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samy9512's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
magyklyxdelish's review
4.0
Another great story by CM3. This one very much a tale of classism and oppression but also told in a way that feels like a backstory to a superhero/villain.
The characters he writes are always superb and I absolutely adored Mika. I truly felt for her and Benny and rooted for them in such a way that while the ending might not have been satisfying it was one that made sense to me.
CM3 has really cemented himself as not just my favorite bizarro author but one of my favorite authors period.
The characters he writes are always superb and I absolutely adored Mika. I truly felt for her and Benny and rooted for them in such a way that while the ending might not have been satisfying it was one that made sense to me.
CM3 has really cemented himself as not just my favorite bizarro author but one of my favorite authors period.
onus_jott's review
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
spookyoctopusreads's review
5.0
The Bad Box is a cute little dip into the world of bizzaro horror fiction with some depth beyond the story centered around a group of elementary school children. I appreciate that Mellick tackles the issues of classism, stereotyping, and bullying while also presenting a crazy story that you'll want to devour.
Mrs. Gustafson both punishes and rewards her students for their performance on tests in her class. On the surface, it may not seem like a terrible idea...but, trust me, both the rewards and the punishments are pretty horrifying in their own ways. You could sprout wings, read minds, or know multiple languages OR you could turn into a pile of goo, have crickets squirming within your body, or grow a tail. No one knows what awaits them when they stick their hand into the good box or the dreaded bad box. This seemingly goes on every day until Mika and Benny decide to hatch a plot to destroy the boxes and remove the curses they have each been given.
The way Mellick presented the characters' plights made me really feel for Mika and Benny, and I found myself rooting for them until the end. I wanted the "popular" kids, the ones who got all the rewards, to be cursed, if only just once. I could see the dynamics of a school pretty accurately playing out in the story, even if it was in a bit of an exaggerated and bizarre way. This certainly was a crazy story and a wild ride, but if you like your horror a little silly, or a little more than surface level, this one is for you.
Mrs. Gustafson both punishes and rewards her students for their performance on tests in her class. On the surface, it may not seem like a terrible idea...but, trust me, both the rewards and the punishments are pretty horrifying in their own ways. You could sprout wings, read minds, or know multiple languages OR you could turn into a pile of goo, have crickets squirming within your body, or grow a tail. No one knows what awaits them when they stick their hand into the good box or the dreaded bad box. This seemingly goes on every day until Mika and Benny decide to hatch a plot to destroy the boxes and remove the curses they have each been given.
The way Mellick presented the characters' plights made me really feel for Mika and Benny, and I found myself rooting for them until the end. I wanted the "popular" kids, the ones who got all the rewards, to be cursed, if only just once. I could see the dynamics of a school pretty accurately playing out in the story, even if it was in a bit of an exaggerated and bizarre way. This certainly was a crazy story and a wild ride, but if you like your horror a little silly, or a little more than surface level, this one is for you.
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