Book vs. TV Show Review: A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room

Hello, readers!

It is time to continue reviewing a tale of misery and woe! Lemony Snicketʼs series of unfortunate events is going to go on for many more reviews. Confused at what Iʼm talking about? Check out my review for the first book and first episodes of the series, The Bad Beginning.

Because this is such a big series, Iʼm going to get more and more vague when it comes to the descriptions for each book/episode. In whatever format you chose, this is a fun series and I want you to enjoy it as it comes without knowing what happens!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. All of these reviews are spoiler free for your enjoyment!

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room - by Lemony Snicket:

The Baudelaires are ready for a new chapter in their life, but they are tentative when they are going to be living with another relative that they have never heard of. Could it be as bad as last time? Uncle Monty seems really nice and treats the children to cake, movies, and soon a trip! His profession as a herpetologist is strange at first, but Violet, Klaus, and Sunny can get used to it. When Uncle Montyʼs new assistant, Stephano, arrives, the quiet world the children were starting to build again shatters. What kind of danger lies in wait in the Reptile Room?

ʻ“Dewk!” Sunny shrieked in a generic cry of frustration and pounded her little fist on the floor. The word “generic” here means when one is unable to think of anything else to say, and Sunny was not alone in this. Violet and Klaus were, of course, too old to say things like, “dewk”, but they wished they werenʼt.ʼ

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction, Mystery.

Characters: 8. The characters have most certainly grown on me with each time I read it. 

My favorites:

Violet: She is so resourceful! I love how she is respectful and optimistic and knows when the time is to act.

ʻ“Nice girls shouldnʼt know how to do those kinds of things.”

“My sister is a nice girl and can do many things.”ʼ

Klaus: If you read my last review you know that I sometimes have a hard time liking Klaus because he gets on my nerves. It was all because of something that I didnʼt understand: whenever someone says a fancy word they try to explain what it means and Klaus, the know-it-all, says he already knows. When I was little I thought it was the most infuriating thing! Well, this book explains it:

ʻOccasionally, people thought that because they were orphans they were also dim- witted.ʼ

Klaus reads a ton of books and of course he knows lots of words so I understand how he can get frustrated when people are constantly thinking that he doesnʼt know anything, especially when half the time they incorrectly define the words.

 ʻKlaus sighed. He felt sometimes as if he had spent half his life explaining things to Mr. Poe.ʼ

Sunny: Poor Sunny goes through a lot in this book and I just want to cuddle her.

Uncle Monty: I never realized it, but when it comes to books and movies I get VERY suspicious. And because of that I tend to dislike characters when it isnʼt their fault. I didnʼt trust Monty for the longest time when I first read this book. Poor guy! Now I like him even in his oblivion.

ʻ“How many time must I remind you, itʼs not polite to interrupt!” Uncle Monty interrupted.ʼ

Words/Writing style: 7. This rating is bumped down because there are some poorly used words. Lemony Snicket tells us that people sometime yell out names when they are surprised or scared, but I donʼt approve. We didnʼt need to hear it Mr. Poe, so I donʼt appreciate it.

There is one other bad word, but it is pointed out:

ʻIt is, as you know, very, very, rude and usually unnecessary to use profanity...ʼ

Exactly! I wouldnʼt want to copy anything that the person who said it does, but I still donʼt approve. Even when Lemony Snicket made me laugh.

Besides that, the writing style continues to be so much fun. All of the rule breaking and straightening out are a hoot. My favorite is when the word “ever” is used over 200 times. Just read the book and youʼll find out what that means.

World building/Setting: 8. When I first listened to the whole series this book struck me as having one of the most unique settings. While I now appreciate how each of the books have a different creative setting, I still really like this one. Imagine starting a peaceful life on “Lousy Lane”!

Quotability: 9. Lemony Snicketʼs writing sticks with you and is worth of repeating! I think my sister and I both think of this book whenever we think of eavesdropping and we think of some lines about it.

Content: 8. There are some violent threats and fear that goes with it. There is a death and the after affects are vividly described. All of this though is shown as bad!

I like how Lemony Snicket makes fun of things that are usually thought of as dangerous, as shown in this line:

“There is a pair of snakes whoʼve learned to drive a car so recklessly that they would run you over in the street and never stop to apologize.”

Notes: My sister and I feel like Lemony Snicket is well versed in Monty Python, and took some inspiration from that. Does anyone else see that? Doesn't just the name say a lot?

Originality: 9. I donʼt think Iʼve ever read another book that feature snake in this way! The ending is particularly complex which is something that pleases me.

Good For: This is such a hard thing to pin down because it really depends on the person! Either you will love the writing and root for the children to come out on top in all of their woe, or you will find the misery too disturbing. Do you like droll writing that is hilarious in the midst of trouble while having poignagt moments? This might be for you! 

Age Range: The range this spans is quite large. Itʼs written as Middle Grade Fiction so kids can look up to the Baudelaires who carry on in spite of troubles, and are relatable as Violet and Klaus are fourteen and twelve. On the flip side my sister and I are two adults who are WAY too into these books.

Overall Score: 8.

Worth reading?: Certainly! The themes that are explored in here hit quite deep, in particular, regret. We all wish that we could correct something in our lives by doing something different, but we canʼt. This book made me think about it a lot and appreciate that weʼll have more choices and chances to do right in the future.

ʻOne of the most difficult things to think about in life is ones regrets. Something will happen to you and would will do the wrong thing and for years afterward you will wish you had done something different. For instance, sometimes when Iʼm walking along the seashore or visiting the grave of a friend, I will remember a day a long time ago when I didnʼt bring a flashlight with me to a place where I shouldʼve brought a flashlight and the results were disastrous. “Why didnʼt I bring a flashlight?” I think to myself even though it is too late to do anything about it, “I shouldʼve brought a flashlight.”ʼ

Will I read again?: Iʼm not afraid of a lot of things, but one thing that I just canʼt stand is snakes. When I first read this book I was so relieved when it was over and never wanted to read it again. But you know what? I donʼt mind any more. This book is a little dry in places but still important to the series and I will read it many more times in my life Iʼm sure.

'Klaus sighed, and opened a book, and as at so many other times when the middle Baudelaire child did not want to think about his circumstances, he began to read.' 

Audiobook: Length: approx. 191 minutes.

I used to abhor it, but now my favorite part of this audiobook is the song “In the Reptile Room”. It is so horridly funny I canʼt even explain it. I highly recommend reading it this way, though Iʼm not fond of Tim Curryʼs narration of Monty. Besides that the narration is perfect!

Bonus thoughts:

This time around the ending struck a chord with me. It is soft in the middle of a hard world and I might be obsessed with it now. The accompanying music from the audiobook nearly made me cry.

VS.

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 1, Episodes 3 & 4: The Reptile Room Parts 1 & 2 (2017):

Based on: A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room - by Lemony Snicket 

“Itʼs a brand new episode in your lives, Baudalaires!” 

Lousy Lane seems like an unfortunate place for the Baudelairesʼs to start their new lives, but they donʼt have a choice, as it is up to Mr. Poe. Despite their fears, Uncle Monty seems to be a good guardian. He is friendly and teaches them about reptiles as he is a herpetologist. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny each get to do what they like and are taken care of. But Lemony Snicket informs us that this happiness wonʼt last. What with a new assistant, secret messages, movies, and snakes, someone is bound to get hurt...

“Iʼm giving you the verified film discount.”

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Mystery. 

Length: Episode 3: approx. 48 minutes. Episode 4: approx. 43 minutes. Total time: 91 minutes.

Script: 7. It took out one bad word that was in the book, but there is an instance where one person screams some names which annoys me. Not cool, dude.

