LitPick Review
The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things by Rob Renzetti is a dark fantasy tale that follows Zenith and his older sister, Apogee, and their encounter with a mysterious bag. When a creature suddenly emerges from the bag and drags Apogee along with it back to its depths, it’s up to Zenith to brave the shadows and take back his sister from the clutches of the creature. Entering the grim world of GrahBhag, Zenith’s journey puts him face-to-face with gargoyles who much on earwax, a cloth-man who just wants to make friends, talking ravens that guard knowledge, and the terrible Great Wurm. This gothic adventure is a suitable fit for preteens and young adults.
Opinion:
Rob Renzetti’s writing style is a shining example of the gothic genre. It’s ripe with vivid imagery and contains a vast variety of vocabulary, making it an ideal place for young readers to acquire new words. Dark humor and deadpan comedy highlight Zenith’s adventure in GrahBhag, further adding to the gothic ambience. The main characters and unique monsters found in the book are well-written and seem believable. There are a couple of scenes that contain themes of blood and death, shaping it as book unsuitable for the younger half of grade school audiences. The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things is highly recommended for fans of Neil Gaiman and Lemony Snicket.
