Hey guys!

I just wanted know, is series of unfortunate events good? I'm planning to read it, but I don't know if it's worth it.
It will cost me fortune to complete.
So, I want to hear your opinions first, before I break my piggy bank and my dad's.. :) But no spoilers please! Just tell me if you like it or not.

In my opinion, it started good, but went on far too long and rather lost the plot by the end. I probably wouldn't recommend it now if you're going to want closure, 'cos there's a hell of a lot to buy and read after the whole idea's rather worn thin to get to the end.

What he said basically. Ending was incredibly bad.

Honestly, I think that the ending kind of fit the themes of the story, but it was still kind of disapointing. Still, they're worth the read if you have the time and a library you can borrow them from. Or just watch the movie, because the soundtrack is fantastic and I listen to it all the time. :D

Yeah, I agree with what's been said so far. I *really* liked the series at the beginning, but it got progressively worse and the last book was incredibly disappointing... Maybe go borrow the first few books from a library before committing to buying the entire series?

Thank you for replying guys!

Thank god I asked you before I decided to buy the whole series. They're next on my book shopping list after RoS.. I guess that's the main problem with lengthy stories, the plot seems to drone on and on, and all the excitement has already worn out when you get to the ending, only to be disappointed.. Yes maybe I'll just borrow the first few books..

You just saved my piggy bank!

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And I'll also watch the movie. :D

I don't think it's all really downhill from the first few books, though. The Penultimate Peril was one of my favourites.

In defense of the series...

Before it came out, I suspected that there wasn't going to be any closure. Thus I wasn't too let down by the ending. I don't think it was fabulous, I just thought it was okay. (Far superior to "all was well." Damn you Rowling.)

Personally, I liked the way the story progressed/developed. I mean, the plot of the first few novels in itself are redundant. 'There is a new guardian. Olaf screws things up, but he is foiled in his plot to steal the fortune.' But then as it goes along (starting I believe the end of the fifth novel) that pattern starts to break and my reaction was "woah, where did all this action come from--I suppose it was just tacked on." And then I realized that the so called 'formula' of the previous novels played the role of being the exposition to the series as a whole. Perhaps Handler/Snicket just winged it and put in some meaning later but it was still played off pretty nicely.

In addition to the ASoUE soundtrack, the Gothic Archies also have a few fun songs. (During the last book promotion, Handler/Snicket performed in there too with his accordion.)

As a whole, I find the entire series well-put together and nicely devloped. I also enjoy the narrator's tone and also the fun allusions in there.

But yes, I too recommend checking the books out at the library/borrowing from a friend and getting it just if you love it.

It's incredibly sad. Not THAT good, it's worth reading, yes, but I don't think it's worth buying.

I know this is a super old thread, but has anyone watched the Netflix adaptation? It looks like they're doing really well.