“Iʼm terribly sorry if I was rude to him, children, but frankly, that man ruffles my scales.” 

Crew: Directed by: Mark Palansky. Produced by: Daniel Handler, Neil Patrick Harris, Emily Fox, & Barry Sonnenfeld. Written by: Daniel Handler, Emily Fox, & Joe Tracz.

Starring:

Patrick Warburton as Lemony Snicket.

Malina Weissman as Violet Baudelaire.

Louis Hynes as Klaus Baudelaire.

Presley Smith as Sunny Baudelaire.

Aasif Mandvi as Uncle Monty.

K. Todd Freeman as Arthur Poe.

Neil Patrick Harris as Stephano.

Matthew Walker as the Ticket Seller.

Also featuring: Usman Ally, Matty Cardarople, John DeSantis, Jacqueline Robbins, Joyce Robbins, Cobie Smulders, Will Arnett, Sara Canning, & Luke Camilleri.

Costumes: 9. I still don't know what time period this is supposed to be, but the costumes are so well designed! There is one person who looks so different that I would never have recognized him if it hadn't been pointed out to me. Yes, I am as bad as all of the adults. Once I noticed I can see it, but that initial look wasn't obvious to me.

Cinematography: 10. I wouldn't have noticed this until my sister pointed it out, but now I am shocked by how good it is: when the children meet Monty the dialogue and cinematography mirror that of when they met Count Olaf in the first episode. It is a brilliantly played move! It shows how the same words and actions can have the opposite meanings and intents when said in a different way. The set design for Monty's house is also fabulous and I now want to live there. The CGI for animals isn't the best as it looks fake, but I'm so impressed that I'm not going to take off a point for that.

Cinematography by: Bernard Couture.

Music: 9. The theme song is still as splendid as always. For each book the verse in the middle is changed to fit the story and the lyrics are so clever with their rhymes. I also noticed the score in the background more than in the first episode which almost made me cry at one point, but that was just me being overly emotional.

Music by: James Newton Howard & Sven Faulconer.

Notes: All of the references had my sister and I really excited! There was one Easter egg that appeared in the background while Lemony Snicket was talking and we couldn't stop screaming because it confirms something later in the series that is never talked about directly. It also subtly incorporates things that will be used later on which pleases me tremendously. I am now interested in seeing the movie The Dawn Patrol (1938) which is said to be Violet's favorite movie! Lemony Snicket's other series, All the Wrong Questions, is also mentioned!

ʻ“Howʼd he find us?”

“Thatʼs the wrong question. What do we do?”ʼ

Quotability: 10. The quotes are so repeatable! Even words that aren't said but just appear teach me things! Even Em (who seems to know every word) had to look up what vitiated means.

“Life is a conundrum of esoterica.”

My sister claims that Klaus defined "esoterica" incorrectly. His description better fits ephemera, as he mentions documents instead just generic facts. Em is very proud to have corrected the bookworm, but I'm still dubious. What do you guys think?

Content: 8. There are threats, kidnapping, death, and some scary things if you don't like snakes. Or just make you sad. It did both for me.

Originality: 10. Of the whole TV show, these are probably the episodes that differ the most from the books, but I don't mind at all because I absolutely love it! It takes some things that are only briefly mentioned in the book and expands them in an absolutely epic way! From awesome ticket sellers to spyglasses to danger, it is so gripping! It really highlights movies, which I love because movies are one of my favorite things. That's what this blog is all about! 

“Thereʼs more to a movie than just a movie just like a book can contain crucial secrets about the world of snakes or it can be used to prop open a refrigerator door when youʼre airing it out.”

I now wish that there was way more of this kind of content in the whole series. At the same time it really presses how much more comfortable streaming services are which was a hilarious promotion.

“Subtitles? This movie is boring already.”

Later, said by other characters:

 ʻ“If itʼs in English then why are their English subtitles?” 

“All the best movies have subtitles.”ʼ

(I actually said that to my sister today because we were watching a movie in English with English subtitles. Though I have to say that I usually don't like subtitles because they are so distracting and all I can do is read them. These episodes have made me change my mind.)

Good For: It's hard to say who would like it and who wouldn't! We watch it not because we like to see people in trouble. There is some warmth to this in the midst of darkness that is one of the reasons that I really like it. The other is that it is hilarious! It took me awhile to adjust to the humor, but it's worth a try! I feel like it's also good for siblings because the Baudelaires are so close through everything.

Age Range: It's rated PG I believe, and I think that's accurate. Just like the book, too!

Overall Score: 9!

Worth watching?: Absolutely for one reason in particular besides the fantastic additions with the movie. And that reason has a name: Montgomery Montgomery. As pointed out in my review of the book, I never liked Monty. I didn't trust him. But, watching this I just immediately loved Aasif Mandvi's portrayal! He is so welcoming, and wants the best for the Baudelaires. In the book he seems a little rude and full of himself (just a tiny bit) but here though he doesn't realize things, and as the intro says, makes a few mistakes, his heart is present through out. He is eccentric in all the best ways. I love him so much here!

So much of the dialogue has some double meanings and philosophy, too, which is so great to hear and interrupt.

“Now, I know the few dangerous reptiles can make you skeptical of the entire species, but, if you give them a chance, and you get to know them well enough to tell the dangerous from the good, I promise you: no harm will come to you in the reptile room.”

Will I watch again?: Totally! These episodes are some of my favorite of the first season, if not the whole series.

Bonus thoughts:

“So, weʼre allowed to read all these books?”

“You are not only allowed, you are implored to read these books!”ʼ

I always have to throw a shoutout to Louis Hynes for making me actually like and relate to Klaus! I understand Klaus through this as he is heartbroken that his parents died and left him and his siblings, but heʼs also angry that they kept so many secrets from them. What were their lives truly like? Where they the people he knew or something else?

I can't decide which is better because it depends on the person! I personally like the tv show episodes, but others may like the book. I will say that the book is more mysterious. I remember the first time that I read it I was so shocked by a twist! It was one of the first times I remember being surprised like that. Rereading it I saw the foreshadowing, but it is still really cool. Here it takes that particular thing away and instead goes a route which would be more funny. I like both, but I'm glad that I got to experience the mystery first prior to seeing it obvious like that. If you have read the books but not seen this, I recommend it! It is really fun and quirky, staying true to books while branching out into new realms. It also hints more and more at things to come with tantalizing clues about the past!

That's it from me! Tell, am I the only one who gets really suspicious of new characters? Is there a show or movie based on a book that is different but you still really love it? Am I the only one who has a hard time liking Klaus? Is anyone else terrified by snakes? Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic

Book vs. TV Show Review: A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

Greetings, my readers!

I warn you, that while I am going to tell a sorry tale, you don’t have to be forced into reading it.

Really, ‘Ask any stable person, “Should I watch?” and they will say, “Look away!”’

For any of you who stayed after that dire warning, then welcome! I am here to finally talk about A Series of Unfortunate Events!

This series and I go way back. One day my sister started listening to the first book on audio cassette (yes, I’m that old, in case any of you are wondering) and I was struck by how horrid The Bad Beginning was. I thought it was a sweet relief when it was finally over! But not for my sister.

She wanted more.

From that moment she started listening to all of the audiobooks and laughing with glee through out. My younger sister and I sat back in horror! Why was she finding such terrible things amusing? What could we do to fix it? It turned out that the answer was nothing. So I just kept listening to the books with her, befuddled.

Way back in 2019 I heard that some crazy person had made a TV series out of those books on Netflix. I was determined to stay far away from it.

That is, until I saw some of Skye’s amazing art and suddenly wanted to see what that was about.

Now, to where the story really begins. I told my sister about it and we decided to watch together, though my plan was to scoff at it the whole time.

