gxvzz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
beauticity's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? No
4.25
smiths2112's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
saguaros's review against another edition
4.0
(2011 rating, 2022 review)
The plot thickens while asking more and more questions that I know will have no answer and this is both frustrating and 100% in line with the series, the tone, and quite literally what the narrator says will happen. Now that the Beaudelaires are fully aware of VFD, being volunteers, they are faced with making the choices needed to be so—and facing someone like them who makes the opposite choice. It is a testament to the series that since the first book, the reader has been warned about the grimness of the story, the unhappy ending, the plans constantly foiled, the happiness never found and yet, you still find yourself hoping that this time, this time things will go right. That the narrator has lied, and the Beaudelaires are heading towards a victory, even if it has to be a pyrrhic one.
The plot thickens while asking more and more questions that I know will have no answer and this is both frustrating and 100% in line with the series, the tone, and quite literally what the narrator says will happen. Now that the Beaudelaires are fully aware of VFD, being volunteers, they are faced with making the choices needed to be so—and facing someone like them who makes the opposite choice. It is a testament to the series that since the first book, the reader has been warned about the grimness of the story, the unhappy ending, the plans constantly foiled, the happiness never found and yet, you still find yourself hoping that this time, this time things will go right. That the narrator has lied, and the Beaudelaires are heading towards a victory, even if it has to be a pyrrhic one.
supperrupper's review
5.0
This has to be one of my favorites: the stakes are so high especially bc Sunny is my favorite character. The setting is so good and interesting and all total design for this book is excellent.
Hardest Serve:
The Hostile Hospital - Esme Squalor for her 'actual stilleto' heels
The Carnivorous Carnival - Madame Lulu for literally using paperwork to tell the 'future' and then literally falling into a pit of lions
The Slippery Slope - Sunny Baudelaire - for growing up so fast and learning how to plot even faster
The Grim Grotto - Sunny Baudelaire - for almost dying and basically saving herself
*Honorable mention* - Carmelita Spatz - for forcing everyone to watch her entire one woman show
Hardest Serve:
The Hostile Hospital - Esme Squalor for her 'actual stilleto' heels
The Carnivorous Carnival - Madame Lulu for literally using paperwork to tell the 'future' and then literally falling into a pit of lions
The Slippery Slope - Sunny Baudelaire - for growing up so fast and learning how to plot even faster
The Grim Grotto - Sunny Baudelaire - for almost dying and basically saving herself
*Honorable mention* - Carmelita Spatz - for forcing everyone to watch her entire one woman show
ms_meertens's review
4.0
I always forget about this one!
Love interest part 2 (?) both the older Beaudelairs have now found someone they find interesting beyond friendship, which is sweet. A grotto with a set up for later books, more weirdness from Olaf and his companions and a clever little twist I hope is paid off in the End…
Overall, enjoyable and very different from what I remember from the series, where I liked this part the least.
Love interest part 2 (?) both the older Beaudelairs have now found someone they find interesting beyond friendship, which is sweet. A grotto with a set up for later books, more weirdness from Olaf and his companions and a clever little twist I hope is paid off in the End…
Overall, enjoyable and very different from what I remember from the series, where I liked this part the least.
_meggsie_'s review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sararotondi's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
letsreadwithcats's review
5.0
I really enjoyed the Grim Grotto. The moral complexity of the series is becoming clearer and clearer and more explicit. People aren't wicked or good, they are "Chef's Salads". So great! I really enjoyed the characters and the conflict in this novel as well. I also really like how the author is starting to tie things together, with the Baudelaires literally ending the book where they started the whole series. And this ending is different. There is a small glimpse of hope. It was awesome.