Dear Reader,

If you are in hopes of obtaining TREACHEROUS information concerning the SECOND BOX SET OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, I advise you to simply turn your computer OFF right this moment to save yourself from the despair and hopelessness that resides within these books...

With All Due Respect,

Lemony Snicket

On a literal note: Hi. I am a 13 year old child and in the 7th grade. I am advanced for my age, so I will try to put this review in simpler terms. The second box set installment of the 'Series of Unfortunate Events' by Lemony Snicket are full of excitement, adventure, and, as the series' name says, FULL of unfortunate events. Yet, these unfortunate events that occur in the lives of three orphans named the BAUDELAIRES, are actually what gives children of all ages that connection and literary comfort when reading these books. This box set contains 3 of what I personally think, are some of the BEST in the series. These 3 in the series set the 3 Baudelaire orphans on their means to escape from an EVIL villian named Count Olaf, and their adventures and discoveries while at a new guardian each time. The 6th book in the series, "The Ersatz Elevator", starts the frantic search for the Baudelaire orphans companions, the Quagmire triplets( Duncan and Isadora, although their 3rd sibling died in a fire, just as the Baudelaire parents did.....THAT is a connection...), and also starts the endeavor to discover the meaning of three mysterious letters: V.F.D., that were SHOUTED by one of the Quagmire orphans as they were being taken away...

Having read ALMOST all of the books released so far, I thorougly ENJOY this series. I find myself at times in which I COULD NOT put these books down. WHAT is the meaning of V.F.D, you might ask? WHERE are Duncan and Isadora Quagmire?? CAN Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire find the innermost secrets to the fire that started their series of unfortunate events??? You must read this series to find out those secrets!! Fiirst, begin with the first 3 in the series, the progress towards the rest in order. Or, I might recommend that you look into the purchasing of "A Library of Unfortunate Events"( also on Amazon.com), in which are the first 9 in the series. (There are ONLY 9 out to date. There will be TWO released a year, ending with a total of 13 in the series.) ENJOY your new adventure into the lives of the Baudelaires, and into the mysterious world that IS: Lemony Snicket.

I have read the first 6 books of Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events." I am absolutely addicted to reading these books. I just finished reading the 6th book, the Ersatz Elevator and I read it in less than a day! These books take readers into another world... Snickets writing ability puts the reader in a Baudelaire trance. These books are really good, and I would highly recommend them to anyone!

I've read Books 1 and 3,and I love the series!!! I'm 22, but enjoy a bit of juvenile fiction after final exams:-) His writing style is addictive-simple but not dumbed down for kids-somewhat sophisticated. The stories are not over the top with magic or witch craft. These are real things that could happen, and have happened in many peoples lives. Even with all the unfortunate events, it's not depressing... There's suspense and excitement to get caught up in , too. You start to root for the main characters even though we know things won't ever be perfect for them. I like the time period and the artwork, as well. I am going to collect the series for my future children to read! C... The author reads the story which enhances the feel of the series!

If you scare eaily,skip this book. The Ersatz Elevator is one of the books in a series of Unfortunate Events, Wich features count olaf as a villain.Count olaf is a really mean guy who does very nasty, mean things to the Baudelair orphans.
This book starts out with the three Baudelair orphans Violet, Klause and sonny in a penthouse at 667 Dark Ave, near where the baudelairs lived before there parents died. Many strange things happen during this story. There is a secret passage, a door man who helps Count Olaf, welding torches, an auction with unusual items, and an elevator shaft(but that's no surprise given the title of the book)
Despite the nasty, mean things that that count olaf does to the Baudelairs,there are some funny parts. For instance the penthouse is so large that when they went looking for Count Olaf they droped bread crums in each room so they new they had alredy been there.
Read this book to find out if Count Olaf will be caught and be put in jail, or get away again! There are loys of twists and turns and like the title, plenty of ups and downs.