But something came in the way of my plans. The show was actually funny. It was a blast. And while I felt like a wretched person to get so much joy out of children suffering, here we are. All at once it clicked. I understood why my sister liked it so much. I understood the satire, comedy, and humor. It was so clever! I became an avid fan. Since then I have decided to revisit all of the books and review them along the way. Enjoy this dark and dreary tale!

I will be reviewing the episodes of the show with the corresponding books. Most of the books are broken into two episodes so I will review both at the same time to keep thing consistent.

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. These reviews both for the book and TV show are free of all possible spoilers!

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning - by Lemony Snicket:

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are the three Baudelaire children who have always had happy lives. All that changes one day when they learn that their parents have perished in a terrible fire. They are sent to live with a relative, Count Olaf, that they have never heard of. It turns out to be for good reason because he is an awful person as well as an awful actor. The children wish they could live with Olaf’s kind neighbor Justice Strauss because she isn’t mean to them, and has a wonderful library. Are things worse than they seem with an evil plot behind everything?

‘They wondered how many other eyes were in Count Olaf’s house, and whether, for the rest of their lives they would always feel as though Count Olaf were watching them even when he wasn’t nearby.’

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction.

Characters: 7. I like these characters a lot more now that I know the whole story. There are many bad characters, but the good ones make it worth it.

My favorites:

Lemony Snicket: You might be asking, “Wait, the author is one of your favorite characters?”. Yes, yes he is. He has spent years getting this information to share. His life hints at being a sad one, but this isn’t his story so he doesn’t tell it. There is an air of mystery about him that is intriguing.

Violet Baudelaire: I’ll admit it, one of the many reasons I didn’t like these books was the characters. They were so boring and miserable. Through that all, I always liked Violet because she is so sweet and wants to keep her siblings safe. Her inventing mind is quite impressive!

‘Like most 14 year olds, she was right handed.’

Klaus Baudelaire: I always thought that Klaus was annoying. Like, an annoying version of Lemony Snicket. This time around, though, I could just see how upset he is with their dreadful circumstances, and he has every right to be! Still don’t really like him in the books, but he gets better upon rereads.

Sunny Baudelaire: Sunny is remarkably bright for a baby. There isn’t much to say about her yet, but she is very brave for someone so small.

Mr. Poe: Guys, Tim Curry’s narration of Mr. Poe might be my favorite of all narrations. His coughing and uselessness are infuriatingly hilarious.

Justice Strauss: She is so kind and a bright light for the children who have lost so much. Especially her and Sunny together make me very happy.

Words/Writing style: 10. There are no bad words. This writing style is what makes it or breaks it for so many people. Basically, Lemony Snicket has disregarded every single rule of writing,while constantly correcting things that people usually don’t pay attention to. Here is an example of his rule breaking:

‘The book was long, and difficult to read, and Klaus became more and more tired as the night wore on. He found himself reading the same sentence over and over. He found himself reading the same sentence over and over. He found himself reading the same sentence over and over.’

How many times have I read the same sentence over and over? More than I can count. Here is one where he goes to great lengths to explain things. This is a very helpful one, actually, and I think of it anytime I hear the two words “literally” and “figuratively”:

‘It is very useful, when one is young, to learn the difference between “literally” and “figuratively”. If something happens literally, it actually happens; if something happens figuratively, it feels like it is happening.

‘If you are literally jumping for joy, for instance, it means you are leaping in the air because you are very happy. If you are figuratively jumping for joy, it means you are so happy that you could jump for joy, but are saving you energy for other matters.’

World building/Setting: 7. It’s set in an unnamed town of no importance. It takes it to a new level of including special laws and why they make such an impact on the story. All of it has a feeling of gloom that fits the story quite well.

Quotability: 10. This seems so bizarre that this is my favorite quote of the whole book, but it is. Even in context it isn’t pleasant, but I love it and say it to myself so often:

‘“A stubborn mule,” Count Olaf explained, “does not move in the direction its owner wants it to. In that way it is like you children, who insist on mucking up my plans. Any animal owner will tell you that a stubborn mule will move in the proper direction of there is a carrot in front of it and a stick behind it. It will move towards the carrot because it wants the reward of food and away from the stick because it does not want the punishment of pain.”’

Awards: 3: Silberner Lufti (2000), Book Sense Book of the Year Award Nominee for Children's Literature (2001), & Nene Award (2003).

Content: 7. Count Olaf and his friends are the worst people you can imagine and it shows. He is utterly cruel to the Baudelaires, but it is shown as being wrong. Your heart aches for the poor kids! People are threatened and get mild injuries. People get intoxicated. It has one suggestive line, but it was by an unsavory character and not to be emulated.

Originality: 9. While this isn’t my favorite in the series, I have to admit that it is full of creativity! It is pretty short but every single element matters and is tied it. Impressive!

Good For: I’m stepping away from my usual format to explain something. You might wonder, as I once did, why someone could enjoy this? I have to clarify that we don’t like to see the Baudelaires in trouble. We wish that they could get away from it all! One of the reasons that this story endures is because of the children. They are smart and resourceful. It is good for people who want to be inspired by them and to realize that their lives aren’t so bad in comparison. If Violet, Klaus, and Sunny can endure things, they you can, too.

Age Range: Violet and Klaus are fourteen and twelve, so it is good for people those same ages. It is great for adults, too, but maybe my sister and I are a little too into it. I know a six year old little boy who LOVED this book so much. It spans a huge range! The audiobook might be a little scary for tiny kids, but that depends on the person.

Overall Score: 8.

Worth reading?: While this isn’t the most interesting of the books, it is an important beginning. Yes, it is worth it especially for all of the quotes I listed.

Will I read again?: When I was younger the answer would’ve been a screamed “NO!”, but now I believe that I will. My sister reads these books almost every year, and while I can’t see myself doing it that frequently, I can see it becoming a tradition.

Audiobook: Length: approx. 150 minutes.

Usually I am extremely picky about audiobooks and the narrators, but I highly recommend listening to this one instead of reading it. I used to hate Tim Curry’s voice, but now I can’t picture it without him. Mr. Poe’s cough is so realistic! Plus, with the audiobook you get the awesome music from The Gothic Archies. That was another reason I hated these books so much, but now it is unendingly amusing. My copy of this (old and outdated as it is. Yes, I still have the original cassette) also includes an interview with the author that you don’t want to miss.

Bonus thoughts:

‘“Casing the joint” means observing a particular location in order to formulate a plan. For instance, if you are a bank robber---although I hope you aren’t---you might go to the bank a few days before you planned to rob it. Perhaps wearing a disguise, you would look around the bank and observe security guards, cameras, and other obstacles, so you could plan how to avoid capture or death during your burglary.’

Lemony Snicket is funny in a grim way. If nothing I have said has convinced you so far, continue onward for the review of the TV show.

VS.

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2: The Bad Beginning Parts 1 & 2 (2017):

Based on: A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning - by Lemony Snicket.

Lemony Snicket is here to present a truly tragic tale, and advises that you watch something else. The Baudelaires were three happy children with their two loving parents until a fire claimed their parents lives. Now all they have is each other as they go to live with their closest living relative, a man named Count Olaf who doesn’t seem to be a count in anything, much less the plays he stars in. He and his acting troupe are horrible, making Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, do tedious chores and not providing them with the things they need. Their neighbor Justice Strauss and her library is the only cheery thing. Lemony Snicket warns us that this is only the bad beginning, and much worse is to follow...

“This story will be dreadful, melancholy, and calamitous, a word which here means dreadful and melancholy.”

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family.

Length: Episode 1: approx. 49 minutes. Episode 2: approx. 63 minutes. Total time: 112 minutes.

