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ann_s's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Death
ssweeny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Really enjoying reading this series to my child. She and I both have a similar dark sense of humor and that fits well with these books.
The villain's scheme is more abstract and less gross than in the first one which is much appreciated.
Already started on the next one. I feel like we're going to blow through the whole series this year.
The villain's scheme is more abstract and less gross than in the first one which is much appreciated.
Already started on the next one. I feel like we're going to blow through the whole series this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
theverycraftyvegan's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
We’ve been reading these with our kids and we’ve all been enjoying them so far! The nature of this series is quite dark but so far they haven’t been too upsetting for our 8 and 11 year old kids.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol
ladypalutena's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Baudelaire orphans have been shipped off to Uncle Monty. As this book is fully narrated by Tim Curry, Uncle Monty sounds exactly like Nigel Thornberry from The Wild Thornberries, which makes it even more devastating when Uncle Monty gets killed by Count Olaf
Uncle Monty is the greatest guardian that the Baudelaires have in this series. He's fun, he's got a great sense of humor, and he almost listens to them. They're so close. If you read the Unauthorized Autobiography, you get even more backstory about the film Zombies in the Snow that Uncle Monty takes the children to, which gives an already grim book an even grimmer meaning.
Uncle Monty dies 50% of the way through the book. This is way earlier than I remembered or was expecting, and the rest of the book is taken up with an autopsy and the children trying to keep Mr. Poe from taking them away before getting justice for Monty.
When Count Olaf shows up, you realize that the Baudelaires will never be safe, no matter where they go or who they stay with. This sets up the tone for the rest of the series. When I was younger, I was reading these as they were coming out, so I had no idea how many books were coming. I just knew that Count Olaf had to get caught eventually, right? Eventually.
I don't know how long the kids were with Count Olaf in the first book, but in this book it's exactly one week from when they arrive at Uncle Monty's to when they have to leave. (Also, how long do they stay with the Poe family between guardians?) A week is definitely shorter than however long they were with Olaf.The guardians of the Baudelaires start meeting their deaths earlier and earlier in the orphans' stay, and this has to take a toll on the kids.
Uncle Monty is the greatest guardian that the Baudelaires have in this series. He's fun, he's got a great sense of humor, and he almost listens to them. They're so close. If you read the Unauthorized Autobiography, you get even more backstory about the film Zombies in the Snow that Uncle Monty takes the children to, which gives an already grim book an even grimmer meaning.
When Count Olaf shows up, you realize that the Baudelaires will never be safe, no matter where they go or who they stay with. This sets up the tone for the rest of the series. When I was younger, I was reading these as they were coming out, so I had no idea how many books were coming. I just knew that Count Olaf had to get caught eventually, right? Eventually.
I don't know how long the kids were with Count Olaf in the first book, but in this book it's exactly one week from when they arrive at Uncle Monty's to when they have to leave. (Also, how long do they stay with the Poe family between guardians?) A week is definitely shorter than however long they were with Olaf.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
mxmorganic's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
caitlin_123a's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Death, Grief, and Child abuse
swimfast724's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is one of my favorites of the 13 book series. I think this is actually #1. Their guardian was such a great and interesting man, and this was the first time count Olaf disguised himself to get to their money and kill him
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Bullying
Minor: Death, Medical content, Grief, Abandonment, and Murder
kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
maggieoc_x's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Child abuse
Minor: Kidnapping
erebus53's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is instalment 2 of this episodic arc of stories about 3 orphans and their spooky nemesis who contrives to get their inheritance. The theme song for this audio production is entirely too much better than it ought to be, but I found it on Spotify so I can appease my need should I have it stuck in my head for longer than the 2 days it has been O.o
At the start we have the orphans once more rehomed with a distant relative. This man is a herpetologist and Mr Poe (yes I still chortle at the name) is surprised to find that the children are not put off with the man's enthusiasm for creepy animals. I actually spare some love for a story that showcases snakes as being fascinating and loveable friends, rather than creepy and dangerous menaces... like people.
Tim Curry has clearly smoked more than his fair share in the last few decades as his rendition of the consumptive Mr. Poe has him hacking and wheezing like a champ.. and it's most unsettling. I am just waiting for the character to fall down dead of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (which means, here, that he might be so sick that his airways swell up and he dies).
Not a lot happens in this particular story. It seems that Count Olaf is a master of costuming and disguise.. and that he will insinuate himself into any position in the children's life to try and get their money. I do wish that this episode had more of the children's can do attitude showcased, but the pace slows to a crawl when the adults sit around having a ridiculous argument for over and hour about who should drive in whose car. I think that was supposed to be funny.. but it just dragged. The "bungling adults" trope is wearing.
I am beginning to see a formula. I hope that it subverts itself and shakes things up in future tales.
At the start we have the orphans once more rehomed with a distant relative. This man is a herpetologist and Mr Poe (yes I still chortle at the name) is surprised to find that the children are not put off with the man's enthusiasm for creepy animals. I actually spare some love for a story that showcases snakes as being fascinating and loveable friends, rather than creepy and dangerous menaces... like people.
Tim Curry has clearly smoked more than his fair share in the last few decades as his rendition of the consumptive Mr. Poe has him hacking and wheezing like a champ.. and it's most unsettling. I am just waiting for the character to fall down dead of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (which means, here, that he might be so sick that his airways swell up and he dies).
Not a lot happens in this particular story. It seems that Count Olaf is a master of costuming and disguise.. and that he will insinuate himself into any position in the children's life to try and get their money. I do wish that this episode had more of the children's can do attitude showcased, but the pace slows to a crawl when the adults sit around having a ridiculous argument for over and hour about who should drive in whose car. I think that was supposed to be funny.. but it just dragged. The "bungling adults" trope is wearing.
I am beginning to see a formula. I hope that it subverts itself and shakes things up in future tales.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Stalking, Car accident, Bullying, Murder, and Child abuse