The Ersatz Elevator is about three orphans named Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. The orphans are called the Baudelaire orphans that is what everyone calls them. This book is the sixth in the series and it is outstanding. The Baudelaires are trying to live a happy life but Count Olaf is always messing it up. The Baudelaires go to live with the Squalors, their new guardians, on 667 Dark Street. They worry about Count Olaf a mean villain that has been trying to steal the Baudelaire fortune ever since their parents died in a tragic fire. Count Olaf also kidnapped the Quagmire triplets that are friends of the Baudelaires. The Baudelaires are trying to figure out the secret of V.F.D. I liked the book because it made me try to guess what was going to happen next in all the bad things that happen. I also liked if there was a big word or a weird phrase that the writer would explain what they mean and use them throughout the book. The book is written in first person and is in present tense and it's good that way. The description in this book is great I could actually see what the writer was talking about in my mind. I gave this book four stars because I like how the kids take things into their own hands instead of talking to an adult. This book is full of humor and suspense. The bad things that happen are very funny. Lemony Snicket is a great writer.

The Baudelaire Orphans are abanded again, this time on Dark Lane teh darkest street in the orphans home town. There new parents are the Sqaulors wh oare just obsesed about what is "IN" and what is not. They even have a whole library of past "IN" things. And the latest craze is orphans so they accept the siblings. The Squalors live on the very top floor of a big apartment complex. Their home takes up the whole top floor and there is only one way to get up-walk the endless flight of stairs that span past what one can count. That is the only way because the elevators are not "IN". This book is zany, fun, and creative. The orphans are put to the test as they climb down an elevator shaft, try to rescue there freinds the Quagmires from the "IN" Auction, and most of all climb endless amounts of stairs. This is one of the best books in this series (along with THE WIDE WINDOW, and THE VILE VILLAGE) Lemony Snickett is a genuis as he tells the story of 3 struggling young children in the ERSATZ ELEVATOR note: don't look up ersatz in the dictionary as it will give away part of the book

Thank You

Because none of their distant relatives will take them in out of fear of Count Olaf, the three Baudelaire orphans become part of a new program based on the saying "It takes a village to raise a child." Under this program, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny's newest guardians will be all the residents of an entire village. In the hopes of solving the mystery of "V.F.D.," the children choose a village by that name as their new home. But they are terribly disappointed. They are sent to live with a kind but timid man named Hector who loves to cook Mexican food and has a library of forbidden books. V.F.D. is run by the strict Council of Elders, who have made tens of thousands of ridiculous rules that the citizens of the village must follow or risk being burned at the stake. When the Baudelaires are falsely accused of murder and imprisoned, they must escape from the jail and find their friends the Quagmires, who are hidden somewhere in the village. This was another miserable, hilarious book in A Series of Unfortunate Events that is a must-read for all fans of the series.

The Vile Village, by Lemony Snicket, continues the dreary tale of the Baudelaire orphans. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, desperate to solve the mystery of V.F.D., have chosen the village of VFD, the Village of Fowl Devotees, to be their new home. In VFD the children are placed in the care of the affable town handyman, Hector. Each day the children, along with Hector, are responsible for doing the chores of the crow-infested town of VFD.

Not surprisingly, the children fearfully await the return of the treacherous Count Olaf. They also continue the search for their friends Isadora and Duncan Quagmire, feared to be in the clutches of Count Olaf and his evil associates. While cleaning the town each day the children try to unravel the mysteries around them while trying to save the Quagmires and themselves from Count Olaf. This is not easy, especially in a town whose rules clearly state that breaking a rule is punishable by burning at the stake!

This book is a must read for fans of the series. I would advise that this series be read in chronological order, especially from book five and onward, as a continuing story line would be ruined by reading the books out of order.

As a fan of this series is aware, in the last story, "The Ersatz Elevator", the Baudelaire orphans, Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny, had just lost their last home as it was proven that one of their guardians was in league with the awful Count Olaf. On the theory that it takes a village to raise a child, Mr. Poe, the children's supposed guardian, takes the children to V.F.D., a village populated by crows and really weird people in the middle of nowhere.

The children's fortunes have not improved from their last home. This time the children are forced to do chores for the town, all day long. Further, many of the people for whom they do chores little appreciate what the children do. Lastly, the children and everyone in town must follow an extensive list of incredibly ridiculous rules.

