a world she never could have imagined. But not everyone is who they seem and there is a danger that threatens to take down the reapers.

     Gina Damico has created an exciting world that I found different from any other I have experienced so far. The town of Croak seems like your typical small town except for the fact that all the shops have death inspired names such as Pushing Daisies (flower shop), Bought the Farm (grocery store), and The Morgue (diner). Everything in Croak is centered around what its occupants do. Let me just say that I was greatly surprised to see how jelly fish were used in this book, very original. They play a vital role in what the killers(reapers)/ cullers( collects souls) do. Tourists are not welcome in this town and there are rules for dealing with them. "Three simple rules for getting rid of tourists, Lex: Lie, deny, and bleed' em dry". (pg 48) 

     The characters in Croak are quirky and funny partly because of what they do and also because of how they grew up. Lex is not your typical teenage delinquent. She is unable to control the anger that burns just beneath the surface, always there, always waiting to come out.  She has an active imagination and comes up with the funniest scenarios. She is thrown into her summer job without a lot of explanation, she's expected to learn as she goes. I found myself loving anytime Lex was speaking or thinking her crazy thoughts, which was most of the time. She is one of my favorite characters: she's funny, sarcastic, as well as smart. Lex's Uncle Mort is not at all what I expected especially compared to the rest of her family. I had to add this quote from the first time we meet Uncle Mort. "Sitting atop a black and purple--streaked motorcycle was, in a startling number of details, the erxact type of villian depicted in the Never Talk to Strangers! picture book that had been drilled into Lex as a child: a man six feet tall, in his late thirties, lean but strong, roguishly attractive...And topping it all off was the choatic mess of hair on his head. Blacker even than Lex's, and streaked with purple just like the bike, it stuck out in windblown, tousled spikes, as if he had stuck his finger into a charged socket only seconds before." (pg 20) Yeah not someone I would want to meet in a dark alley but he proves to be good for Lex. Then there is Lex's new roommate Driggs. He has a fondness for anything chocolate, in particular Oreo's. Driggs is a good match for Lex, he's able to keep her in line while on the job as well as teach her what she needs to know to be a reaper. He isn't bothered by her temper, which annoys Lex to no end but I think Driggs loves annoying her so it works out. There are several other teenage killers/cullers in Croak also known as Juniors. They spend a lot of time together and never really leave town so they tend to get bored. One of the ways they have for curing their boredom is by having game night. They created the funniest mash-up of games, with no real rules, everyone just makes it up as the game progresses. "Lex herself built a Jenga tower on Boardwalk, sank Driggs's destroyer with a double word score, and captured a bishop in the Peppermint Forest with Mrs. Peacock."(pg 193) That would be one difficult game to understand never mind trying to win. But it serves its purpose of keeping the Juniors entertained.

     The detailed descriptions in Croak allowed me to picture the places and people Lex encountered. There were also so many funny passages throughout this novel that I constantly found myself smiling or laughing outright. But there is a serious aspect of this book, it's not all fun and made up games. There is something amiss in the reapers world and solving the mystery is the only way for those in the town to be safe.Once I picked this book up and started reading I did not want to put it down. Croak was a fun, fast paced read that had me wishing  for more Lex and co. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Scorched, book two in this series.

Cover:

     I think the cover of Croak is okay but I wish it stood out a little more and screamed pick me up because there is a great, funny story inside. I do like how Lex  has a scythe, the trademark item for reapers as well as the reaper uniform, a black hoodie. I just think it's a little too plain, at least for my tastes.



All quotes taken from ARC of Croak.