A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room (Book 2)

Fortunately, there are many more books to review in this series about unlucky orphans and vile villains. Yet, it is my duty to burn the midnight oils and report to you about the rest of these books after I read them. As Lemony Snicket would remind you, the word "report" here means to review and discuss what's good and bad about these books. If you collect them all, it is my humble opinion that your bookshelves will be fine bookshelves.

They may be unfortunate tales, but they are written so well and illustrated quite nicely. I must admit I like them as much as I like the Harry Potter books by that other author. These, however, are much quicker to read, and they make me laugh more. I often wonder who this Lemony Snicket character is. He is an author, but he is quite a character, if you know what I mean! Do you think it's his real name? I seriously doubt it.

I did want to share my thoughts about The Reptile Room. Again, this story continues the Baudelaire children's Bad Beginning and to be quite blunt, their misfortune keeps slithering out of control as the wicked Count Olaf appears in the oddest of ways. Beware of men with eyeballs on their ankles. On the other hand, we learn that guys who like snakes are not so odd, indeed.

I will not give away the story line. No, you must read the book. You will learn many excellent vocabulary words by reading this book. In fact, you will begin to look for these words as you scan the pages, one by one, two by two, three by three. You can't stop reading this book once you start it. If you do, you will go mad. Really!

After reading this book, you will agree with me that Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are getting brighter by the page. Sunny, who usually makes no sense at all, is actually able to say a few words by the end of the tale.

For those of you who love snakes, you will really love this book. For you snake haters, you will love this book, too. In fact, I would not doubt if your teacher would not love this book! Of course, most grownups do not admit to reading these books and I believe they belong in every school library, in every school, and of course, in your own room, where you can enjoy the books and read them over and over again. Maybe your librarian would agree with me? Maybe not.

The illustrations are really quite nice. It's a cinch to imagine how evil Count Olaf is or the rotten luck that the Baudelaires have by checking out the illustrations before each of the 13 chapters. Brett Helquist can draw really well!

I'll admit it here. Our rather mysterious author, Lemony Snicket, has indeed done it again by penning the perfect book (his editor, on the other hand, is not so perfect as you will find at least two typographical errors, if not three, if you read the book closely).

On to Book 3 (or as Mr. Snicket so fondly calls it "Book the Third"). It is midnight here. Ah, the night is young.

Respectfully yours,
Tina Velgos
Humble Book Reviewer
The Review Zone.com