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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.
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.
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
hunnybeemarie's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
chelseymarie's review
5.0
So many books want to be the next Harry Potter. This is not the next Harry Potter. But there will never be a next Harry Potter, truly. There will never be another Star Wars, there will never be another Sherlock Holmes. These things take on lives of their own, and we can't replicate them. We can enjoy this for what it is, though: an awesome, scary, thoughtful fantasy adventure that's a foot smarter than its peers. It isn't the level of magic that we might long for, exactly, but almost nothing is.
rhodamack09's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this. Such a fantastic adventure. Admittedly at first it took me a wee while to get into it, but I think that was because I hadn't read any Middle Grade for a while. I loved the mystery, the danger and the fantasy of this book. There's so much depth to the story!
I also really appreciated the scientific element to the book too. Sanders' explanations were spot on and my inner geek is always delighted to see science being incorporated and knowledge imparted. I found that Sanders managed to conjure up the most fantastic images and I was very much absorbed by the story.
I will definitely be reading the second book, as well as sharing The Box and the Dragonfly with friends young and old!
(Hot Key Books kindly sent me a copy of this book for consideration.)
I also really appreciated the scientific element to the book too. Sanders' explanations were spot on and my inner geek is always delighted to see science being incorporated and knowledge imparted. I found that Sanders managed to conjure up the most fantastic images and I was very much absorbed by the story.
I will definitely be reading the second book, as well as sharing The Box and the Dragonfly with friends young and old!
(Hot Key Books kindly sent me a copy of this book for consideration.)
raoionna's review
3.0
While this book is enjoyable, there are some weird life and death issues that are a bit upsetting for younger elementary kids.
catherinesbookshelf's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
I feel like this book had a lot of potential and the magic system and characters were very interesting. However, the constant info dumping made it lose momentum and I stopped losing interest about halfway through. The last couple of chapters were really well done and I liked how the characters were able to overcome certain fears and the way their dynamics were developed. Had it not been for the repetitive info dumping I think this book could have been a five-star read.
aprildiamond's review
5.0
A somewhat unexpected 5 stars. While I was reading there wasn’t a point when I thought “oh this is definitely a 5 star book” it was just like I got to the end and thought about it and it was the obvious decision.
A bunch of things I liked in this book:
The best types of villains are
1) Well-developed with a great redemption arc
2) Creepy ass bitches
We got the second one. And yeah, they were lowkey terrifying. I mean, you stick a huge thin stick man with incorrect finger joints on page 6 of a book, as he’s pretending to be nice but is instead threatening and who doesn’t know how to smile right, what do you expect me to do? Not be creeped out?
I really liked how the book was written. Also nothing was ever boring. It’s a long book but it’s kind of like a TV show. Things are always progressing, and we see the long term development of the characters as opposed to seeing them for only a short period of time. Definitely a different reading experience than what I’m used to.
Speaking of characters, yes. Because I love Horace and I (really) love Chloe but most of all I love their relationship because it is so dang wholesome. At the end I felt like I really knew them in real life. Glad this is a series because I could read about them for a long time.
More on characterization: Very interesting stuff going on with the mentor figures. Usually these roles are portrayed as very trustworthy and as people the main characters can always turn to. But here, they get called out for their shit and I don’t automatically trust them because we see that they’re human and make mistakes. I don’t know yet what their intentions are and I wonder if this is going to come back at some point
A bunch of things I liked in this book:
The best types of villains are
1) Well-developed with a great redemption arc
2) Creepy ass bitches
We got the second one. And yeah, they were lowkey terrifying. I mean, you stick a huge thin stick man with incorrect finger joints on page 6 of a book, as he’s pretending to be nice but is instead threatening and who doesn’t know how to smile right, what do you expect me to do? Not be creeped out?
I really liked how the book was written. Also nothing was ever boring. It’s a long book but it’s kind of like a TV show. Things are always progressing, and we see the long term development of the characters as opposed to seeing them for only a short period of time. Definitely a different reading experience than what I’m used to.
Speaking of characters, yes. Because I love Horace and I (really) love Chloe but most of all I love their relationship because it is so dang wholesome. At the end I felt like I really knew them in real life. Glad this is a series because I could read about them for a long time.
More on characterization: Very interesting stuff going on with the mentor figures. Usually these roles are portrayed as very trustworthy and as people the main characters can always turn to. But here, they get called out for their shit and I don’t automatically trust them because we see that they’re human and make mistakes. I don’t know yet what their intentions are and I wonder if this is going to come back at some point