I want to say first and foremost that there will never be another writer like Lemony Snicket. Therefore, there can never be another book like this one. Honestly. When reading, there's always an air of nostalgia, and you can't help but get invested in the book's cleverness. And I love the portrayal of gray areas and ideas of villains in the series. For example, in the end of the book, even though Snicket has successfully put down Hangfire, the villain's identity has connections and relationships that go deeper than perceived, and instead of being celebrated, Snicket is left. Alone. It's really refreshing to not just get a straightforward happy ending, that you smile and forget about, this book leaves you thinking. I first tried this series a couple of years earlier, and gave up on it because I got frustrated over how I felt like the writing was over my head. But now that I understand it better, I can really appreciate the cleverness and un-anti-climacticness. Wordplay, brain-racking theories, carefully crafted characters, the end to the backstory of the great Lemony Snicket.

I want to say first and foremost that there will never be another writer like Lemony Snicket. Therefore, there can never be another book like this one. Honestly. When reading, there's always an air of nostalgia, and you can't help but get invested in the book's cleverness. And I love the portrayal of gray areas and ideas of villains in the series. For example, in the end of the book, even though Snicket has successfully put down Hangfire, the villain's identity has connections and relationships that go deeper than perceived, and instead of being celebrated, Snicket is left. Alone. It's really refreshing to not just get a straightforward happy ending, that you smile and forget about, this book leaves you thinking. I first tried this series a couple of years earlier, and gave up on it because I got frustrated over how I felt like the writing was over my head. But now that I understand it better, I can really appreciate the cleverness and un-anti-climacticness. Wordplay, brain-racking theories, carefully crafted characters, the end to the backstory of the great Lemony Snicket.

So many friends have read this book, so many praising reviews on Amazon and Good reads, so much drama swirling after Belly and which Fisher boy she will choose. I love him! No, wait, actually, hold on. I love him now! Except for a tiny piece of me that loves the other. Honestly, the writing style is unique and easy to pick up on, but the plot and everything else revolved around three characters. While these three characters' personality and character are very clearly defined and developed, it's not quite enough to turn this series into the perfect love triangle it was made out to be. There are some more mature concepts in the book, so I'd recommend it for ages 12+ Other than that, it was a simple, charismatic coming-of-age story.

I've seen this book many times, and considered buying the same amount of times. For some reason I never did. Maybe subconsciously, my mind knew what a writer Gemeinhart is, and tried to spare me the tears that slipped out during the heartbreaking yet empowering moments. Maybe it was trying to stop me from reading an all too realistic and sad book that really hits close to home. Despite the endless list of "maybes," one thing's the truth. Mark, Beau, and Jessie are true friends and true fighters. And on top of that, I really wish I had picked up this book sooner, because once I did, there was no letting it down. That's the honest truth.

I've seen this book many times, and considered buying the same amount of times. For some reason I never did. Maybe subconsciously, my mind knew what a writer Gemeinhart is, and tried to spare me the tears that slipped out during the heartbreaking yet empowering moments. Maybe it was trying to stop me from reading an all too realistic and sad book that really hits close to home. Despite the endless list of "maybes," one thing's the truth. Mark, Beau, and Jessie are true friends and true fighters. And on top of that, I really wish I had picked up this book sooner, because once I did, there was no letting it down. That's the honest truth.

So many friends have read this book, so many praising reviews on Amazon and Good reads, so much drama swirling after Belly and which Fisher boy she will choose. I love him! No, wait, actually, hold on. I love him now! Except for a tiny piece of me that loves the other. Honestly, the writing style is unique and easy to pick up on, but the plot and everything else revolved around three characters. While these three characters' personality and character are very clearly defined and developed, it's not quite enough to turn this series into the perfect love triangle it was made out to be. There are some more mature concepts in the book, so I'd recommend it for ages 12+ Other than that, it was a simple, charismatic coming-of-age story.

My dad and I are big running fans, and he says that lately so many of the great runners are coming from Kenya!