Script: 9. A name in vain is used once, but that’s it.

“Let me give you a piece of advice. If you use fancy pantsy words first thing in the morning you’re going to end up a very lonely man.”

(As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes I’m Olaf. This encounter between him and Klaus was very much like me and my sister when it comes to words)

Crew: Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld. Produced by: Daniel Handler and Neil Patrick Harris. Written by: Daniel Handler and Joe Tracz.

Starring:

Patrick Warburton as Lemony Snicket.

Malina Weissman as Violet Baudelaire.

Louis Hynes as Klaus Baudelaire.

Presley Smith as Sunny Baudelaire.

Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf.

“He’s employed as an actor so you know his excitement is genuine.”

K. Todd Freeman as Arthur Poe.

Joan Cusack as Justice Strauss.

Cleo King as Eleanora Poe.

Usman Ally, Matty Cardarople, John DeSantis, Jacqueline Robbins, & Joyce Robbins as

members of Count Olaf’s acting troupe.

Sara Canning as Jacquelyn.

Luke Camilleri as Gustav.

Costumes: 9. Something that makes for such a fun aesthetic is the clothing. A specific time period is never set (all we know is that they had lived in an enormous mansion in a dirty city), but the clothing (and I’m not expert) hints at the 50s or 60s. The children wear pastel colors that pop on the screen in all the darkness. It’s really fun! It might seem like a weird thing to obsess about, but I take it as I can.

Cinematography: 8. There is some CGI that is a little fake looking, but it doesn’t bother me too much because we all know that babies can only do certain things through computer imaging. As I said, the contrast of colors is so fun, and the overall aesthetic pleases me way too much.

Cinematography by: Bernard Couture.

Music: 9. I couldn’t tell you if there is a score in the background (maybe that’s a good thing, maybe it isn’t), but the theme song is so good. I already quoted it earlier so I won’t repeat myself, but the lyrics are so clever! My sister and I love to scream sing it at the top of our lungs. It captures the feeling that you get from this show so well! You can feel it taking inspiration from the Gothic Archies which makes me extremely happy.

Music by: James Newton Howard.

Notes: Though Violet is two years older than Klaus, Louis Hynes is two years older than Malina Weissman. I don’t mind because you can’t tell and they act out the characters perfectly. This episode is absolutely brilliant because there are so many Easter eggs and references! Books 2, 4, 11, & 12 have subtle mentions as well as a few things that will be big later on a carefully slipped in. There is a reference to another of Lemony Snicket’s books, one that isn’t part of A Series of Unfortunate Events, and my sister and I started screaming when it happened because we were looking for it and VERY excited that we had found it. Also, “I told you never to say that word!”

Quotability: 10! The writing in this show is top notch, which makes so much sense. A lot of the lines are carried over from the book with little changes, but I also like the ones that they put in.

“All of the artistic and financial aspects of my career are finally coming together like two pieces of a bread in the middle of a sandwich.”

*It is pointed out that bread goes on the outside of a sandwich*

Content: 7. Same as the book. There are horrible people who do evil things. There is one suggestive line about someone knowing too much about a word. People are threatened and get hurt, though less than in the book. Additionally, there is a death.

Originality: 9. They kept the story very true to the book, just adding in fun clues and lines. They branch out a little to show you some flashbacks that help to clarify and are overall great!

“There are countless types of books in the world which makes sense as there are countless types of people in the world.”

Good For: It’s so hard to say, because with this you either love it or you hate it. Do you like stories where everything that can go wrong does and the characters have to figure a way out? Stories with incredibly witty dialogue? Then this might be for you!

Age Range: I think it’s rated PG, and I would agree with that. As I said, I was a lot older before I understood the purpose of it, so it depends on the person.

'"...When I was your age."

"But we're all different ages."'

(Someone finally said it! My sisters and I get this kind of comment so often!)

Overall Score: 8.5.

Worth watching?: Yes, of course! This is what catapulted me into my appreciation for the whole series, so yes.

Will I watch again?: This last time my sister and I were searching, vigorously for details, yet I’m sure we missed some that we will have to look for in the future. Also, it makes me laugh a lot, so I won’t be missing out on that.

Bonus thoughts:

Starting with fire, Lemony Snicket is here to illuminate this tale. I have so much to say about these episodes, but I’ve already said so much so I’ll keep it strictly to the characters.

“Klaus Baudelaire was the middle child and only boy. He was a little older than twelve and wore glasses, which made him look intelligent...he was intelligent.”

It is well known that I have never liked Klaus. It didn’t help that my sister was always comparing him to me because we are the middle children. He seemed so whiny and full of himself. Well, Louis Hynes has convinced me otherwise. He portrayal really helps you to understand his frustration when he is so used to researching something when he doesn’t have the answer. You can’t research, “Why has this happened to us?” Violet is more accepting of things, but Klaus knows what is good and what is bad, and doesn’t want to stand on the sidelines. He’s so precious!

I always thought that how Sunny is described in the books was a little ridiculous, so they made her more like a real baby helped make her so special. Oh, and Presley is just the cutest kid ever!

Now for Olaf. He is played so well! He is also the big difference between the books and this show. In the books he is straight up cruel, nasty, and scheming. While he is all of those things here, too, he isn’t as smart as in the books.

“‘N’ for the knowledge cuz I’m very, very, smart.”

I prefer it this way as it gives the whole show some levity, but both have their place. His added quirks don’t take away from the treachery.

Some quick bonus things are that they changed one of Violet’s inventions, but my sister and I agree that what they came up with was awesome. Also, the siblings dynamic is the whole heart of the show. All of them cooking is how my older sister and I cook, too!

Usually I would declare a winner, of whether the book or show episodes are better. I won’t do that here because it is completely up to your own preference! I like the TV show better because it helped me appreciate the books. I will say (and I’m going to say this with every book vs. episode review) if you are looking to experience this story and don’t know where to start, I would encourage the book. The book contains a lot more mystery where the show will, well, show you things that have happened. If you want to guess more, then I say go with the book! But, if you aren’t digging that, then give the show a try.

That is it from me today and the 13th of June! Thank you so much for reading these reviews! Have you seen and/or read these? Which do you prefer? Who are your favorite characters? What are some dark comedies or satire that I should try?

MovieCritic

Book Reviews Featuring World War II King Arthur Legends, A Boy Named Jinx, and a Skilled Dressmaker

Hello, there!

It is that time of the month for me to review books for your enjoyment! It is my goal to do this each month this year, and so far I have done well with reviews in January, February, March, and April.

This month is special as May is one of my favorite times of the year, despite the lack of snow. While some of the other months had reviews for books that I wasn’t too fond of, today I’ll be reviewing some of my favorites from last year! Each and every one of these books is a masterpiece, giving me a full range of emotion and suspense with the brilliant characters and dynamic setting. I hope that these reviews encourage you to read this fabulous works!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. I promise you that all three of these reviews are spoiler free! The endings or any surprises won’t be spoiled on my watch.

Review #1:

The Metropolitans - by Carol Goodman:

In 1941 four kids come together when there is an attempted robbery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What was almost stolen was a page from the Kelmsbury Manuscript, a book of the legends of King Arthur. These kids are united in a common quest, each linked to a character from this strange book. But, not the whole book is there and with the help of the curator they need to find the rest of the pages which are hidden in the museum. When Pearl Harbor is bombed, people of the city turn against Kiku and all other Japanese people and things. Will Madge, Walt, and Joe stand with her? Each have their doubts as connection to this book draws them closer to their biggest fears. Can New York be saved with their help?

‘The one thing she did know was that if the great wide world could come busting into HER life, then she could darn well bust into the world.’

