Plot: After marooning on an island with their nemesis, Count Olaf, the Baudelaire orphans find themselves welcomed into the island's society. While the islanders' refusal to accept or assist Olaf relieves the orphans, the strange customs of the island gradually cause them to rebel. Their rebellion results in their abandonment with the count and, unexpectedly, a very pregnant Kit Snicket. When the Baudelaires' seek weapons for a planned mutany, they are shocked to discover the history of their own parents on the island. The children must make their own decisions, which become increasingly complicated when a certain count releases the deadly spores of the Medusoid Mycelium.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Similar Titles: Series of Unfortunate Events
Personal Thoughts: Apparently, a lot of fans were disappointed by the novel. Many claim Snicket uses the subplots of the book as a cop-out and lament the poor ending to the series. I actually thought it finished the series very well. To paraphrase a much better writer than myself, "an ending should be unexpected and inevitable," and the novel manages to produce such an end to the series. The children discover the truth behind their parents' history. Count Olaf is defeated, but in a sympathetic manner. The poor choices of the children have real consequences, but their good decisions allow them to survive. Not all the subplots end happily or completely, yet they do reach an unexpected and inevitable point. The book also explains who the "Beatrice" described at the beginning of each novel is.
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