2.5 / 5 stars

Abbott Colman is in his mid-twenties, but lives at home with his father. He makes his living as a Twitch streamer and sometimes driving for Lyft. Everything in his life -- his prospects and his outlook -- changes when he meets a young woman with a large black box who offers him $200K to drive her and the box straight across the country. But he has to leave his phone and laptop behind. Abbott accepts, and soon he's on the road and has no idea that the whole Internet is watching him and speculating on what is inside that box.

I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom is part road-trip adventure, part recap of the very excellent book Factfulness. Unfortunately, the long blocks of dialogue between the characters while they are on the road makes for an uneven plot. The mystery of the box's contents did keep me hooked, and the third act was action-packed and quite fun.

The narrator really conveyed Abbott's ennui, which was fitting but made for an uncomfortable listen at times. I opted to read the text rather than listen to the audio.

When Abbot's Lyft passenger offers him $200,000 to transport her and a large black box from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, Abbot knows it's life changing money. The catch - he can't look inside the box, ask questions, or tell anyone about the box. As Abbot and his passenger cross the United States, they unknowingly become some of the most wanted people in the country. As the general population and online sleuths try to track the two down, misinformation has the country on edge for a potential deadly terror attack.

With plenty of dark humor and a great array of characters, this is a must-read book. It's fun. It's unique. It's such an interesting depiction of the perils of social media. It's a bit far-fetched and it's best to go into the story with an open mind. I read this while driving from Texas to Iowa, and it's the perfect road trip read. It definitely made the 20hour drive that much more enjoyable. If you have a holiday road trip coming, grab this one to accompany you.


I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom is out now. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my:
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Definitely in my top 5 of 2024 for sure. Jason Pargin nailed it.
Whatever tomorrow brings, I implore you all to take a moment and read this absolute bonkers novel about finding our humanity in a nation addicted to chaos.

The audiobook narrator absolutely KILLED this one! Such a great delivery.

This was sooo much fun! I was hooked from the beginning and it just kept getting better. The dynamic between the two MC's was fantastic. The audiobook narrator was also excellent!

So much fun! The narrator did an fantastic job and nailed all of the characters. The story is fun and serious without it being ridiculous. The witty social commentary is spot on and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun thrill.

I find Pargin amusing but never insightful - I think for a book like this, that's more than good enough. A comic romp that reminded me both of his earlier work and of Andy Weir, albeit with a more down-the-middle paranoid flair than his usual wackier worlds. I don't have much to say because it's all basically positive! It was a charming way to spend my time, with a great audiobook narrator, and exactly the kind of sci-fi humor book I need every once in a while.

Abbott, a 26 year old Lyft driver living in Los Angeles, lives a relatively normal, although slightly boring, life, but all that is about to change, and in a big way. As he pulls up to the curb to pick up his latest passenger he encounters a young woman sitting atop a large black box with what appears to be a radioactive sticker on it. The young woman is Ether and she has a proposition for Abbott; she wants him to drive her and the box to DC by the 4th of July and is willing to pay him $200,000 to do it, but there rules. Abbott cannot look in the box, nor can he ask what is inside; he can’t tell anyone where he is going; and he must leave his cell phone behind. Although reluctant, it seems like an easy enough job so Abbott agrees to the terms and the two begin their journey, but soon things take a turn and the pair finds themselves pursued by motley crew of individuals, including a tattooed guy, a retired FBI agent, Abbott’s father, and a community of Reddit users, and they all have their own theories about the black box and what doom it might contain.

On the surface I found this to be a very entertaining and funny tale, but underneath it all there are some rather powerful and relevant messages. To me this novel is making a strong statement through the use of satire and comedy about our society. We have what seems to be an almost desperate, addictive need for things like electronic devices and social media and the need for affirmation through those, as well as the rapid and dangerous effects that misinformation and rumor–which is so easily spread through the media–can have on people and their actions. Yes, there is a great cast of characters that are well developed and the plot is interesting, so much so that those alone made this a book I could not put down, but below the surface there is so much more to unpack and I loved going on this journey with Pargin’s cast of characters.

Fliakos did an absolutely phenomenal job narrating this novel. I loved all the voices that were used for the characters, as well as the tone and inflection which aided in the telling of story and the creation of the atmosphere. I honestly can’t think of a narrator with the ability to do justice to Pargin’s novel the way that Fliakos did; my enjoyment of the material was greatly multiplied courtesy of the audiobook.

Cassandra Camberwell has returned to her hometown to clean out her beloved late grandma‘s home, Sorting through her grandmother‘s effects on earth, more than just memories! She discovers that witches magic are real… And she finds out that her high school best friend/ crush turned enemy/bully is now a werewolf!

Seth Brubaker I’ve made some mistakes in high school when it came to Cassandra, but he needs her help now as she comes into her magic to control his wolfy urges - Cassandra‘s not willing to more on and let bygones be bygones, but she will strike a deal eventually they strike a deal to work together against a common enemy… resulting in plenty of time and close confines and some edits to their past history!

I really like the idea of Cassandra‘s magical ability and her discovering this special talent. I did have a hard time dealing with her immature outlook at the past and not moving forward to except Seth and his actions in the present to be his true self. Cassandra was too focussed on her high school experience and not willing to move on and give a new chance. This element of the character felt very YA to me and hung a cloud over this romance.

I listen to the audiobook narrated by Yael Rizowy and really liked her contemporary voice to go along with this story. Her voice variation is subtle, but does the job nicely. I think her youthful style fit the feel of this book.

Overall, I really liked the idea of the small town and discovery of magic and real life, paranormal beings, but I would’ve liked to see a more mature heroine. I’d be interested to see if this is the beginning of a small town series, I think we would have a lot of potential!

Thanks to St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my review copies.

A quirky, timely look at culture and the political divisions in America. The mystery (what is in the box? why do other people want it so badly) really is secondary to the commentary on social media and young millennial angst. Some of the characters were super unique, and the Reddit commentary was funny.

I love the author's ability to make an often pleasant read out of very difficult, heavy subject matter. Sure, it made me uncomfortable at times, but all good books should. I loved GSG, seeing her evolution and just her over-the-top, hard-won therapy-filtered way of interacting with people.

I loved the narrator. Just the right amount of inflection, easy to understand dialogue, helped make the story more interesting.

Thank you NetGalley and LibroFM for the ARC. I purchased for my library and will share profusely as usual.

Fast paced, fun and thought invoking. While there was a cohesive and engaging story overarching all within, what I found the most enjoyable about this book was the dialogue between characters and within Reddit threads. Characters were believable even when they said things I hated. This was a good break from some really heavy recent reads while still giving me lots to things to think about and discuss. Author’s take on Reddit users was the best— too real. Too real….

Part action movie, part social commentary, part thought experiment, Pargin’s new novel takes his old formula and works new magic. When an anxious internet recluse signs on with a literal manic pixie dream girl to do mischief he is definitely not cut out for, what could go wrong? Well everything, of course. But also so much goes right. A fun and thought provoking read with heart and humor!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

Jason Pargin’s I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom is a hilarious exploration of the absurdities of social media and its impact on our lives. I thoroughly enjoyed the satirical tone throughout the book, which cleverly highlights the spiraling effects of our digital obsessions while also providing an engaging narrative that keeps readers invested.

Pargin has a remarkable talent for crafting characters that resonate with readers. Each character is well-written and embodies their intended stereotypes without veering into offensiveness. This balance allows for both humor and authenticity, making the social commentary all the more effective. The protagonist, in particular, undergoes a redemption arc that I found both surprising and satisfying. For a good 85% of the book, I actively disliked this character, which made the eventual transformation all the more impactful. Pargin masterfully navigates this character development, turning what could have been an unlikable figure into someone you can root for by the end.

The climax of the story is undeniably over-the-top, but rather than detracting from the overall experience, it adds a delightful bombastic quality that enhances the enjoyment of the narrative. Pargin embraces the absurdity of the situation, allowing readers to revel in the chaos while still delivering insightful commentary on society. This exaggerated approach makes for a thrilling ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages to see how everything unfolds.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Jason Pargin is the same author behind the John Dies at the End series, which has been languishing on my To Read pile for far too long. After experiencing his sharp wit and unique storytelling style in I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom, I’m eager to dive into his earlier works. I have no doubt that Pargin's ability to blend humor with thought-provoking themes will make those books just as enjoyable.

I loved this audiobook -- a fun, fantastical whipsmart adventure that made me laugh out loud at times and nod along at others.
Narrator pitch perfect for story.

This audiobook was expertly narrated and featured fun characters with an intriguing premise. I especially appreciated the foreshadowing of, well, doom throughout, but I struggled to stay engaged due to the pacing. It kicks off quickly, and the characters were hilarious and quirky in the best ways. Abbott was relatable, and I'm glad Pargin didn't shy away from showing (and calling out) the hidden side of social anxiety. After putting the book down shortly after the rabbit scene, I got a summary of the second half from my coworker who also listened to the audiobook, and I think it's a clever twist at the end, but I don't know that I would be as satisfied with that ending as he was, so I chose not to finish. It's definitely a social commentary, and some of the tongue-in-cheek prods at the media and public opinion reminded me of Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle. I'll recommend it for someone looking for something quirky, fun, and relevant.

Jason Pargin takes on the Reddit culture with a spin on wacky characters and a splash of accidental domestic terrorism. This book really captured the internet's reactive culture as well as the touch of fame of content creators that taken out of their safety behind the camera and puts them out in to the real world.
There was a lot of societal commentary and following of chat rooms and reddit threads that almost drowned out the real story. It made the characters feel less real when interspersed with readings from a forum of clever usernames and chat logs. I enjoyed the story but at points it was just drug out a bit (a lost bunny?) and thought that some of it caould really be trimmed down.

It was like 'Road Trip' meets 'Due Date' with a terrorism sub plot.

This is chock full of the wit, humor, and insight I expect from Jason Pargin! Never before has an author been able to so fully entertain me yet encourage me to be introspective. The narrator was fantastic and brought the story to life. The intonation and emotion was spot on.

Abbot is an insecure 26 year old, still living at home with his dad who he doesn’t get along with. His life is lived almost exclusively on line with the occasional job as a Lyft driver. On one trip, he picks up a young woman who offers him an exorbitant amount of money to drive her across the country with a strange black box. He’s hesitant but eventually agrees. She tells him her name is Ether but refuses to say what is in the box, only that it must be at the destination in four days and he has to leave his cell phone and any other devices behind. He stops at home to pack and, while there, he lets his online chat group know that he’ll be offline for a few days and why. Soon, the internet blows up with conspiracies about what’s in the box and who Ether is, attracting the attention of a retired FBI agent. They are also being followed by a huge nasty looking biker who knows what's in the box and will do anything to get his hands on it.

Jason Pargin is a master at combining exciting thrillers with dark humour and insightful social commentary and I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom is no exception. This is one hell of a wild and crazy cross-country ride. But, along with all the excitement and the mystery of the black box are some very interesting and thoughtful looks at social media including incel culture, influencers, and the ease of spread of toxic rumours and conspiracies. Despite all of this, though, it ends on a surprisingly hopeful note. Definitely one of my favourite books so far this year Oh, and just as a kind of side note, whatever you think is in the box, that ain’t it.

I read an eARC provided by St Martin’s Press while listening to an audiobook from Macmillan Audio narrated by Ari Fliakos who does an amazing job of ramping up the tension as well as the humour. Thanks to both publishers as well as Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

4 stars.

I am a huge Jason Pargin fan, so I was very much looking forward to "I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom." I am happy to say that it fully delivered! If you've never read one of his books, I can see how this might be a little too all over the place for some readers because, while there is one central plot, there are a billion outlandish moving parts that make this eccentric material come to life. This story is a trip, literally and figuratively. It's a wild car ride full of zany-but-unlikable-but-still-wholly-relatable characters, social commentary, bizarre situations with even more bizarre online commentary, and laughs aplenty. Just when you think it can't get crazier, Pargin doubles down and makes it that much more outlandish in the very next chapter. The social commentary is on point, and I love what Pargin tries to say in this novel. I agree with everything he's saying about the internet, our culture, loneliness, our obsessions and fascinations with fame and becoming famous, the end of America, technology, and especially social media. Some readers may feel he is being too heavy-handed with his commentary, but I didn't mind it. I also have to shout out Ari Fliakos, the audiobook narrator. He does a spectacular job bringing this material to life in a fun, entertaining, captivating way. Do yourself a favor and check this one out. I would love to see this become a TV series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jason Pargin, and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I always enjoy the writing style of Jason Pargin, by any name. Fast-paced and clever, they are never boring. The Black Box of Doom of the title may not be what you think it is. Everyone has an opinion about what it is. That's the point. A simple ride share turns into a cross country, viral conspiracy. This was an unapologetic turn at social media, especially the internet "celebrity" and the "experts" of online spaces like Reddit. It did go on a little long. The whole point was heavy-handed in an "all right we get it already" way. I think it could have lost 1/4 of the book and still gotten the entire story across.

Took this one in as an audiobook and had a good time – probably closer to a 3.5 star rating than a 3. It’s a zany and thoroughly modern road trip in which Abbott, a sad sap Lyft driver/Twitch streamer/incel, is coaxed into transporting an eccentric woman with ties to some shadowy groups, Ether, and her mysterious black box across the country to Washington DC. Leaving behind all traceable devices and unaware of the contents of this titular box, Abbott soon becomes an internet celebrity as conspiracies run rampant about the box and their hypothetically terroristic end goals, while law enforcement and some other illicit figures are hot on their tail.

I found the dynamic between Abbott & Ether to be dynamic and unique, and there are several explosive set pieces that stand out (particularly one about a lost dog). And while the author’s diversions into social commentary are initially additive to the story, by the midpoint I found myself wishing for more time with the characters. By the end, these lengthy rants impacted the pacing and made it difficult to stay connected with the characters. I don’t love complaining about book length but, like many other reviewers, this one felt like it would be better served with a shorter page count and more time with Abbott & Ether.

Definitely worth checking out for fans of the author or anybody looking for a wild (if slightly uneven) ride across the country. And of course, thank you to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for the Arc!