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction. Middle Grade Fiction. Young Adult. Is there a genre for the best books ever? If there is, then this would be in it.

Characters: 10!! These characters were the most magnificent thing that I have read in a long time. They are all so distinct, and DIVERSE, and from the moment I met each one of them I knew their hopes and dreams. It was because of them that I could barely stand to put this book down!

My favorites: (in no specific order other than alphabetical because how can I pick favorites from our four heroes?)

Joe: A Native American boy on the run from the law and who can't remember his language. His insecurities are so well drawn. He has seen people hurt in the past so he knows anger, but he also is ashamed of hurting others. How his story rotated around language was amazing.

Kiku: A Japanese girl who has always been made fun of and wishes that people trusted her. She wants to earn the respect of her father, but he is so strict nothing she does is right. She is so happy to have found a home in her passion for art and doesn’t want that to go away because of her heritage.

Madge: A bossy Irish girl who has been stuck with responsibility her whole life. Madge is incredible. If you want a fantastic female character, look no further! I love how she takes charge because no one else is going to! Regret is a big word in her vocabulary based on her temper, and she wishes she could change things.

Walt: A German Jewish boy who wants to stand up to tyrants but is scared that the ones he loves will be hurt. My sweet precious scared boy. His fight with cowardice makes my heart ache for him because I have been there. He just wants to keep his friends and family safe!

You can see from my descriptions how this is such a hard time for all of them. But, what I’ve said is just the tip of the iceberg for each of them. They are phenomenal and you need them all in your life this instant.

‘When people treated you like vermin, you began to feel like vermin.’

Words/Writing style: 10! No bad words and on top of that the writing is jaw-dropping. I feel like I always use that word to describe prose, but I can’t find anything that fits better! With third person past tense you are so seamlessly put into the minds and hearts of each of the characters. I love how we get to see what is happening from each of their point of views. The prologue is a little confusing and disconnected, but it is important and will make sense very soon.

World building/Setting: 10! I’ve never been to New York (or 1941 because I don’t have a time machine readily available), but this book put me in the midst of everything perfectly. I felt like I was breathing the same air as all of them. In the museum, in train stations, in their homes, in the park, all of it was natural. I read this around Peal Harbor day without knowing that was a factor and I FELT all of turmoil happening in New York City. From the mentions of the clothing they wore to the candy and tea they ate and drank. The tea was Barry’s for anyone interested. Good choice as I’ve been drinking that my whole life.

The magic is so beautifully woven in! I could talk about it for ages, but I’m going to make you read the book to discover how it works.

Quotability: 10. The lines in this book are to die for! I wanted to write everything down. This category is a little trippy when it comes to books because the fact of the matter is that I don’t usually quote books. I loved it so much I’m giving it 10 anyway.

‘“Why, you’re children!” he said, ruffing the top of his head as if trying to activate the brain cells inside.’

Content: 9. There are some deep subjects here, but they are handled so well! Early on we have descriptions of someone committing suicide, but it is horrible and not saying it is a good thing by any means. There are racist comments against Kiku and her father, but that is shown to be bad! Mentions of abuse, fighting, injury, and death. There is one suggestive comment, mentions of body parts on statues, and talk about underclothing.

‘He clenched his hands, remembering the impact of knuckles on flesh. It had felt good---and then it had felt bad. And the bad feeling had lasted longer than the good.’

Originality: 10! This might be the most original plot in any book I’ve read! But that might just be me obsessing over it. I love how much Ms. Goodman used the King Arthur legends! It is stunning and keeps you on your toes. I guessed one element, but that wasn’t a bad thing, just good foreshadowing.

Good For: families, friends, anyone who loves historical fantasy, anyone struggling with “fitting in” or having courage or trying not to forget ones past.

Age Range: The characters are all 13, I believe, but you don’t have to be that age to read this. I think this is categorized as Middle Grade Fiction. It might be a little intense for super young readers, but it is so clean. It has no trouble captivating an older audience (like myself) as well!

Overall Score: 10!!!!

Worth reading?: Don’t doubt it! Of course it was. These characters and their struggles have stuck with me months after finishing it.

Will I read again?: Yes! I want to so badly! I have a bunch of required reading that I have to read, but I want to visit again. My younger sister introduced this to me and now I’m trying to get my older sister to give it a go. All of this is making me want to read it again!

Bonus thoughts:

“...How can we vanquish evil if we don’t help each other?”

The Metropolitans is really awesome and gripping from the start. A good book! Nay, a grand book. Nay, a great book! Nay, the best book! It is amazing X a million. I am struggling to convey the excellence of this book in the right words. The characters have amazing backgrounds that are never left out. They all of strengths and weaknesses and we see them used so well. They’re broken little babies trying to save New York!

If you can’t tell, I love it and recommend it 100%!

Review #2:

Moon Over Manifest - by Clare Vanderpool:

Abilene is sent to live in her father’s hometown for the summer. A rundown old place, it is murmuring with memories of the past. Ever since Abilene hurt herself, her father has been distant from her. Feeling like she is losing him, she is determined to find out what his childhood was like. While staying in the same place her father lived in she finds a box of letters, from someone named Ned to someone named Jinx. Through them and the stories the diviner, Miss Sadie, tells her, she begins to see what the town was like in its former glory. It is disappointing though, because no one will talk about her father no matter how she prompts them. She wants to spend more time in the past, but maybe some secrets are carried into the present. Most importantly, is there still a spy lurking in the shadows?

‘Memories were like sunshine. They warmed you up and left a pleasant glow, but you couldn’t hold them.’

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction, Mystery.

Characters: 10. More amazing characters! We have a big cast here, but they all of quirks that make them unique and recognizable. This town is full of a colorful crowd if I've ever read one.

My favorites:

Abilene: This girl. I love her so much. She’s always lived on the road and been ready to move on, so she doesn’t trust people easily. She’s figured out the world and the people in it: all except her father. She’s so sure that she knows what a person will be like based on her types that she’s established. Also, her name, Abilene Tucker, is gorgeous. Probably one of my new favorite fictional names.

‘Mind you, I don’t really say y’all, but it’s usually best to try to sound a bit like the folks whose town you’re moving into.’

Jinx: His conflict was spot on. He was afraid of being not needed or wanted and just being nothing but trouble. The hijinks that he and Ned get into are so great!

Ned: Ned was just an utter sweetheart! He made me smile anytime he was mentioned. He was brave, kind, and gracious. He doesn’t know his past in a town chockfull of everyone who has a distinct tradition to follow.

Lettie and Ruthanne: These cousins were great. They were so gracious and easygoing, down for anything that Abilene was up to. Their spooky stories heightened the mystery as they had an inside scoop on the town already.

The Preacher: I can’t for the life of me remember his name and it’s driving me crazy. I am very ashamed. If anyone can help me with this, please do! Anyway. His quiet presence is so mysterious and comforting and the same time. I love how the town looks to him for answers and he usually has a good one.

Words/Writing style: 10. The first person tense from Abilene was so great. In addition to that, the way things were told from Jinx and Ned’s perspectives through letters and Miss Sadie added touches that set everything off so nicely. Sometimes in stories with dual timelines I want to read more about one than the other. 1917 on the verge of war was just as fascinating as a dusty and boring (according to Abilene) 1936.

‘But as anyone worth his salt knows, it’s best to get a look at a place before it gets a look at you.’

Setting: 10. The setting of a sleepy little town in Kansas fits the story to a bill. The descriptions unfold so well that you can just see the town! It was vivid in my mind. The town itself is almost a character and you can distinctly feel the differences through the years. It is so rich in culture, too! Manifest is home to people from all over the world and it is striking to read about.

