Scorch (Croak)
The scythes are still swinging in this sequel to the humorously weird Croak (2012). The action picks up just a few days after Lex’s twin sister is killed by Zara, the rogue Grim who is literally cutting a swathe through the world. As the adult Grims of Croak quarrel about how to handle the crisis, Lex receives a horrifying message from Zara: either Lex surrenders an all-important book or Zara will reap a soul a day. The trouble is, Lex doesn’t have the book. Besides that, she is fighting her own urge to damn souls, and she hopes that she isn’t the legendary Last Grim, who is destined to destroy the After Life. Then explosions rock Croak, and Uncle Mort gathers the Junior Grims and heads for DeMyse, the Crown Jewel of the Grimsphere, a sort of Las Vegas times ten. Damico keeps the suspense, gore, and laughs flowing in this entertaining installment. The demise (perhaps) of a major character or two and a cliff-hanger ending just as a war begins will leave fans eager for the next book. Grades 8-12. --Lynn Rutan