Soon after the children arrive in town they find a note (a rhyming couplet) from their previously kidnapped friends, Duncan and Isadora Quagmire, kidnapped two books ago by Count Olaf. As time proceeds, the children find more couplets written by Isadora Quagmire. The children hope and believe the couplets will lead them to the location of the Quagmires so that they might be rescued.

As always happens to the Quagmires, Count Olaf shows up again, and as usual, he has assorted followers that are with him, including one surprise returning character (I'm not telling!). This time Count Olaf shows up as a detective to solve a murder that occurs in the village. The victim will be an amazing surprise to every reader (and I'm not telling you that one either!).

Of course the story climaxes in a way that might lead the reader to believe that the Baudelaire's will escape. Well, the children do get away from town, but when they do they are being hunted for a crime they didn't commit. The ending of this story neatly fits into the beginning of the next book, "The Hostile Hospital", where the children continue to be on the run from the law.

It seems like each book in this series is better than the last. While the violence in these books is a lot more than traditional books for this age range, these books clearly distinguish right from wrong and good from bad. Additionally, there are strong educational messages as the children typically have to rely on their own resources and abilities to escape from Count Olaf, typically using their reading skills and innovative abilities to improvise and overcome. Sometimes the educational messages are very strong, such as when the author explicitly defines the meanings of words within the stories.

I thought this story was intriguing in a variety of ways, and the author manages to introduce a touch of science fiction or fantasy in the story in the method the children try to use to escape. Lemony Snicket manages to improve his creativity with every story. Because of the mild violence, I would recommend this book for 9 year-olds and above, but, as always, you should know your child and his or her ability to handle the material in this book. Another five star book in this series!

If you think your life is horrible, you've got it easy. The thrilling Hostile Hospital is the 8th installment of The Series of Unfortunate Events. Violet, Klaus and Sunny have found themselves in a frightening situation. If you like adventure, humour, suspense, criminals and three children in tons of danger, this is the book for you.

Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaires' parents died in a terrible fire. Violet is a 14-year-old girl who lives for inventing anything from lock picks to welding torches. Klaus is a 13-year-old boy who loves reading. Sunny is a baby who has four big teeth so she adores biting things. When the Baudelaires' parents died, they left an enormous fortune. A greedy and selfish man named Count Olaf was their first guardian. He was very horrible to them.

When the executor of the Baudelaire parents' will found them a new guardian, Count Olaf followed the children, trying to capture them and their fortune. He pursues the Baudelaires in Books 2 to 7. In book 7, the Baudelaire children are accused of killing a man that looks like Count Olaf but the man is really Jacques Snicket. The real Count Olaf is in disguise as a detective.

In book 8, The Hostile Hospital, the Baudelaires are at the last chance general store and have found out that the daily newspaper says that Klaus, Sunny and Violet are killers. The children end up hiding in a van and going to a hospital. At the hospital, they volunteer to help file papers and Violet ends up getting kidnapped by one of Olaf's henchmen. Will Klaus and Sunny end up saving their sister or will she be forever in Count Olaf's despicable hands?

If you have not read the first seven books of The Series of Unfortunate Events, you should probably not read this book because you will not really understand most of it. If you have, this is an extraordinary addition to the series because it talks about all of the very important questions that you have been aching to have answered. My questions are: What is V.F.D.? Why is there a tunnel under the burnt-down Baudelaire mansion? Sadly, none of the really important questions are actually answered. I hope that you enjoy the book.

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are back for another adventure. In the last book they were successful in helping their friends the Quagmire triplets escape the clutches of Count Olaf. Now the Baudelaires are on the run after being accused of murdering Count Olaf (who is of course still very much alive). While fleeing, the Baudelaires run into another VFD: Volunteers Fighting Disease. Taking a chance that this VFD may lead them to Count Olaf's secret, the orphans travel with the group to Heimlich Hospital, where the volunteers go everyday to cheer up the patients by singing and handing out balloons. Knowing that they are wanted murders and that the Daily Punctilio keeps reporting false facts about them, the Baudelaires volunteer for a job at the hospital that will keep them out of sight for a while and may lead them to solving the mystery of Count Olaf and VFD. Count Olaf soon makes his presence felt however, and the oprhans are in a race against time to discover his secret before they are discovered.

