Rating: 
Summary: Out of the Ordinary, but not Great
Review: When I picked up this book I was full of great expectations. The children were talented, and I especially liked the biting part. THe book gradually dropped off, however, due in part to the authors obsession to share the meanings of everyday words. I found the plot to be lackluster, and predictable. I've read books 1,2, and 3 in the series, and each one shares pretty much the same plot. I would suggest that if you have an urge to read these books you should check them out at the library. The author points out in his letter on the back of the book that his novels are not ordinary novels, but contain only awful mishaps and no happy times. His words are true, but the unhappy quality in his books is the only thing that sets them apart.
Rating: 
Summary: Great fun - a cross between Edward Gorey and Roald Dahl
Review: This first `Unfortunate Events' books is just plain fun. Life for the Baudelaire takes a horrible turn to start the short novel when their parents are killed in a tragic fire. Placed in the care of Count Olaf, they enter a new and horrible phase of their existence. The deceitful Count tries any number of ways to cheat the children out of their inheritance in a wonderful deceitful series of misadventures. This book is just plain fun. It's extremely quick reading and well-worth the time. It's a clever contrast of the Victorian world of Edward Gorey and the crazy, twisted mind of Roald Dahl.
Rating: 
Summary: The Bad Beginning Review
Review: I think "The Bad Beginning" is to frightening for children under the age of fifteen or sixteen. This book draws you into the fear and the anxiety the children feel from being helpless and left in a dreadful environment. The book made me want to continue reading to see what was going to happen next to these three helpless orphan children. The descriptions of the friends that Count Olaf had, the lifestyle the children were made to live in and the neglect and torture that was inflicted upon them, by Count Olaf and his friends, was to tremendous for me. Mr. Poe and Justice Strauss, the two people the children thought they could count on, let them down because of their own selfish ambitions and what was important to them at the time, instead of recognizing the children. In addition there was the possibility of a wonderful ending, after the children were deprived from the life they were accustomed to living when there parents were alive. The book didn't give the children the opportunity to be happy when the possibility arose. The man with the hooks for hands is unceasingly engraved in my memory. I wouldn't recommend this book for young children, unless you have a child you need to scare straight. The message I received was for children to count on themselves and not trust the adults. Children shouldn't have to figure out their problems on their own. I don't think young children should be given the message that no one has time and adults are only concerned about their own work, problems, and interests. I don't feel this literature is appropriate for readers under the age of fifteen or sixteen.
Rating: 
Summary: The Reptile Room
Review: Lemony Snicket creates yet another dark but clever tale in the series of unfortunate events.The Baldelaires enter a new home and hope that the evil Count Olaf does not track them down.A book that starts and ends in totally different ways. The book does not need a dictionary at hand because the author has provided definitions for young readers. Abook for all ages.
Rating:
Summary: Miserable little book
Review: The author oh so cleverly warns you this a dark, dreary book where bad things happen. Believe that. It's not cute and it's not clever. It's a depressing book. The whole selling point of this book is that it's short and fun. It's short, yet too long, because it is not fun. One reviewer says the series improves. I'll never know because I definitely will not waste my time trying to find out.
Rating:
Summary: Tongue-in-cheek gothic
Review: Having picked up this book out of curiousity, I immediately bought everything available. I enjoy the wit, the word definitions, the references to Beatrice, the non-sequitor author descriptions at the back, and even the ludicrous invention solutions (although I admit some concern over Sunny's teeth what with staple-making and wall-climbing). Even though you can often see where things are headed, you keep reading to see just what the narrator will say. In addition, I recommend the...website, particularly the Count Olaf song.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!
Review: I purchased this book to read aloud to my three oldest children, ages 6, 10, and 12, and they were all absolutely enthralled! Our custom is to read one chapter a night, but they pleaded for me to read more, and . . . well, who could resist? The plot line, characters, and writing style are completely engaging, and I am only writing this review while on my way to go buy the rest of the set -- the best of the best of childrens' literature, destined to be classics!
Rating:
Summary: A Different Book
Review: Lemony Snicket has opened up eyes of all young readers by changing his story around. It is not a normal kind of story that you would see in every day life, but Unfortunate events that keep on happening to these 3 poor childeren throughout the series. He has a unique way of showing his talent in writing.Which is different and good.This story also has alot of humor. I recommend this book to all readers who liked to get sucked up in books like you are there, at the scene watching it happen. It is really a very good, well written story.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Beginning
Review: This book begins a series with its own style, different from the typical childrens book. However, this first one is not wonderful. It was not very funny, the characters were flat, the story just fails to capture the way I expected. It seems like Lemony Snicket used this book to develope this style of writing. His next few books are better, though, and go on improving as you go.
Rating:
Summary: Just Plain Stupid
Review: My aunt asked me to read this book and tell her what it was like. She's a teacher, so she was planning on giving this book to her kids. Big mistake. This book was bland. I would say meaner things about it, but I might be kicked off this website. Not only was the plot a cliché, it was a pointless book altogether. A bunch of orphans who have bad things happen to them, is not nearly a plot. it is the basis for a plot... but where is the rest of it? It is a definite waste of time. I urge all of you readers not to read this. Please. Spare the world of this book.
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