Quotability: 10. Why do I even have this when it is impossible to rate?? I don’t have anyone to understand the quotes! I’m giving it a 10 all the same. The lines were so carefree yet had a hidden wisdom to them. I adored the writing so much!

‘A typewriter sat on a cluttered desk, its keys splayed open with some scattered on the desk like it tried to spell explosion and the explosion happened.’

Awards: 4: Newbery Medal (2011), Spur Award for Best Western Juvenile Fiction (2011), Society of Midland Authors Award Nominee for Children's Fiction (2011), Premio El Templo de las Mil Puertas for Mejor novela extranjera independiente (2011).

Content: 9. The Ku Klux Klan is in some parts but it is shown as being a terrible organization and nothing about it is justified. Nothing really happens with them, but I still appreciated that we didn’t shy away from it being a real thing. With World War I creeping up we have some descriptions of the fighting and losses it held, but it isn’t gory. There was quite a bit about the making and selling of alcohol illegally. Usually that would’ve bothered me, but since I am not interested in it at all and it fit what was happening in the story, I didn’t mind so much.

Originality: 10! Like the rest of the book, it was stellar in the creativity. I was getting a slight To Kill a Mockingbird vibe, but that was maybe just because Abilene calls her dad by his first name, Gideon, like Scout does for Atticus. Talk about respect and dignity for nations might also be a contributing factor for why my brain is making that correlation. (Wow, my vocabulary is going crazy on me today, haha!)

Good For: historical fiction fans, families, anyone who has moved to a new place, people interested in the time periods.

Age Range: Abilene is in some kind of middle school, I think, so she is relatable to that age. Don’t be fooled into thinking it can only be read for kids! This is an excellent book for all ages.

Overall Score: 10!

Worth reading?: Without a doubt the answer is yes. The mysteries in the town of Manifest are bewitching and capture your attention. I grew to love all of the characters more than I can say in a short period of time.

Will I read again?: Again, without a doubt! I had to read this really quickly for a challenge which wasn’t a problem because it was so fascinating, but I am looking forward to reading it again slowly and absorbing all of the details thoroughly.

Bonus thoughts:

This is an absolutely gorgeous book. It is about discovering the past and through that oneself. The foreshadowing was some of the best I’ve read, because you could see where something were going yet still utterly destroyed when they actually happened. I sat in my room sobbing for this book. Which I’m not sorry to admit, I just was surprised because I wasn’t expecting it at all.

Do you get the gist yet? (Shout out to Sam for convincing me to read it!)

Review #3:

Prairie Lotus - by Linda Sue Park:

While Hanna is sad about leaving her home in California, she is bravely ready for live in the frontier. Her father is opening a dress shop and Hanna’s dream is to make clothing for the store, but her father doesn’t think she is responsible enough. It is her passion as her mother taught her to sew and she loves it. Things could be good here. That is except for a problem that shouldn’t be one: Hanna is half-Asian. People out here are just as judgmental on how she looks as they were at home. Will that be a problem when she wants to go to school? How will she convince her father that she is ready?

‘A brand-new town, equal measures of promise and uncertainty, like the thin April sunshine in which it stood.’

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction.

Characters: 9. There aren't that many, but all the more time for our star to shine!

My favorites:

Hanna: While some were understandably one-dimensional, Hanna was far from that! I related to her in so many ways. Our personalities are quite similar. I have never dealt with how people treat her, but Hanna faces it with so much courage! All in all, I want to be Hanna when I grow up. I’ve never been fond of sewing, but her enthusiasm for it made me want to make something!

‘You stop thinking about yourself. That’s where the sadness is, inside you. You look outside instead. At other people. You do things for other people, it fills you with good feelings, less room for the bad ones.'

I can’t for the life of me remember anyone else’s name, but there were a plethora of interesting characters. Fear for the unknown rules a lot of their lives which is scary, but realistic. My additional favorites were a man who was helping Hanna and her father, as well as a boy Hanna’s age and his little sister. They were precious!

Words/Writing style: 10. If I were to describe this writing in one word it would be graceful. You are pulled so gently through the story it is very relaxing.

Setting: 10. Life on the prairie with Asian elements intricately mixed in as well as respect for Native Americans? *chef’s kiss*

Quotability: 9. Hanna has some great lines of encouragement and motivation for when she gets down. They should be my motto, too!

‘It seemed to Hanna that there were always a hundred reasons for disliking people and not nearly as many for liking them.’

Awards: So far nominated for: Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for Children's Literature (2021)

Content: 10. There is a lot of bias against Hanna but that is shown in a negative light. Someone bumps into and grabs someone harshly causing some harm, but again it is shown as undesirable behavior.

‘Cruelty was painful. Thoughtlessness was merely exhausting.’

Originality: 10. This book is not fast paced. It is slow and steady which, to me, is one of its endearing qualities. It took a setting that so many of us are familiar with in books and movies, and somehow made it REAL. Everything that happens feels like it could’ve actually happened. Not too much happens, but what does is so realistic. I totally dug something so relaxing yet thought provoking.

Good For: Families, fans of the setting and historical fiction, anyone who has had to move, EVERYONE.

Age Range: If my memory serves me correctly, Hanna is about 14. I think it would be excellent for younger kids with the way it handles everything so well. And, it is something that adults need right now, too. Maybe even for a whole family!

Overall Score: 10!

Worth reading?: It is a new favorite, so the answer is yes.

Will I read again?: Of all these reviews today, this was the one that I read the longest time ago so I definitely want to read it again. Maybe someday with a friend to discuss the simple wonder of this artwork.

Bonus thoughts:

This is an ideal book for anytime, but especially now when hate is flying. The message of this book is KINDNESS. Hanna has such a pure heart and soul doing the best for people even though they are prejudiced against her. This is a message that needs to live forever and Linda Sue Park beautifully did that.

“For the person who is sour, do something sweet.”

It wasn’t until I finished it just now that I realized that all of these books are historical fiction. I guess you guys know what I read a lot of in 2020! These books were, respectively, my 2nd, 4th, and 5th favorites that I read in 2020. I’m thrilled that I got to review them for you today!

Thanks for reading! Have you read any of these? If not, you are missing out and need to fix this immediately! What are some of your favorite historical fiction books? Any with a magical twist? Tell me one that incorporates a legend of some kind. What about some books that promote kindness above everything? Or a book that takes place in two different time periods? I truly hope that you all enjoy these books as much as I did!

MovieCritic

Book Reviews Featuring a Colorful Castle, Fairy Tale Crocodiles, & a Lionhearted Math Genius, oh my!

 Hello book lovers!

I hope that you are all having a nice Monday! I’m continuing my goal of reviewing books as well as movies each month with bringing you three more reviews. Here’s what I did in January, February, and March. Since my last review post was such a hit, I’m following the same format! I’m still terrible at coming up with titles so you’ll have to tell me how well I did on this one.

While it’s been a while since I read two of these books, the third is fresh in my mind. Never fear, I took notes and remember enough to supply you with anything you would need to know.

Without further ago, onto the reviews!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. All three of these reviews are absolutely spoiler free!

Review #1:

The Blue Castle - by L. M. Montgomery:

Valancy Sterling has lived 29 years in a grey world when she gets a shock in the form. She’s not been feeling well which turns out to be a heart condition and the chances for her living out a year are unlikely. With determination she decides that she’s going to stop bowing to everyone else’s needs and make her own way in the world. Goodbye to her family who are always using her, goodbye to a colorless existence, and hello to life and experiences while she can have them. It might be hard, but she’s willing to make it work. What surprises away for her to take advantage of will she is living in this radiant new life?

“I’m sick of the fragrance of dead things.”

Genres: Classic, Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction.

