The Bad Box

Another masterpiece by CM3. I love/hate his shorter stuff like this because I wait wait wait for it to come out and then I read it all in one sitting and am left wanting more. Love/hate his longer stuff because I can't finish it all in one sitting and it's so frustrating to wait to get back to it. I love everything he writes so much, if I were rich I would just throw money at him. Write more, damnit! Sorry, don't want to rush your art, I just need more please.

My immediate reaction from finishing this book was slightly disappointing, feeling the story was not as strong as many of his past writings, but reflecting on the evocative nature of the characters, you really do feel some empathy towards the protagonists of the book.If you're a fan of his style, as I am, it's a worthy read. Suspend expectations though if you normally have high expectations of his stories like I do, and you'll be just fine.

Are you kidding me? This is terrific. You get allegorical intersection with the real world, touched on by other reviewers here so I won't get into it, elements of horror with Bizarro flair done as artfully as only Carlton can do, authentic yet precocious characters, why are you still reading this? You should just get this book, it's fun, fast, funny, absurd, and probably one of his best works.

The Bad Box by Carlton Mellick III is a creepy little bizarro horror novella with something to say. This is a very in-your-face story, both heart-wrenching and stomach-turning. It’s surprisingly evocative.I read this book in one sitting. It flows like Class V whitewater rapids, fast and furious and battering your senses. Mellick uses colorful characters and valid psychology to weave the bizarre and horrifying plot into quite the compelling read.In his Author’s note at the beginning, Mellick says The Bad Box is a story about classism, but I find it to be much more than that. He also incorporates the sociological controversies of punishment as motivation, bullying, stereotyping, and a few other things regarding parenting and the education system. But most importantly, the story is fabulously entertaining—in a dark and twisted way, of course. To say I am duly impressed would be an understatement.Whether you care about depth in your horror or not, The Bad Box is a highly recommended read for those who enjoy fast-paced and edgy horror. (Not for the easily offended)

One of the harshest, bitterest pills to swallow in this world is injustice. The unfairness of a system that rewards privilege with more privilege, and doles out more and more punishment to the less fortunate. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. Once you start losing, you tend to keep losing.Those in power, those at the top, tend to like it that way. Those struggling along at the bottom, against ever-increasing obstacles and adversities? Not so much. Especially when it becomes obvious the whole thing's rigged, when cheaters can prosper and the innocent be beat down again and again.Benny's not a bad kid. He's not a troublemaker. He's not stupid. He does fine on his regular assignments. He just has anxiety issues, especially when it comes to tests. Because tests are what counts in Mrs. Gustafson's classroom. Tests are the only thing that counts.Do well on your test, draw a prize from the Good Box. Do poorly? The Bad Box awaits. And we're not talking little smiley face / frowny face stickers here. We're talking rare gifts, superpowers, and blessings on the one hand ... curses, deformities, and mutations on the other.Poor Benny is fighting that downhill losing battle, because the more he fears the consequences, the more he freezes up, and the worse he does on his next test. He tries, though, he really does. It never occurs to him to fight back, until another student gets wrongfully sent to the Bad Box and is not about to just take it lying down.It's a maddening, frustrating, tooth-gnashingly infuriating dynamic. It's why Professor Umbridge was the absolute worst and most evil, most hated villain in all the Harry Potter books. And it's what Carlton Mellick takes on here, complete with despicable power-abusing teacher, bullying classmates. Neverday is still my top fave of his books, but dang if this one doesn't hit a close second!