Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

10 reviews

alligatortoast's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I might be biased because I first read this series when I was in the same age range as Klaus and Violet, but I think this is overall a really great series and this book sets the tone for the rest of the series in terms of style and voice. It's not my fav of the series by any means, and reading it again as an adult I do see some problematic plot points. (Like a grown man trying to marry a 14 year old? Even though it's just to get their money it stills feels really creepy and weird.) 

Also as others have said, the constant explaining of words is a bit annoying after a while. I understand this is meant for a younger audience but some of the words explained are words I knew at that age. And the author constantly uses more complicated words that aren't overly explained, so it makes the explanations seem redundant and cumbersome. 

Overall this is a solid debut for an excellent series. The later books delve deeper into the story and subplots, but this one is more about introducing the concept and style of the series. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Death

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Blood

theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A dark children’s book but not so dark that it’s inappropriate. Definitely check the content warnings and make sure you feel this series is appropriate for your child’s age. But there is no cursing or mature content.m; it’s just dark and has realistically scary things. 

We are continuing with the series as a family! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Grief

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Alcohol

caitlin_123a's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Death of parent, and Physical abuse

stephhamp's review

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I revisited this book to get out of a reading slump and I'm so glad! It feels so small in my hands. When I was little I thought it was such mature literature and so advanced. And it very much was for a kid. I love how Lemony Snicket treats kids as little people. With thoughts, minds, emotions, and respect. He introduced us to morally grey characters and was honest in the hardships of the world when many weren't.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, and Child abuse

courteneykenyon's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Bullying

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Alcohol

sallytumbler13's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Pedophilia, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship

cloveofgarlic's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Kidnapping, Violence, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, and Pedophilia

sophiemar's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse

laurajones's review

dark funny sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, and Transphobia

rory_john14's review against another edition

dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

0.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Incest

Minor: Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Sexism