Characters: 8. We have quite an assortment! I love the little obsessive quirks of Valancy’s family that make them so laughable.

My favorites:

Cissy: Oh my goodness, I loved her. She was just a sweetheart who had gone through some dark times yet has such an air of goodness about her.

Abel: He was so well depicted that I just really liked him! I loved his relationships with people and how he processes his feelings is very realistic.

Barney: There is so much mystery around him that I’m going to keep it that way and not say anything.

Valancy: I’m talking about her last because I have a lot to say. I’m sure she was quite a breakthrough when this book came out! Valancy knows what she wants and goes to get it without ducking to anyone. She is very determined, adventurous, and brave. Quite admirable! On the other hand, something rubs me wrong about her behavior at times. I support her in so many ways, but in others she seems a little mean. Independence and spite are not the same thing. I fully support her going out into the world and living, but she just seems unnecessarily rude occasionally. I feel like there could be a better balance between what she claims to have been her whole life and her new attitude. I don’t deny that her family are all horrible and condescending! It was about time that someone told them off for that because that is not how you treat a human being! Her nickname they gave her is horrid. Who would change a glorious name like Valancy?? Telling Valancy that she isn’t good and is weak when they are all TERRIFIC examples. NOT.  I get all of that! Like in this occasion:

‘“I think,” said Mrs. Frederick, “that if a person makes up her mind NOT to have colds she will not HAVE colds.”

So that was the trouble. It was all Valancy’s own fault.’

Poor Valancy! I have been in a situation like this and it is awful to have someone tell you that.

The thing is, I really related to Valancy in the beginning. My family is great, but all of her feelings are so similar to mine, and while I like her character, I don’t want to be like her. If that makes any sense (if it doesn’t then know that it doesn’t make sense to me either). I absolutely 100% get the attitude (I understand it WAY too deeply) that if people are only going to understand you in that way you might as well do that. Like this:

‘People who wanted to be alone, so Mrs. Frederick Sterling and Cousin Stickler believed, could only want to be alone for some sinister purpose.’

Those two are obviously not introverts. They assume that Valancy is thinking mean things about them so she finally breaks one day and goes ahead and says anything that comes into her head. This part hit me really deeply:

‘She had always been told, ever since she could remember, that she must hide her feelings. “It is not ladylike to have feelings,” Cousin Stickles had once told her disapprovingly. Well, she would hide them with a vengeance.’

Do you see how terrible Cousin Stickles is? Why would you tell that to someone! I relate to her repressing her feelings for so long that all at once they come out and are all over the place. While it was right in her case, I don’t encourage other people to lash out at their families.

Overall, I think that she is a very fascinating character I don’t understand yet. I want to read this again and again to understand more what’s going on in her head.

Words/Writing style: 10. I have two examples for this. There is some mild swearing but it is made fun of. I thought it was really funny where in exasperation Valancy suggesed to Uncle Benjamin that he might say a swear word to feel better and he replied, “I can express my feelings without blasphemy.” He is the one who was usually saying the d word which is why it is hilarious.

But, MC, if there are a few words then why did you give it a 10 instead of a 9? Well, this book has THE MOST GORGEOUS WRITING I’VE SEEN IN MY LIFE. I’m not kidding. Before reading this book I would always say that I don’t care about the writing style and just wanted a story, but this proved that writing can be amazing. Read this:

‘The garden was lying in the magic of the warm, odorous July twilight. A few stars were out and the robins were calling through the velvety silences of the barrens.’

Quotability: 8. I haven’t had the chance to quote them to anybody, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t thought about them a lot.

Content: 9. There are some scandalous things that happen! Oh dear! Not really! Valancy’s family thinks they are outrageous but it’s really nothing. Actually, the only things here are some drinking, a story of a girl having a baby without being married, talking about death, and someone being a little too friendly to a lady before he is stopped. I thought all of those things were handled really well so I don’t have a problem with any of it.

‘The only fault he found with her was that she did not sing at her word.

“Folks should always sing at their work,” he insisted. “Sounds cheerful-like.”

“Not always,” retorted Valancy. “Fancy a butcher singing at his work. Or an undertaker.”

Abel burst into his great brood laugh.’

Originality: 9. It is such a creative and cute story! I was just rereading one part of it now while looking for a line to put here and I couldn’t stop smiling. It follows one trope that is not my favorite, but other than that it is stellar.

Good For: Anyone looking for a new beginning in life, anyone looking for amazing writing, anyone who wants a pretty little story.

‘After the meal was over they would sit there and talk for hours---or sit and say nothing, in all the languages of the world...’

Age Range: One factor that I really love about this is Valancy’s age. She’s 29 so that gives it such a fresh and new take for a book! It’s not about your standard teenager, but at the same time anyone can enjoy this story. It would be fine for any and all ages.

Overall Score: 8.

Worth reading?: Yes! The writing makes me feel like I’m drinking sunshine. Totally worth it for that!

Will I read again?: This is a yes because I need to sort out my feelings on it. I go back and forth on what I think of it so I look forward to reading it again and again!

Bonus thoughts:

Basically everyone I know who has read this book loves it. If you came here expecting the same from me then I don’t know what to say to you: I don’t feel the same adoration that everyone else does. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it while reading it and the writing style is my go to example for spectacular writing, but thinking about it almost a year later I have some problems with it. It is super cute and lovely, but there is just one trope that I can’t stand. It had potential to be really inspiring, and while there are elements of that, it fell stale for me in a few places. A few things that were supposed to be surprising just felt thrown together. If you loved this then I am happy for you! I recommend it, but I’m still a little conflicted on my feelings in a few places.

“October—with a gorgeous pageant of color around Mistawis into which Valancy plunged her soul. Never had she imagined anything so splendid. A great, tinted peace. Blue, wind-winnowed skies. Sunlight sleeping in the glades of that fairyland. Long dreamy purple days paddling idly in their canoe along shores and up the rivers of crimson and gold. A sleepy, red hunter’s moon. Enchanted tempests that stripped the leaves from the trees and heaped them along the shores. Flying shadows of clouds. What had all the smug, opulent lands out front to compare with this?”

Review #2:

I, Coriander - by Sally Gardner:

Coriander has seven candles, just enough to last the night and tell her story. She had a happy and magical childhood with her parents. That was before objects came into her life: a stuffed crocodile, a pair of shoes, a set of pearls, and a mysterious raven. She didn’t know the significance of these objects at the time but now she does. Who is she truly and what was her story?

‘I wish I could unpick the stitches of time that have become all tangled and twisted together...”

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction.

Characters: 6. There were some that were monsters but they were the villains and not shown as good in any way. There were a few that I could get behind, but they didn’t really have memorable personalities that were cutting edge, you know?

My favorites:

Esther (at least, I think that was her name...): I love how she broke so many common tropes for people in her circumstances! The poor dear was so nice.

Gabriel: He was adorable! He was so caring and his relationship with Master Thankless was the best.

Master Thankless: From the beginning of when we meet him with the irony of his name I knew I would love him. His loyalty to his friends is so honorable and he is great all around.

Daines: It was good to see a solid character! She was so reasonable when no one else was.

Coriander’s father: While he makes a lot of mistakes he didn’t surprise me with being unpredictable.

‘A silent man can seem many things until he opens his mouth.’

Coriander: She is way more likable than a lot, but I still didn’t love her. It could be that the narrator of the audiobook (Juliet Stevenson) wasn’t my favorite, making Coriander really annoying. But, maybe that was the point because she matured a lot! There were some parts near the end where she really stepped into herself and I got a little misty-eyed.