I love this series of books. And while I sometimes feel a bit bad taking such enjoyment from someones misery, this books are still very enjoyable. The Hostile Hospital is another great story in this series. The author keeps the plot twists coming, and does not hold back. There are no easy answers or happy endings to be found in this book. Highly recommended.

I dont know about you, but i am intregued by Daniel Handlers books (lemony Snicket) His writing style is so unique and i love how he randomly inserts his own thoughts into the book. it makes me wonder why on earth he hasnt become so widely known as J.K. Rowling! I have read the Harry Potter series 14 times, and i had refeused to read anything else, because i never thought there was any comparison to them, then, i couldnt find anything to intrest me, and i really didnt want to read the Harry Potter series again. since i practicly had it memorized, so i thought, why not? and i decided to buy the first book in the series of unfortunate events... after reading it, i went directly to the book store and bought the 2nd book, and i dont want to offend the Harry Potter books, i mean, i still really like them, but i am actually starting to like this series more! I really think you should read this series, i am on book 8 right now, and still truckin'... this book is PERFECT if you have finished the harry potter books and dont know what to read next. and even if you havent read the harry potter books, i think this book is excellent for ALL readers!

Think you have bad luck? The Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus, & Sunny, have horrific luck. Their parents died in a great fire, and they are going to live with their Unlce Monty. He's a herpetologist, which is a scientist who studies snakes. He has a huge room full of snakes, including the newly discovered "Incredible Deadly Viper", which, as it turns out isn't THAT deadly. Uncle Monty gives them a wonderful life, at least, compared to their former gaurdian, Count Olaf. In fact, he's going to take them to Peru to find snakes. Then, when the Baudelaire children think their lives couldn't get any better, something dreadful happens. Count Olaf returns! He also has a new plan to take their fortune. This book is great, not only because of the story line, but also because it gives you a better vocabulary, as the characters tell the meaning of words in their dialogue. It is the second book in The Series of Unfortunate Events. It doesn't make much sense without reading the first book, "The Bad Beginning". Many horrible things happen in the book, but that's why it's in: The Series of Unfortunate Events.

This is the second installment of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series. In this book, the Baudelaire Orphans are told they would be living with their Uncle, Dr. Montgomery. Not knowing what to expect, they feared the worse. They could only expect that because that's what their life holds. Misery and "unfortunate events", one after another. They are suprised to find out that they love it there. Each of the orphans have plenty of things to do that can expand their minds, and add enjoyment to their lives. This however will change. This happens when Dr. Montgomery's new assistant "Stephano" arrives. What is it that Stephano wants? How can he make the orphans life miserable? My suggestion that you read this book and find out.

I like Snicket's writing style. He keeps the reader glued to the page with interesting characters and interesting plots. I also like how Snicket explained what certian words are and how he intrupts the story for personal narration to the reader and let's them now what's coming.

Fans of Lemony Snicket will not be disappointed with the second book int "The Series of Unfortunate Events."The Reptile Room is the story of our three lush characters, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. In this volume they visit Uncle Monty and they finally for once since their parents died having a good time. When Uncle Monty tells the children that they will be going on an expedition to study snakes they get even more riled up. But Uncle Monty's assistant mysteriously disappears so he hires a replacement. And guess who this is- Count Olaf. And he has a plan to get our favorite trio like never before. Sit back, relax and click the BUY symbol on your computer. Read this book. You will love it.

HAPPY READING!

