The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things #1 (The Horrible Series) by Rob Renzetti

What worked:

The narrative is told in mostly short chapters which should appeal to young readers. The horrible bag makes its entrance in the very first sentence and the author grabs readers’ attention by taking the time to describe its creepiness. It makes groaning noises, is slouched, and has very bad posture. The outside is patched with different types of animal skin such as finished leather, bristled hair, and reptilian skin. Haphazard stitches hold them together along with a tarnished brass clasp that resembles the thorns and flowers of a rosebush. The descriptions make the bag seem like a living thing but the real excitement and adventure are found in the bag’s murky mystery.

The author blends strange, absurd humor into Zenith’s mission to rescue his sister Apogee from the horrible bag. An entire bizarre world is found inside it and Zenith has no useful skills or knowledge to navigate and survive the plants and creatures found there. Three holes negotiate for his blood and promise to take him where he needs to go. Tree roots grab his sister, water tosses him out, and rocks move to block his way. A tiny gargoyle named Kreeble offers to help in exchange for five minutes of feasting on Zenith’s ear wax and he becomes Zenith’s main companion. You might be disgusted with the story if Kreeble’s eating habits bother you. The story’s text plays with literal versus figurative language and creates funny interactions between the characters. Unexpectedly weird characters and situations arise at every turn which makes it difficult to predict what will happen next.

Zenith’s relationship with Apogee creates an internal struggle throughout the adventure. He misses how things used to be and resents that she acts more like another parent than his sister. The narrative includes some of Zenith’s memories but one in particular eats away at him. He’s preparing to score the winning goal in a hockey game when his sister yells out to him. As a result, he’s knocked over by a bully and nearly drowns in the pond. He can’t understand why she’d stop him and he gets angry whenever he thinks about it. However, he’s still determined to save her from the Holey Wurm despite the numerous dangers he encounters.

What didn’t work as well:

As with some other books I’ve reviewed, this book requires a high tolerance for zaniness and strange ideas. I happen to appreciate these types of books although this one may not appeal to everybody. It’s often hard to tell if this book is meant to be a funny adventure story or an adventurous funny story.

The Final Verdict:

The second half of the book has less wackiness and the build-up to the climax is exciting with an action-packed chase at the end. The resolution is a bit of a surprise but it leaves the door open for the sequel. Overall, I recommend this book for readers with imaginations who enjoy the unusual.