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The Horrible Bag #1
The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things #1
From the creator of My Life As a Teenage Robot comes a middle-grade horror story about a horrible bag, the spine-chilling world hidden within it, and a terrifying adventure into the world of GrahBhag.
Perfect for fans of Coraline, the Spiderwick Chronicles, and Small Spaces.
When Zenith finds a strange, unsettling bag at his front door, he's not sure where it came from or who sent it to him. He knows better than to expect his overprotective older sister Apogee to help him figure it out, because ever since she became a teenager, she's been acting more like a parent to him than a sibling. But he certainly did not expect for a horrifying spiderlike creature to emerge from the bag, kidnap Apogee, and drag her inside to the equally horrifying and unsettling world of GrahBhag.
Zenith sets off into the bag to bring her back but soon finds a bizarre realm where malicious forests, a trio of blood-drinking mouths, and a sentient sawdust-stuffed giant are lurking within the seams. And from every corner of the world come whispers of the Great Wurm, an eldritch horror with a godlike hold over the creatures of GrahBhag, who seems to have a dark, insidious purpose for Apogee. With the help of a greedy, earwax-nibbling gargoyle, Zenith will have to save Apogee from the Great Wurm and help them both escape the horrible bag before it's too late.
With a combination of dry, absurdist humor and no-holds-barred horror, Rob Renzetti has crafted a delightfully imaginative fantasy world that will hook readers as surely as it will send chills down their spines.
Perfect for fans of Coraline, the Spiderwick Chronicles, and Small Spaces.
When Zenith finds a strange, unsettling bag at his front door, he's not sure where it came from or who sent it to him. He knows better than to expect his overprotective older sister Apogee to help him figure it out, because ever since she became a teenager, she's been acting more like a parent to him than a sibling. But he certainly did not expect for a horrifying spiderlike creature to emerge from the bag, kidnap Apogee, and drag her inside to the equally horrifying and unsettling world of GrahBhag.
Zenith sets off into the bag to bring her back but soon finds a bizarre realm where malicious forests, a trio of blood-drinking mouths, and a sentient sawdust-stuffed giant are lurking within the seams. And from every corner of the world come whispers of the Great Wurm, an eldritch horror with a godlike hold over the creatures of GrahBhag, who seems to have a dark, insidious purpose for Apogee. With the help of a greedy, earwax-nibbling gargoyle, Zenith will have to save Apogee from the Great Wurm and help them both escape the horrible bag before it's too late.
With a combination of dry, absurdist humor and no-holds-barred horror, Rob Renzetti has crafted a delightfully imaginative fantasy world that will hook readers as surely as it will send chills down their spines.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 3, 2023
THE HORRIBLE BAG OF TERRIBLE THINGS
Rob Renzetti
Renzetti must be the quirkiest person in the world. The story is geared toward middle schoolers and I think mostly boys because boys are just fond of weirdness. The whole thing was entertaining but as I am not really a middle schooler, the zaniness of the things that happened began to wear on me.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
Rob Renzetti
Renzetti must be the quirkiest person in the world. The story is geared toward middle schoolers and I think mostly boys because boys are just fond of weirdness. The whole thing was entertaining but as I am not really a middle schooler, the zaniness of the things that happened began to wear on me.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
March 23, 2024
Just solely on enjoyment, I gave this five stars. It was so delightfully weird. A boy opens his first door and finds this strange bag on the porch, and really strange, very scary things happen after that. I think this might be one of a few handful of kids books that goes all in on the Lovecraft vibes. I'm in awe of the creativity behind this story. It's so unpredictable and fun, but in a 'you're really glad you are just reading the book and you're not actually in the book' kind of way. I really liked Zenith. He had a distinctive feel for a young boy, with that just the perfect amount of rebellion and fearlessness in him. But at the same time, he showed realistic vulnerability for a kid put in the scary, crazy situations he encounters in this book. The characters' names were unique: Zenith and Apogee. Yes, I did look up the definition for Apogee. Apogee suits his sister's personality. I love books where siblings look out for each other, and that's a major theme of this book.