This book is the best book so far out of A series of Unfortunate Events. I really liked this book because the Baudelaires finally seemed less hopeless because they made new friends named the Quagmire triplets. Their names were Isadora, Duncan, and Quigley, but Quigley died in a fire with the Quagmire parents. Of course, Count Olaf shows up in this book, and he is dressed as their new physical exercise teacher. He wears a turban to cover his long eyebrow, long running shoes to cover his tattoo, and dresses in a shirt and shorts, dressed normally like a physical exercise teacher. The Baudelaires also make an enemy in this book named Carmelita Spats.
In the book before this one, the poor children had to work in a Lumbermill. Now they are stuck in a boarding school named The Austere Academy. The motto of this school is "Rememeber You Will Die." The person in charge of this graveyard looking school is a man called Principal Nero who doesn't know how to play the violin but does anyway. The Orphans live in the Orphans shack, which is covered with tan colored fungus and tiny crabs that pinch, and of course the ugly looking wallapaper on the ugly walls. The Baudelaires feel so depressed until two twins stick up for them when Carmelita Spats makes fun of them. The Baudelaires have their ups and downs in this book, but in the end they feel more miserable than they can ever be. At least in this book, they felt happy at some points.
The reason I liked this book is because it was so fun and full of happy and bad thoughts. But for once the Baudelaires had a chance to experience happiness in a long time. The Quagmires really helped them get used to the school and I'm really thankful that Lemony Snicket wrote about them because the Baudelaires always felt so tortured. The reason I didn't like this book was because the Baudelaires felt so unhappy at the end of this book. Of course they have to say good bye to their friends sometimes, like, unfortunately in this series, always happens. But overall, I really liked this book.

The Austere Academy is the fifth book in "The Series of Unfortunate Events". I absolutely enjoy these books because they are filled with a sense of adventure and genius. Once I got my hands on these books, I never stopped reading. In this book, the three orphans, Klaus, Sunny and Violet are sent to another horrid spot to live at. They are sent to the Austere Academy, a boarding school. Right when the children lay their eyes upon the dull school, they realize their life will never be the same. Vice Principal Nero is a cruel, rude man who sends the orphans to live in a crab infested shack just because their parents died.
And being a bad man isn't good enough for him. He forces the whole school to listen to his horrible violin music for 6 hrs.
From making Sunny be a secretary and making staples to see Count Olaf dressed up as many characters makes me laugh. Looking for a good book? Let me be Ebert and Roeper:"TWO THUMBS UP!"

The Austere Academy, fifth in A Series of Unfortunate Events, will not disappoint fans of the books. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are stuck at a nightmarish boarding school, where they are made to live in a shack that includes territorial crabs, a strange tan fungus, and truly hideous wallpaper. Added to this are incredibly dull classes and a headmaster who cannot play the violin but insists on doing so anyway...for six hours a night at an all-school concert. If only these were the worst of the Baudelaires' problems, they could finally consider themselves lucky. But, alas, the fiendish Count Olaf has tracked them down yet again. Once again the Baudelaires must try to discover his evil plan in time to save themselves and their fortune. Along the way there are more clues about Lemony Snicket's mysterious lady love, the charming and beautiful but unfortunately deceased Beatrice...A great read, but be warned that the ending is a cliffhanger that will leave you feeling very impatient to get your hands on the next volume!

Lemony Snickets books are full of mystery and suspense. That's why I like to read them. His books are really hard to put down. The endings leave you hanging on a string and you have to get the sequel. So far he has written nine books and is on his tenth. I can't wait for it to come out. Over the year at John Winthrop I have read the ninth book. The title is "The Carnivores Carnival". Out of all of his books in "The Series of Unfortunate Events" this book has had the most suspense. Some people have read the first book and stopped because they couldn't get into the book. But, I didn't stop because the way he ended the books you couldn't stop reading them. The Carnivores Carnival is about three children who have the worst life you could ever possibly imagine. Their life is miserable. There is something bad waiting around every turn. In every book they find a clue on what they are trying to find out. They have come close to it but it has never been correct and their lives still stay miserable. What makes the book funny is that while Lemony Snicket writes the book he brings up things from the past in his life and thinks of everything in the book to be real. Hopefully the tenth book will come out this summer so I can get to read that book. Lemony Snickets books are great.

