The kids are being pushed out of their comfort zones and forced to explore big themes, like what makes someone a villain vs a result of unfortunate circumstance? It’s interesting that they are starting to question themselves and the decisions they’ve been forced to make to save their family and get answers. The shenanigans of Count Olaf were not as consequential or important in this one as the previous installments, as this book focuses more on getting further into the mystery. Truly horrible things occur in the novel, and I continue to be very impressed by Snicket’s ability to weave comedy, age appropriate content, and trauma together as well as he has.

5✰ “trying's not good enough,” violet said, “are we going to try to find one of our parents? are we going to try to defeat count olaf?” >:( my babies deserve the WORLD

I love how this series is evolving. I feel so strongly for these kids, and their plight. And how they're struggling with whether or not they're still the protagonists or if they're becoming Villains like Olaf.

Seeing as I finished this one in one sitting, it’s definitely my favorite 💛.

It was super entertaining and there wasn't a time when I felt bored. It was super action-filled. One of favourites out of the series.

Oh yikessssss. I did not like this one at all.

Dieser Teil war aber mal ganz besonders grausam... :-/

Read with the kids.

** spoiler alert ** Another easy 5 stars, these books never disappoint. The setting is great, the tribulations are unfortunate and I loved everything. I also like how different the story is from the TV series, and maybe for the first time I adore books and their adaptation equally, and can see how the differences are important considering the media used.

3.5

Oh, that cliffhanger though. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait to continue.

3.5

This one is so much more boring than any of the other books.

I really like the thoughts on morality, villainy and heroism in this one!

More like 3.5.

3.5 stars. This one is a little gruesome, for my general taste. The events ~really get unfortunate, as they say. It just seems to get more and more terrible and Count Olaf gets more and more evil. That being said, we continue to learn more and more about VFD and I continue to be intrigued - I've read this series before, but so long ago that most of the VFD mystery I've forgotten (except for the name - and I'm astounded how the Baudelaire's STILL haven't been able to learn what it stands for). I think I'll take a bit of a break from the audiobooks for a bit, but I look forward to picking it back up again with The Slippery Slope.

I love how we get more answers, yet we end up with even more questions. I love the humour in this one, and I can't wait to read the next book. Can't believe I'm already so close to the end!

3.75* Similarly to book eight, this wasn't the most memorable in the series but I absolutely loved the intensity of the ending! I thought the kids starting to question and doubt themselves and their actions was really interesting too! This was a slightly drearier book in tone than the others, but it worked in connection to the Baudelaire's reclining and undoubtably exhausting situation! I can feel the ending getting closer and I'm looking forward to finally (hopefully) getting some answers soon!!