woozy_woozle's review against another edition
5.0
While the previous books in the series have all been relatively enjoyable, Book the Ninth has proven to be Snicket's most complete work. Throughout the past 3 acts, the plot has slowly plodded through the Baudelaire children's blind search for the meaning begind V.F.D. In the "Carnivorous Carnival," however, Snicket finally begins to reel in the mystery as the children finally begin to uncover well-kept secrets regarding both their parents and their nemesis Count Olaf. This is perhaps more strikingly emphasized by the fact that the children, in trying to decieve Count Olaf as costumed carnival freaks, bow appear to have gone on the offensive and have begun to try to beat Olaf at his own game. This allows "The Carnivorous Carnival" to deviate from the prsvious 8 works as the children are no longer the passive hunted but active hunters and executors of their own destiny.
But what really makes this edition shine is Snicket's humor. While dark humor has pervaded the previous installments, "The Carnivorous Carnival" is a masterclass of of well-written gags. Snicket's repeated refrences to deja vu, Shakespeare, the definitions of "in the belly of the beast" and the ambidextrous freak Kevin's freakish ambidexterity prove to be impecably timed ans serve as excellent comic relief from more serious, anxious moments. But what makes them particulalry enjoyable is their simplicity matched by their absurdist atmosphere. There is a single setup to the joke and multiple punchlines that follow. As a result, the reader is constantly caught off guard and transported back and forth to different moments int he story that in previous works would have otherwise been forgotten.
As such, The "Carnivorous Carnival" has proven to be the most enjoyable installment of the series. I can only anticipate how Snicket builds off of this in the final four works.
But what really makes this edition shine is Snicket's humor. While dark humor has pervaded the previous installments, "The Carnivorous Carnival" is a masterclass of of well-written gags. Snicket's repeated refrences to deja vu, Shakespeare, the definitions of "in the belly of the beast" and the ambidextrous freak Kevin's freakish ambidexterity prove to be impecably timed ans serve as excellent comic relief from more serious, anxious moments. But what makes them particulalry enjoyable is their simplicity matched by their absurdist atmosphere. There is a single setup to the joke and multiple punchlines that follow. As a result, the reader is constantly caught off guard and transported back and forth to different moments int he story that in previous works would have otherwise been forgotten.
As such, The "Carnivorous Carnival" has proven to be the most enjoyable installment of the series. I can only anticipate how Snicket builds off of this in the final four works.
jessrobinson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
louisasbookshelf's review against another edition
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
3.0
This books are getting wild- these poor kids are going through it man…
titanic's review against another edition
2.0
I honestly think I'm on the right track with the whole Volunteer Fire Department as the correct meaning of V.F.D because Madame Lulu said that the lions were trained to detect smoke or something along those lines, so I'm guessing the fire has a lot more meaning than just killing family members. I'm also sad that Madame Lulu died because I loved her character, she started off as someone to be wary off and then she told the Baudelaires her true identity and the fact that she was once a member of V.F.D and how they all had the same disguises, and in that moment you felt like you could trust her but really you couldn't. I loved how she just wanted to give the people what they wanted. It's a good kind of bad person, not the kind that would follow you all over the place for your fortune, but the kind that justs wants to be helpful.
This book also made me think that Count Olaf had once been a member of V.F.D because he has the same disguises as them and that he mentioned that he hadn't been up Mortmain Mountains in a long time, and that is where the headquarters of V.F.D is believed to be. Lemony Snicket also mentioned that he had a tattoo on his left ankle, the same ankle Olaf and Jacques have/had their eye tattoos. So I'm thinking Lemony, Jacques and Olaf were all members of V.F.D and they all left for some reason. Olaf in search of money, and maybe fame as an actor. Jacques Snicket for a reason I'm not sure about, but he did enter a weird town so I'm thinking he was hiding from something. Lemony Snicket probably left after Beatrice died, and something happened that has now made him be hunted. Maybe Lemony and his brother knew something about V.F.D that made someone want to silence them. I honestly have so many theories about this book, like how one of the Baudelaires parents may be alive. I don't believe that one of them made it out of the fire, I believe they both did, just like the Quagmires parent and sibling did. I believe the Baudelaire's parents left the fire through the underground tunnel that led to 667 Dark Avenue.
So many things that need explaining!
This book also made me think that Count Olaf had once been a member of V.F.D because he has the same disguises as them and that he mentioned that he hadn't been up Mortmain Mountains in a long time, and that is where the headquarters of V.F.D is believed to be. Lemony Snicket also mentioned that he had a tattoo on his left ankle, the same ankle Olaf and Jacques have/had their eye tattoos. So I'm thinking Lemony, Jacques and Olaf were all members of V.F.D and they all left for some reason. Olaf in search of money, and maybe fame as an actor. Jacques Snicket for a reason I'm not sure about, but he did enter a weird town so I'm thinking he was hiding from something. Lemony Snicket probably left after Beatrice died, and something happened that has now made him be hunted. Maybe Lemony and his brother knew something about V.F.D that made someone want to silence them. I honestly have so many theories about this book, like how one of the Baudelaires parents may be alive. I don't believe that one of them made it out of the fire, I believe they both did, just like the Quagmires parent and sibling did. I believe the Baudelaire's parents left the fire through the underground tunnel that led to 667 Dark Avenue.
So many things that need explaining!
lackaaadaisical's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
jayoder16's review against another edition
3.0
More clues are given in this book to the wider scope of the plot, but I found it a bit less engaging this time. I know every book has part of it that is not realistic but I found it less engaging or enjoyable in this book.
Still enjoyed the read, but wouldn't give it 5 stars.
Still enjoyed the read, but wouldn't give it 5 stars.
jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
4.0
As the series progresses, it's interesting to see the lengths to which the Baudelaires are willing to go in order to achieve their goals while still remaining sympathetic protagonists. The previous book had them on the lam after being framed for murder in [b:The Vile Village|150037|The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #7)|Lemony Snicket|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1352066958s/150037.jpg|324576]; this time around they are acting even more like Count Olaf than they'd like to admit by donning disguises, concocting fake identities and making questionable choices in the climax that indirectly result in the deaths of others. Will it all be worth it in the end? The book ends in a literal cliffhanger with the Baudelaires in an even more desperate situation than usual and Count Olaf adding new recruits to his diminishing troupe.