by Aleaha

Sorry 'bout the title. But seriously, this is a book you won't to miss the new book in the series. Sometimes you'll find that people say that Lemony Snicket's(Daniel Handler actually)occasional comments are intrusive and annoying, but I find them to be interesting,explanatory,decisive,humorous, and they build up the suspense.
In the book Violet,Klaus,and Sunny find themselves in the trunk of Count Olaf's car. Then in a "carnival" the Baudelaire children dress up as freaks in order to obtain information about the possibility of a surviving parent. They are rudely insulted along with the other not so freakish freaks, when they find out one freak will be thrown into a pit of lions(won't tell you the rest, you'll have to find out for yourself!).
I just got the book today, and when I started I couldn't put it down. I just finished it a few hours ago, and it never gets boring.LEMONY SNICKET HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This story was one of the best books I've ever read. I found myself staying up all night reading it. It's about 3 sibs, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. They've been running from an evil man named Count Olaf. He's been finding the children by asking a fortuneteller who seems to always get the right answers. Now the 3 sibs are in disguise as a 2 headed freak and a half wolf half baby named, Chabo the Wolf Baby, in a freak house at the Caligari Carnival. Then Count Olaf buys a bunch of lions to put in a pit and guess which freak has to jump in with the lions.

I loved this book because it's really suspenseful, especially when Violet, and Klaus were about to jump to the lions. I really like this author's style of writing. I could really picture the carnival. Compared to the other books in the series this one's my favorite. I rate it 5 stars, because I liked it a lot, and it had great suspense.

Anna Flynn-Meketon

"The Wide Window" is in my view the most sad and tragic of all the books in Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" centered on the life of the orphans Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. In book the third the Baudelairs are taken by their lawyer Mr.Poe to live with Aunt Josephine at her house on the top of the mountain at Lake Lachrymose, home of the venomous Lachrymose Leeches. Aunt Josephine is scared of everything and expects diaster to always be around the corner. She thinks she will get burned by using the stove so the Baudelairs have to settle with the most awful cold cucumber soup they have ever tasted. Plus Aunt Josephine loves nothing more than grammar and constantly corrects the orphans mistakes. However Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are thankful that Count Olaf hasn't appeared in the quiet Lake Lachrymose yet. Their luck doesn't last long. It seems this time Count Olaf disguises himself as Captain Sham a sea captain!!! He totally fools Aunt Josephine but not the Baudelairs! Mysteriously Aunt Josephine seems to have commited suicide after a phone call to Captain Sham and has left the children under his care! Can the Baudelair orphans foil his evil plans once again?

I found this book to be very sad even though it was still hilirous. Lemony Snicket truly works his magic in these books. I can't wait to read his autobiography!

This book The Wide Window was one of my favorite books! It was about three orphans who's parents died in a fire. They are sent to live with Aunt Josephine. This is not their first time going to live with a relative. It is their third. In the previous books they live with Mr.Poe. They had to move because of a man named Count Olaf. He is a wicked man! He doesn't care about the children all he wants is their fortune. They are living with Aunt Josephine. Aunt Josephine is afraid of everything. One day they bump into a man who looks exactly like Count Olaf. Of coarse the children know it is him, but they can't convience Aunt Josephine. Count Olaf tries to get the children and kill Aunt Josephine so he can have their fortune. The orphans are just to smart and tricky for Count Olaf so he gets caught. I love these series. I think I love them so much because there is always something happening. The orphans are always on some adventure. You can never tell what is going to happen next. When things happen it is always when you least expect it! By:VS

Dear readers, This is one of the most exciting and hilarious books ever. Three orphans trying to survive from Count Olaf. In this book they are sent off to live with Aunt Josephine, who is afraid of everything {even a doorknob}. She lives on top of a lake called Lachrymose. Can the orphans stay in this house more than a week without Count Olaf finding them? Or do they have to move again? Find out by reading this fabulous book! I loved this book. It is my favorite one! I like them alot because they have alot of adventure and excitment. I like how you are always at a good part. You never want to stop reading them. The orphans are always on an adventure. I can't wait to read the rest of the series that are comming out soon!