Reviews

The Box and the Dragonfly by Ted Sanders

pherbs's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

aylea's review against another edition

3.0

This review originally found at The Children's Book and Media Review

When Horace F. Andrews sees a sign from the bus with his name on it, he goes to investigate what it could mean. The sign leads him to a warehouse full of mysterious objects. There he receives a strange gift: a box that he soon discovers allows him to see the future and send small objects into the future. This box causes him many problems, however. Seeing the future can have difficult consequences that will put him, his family, and his new friend Chloe—a girl who has a magical object herself—as he finds himself in a conflict between two powerful groups of people. When Chloe’s dad is taken by the enemy, Horace has to make crucial decisions to save her dad and others.

The book is longer than a lot of books for the target audience, and some of the scientific discussions might bore a few readers, but most readers are unlikely to notice how long the book is as they keep turning the pages. The plot has some pacing issues, but overall it is intriguing and easy to follow. The main characters and their families are complex and flawed, making them easy to relate to and interesting. The magical world has enough depth and scientific basis to be believable. This debut novel shows a lot of promise to become an exciting series.

melinda_sue124's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely LOVED this book!!! I loved the intrigue from the very first chapter I was hooked! I read the book in two days because I couldn't put it down unless I absolutely had to! I loved the characters that were introduced and their individual powers/Tan'ji they have! I also really love the Riven and how they're portrayed in the books. I also am absolutely in love with the end of the book and how cool Horace's mom is and the cliffhanger she left us with!!! Cannot wait to start book 2 omg

breeezzy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

sassyshark's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

millie1985's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mirrorbug's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Very much an underrated book. I think this could easily explode into a massive fantasy middle grade series but it just didn't. 
All the characters were fantastic, especially Horace and Chloe though. You really understand why this first book is called the box AND the dragonfly.

Especially towards the end, Chloe takes front and center in the emotional narrative if the story and the whole thing flows really well.

There were times where I thought Chloe in particular was being a but annoying to other characters or those characters were being too harsh on Chloe. But then you remember these are two snot-faced 11-year-olds running around Chicago in the middle of the night with incredibly powerful magical devices and we just have to trust them. Horace and Chloe are smart, lovable characters, but holy shit. These two are thr embodiment of the 11-year-old who believes himself to be an immortal god. I think it's easy in stories like this to almost jump from one plot point to the next, but it flows very well! Everything makes a lot of sense and we don't spend a lot of time doing what we don't need to spend time on. That alone makes this book go by fairly fast. Also, there's a glossary for new terms in the back which is incredibly helpful.

maria_luciani's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

fuckin awesome

lazygal's review against another edition

3.0

A very long book, and given that I'd have expected a little more explanation about who the Seekers were, what the tanu (and variations) are, etc. - in his attempt to get the action going and up the creepy factor (the thin man?), the world building is slighted a little. Perhaps slightly slower pacing and a little more description would have worked better.

I did appreciate Chloe's skepticism about she will do, as well as her and Horace's unwillingness to disclose everything. Even though Horace seems much more willing (eager!) to join in the adventure, he does seem to occasionally pause to think about it. And the ending, with his mother? It does explain her being such a cool mom, but did the cliffhanger have to be so pointed?

ARC provided by publisher.

luckyliza13's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 A bit long, a bit confusing at times, but a magical adventure with a a cliff hanger ending. How long will I have to wait for the next one?