Review: The Bad Beginning & The Reptile Room

Title: The Bad Beginning & The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events 1 & 2)
Author: Lemony Snicket
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Year published: 1999
My rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:
The Bad Beginning
Dear Reader,

I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.

In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.

It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket

The Reptile Room
Dear Reader,

If you have picked up this book with the hope of finding a simple and cheery tale, I'm afraid you have picked up the wrong book altogether. The story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelaire children spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and a giddy uncle, but don't be fooled. If you know anything at all about the unlucky Baudelaire children, you already know that even pleasant events lead down the same road to misery.

In fact, within the pages you now hold in your hands, the three siblings endure a car accident, a terrible odor, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a large brass reading lamp, and the appearance of a person they'd hoped never to see again.

I am bound to record these tragic events, but you are free to put this book back on the shelf and seek something lighter.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket

My thoughts:
After watching the Netflix series I decided that I wanted to read the entire series. I read the first three or four books several years ago, but wanted to start on the first one, even so. I am listening to the series through the app StoryTel, and I am really enjoying it so far.

The writing style for these books are so unlike anything I've ever read before. I love the way the author, Lemony Snicket, is talking to the reader throughout the story. His voice is really unique, and make these books so much better, in my opinion. 

All the adults in these books are so useless, and I get so frustrated when they won't listen to the children. I just want to shake them, and make them understand and help the Baudelaires. Since I have seen the series and read these books before, I knew what was going to happen, but it was still enjoyable. However, I am really excited to get further in to this series, where I won't know how things turn out. 

Though these are definitely books for children, I would recommend them to others. They are funny and fast reads, and they are really exciting. 

Buy The Bad Beginning?
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
BookDepository (worldwide, affiliate link)
AdLibris (Norway)

Buy The Reptile Room?
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
BookDepository (worldwide, affiliate link)
AdLibris (Norway)