As I've said multiple times before, I'm always on the lookout for weird, creepy kids books. If you are the same, you should read this one. I can't wait to read the next book. I'm so glad my library had a copy of it.
As I've said multiple times before, I'm always on the lookout for weird, creepy kids books. If you are the same, you should read this one. I can't wait to read the next book. I'm so glad my library had a copy of it.
August 23, 2023
With the menace of Labyrinth, the playfulness of The Phantom Tollbooth, and the mythos of Alice in Wonderland, Horrible Bag delivers a young adult coming-of-age fantasy novel just right for readers who love the hero's journey. Renzetti cleverly chooses not to answer a big question at the end, leaving room for a sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2024
I don’t normally write book reviews, but as a fan of Rob Renzetti, the man who made My Life as Teenage Robot and Mina and the Count, I feel the need to express my admiration of this story.
I loved this story. I got to listen to the audiobook, which was 5 hours. The narration went so well with Renzetti’s writing. Main character was great. He was brave, but also not the most confident. At first I thought it was just going to a simple “save the damsel” story. But as it turns out, it’s actually not that predictable as you think, when he tries to save his sister. I feel any age group can enjoy this story. It gets creepy and bizarre, but it still keeps you focused and invested. I also can’t wait for the sequel that’s coming out.
I highly recommend you check this out. Rather your fan of his work or just a new comer.
I loved this story. I got to listen to the audiobook, which was 5 hours. The narration went so well with Renzetti’s writing. Main character was great. He was brave, but also not the most confident. At first I thought it was just going to a simple “save the damsel” story. But as it turns out, it’s actually not that predictable as you think, when he tries to save his sister. I feel any age group can enjoy this story. It gets creepy and bizarre, but it still keeps you focused and invested. I also can’t wait for the sequel that’s coming out.
I highly recommend you check this out. Rather your fan of his work or just a new comer.
August 14, 2023
Kids are always asking for SCARY books, so I thought this may fit the bill. But sorry author, I didn't like the book. A brother and sister get sucked into "the horrible bag of terrible things" and then there is a series of horrible scary things that happen to them. To me it was just so disconnected, that I can not recommend it. There was a running joke in it with a creature that would sit on the brother's shoulder and clean "grits"-ear wax- out of his ears. At first it was just gross, but it became some what funny as it continues.
If you like weird and scary maybe this would be for you.
If you like weird and scary maybe this would be for you.
July 6, 2023
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.
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.
April 8, 2025
Zenith Maelstrom’s day isn’t going well. Being grounded for his scientific curiosity seemed a little harsh, but causing an explosion in his kitchen was at least exciting while it lasted.
Bored and under the supervision of his big sister Apogee, Zenith is intrigued by a bag left on his doorstep. It looks strange. It looks old and tired, and weird sitting on his front doorstep alone. At first Zenith wonders if Apogee knows something about it. There is definitely no sign of anyone dropping it off, and it has no name or sender note with it.
Zenith looks closer. It seems to be stitched by hand, and not neatly either. Bits of animal skins have been patched haphazardly together making it the ugliest bag he’s ever seen. Is it a prank? His nemesis from school could’ve sent it, or Apogee could be in on it. Zenith still hasn’t forgiven either of them after he required his own stitches over a year before.
His anger making him feel braver, Zenith considers opening it. And then it yawns open with a groan all on its own. Zenith snatches up his baseball bat to attack whatever is about to come out of the bag. Even armed, he is far from prepared when something does actually appear. Not only does it escape him and his weapon, it kidnaps Apogee in front of his eyes! How is that possible?
In denial that his entire sister can fit in the bag along with the creature that snatched her, he ventures in to save her. What he finds is the land of GrahBhag, where the sky is a weird green, and the sun an angry red. The creatures that live there are just as terrifying as the skittering, black, hairy and many-legged thing that snatched his sister. Gargoyles that trade in earwax, a giant patchwork man, and a ruler of slimy proportions are just some of the obstacles in Zenith’s way to rescue Apogee.