Words/Writing style: 7. There were a few bad words and some that were just poorly chosen. I liked the first person present tense, but I was so frustrated by the whole “candle” thing because I wasn’t paying attention at the start of the book and missed that. I finally had to ask my sister what it meant because she had read the book before. Besides that it was a unique writing style.

‘I have learned that there is a great power in words, no matter how long or short they be.’

World building/Setting: 7. Part of the beginning is in England in 1643, so the era of Cromwell and Puritans and Charlatans. Combined with that is a magical world. That magical world was really cool! I just wanted to know more about that I didn’t like any of the times that we were in the real world, which was so grey and didn’t compare to the colorful masterpiece. Was that they point, to show such a contrast? I think so, but I didn’t appreciate it. Just give me my happy fairy land!

Quotability: 5. Not terribly quotable, but I there were lines worth writing down. This was my favorite:

“We are but shadows that have a short time dancing in the light.”

Awards: 2: British Book Award (2006) & Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for 9–11 years (2005).

Content: 6. Yikes. Where to start? There is murder, disgusting things, suggestive things (including names), and abuse. So much abuse. Involving starvation and physical and mental beatings for children and elderly. It’s shown as bad and evil, but it’s still horrible to read about! I had to stop a few times because I couldn’t stomach it. I’m not saying that Sally Gardener should’ve glossed it over. I don’t know what I’m saying, okay? It gets graphic. I was not expecting that, so maybe if I was more prepared I could’ve handled it better. I wasn’t in a good headspace to deal with that at the time, but I forced my way through which might have made matters worse.

Learning about the things that happened with the times of the Puritans always makes me really sad but grateful that I didn’t live back then. There are evil preachers and while I realize that was accurate to the time, I wish there were some religious characters to contrast that. Not everyone who loved God was bad! The best example was probably Esther. My sister says I’m being too picky and I probably am.

Originality: 9. This gets this high of a score because of one element that came back around and made me extremely happy. From the first chapter it was worked in and it seemed random but it was involved at just the right times.

Good For: People who like history and fantasy combined.

Age Range: If you can’t tell from my content section, I was very triggered at certain points. This is probably PG-13 but it really depends on the person. I wouldn’t have been fine with it until I am as old as I am (Am I fine actually? *nervous laughter*) but my sister was fine when she was younger and she read it. I would tentatively set 15.

Overall Score: 6.

Worth reading?: Yes, it was. I really liked the glimpses of the magically world that we got  to see and will now imagine my own stories using all of the amazing factors.

Will I read again?: Nope. I can spare my time for something better. I listened to an audiobook version while doing the dishes which was nice, but I don’t need to do again.

Bonus thoughts:

‘When I was small I used to hide under my mother’s petticoats and listen to friends and neighbors as they brought their ailments to her like posies of sorrows, to be made better by one of her remedies.’

I was intrigued by this because my sister told me it had lots of fairy tale elements. Awesome, right? Basically, this book took everything that I don’t like in a fairy tale and put it together. It was dark, random things happened because “MAGIC. It makes everything better”, romantic relationships that had no basis for being there, gruesome deaths. There was a lot of potential! People being turned into animals? Mysterious fairy court dynamics? Medler (can we get a whole story about him??)? Instead the whole story hung on some weak and poorly explained plot points. Things were thrown in there to be convenient and for surprises that made no sense. As Abbie Emmons always says, “A confused mind always says ‘no’.” I was confused for the whole time and I just wanted to yell, “Why? WHY? WHHHHHHHHY?”. I did more that want to do it, I actually did yell. If my sister wasn’t the one who recommended it and I knew she would have answers I wouldn’t have kept reading it. My first reaction when I finished it was to call her and ask, “Are you kidding me?”

Now, she liked it a lot, so some of you may, too! I don’t discourage reading this, I only want to let you know how I feel about it, too. I didn’t get the point of it, but I would love to talk about it to see if anyone else got something out of it.

Review #3:

The Lions of Little Rock - by Kristin Levine:

In Little Rock, Arkansas, Marlee goes to school like everyone else. She likes doing math, but there are things that she doesn’t enjoy like being social and trying to make friends with her crush J.T. between doing his homework. When she meets Liz everything changes. She’s always struggled with talking, but she finally can with Liz who is nice, understands her, and brings her math puzzles. But Liz is harboring an illegal secret. Marlee starts to see the injustice in her hometown and wonders, can she be as brave as the lions in the nearby zoo to stand up to it?

“Let’s start solving the world’s problems. One step at a time.”

Genre: Historical Fiction.

Characters: 9. We get a diverse group! Besides Sally who was your typical mean girl, everyone had such interesting motivations.

My favorites:

Marlee: I feel called out here, but I am basically Marlee in every single way possible. Like math? Check. Has trouble with talking to people? Double check. Seeing her journey was really motivating to me because if she could do something, than I can, too, right? I’m not scared of heights, but that’s the only difference between us.

‘He shook his head. “It’s always the quiet ones who are the craziest.” But he was grinning again, and I knew he was teasing.’

(Paraphrase)

Liz: Marlee and Liz are such great friends because they are so different from her. Do I now want a friend like Liz? Yep, I do.

Little Jimmy: I don’t remember detail about him, but he was sweet!

J.T.: His character went somewhere I didn’t think it would go and it was a new take! I liked him a lot.

David: I want to hug Marlee’s big brother. He was great! Judy was nice, too, but I really liked David.

‘That night I lay in bed wondering how many other times David had grinned and fooled me, too, even though he’d felt awful inside. The idea that my big brother sometimes felt not good enough was strange, and a bit scary.’

Words/Writing style: 8. There is some name calling but it is shown as bad. It was super easy to read and I really liked the first person past tense. I am a sucker for first person. It puts you so nicely into the characters head!

Quotability: 8. I haven’t had the chance to quote it (seriously, MC, why is this such a big deal? I have no idea), but the lines are great.

‘Because all the words in the world won’t do much good if they’re just rattling around in your head.’

Awards: 3: Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee for Grades 6-8 (2014), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominee (2014), & New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award for Young Adult (2015).

Content: 9. This is talks about true stories of murder and the Ku Klux Klan. It all shows that racism is a terrible thing! It is handled so well. It also has vandalism and explosions which are both dealt with just as well.

Originality: 10. This is such a good setting for historical fiction! The characters are unique and have good fears and things to face. Between referencing true events and having experiences like riding in an airplane for the first time it makes you really believe that you are there in 1957.

Notes: It mentioned the book Heidi and I had just finished reading it the book before! It also briefly mentions the movies The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Dumbo (1941).

Good For: Everyone, anyone who loves math, anyone who wants a good book about racial justice, anyone who is afraid of using their voice.

Age Range: A great book for all ages! The main characters are in middle school so it is relatable to kids that age, but it also ties in important historical events that are good for anyone to know.

Overall Score: 9!

Worth reading?: Yes! It was perfect for me personally because of how much I relate to Marlee, but it was also valuable for an in depth look at the things that were going on at that time.

Will I read again?: I’m looking at my sister’s trusty copy (which I bought her, by the way) as I write this and am thinking it’s about time to read it again, so the answer is definitely yes.

Bonus thoughts:

“Maybe they’re tired of being seen as second best.”

Of all of the books that I’ve read today this is my favorite! I like it a lot and have no reason to write a long rant about it. Try it yourself!

Whew, I’m done! Another full day of writing reviews done. It looks like I’ll barely get this in on the 19th because of that. It’s better than what I did yesterday when I decided to ram my face into the sidewalk resulting in a swollen face (long story). How are all of you doing??

Thank you for reading! Have any of you read this books? Do any of them look interesting to you? What is your favorite writing style you’ve ever read? Has a book had potential but fallen short? Who are some book characters that you relate to? Good night!

MovieCritic