I do like what this series has to say about how people can disagree and how people are usually not wholly good or bad, but generally a blend of choices. The choices we make matter, but it’s also good to learn that you can make subsequent choices that change your course of action if needed. You don’t have to be stuck most of the time. But taking time to make choices is also a better option than jumping right in without thinking it through.
Love how the Briny Beach fits so nicely in with the poem, almost as if the author planned it that way at the very beginning. Also love how this series emphasizes poetry as a fun and satisfying form of literature to study. Ofc the Widdershins have a fortune too. I love that they come full circle in this one back to the beach, but making the choice to not follow Mr. Poe but instead taking a chance on fate and Kit Snicket.
Years ago, when book 13 was released, we hosted a big event at our library. We had a large display case in our lobby that we could use to promote library activities, and I took it over for “The Event of an Unfortunate Series” and I remember having each of the 12 books in the case (and an image of book 13) with an item that was representative of the plot for each one. I actually don’t remember what I chose for each book, but I vividly remember buying wasabi to sit next to this one, because I don’t like wasabi at all and I was stuck with it afterwards lol.
I really didn’t expect Fiona’s brother to be the hook handed man, it really humanizes that character. And the part about how people are like salads, with good and bad parts mixed in, was whimsically poignant like only Lemony Snicket can pull off. I was really surprised that the Captain and Phil just up and abandoned the kids; I kept expecting for the Captain to be disguised as Olaf or something for a weird twist. Sunny being poisoned was insanely dark, and the image of her having a bunch of tiny spores with black hoods on them made me think of those baby birds who’s mouths give me massive trypophobia. All around, it’s cute to see the kids pairing off with their counterparts, I wonder if Klaus and Fiona will ever reunite on the right side of the schism.
This book was so so different from the rest of the series, but i loved it - i did remember all of the reveals from the netflix series, but i enjoyed it anyway.
I love how sunny is now consistently referred to as a 'young lady' it's so freaking cute - sunny was honestly the star of the show in this book & the last book !! she's such a little sweetheart and it's so lovely to watch her grow up, even if it's under nerve-wracking circumstances.
This is actually the only book that annoyed me briefly. the constant repetition of the water cycle explanation annoyed me to no end, it was way too long to be repeated as many times as it was. i usually enjoy the repetitive nature of lemony's rants & how they tie in to the story, but this time it was pulling me out of the experience.