A middle-grade horror story of creepy creatures, imaginative world building, and discovering the truth about yourself.
Think Jim Henson and David Bowie’s Labyrinth and you are getting a little closer to the land of GrahBhag and its malevolence. Sibling rivalry is present throughout as Zenith tries to save his sister, who keeps telling him she has it all under control.
This is far from the truth however, as she doesn’t realise what this menacing land plans for her. Far from who they were when they began this horrifying adventure, Zenith and Apogee know their terror is far from over – promising more in this series.
Book 2 is The Twisted Tower of Endless Torment and Book 3 The Cursed Cloak of the Wretched Wraith is on its way!
10+
Bored and under the supervision of his big sister Apogee, Zenith is intrigued by a bag left on his doorstep. It looks strange. It looks old and tired, and weird sitting on his front doorstep alone. At first Zenith wonders if Apogee knows something about it. There is definitely no sign of anyone dropping it off, and it has no name or sender note with it.
Zenith looks closer. It seems to be stitched by hand, and not neatly either. Bits of animal skins have been patched haphazardly together making it the ugliest bag he’s ever seen. Is it a prank? His nemesis from school could’ve sent it, or Apogee could be in on it. Zenith still hasn’t forgiven either of them after he required his own stitches over a year before.
His anger making him feel braver, Zenith considers opening it. And then it yawns open with a groan all on its own. Zenith snatches up his baseball bat to attack whatever is about to come out of the bag. Even armed, he is far from prepared when something does actually appear. Not only does it escape him and his weapon, it kidnaps Apogee in front of his eyes! How is that possible?
In denial that his entire sister can fit in the bag along with the creature that snatched her, he ventures in to save her. What he finds is the land of GrahBhag, where the sky is a weird green, and the sun an angry red. The creatures that live there are just as terrifying as the skittering, black, hairy and many-legged thing that snatched his sister. Gargoyles that trade in earwax, a giant patchwork man, and a ruler of slimy proportions are just some of the obstacles in Zenith’s way to rescue Apogee.
A middle-grade horror story of creepy creatures, imaginative world building, and discovering the truth about yourself.
Think Jim Henson and David Bowie’s Labyrinth and you are getting a little closer to the land of GrahBhag and its malevolence. Sibling rivalry is present throughout as Zenith tries to save his sister, who keeps telling him she has it all under control.
This is far from the truth however, as she doesn’t realise what this menacing land plans for her. Far from who they were when they began this horrifying adventure, Zenith and Apogee know their terror is far from over – promising more in this series.
Book 2 is The Twisted Tower of Endless Torment and Book 3 The Cursed Cloak of the Wretched Wraith is on its way!
10+
March 15, 2024
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.
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.
August 2, 2025
The audiobook narrator was grating at points. Also there's no universe where these kids aren't bullied and ostracised based on their names so that feels extremely unrealistic. Then again, it's a kiddy book so what did I expect?
It's kind of frustrating when children's books authors throw around these pretentious names like Alithia or Zenith and Apogee. We get it, you have a vocabulary.com account. The story would still be the same if those kids were called Zack and Addison though. These naming conventions aren't impressive, just distracting.
The story was decent at least. The names just suck.
It's kind of frustrating when children's books authors throw around these pretentious names like Alithia or Zenith and Apogee. We get it, you have a vocabulary.com account. The story would still be the same if those kids were called Zack and Addison though. These naming conventions aren't impressive, just distracting.
The story was decent at least. The names just suck.
June 26, 2026
Imaginative, creepy, addictive. A fantastic Middle grade horror fantasy!
Gosh, I loved the world of GrahBhag so much. The story wastes absolutely no time getting going and the pace does not slow. The horrible Bag of Terrible Things is like a horror version of Alice in Wonderland and it is awesome. There are some truly unsettling scenes in this one...looking at you creepy forrest doll, and wurm ceremony...I have so many questions! I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
I highly recommend this book to any one who likes horror, dark fantasy or adventure stories.
