A Series of Unfortunate Events 13 - The End by Lemony Snicket

It's the very end of the series. Honestly, I felt a little let down when I know that was how the whole series ended. There were so many things left hanging which made me kinda bump out knowing that I have invested so much time reading the whole series. However, I did like the pacing of the book. The plot was much more interesting than the last few books. It wasn't as draggy and it didn't feel that you're approaching the very end of the series.

Many thinks, as a reader, were left unexplained. I kinda sense it from the how the way the author was approaching the end. True, in reality, many things happened were left unexplained but this is a middle grade book and the target audience are the kids. Shouldn't the story line brightens up a little hint on how all the unfortunate events happened for a reason?

Was I happy that I have finished the series?
Yes.

Was I happy with the writing style?
I'm okay except for the rambling.

Was I happy with the ending?
Nope.

Was I happy with the plot?
Honestly, it was really interesting.

Lastly, what shocks me was when Lemony Snicket recites a poem by Charles Baudelaire. Now, this is the kind of shocked factor I would like from reading a book. It doesn't make much sense but then it has some contributing element into the plot.

Overall, this is only my own opinion and no one else's. You might like it or you might love it or you might hate it.

Ratings: 3 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 12 - The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket

Now, I finally felt the series is heading some where. There's a twist with something that the Baudelaire did which I'm liking it. I guess the explanation of phrases and words are a little bit of a stretched towards the adult readers. 

Although, it is still a good platform for the younger ones to read with a ton of new jargon to learn from but then again, I have realized that there is a repetitive trend in certain chapters of the book. It really bump me out while I'm reading. In lieu with that, I've been skimming through the series practically from Book 8 or 9 on wards.

I really do not know whether I will get myself blown away by the end of the whole series. Seriously, the author himself has already preempt us from the very beginning. So, I would be expecting something not as solid as what it should turn out to be. The ending, I mean.

C'est La Vie!

Ratings: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 11 -The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket

This would be my least favorite book of all in the series. It progresses with a lot of ramblings instead of focusing on the main plot. I know I did not enjoy this one as much as the others, however towards the end, there was a slight twist in which I kinda bump my ratings up just for that. Yes, my initial rating was suppose to be 2 stars. I did not hate this book per se but it kinda drags on for me.

No offense to many readers who enjoys this series, but I find this book has too much rambling going on, especially on the water cycle and others. I get that this book is aiming towards the middle graders or the younger ones but the metaphor description is just a tad bit too much for me, considering this is the 11th book in the series.

I sense that this series is the near the end, and I find that the author is taking his time to end the series with a slight struggle to drag on. I might be wrong but I think that's how I felt while I was reading it. Lastly, I think it is still a good book for kids who enjoys some good mysteries fun with new characters.

Ratings: 3 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 10 -The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket

Many mysteries were being built up from Book 1 to Book 9, and now 'The Slipper Slope' has unfold many of the mysteries by giving out bits and pieces of evidence and hints of what V.F.D really means to many from the characters in this book. 

The mystery of Jacques Snicket is has come to point of weirdness because his name itself does relates to the author Lemony Snicket. I'm wondering whether has the author had anything to do with the whole mystery behind the fire. Does he knows the Baudelaire's parents personally? Does he knows Count Olaf personally? Is Lemony Snicket part of the V.F.D. ? Let the mystery begin!

On a side note, Sunny is still my favourite!!!

Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 09 -The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

Well, well, well... I wasn't expecting such an ending. The whole time I thought it was a good turn of event that Count Olaf doesn't know nuts about the existence of the Baudelaires' at all. The author got me all bluffed up!

This whole book promotes greater suspense than any other books in the series. There were a glimpse of character building with the carnival's freaks and I have kinda grown attached towards them until the end. I have my reasons but then again it was explained clearly why they react the way they were.

All in all, this book makes me wanna go on with the next one. So, I won't want to review into such details by revealing too much.
Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 08 - The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket

Sadly to say, this is one book in the series that I did not like. Well not all, but most of it. However, there are new clues and new highlights in the series that might explain what V.F.D is and there are documents in "The Library of Records" which has evidence about the fire with Baudelaire's parents and someone else. Their house were caught fire but there were 3 person in the house and one has escape death. Who is it?

Violet was captured and left Klaus and Sunny to save the day. I would just like to add that Sunny is one character that I love to read most about in this book because you can see how she has developed as a child with proper usage of words, NOT sentence but words. 

I would really want continue with the next book just to see how this book ends. 

Ratings: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 07 - The Vile Village by Lemony Snicket

WHOA!!! This is madness! Of all the books I've read in the Unfortunate events, this is DA BOMB! It has something to do with runaway, dangerous plots to get out of the village, excellent disguise by Esmé and more. This book has the adrenaline going and I think it's one of my favourite among the other books. I'm not sure about the subsequent ones.

The Baudelaires once again was brought into this village full of old folks and rules, whoever breaks it, the ultimate punishment is to be burnt at the stake. Brutal eh? No question asked, you break it you get the burn to death capital punishment. The kids were being given to a guardian who's a coward by all this folks and elders named Hector. Bonding was great but he's a real coward. I can't stand him but he has a good heart. So I liked him. Haha!

Anyway, every book is not gonna be pleasant until the end and now the chase begins. I can't wait for the next book now. Woot!

Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 06 - The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket

Now, let me say that this book has a great plot twist out of all the series that I've read. I have my reasons for continuing this series and it still has the element of wanting to know more and see how Count Olaf get his well-deserve punishment towards the end.

Sunny is really growing in this book! I can really feel that she has been really helpful in this book. Her ideas during part of the siblings brainstorming is utterly shocked worthy with great attempt to help Violet and Klaus. 

And still, what is V.D.F? The idea of mystery is getting frustrating! Why can't Klaus & Violet just listen to the Duncan Quagmire on the full abbreviation of V.D.F? Why? Please don't make them a know-it-all character!

Now I can't seem to follow up with the 7th book of the series.

Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Book To Movie Review 01: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (2004)

 

So, I've been reading the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket for the past few months and am currently at the 6th book and still thoroughly enjoyed my journey with the Baudelaire's children. In view to that, I took up the courage by watching the movie adaptation which was aired in 2004, in which it comprises the first 3 books of the series.

The kids were very well cast and Count Olaf is being acted by none other than the famous comedian, Jim Carrey. I have leveled my expectations to be lower. In fact, we all know that a book to movie adaptations can only do so much in within a limited time frame and books are like everything end to end. 

The movie has captured the essence of how pitiful these kids were but I didn't feel the connection with them as to how I read the books. Mind you, they portrayed the characters very well however I don't see the chemistry with them as an audience. I can't feel for them, especially while they were grieving. Call me cold blooded or anything, I've literally seen some really good grieving scenes by a young kid before and it moves me.

It was done chronologically with minor sequence that has been altered by making the ending with a greater impact. It works but I think it doesn't really reflects any differences. Anyway, it's for the best and I think it's done really great too, no matter how much I've been trying not to be all micro about it.

All in all, the movie has great entertaining values and it's a feel good family drama.

Ratings: 3 out of 5 stars

A Series of Unfortunate Events 05 - The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket

Now, the more I read this series, the more I like how smart these kids are. Though they are EXTREMELY unfortunate (obviously) but I think many readers are missing out the point that they are really smart. They can adapt to many of their misfortunes in order to get their way. I don't know what the end will be but I think there's something about this series that the author has to give.

This book has a turn of event, it kind of left me with a cliffhanger. Now, that is goooood writing... They've made some really good friends and they were left with a clue. And it literally makes me go "What the heck... What is this (v.d.f) thing"? I was left dumbfounded... and I looked like this towards the end.

(Yep, that's Mark from Mark's Read!)

Can't wait to read what the next book has to offer!

#WLGYLemony

Ratings: 4.8 out of 5  stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 04 - The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket

Well, well, well... this is a pleasant surprise to the series. The repetition is still there but the setting on how the Baudelaire have been treated here is way more interesting. All I can say is that the series is progressively changing as both characters and plots are coming to a much more challenging phase!

As we all know all 3 kids are talented respectively. Inventor, Reader & Biter! Now, in this plot, one of the Baudelaire has been compromised and the remaining 2 are suppose to inter-adapt these impromptu talent in a short period of time. Foxy!

Towards the end, all 3 kids are able take on each others talent with a beautiful blast by saving the day and losing that idiot once more. Moreover, the villain now has a new accomplice (which is a 2nd prominent & smart villain)  in this book which made the task even tougher to solve. Dr. Georgina Orwell. Is this sometime kind of hint that the author's favourite author might be the famous "George Orwell"? Great stuff to know about your author while you're reading!

Mr.Poe has become smarter now. His character is starting to grow in me as the series goes on. Mr. Sir is irritating as hell. Charles & Phil are exceptionally nice. Too nice indeed. The optimism of Phil is driving me nuts actually. Haha!!! I can't wait for the 5th book now.

#WLGYLemony

Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 03 - The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket

Another great follow up with the series. This round, the setting is slightly different, though it is still repetitive from the previous 2 books in the series. I very much prefer the story in this with Aunt Josephine instead of the one with Uncle Monty.

Mind you, I like Uncle Monty very much, it's just the story that was being conveyed in The Reptile Room wasn't to my liking. This was more adventurous than the the previous 2.

And, the author makes me want to read up stuff on Alexander the Great in lieu with the Gordon knot story. Now, this is even encouraging and interesting to move on to the next book.

#WLGYLemony 

Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars.

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 02 - The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket

A wonderful follow up of the series. As you were being brought into a new place, you will be thinking is this a new villain. Heck no! There were mysteries revolves in the 2nd book which makes it more interesting. 

Author never fails to interact with his audience still, which is a good thing to stray your mind aways from some "tense" moment. Haha! As I was reading, I am aware that that the Baudelair children are more mature now. Sunny is one character that caught me by surprise in this book.

Let's see what the 3rd book has to give. #WLGYLemony 

Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 01 - The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

It's a start of a great series. Great relationship between the siblings. Violet, Klaus & Sunny are brilliant with their own special abilities. Although the antagonist is Count Olaf, I would like to read more of who Count Olaf is. More of his background. More of his plan to get hold of the Baudelaire's inheritance.

In regards with the author's writing, I like how the author interacts with his readers while one is reading this book. Moreover, I too like how the author define some difficult words for his readers. He is literally encouraging Middle Grade to read and learn at the same time! It is really a good way of imparting vocabulary 101 session for his readers. (Including me!... Shhh!!!)

Overall, it is a wonderful read. I will definitely go on with the series! #WLGYLemony

Ratings: 4.75 out of 5 stars

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