Reviews

The Box and the Dragonfly by Ted Sanders

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

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.

Spoiler

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

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

melinda_sue124's review

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

lazygal's review

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

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?

yapha's review

4.0

When Horace's bus takes a different route, he discovers the mysterious House of Answers (though truly it brings more questions than answers). Once there, he learns of the mysterious world of the Tanu -- magical objects that choose one person as their Keeper. The bond between the Keeper and the Tanu is strong and should never be broken. A magical box has called to Horace. Through trial and error he discovers what the box can do and finds himself growing more and more dependent on it. There are beings out there who are trying to take the Tanu, though, and Horace and his new friend Chloe (also a Keeper) are in danger.

This book got off to a slow start. It took almost halfway into the book before the pace picked up and the story drew me in. Once in though, this world is worth exploring. I am looking forward to the second book in the series. Recommended for grades 4-7.

ARC provided by publisher.

ktothelau's review

4.0

AUG 2018-2019 BOOK CLUB
Book 21/30: A Young Adult Novel

The Box and the Dragonfly is both clever and original, using the scientific method to break down the magical elements found in the story, seamlessly blending sci-fi and fantasy. Author Ted Sanders also manages to weave in the topic of addiction and how it can affect those around the addict, symbolizing the experience with magical items but also referring to alcoholism with a side character.

Though the first half of this middle-grade novel can be a bit of a drag (the chapters are fast-paced but the overall story is very slow and parts feel like punches have been pulled), the midpoint is where the story really kicks in. Though the action isn't as exciting or daring as, say, The Lightning Thief, Sanders stops pulling those punches and instead pushes, adding a puzzle element that will definitely keep sharper kids intrigued. On top of this, everything wraps up together well with a final scene that leaves me wanting more.

coolladybug99's review

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0