Gosh, I loved the world of GrahBhag so much. The story wastes absolutely no time getting going and the pace does not slow. The horrible Bag of Terrible Things is like a horror version of Alice in Wonderland and it is awesome. There are some truly unsettling scenes in this one...looking at you creepy forrest doll, and wurm ceremony...I have so many questions! I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
I highly recommend this book to any one who likes horror, dark fantasy or adventure stories.
June 23, 2025
This is a great middle grade fantasy book with just a little bit of horror and a little bit of sibling rivalry. It is a great prelude to the next book in the series and I know my middle grade boys would love this - yucky gore, scary creatures, overbearing sisters, "saving the day" decisions - the list goes on. Makes me smile just thinking about all of the antics Zenith, the main character, and his sister, Apogee, get into. Looking for the next one!
October 9, 2023
When Zenith stumbles over a mysterious bag on his front porch, he quickly realizes it means trouble when a horrid black creature crawls out. When the creature grabs his older sister and drags her into the bag, he knows he must follow to save her. They end up in a creepy world full of strange creatures who want to eat them (or their ear wax). Can Zenith save his sister?
December 3, 2024
A mysterious bag shows up on Zenith’s door and swallows up his sister! Now he must get her back! This story is perfect for children who want a little creepy and a little spooky, and it is very engaging for readers. It is full of weird creatures who are never what they seem, like a spookier Wonderland.
October 23, 2023
Zenith must rescue his older sister, Apogee, from the horrible world of Grahbag, where there are many creatures that want to destroy him, yet marry Apogee, before his parents return home.
The creatures were quite horrifying to me. I don't know how this is a middle school book.
The creatures were quite horrifying to me. I don't know how this is a middle school book.
Read
July 23, 2024Enjoyed listening to this! I’m a fan of Jay Myers and he did a really great job narrating this book. Not exactly targeted towards me age-wise, but it was a fun whacky story, and hearing it come to life through narration definitely upped my enjoyment. Highly recommend the audiobook!
August 15, 2023
Quick, quirky middle grade thriller that was fast and fun to read.
September 14, 2023
I’m on the fence for this one; not sure if I’ll purchase.
October 13, 2023
3 stars from my grown brain. I think if I had read this as a child, it would get 5 stars. Creepy characters, some gross stuff, reads very much like a Labyrinth.
November 23, 2023
I enjoyed this. Seems very appropriate for middle schoolers.
December 29, 2023
(2.5) listened to the audiobook, fun middle grade story! the narration was great, it felt like watching an animation movie. Apogee was awesome.
February 5, 2024
Will definitely make a great graphic novel if the writer decides to go that direction.
March 10, 2024
Highest praise. Scary, exciting, and clever. Can't get the second book soon enough!
October 2, 2024
what a wonderfully strange and horrifying novel !!
November 22, 2025
suspicious read, the bag seems to be calling the whole story
April 21, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This reminded me a bit of Basye's Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go (2008), or Thomson's 2012 Dark Lord: The Early Years.
This reminded me a bit of Basye's Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go (2008), or Thomson's 2012 Dark Lord: The Early Years.
July 5, 2024
Let's start with the first line. "The bag growled. “ Literally that before any character but I kind of admire it humorously for that. The book is only around 230 Pages, it could've paced if it wanted to. Anyway easily a B tier overall, I can run with with siblings like Zenith and Apogee * once in a while. They don't get along to the point where they don't have very good chemistry but 1. They're usually apart for most of the story and 2. They care enough to save each other, even as they bicker. The plot has a lot of gross out with the monsters but the danger is creative; I like to describe this as a wonder land designed by Shrek . It's a darker tone kind of mean in a fun way. Despite the cliff hanger ending, I'm not in a rush to continue this plot.it was fun though certainly a decent read. Won’t waste your time
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews