Rating: 
Summary: A Bad Beginning Indeed
Review: I bought the first eight books because I [thought I] was getting a good deal.The first two volumes I've read cause me not to harbor in my breast very much in the way of salutary feelings for this universe that the pen name Snicket has erected. I get a flavor, a whiff of a watered down mix, say of The Addams Family, plus the style of narration found in the late Douglas Adams' Hitchiker's Guide To the Galaxy series. But it is not a well blended mix. If you're going to play at the satirical, you had better be slicker and stronger than what went before your work -- both elements of which are missing in this unfortunate series. One thing is clear though: the author has not found his voice -- the characters are too wooden and the anachronistic blend of Victorian with Modern is not that artfully done. In terms of the humor department, I find little humor in these books. The humor there is is not sufficiently dry and ironic to really provide top notch entertainment, which is something I feel strongly these too high priced books lack. The plots are not that ingenious. Hell, there is just not enough sly wit in any of the first two books for me to say I really like the humor! There is only one humorous line in any of the books, which is the author's monologue with his imaginary audience concerning his disclaimer that the book(s) are pleasant. It is nice to know this, once. Unfortunately, this too is spoiled rotten becasue we soon find the author nattering on about this fact repeatedly throughout the book -- apparently he is so enamoured (enameled is more like it!) with this particularly humorous bent that he feels it is vital to inject it (and us as well) with said disclaimer in at least three parts of each book! Hey, I think kids will "get it" the first time they read it, no repeats, please! We first notice the humorous disclaimer on the back cover, but then we also suddenly find it in the first chapter, then later on in the umpteenth chapter.... Ridiculous! Overall I rate "The Bad Beginning" a mediocre tale, filled with dull, ungraceful humor, and an absurd plot.
Rating: 
Summary: The Magnificent Beginning!
Review: I loved this book, it was so amazing how the Baudelaire children delt with all there troubbles and still had those good times spent with a very good friend of theres. I recomend to all of you out there THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: Definatly worth it!
Review: My friend suggested this book to me. At first I didn't want to buy it because our tastes are so different when it comes to books, but I'm really glad I did. I liked this book because of the way it stayed to the basic plot but still added backround imformation to make it fun to read. The way the author talks about the book on the back of the cover may make it sound like it's a completely depressing book but really the way the three kids keep their hopes up more than makes up for it. Also if, like me, your waiting for the next Harry Potter book to come out and you need something to read I suggest this. Even if the book is suggested for 9-12 year olds, older kids will also like it too. I'm almost 13 and usually read books meant for people slightly older than me, but this book didn't seem to young for me at all.
Rating:
Summary: Thought I'd hate it, but loved it instead!
Review: I thought this book was a lot of fun. Compared to Animorphs and Harry Potter, it is not one bit scary! It has a few things that did scare me, though. I want to tell you stuff, but I'm going to keep it a secret. I like all of the kids in a way. Violet is really nice and invents things. Sunny likes to bite, and so do I. Klaus likes to read, and I love reading. Kids should find this book interesting. I know I did! It was funny, and the story was awesome. I'm already bugging my dad to get the next book!
Rating: 
Summary: THIS IS A REALLY GOOD BOOK
Review: This is a really good read. Contrary to what most people say, I don't think the humor is too dark at all. It might not be good for children under the age of eight or nine, but you can tell by the way it is written that it is definitely aimed at ten or eleven year olds. If you people think that kids don't already read about children getting orphaned and terrible things like that, then you're in for a big suprise. Anywayz, its really, really funny. Most writers concentrate on developing the characters and the plot, but "Mr. Snicket" has a very interesting voice and technique of writing, so you often find yourself laughing at some very serious parts of the story. Okay, I'm done. Don't hate me because I speak my mind.
Rating:
Summary: Caught in the middle
Review: I've read through many of the over 150 reviews of this book, and I think that the negative reviews all ring true. However, so do the positives. I've found that the positive aspects of this book: the absurd humor and dreary style, are refreshing in a very Disney-fied world of cheery children's books. And, the complaints about the book: condescending tone, clunky writing, hit-you-over-the-head plotlines, are also correct assessments of the book. I've read interviews with the pseudonymonous (sic) author Snicket, and the guy is funny. Plain and simple. But, with these books he's fence straddling - on the one hand, he wishes to attract children who have been wooed to the Harry Potter world of fantastical kids' books. On the other hand, he seems to want to garner adult satisfaction as well. This leaves the poor fellow stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. He jumps back and forth between his two audiences: an ironic touch here, a patronizing definition there. But which one do you *really* want to please? Pick it, Snicket! These books, or perhaps a new series after this one, could go in the direction of Douglas Adams, an adult (sort-of) series with the freedom to write in his Pythonesque tone without fear of losing the tots. My only other gripe about this book, and others in the series is their wavering timeframe. Sure, sure, it's timeless, etc., but I was led to believe that the setting was a sort of Victorian English flavor, full of dropsy and cholera and frilly corsets. But characters use walkie-talkies, drive cars, have fridges and even mention computers! The Queen would not be amused. All in all, buy this book. Even though it's terrible. Buy it, not for its value as a story, but to get an idea of Lemony Snicket and his hilarious-but-ill-used writing style. I have a feeling we'll be hearing from this fellow.
Rating:
Summary: The First of a Saga of Hilarious Events
Review: Though the mood of the books is dark and dreary, Snicket's witty, clever style brings light upon the subject. While the sett and cast of characters seem unreal at times, it just adds to the laugh-out-loud air of the book and it successors in the series. In this tale, orphans Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to live with their cruel uncle who is after their fortune and attempts to get it by marring the preteen Violet. Snicket will keep you laughing until you get your hands on the next book in the series...an excellent book!
Rating:
Summary: Hold your judgment until you've read more of the books.
Review: After reading many reader reviews on this site I am shocked at the problems some people have with the start to this great series. Some complain about a lack of character development, but they fail to realize that this is one book in a series of 13. One can't be expected to learn everything about the characters in one small part of the overall series. Also, people are complaining about all of the definitions Snicket uses. He seems to be making a point of what the orphans are going through. He's treating you, the reader, like adults treat the children, that is, he's underestimating you're intelligence. I think this gives great insight into the frustrating world that the orphans inhabit. The website and overall design of the books are also great. I also don't understand the comparison between these books and the Harry Potter series, other than the fact that they are very maturely written and have enough twists to keep you reading until you're finished. The Series of Unfortuante Events doesn't have to be seen as filler between the Harry books. They should be read and appreciated for what they are, and how they stand on their own.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny Start to a Funny Series
Review: Lemony Snicket, whoever he is, has written some darn funny stuff here in this series. Before I praise, though, I'm going to complain. The plot is reasonably predictable, and the characters are one-dimensional. These books, unlike the Harry Potter series, only need to be read once through and you've got it. They are written to be strictly episodic, with no carry-over from one book to the next of anything but the basic plot device and the 6 main characters (Violet, Klaus, Sunny, Mr. Poe, Olaf, and Olaf's minions). A re-read of the first after finishing the first four, as I did last night, revealed no new information. At the same time, the books are tremendously funny for a once-through read, and I will probably pick them up again every year or two and give them a look. I also look forward to sharing them with nieces and nephews, as amusing read-aloud chapter books. Sunny adds a highly comic note with her interpreted shreikings, and the narrator (presumably Snicket himself) provides frequent lessons in idiom and general vocabulary. If I were between 8 and 10 or 11, I could picture reading these stories again and again. In spite of the series' relative weaknesses, I continue to buy new books. It's become an addiction - the cost is well worth it for a few hours amusement.
Rating:
Summary: Reversal of Fortune?
Review: Am I trying too hard, or is there some connection between Klaus and Sunny and the Von Bulows? Now, if I could just figure out how Violet fits in...
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