Day Twenty Three - The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket

Hey everyone! This morning I read The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket. I'm really getting to love these books and I like how quick they are to read. Here's the blurb:

Dear Reader,

I hope, for your sake, that you have not chosen to read this book because you are in the mood for a pleasant experience. If this is the case, I advise you to put this book down instantaneously, because of all the books describing the unhappy lives of the Baudelaire orphans, The Miserable Mill might be the unhappiest yet. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to Paltryville to work in a lumber mill, and they find disaster and misfortune lurking behind every log.

The pages of this book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantries as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting in injury, and coupons.

I have promised to write down the entire history of these three poor children, but you haven't, so if you prefer stories that are more heartwarming, please feel free to make another selection.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

My Review:

I think this is definitely my favourite novel in the series and I think this was because it broke the pattern ever so slightly. There was definitely a rhythm set in this book series and it was interesting to see something a little new. 

I really liked how the character's broke out of their archetypes in this book and actually almost swapped roles. This was exciting mostly because it was unexpected and it's always nice to see something new. 

I'm really hoping that this will set a precedent for the rest of the series and I'm excited to see what new twists and turns might appear later on!

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Twenty Two - Time Riders by Alex Scarrow

Hey everyone! Today I read a book that I probably should've read forever ago. I actually met Alex Scarrow, the author of Time Riders, in 2015 and I was so excited by it then that I can't quite believe I ever shelved it! Here's the blurb:

Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912.
Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010.
Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2026.

Yet moments before death, someone mysteriously appeared and said, ‘Take my hand ...’

My Review:

The concept of this book was really interesting and I really liked the short choppy chapters as I felt that they really drew me in. Perhaps it would've been nicer to have a little more detail overall, but it would've been so easy to get lost in massive long rambling chapters. 

I really loved each character and the way that we found out slivers of their own personalities through the pasts. I loved the relationship that developed between Bob and Liam whilst they were on their mission as I found it really heartwarming. 

This book was exciting and perhaps at times a tad confusing, but it's clear that TimeRiders was always meant to be a series and I'm sure I'll be brought in even deeper by the next installment. 

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Twenty - Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Hey everyone! For the past couple of days, I've been ploughing through the novel Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and I'm so glad that I did. It's definitely the best book that I've read this year! Here's the blurb:

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes 

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

My Review:

If I could give this book more than five stars then I certainly would. The story is beautifully crafted and although I hadn't read the trilogy predating it that didn't matter at all; it was all so clear despite being set in such an incredibly complex world. 

I loved each and every one of the characters to the point where I'm sure I couldn't pick a favourite. I loved the depth that was put into every single character, even those that were really secondary to the plot. 

There was a twist and turn at every corner, making it truly impossible to be bored. Some of these you guessed which lead you with the dread of wondering when they would occur whilst others hit you out of nowhere. 

This novel was inspirational and totally one of a kind which is why I'm so glad that there's a sequel to engross myself with. 

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Fifteen - The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket

Hey everyone! Today I read The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket which is the third novel in the series and I'm absolutely hooked. I wish the series would go on forever! Here's the blurb:

Dear Reader,

If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted, but their lives, I am sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched, and the one you are holding may be the worst of them all.

If you haven't got the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signalling device, hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair.

I will continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however, should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable story.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

My Review:

This is the third book in the 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' series and it seems that I cannot tire from the adventures of the Baudelaires. Snicket has such a unique and interesting style of narrative that it's incredibly difficult to draw yourself away from it.

I love Josephine, simply because she's absolutely bonkers and I think that adds a really interesting layer to the story. Whilst Josephine is trying to be a good guardian, her fears really prevent her from doing so and it provides a massive frustration for the Baudelaires.

I loved the whole idea with Olaf's plan and I thought it's larger complicity made it more interesting than the previous two novels. Olaf, however, hasn't seemed to cotton on to the simplest ways of accessing their fortune. Oh well, it only adds to the drama and excitement. 

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Twelve - The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket

Hey everyone! Today, I also read the second A Series Of Unfortunate Events book called The Reptile Room. Here's the blurb:

Dear Reader,

If you have picked up this book with the hope of finding a simple and cheery tale, I'm afraid you have picked up the wrong book altogether. the story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelaire children spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and a giddy uncle, but don't be fooled. If you know anything at all about the unlucky Baudelaire children, you already know that even pleasant events lead down the same road to misery.
In fact, within the pages you now hold in your hands, the three siblings endure a car accident, a terrible smell, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a large brass reading lamp, and the re-appearance of a person they'd hoped never to see again.
I am bound to record these tragic events, but you are free to put this book back on the shelf and seek something lighter.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket. 

My Review:

It seems that the second book in A Series of Unfortunate Events was even more tragic than the first and that is perhaps because we are given such a small glimmer of hope that the Baudelaire's might be okay. 

Uncle Monty is such a kind and well thought through character with more layers than I think I've seen from any of the other characters in this series so far. This was probably why the loss of him was so much more hard hitting than the thought of the Baudelaire parents perishing. 

In fact, the story was so exciting and moving that I only had a single qualm. My issue is with the way Snicket represents adults in his novels and whilst I know it serves a purpose for his story, it still irritates me. In the Baudelaire's world, all adults are absolute, complete idiots which is simply ridiculous. I cannot believe that these adults cannot recognise Olaf in his disguises that aren't even particularly complicated. However, I think I love the story far too much to allow something as small as that to take away from the experience. 

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think?Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Twelve - The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

Hey everyone! I began a new series today and it was so good that I read the first two books. The series is actually called A Series Of Unfortunate Events and the first book is called The Bad Beginning. Here's the (shortened) blurb:

Dear Reader, I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in you hands is extremely unpleasant.It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever,the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune. 

My Review:

The Bad Beginning is the first of thirteen books in Lemony Snicket's series named A Series of Unfortunate Events and it's certainly a cracking start. The books are far shorter than I am used to reading and are quite clearly geared towards pre-teens with the style of writing, but I still enjoyed it. 

Sometimes, I found the narrative in the book a little difficult to get on with. The chapters can be quite repetitive, we are constantly reminded about how the children are orphans and the fire for example, and Snicket has a habit of using long words and then explaining what they mean. I personally find this irritating, perhaps because I already know what those words mean, but I can understand how it can challenge a child's vocabulary etc. 

However the book certainly has it's merits, more than plenty of them in fact. I love how intricate Olaf's dastardly plans are, the adorable babbling of Sunny Baudelaire, Violet and Klaus' cleverness, even the narrator's tone of humour edging into the text. This book is outstanding and it had me gripped into my seat with each twist and turn.

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Eleven - Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz

Hey everyone! Today I decided to read the second book in a series I've recently started and it definitely didn't disappoint! The book I read was Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz. Here's the blurb:

On his second mission, Alex Rider must infiltrate the exclusive Point Blanc Academy. But the school hides a deadly secret. Can Alex alert the world to the truth before it's too late?

My Review:

Another exciting instalment of the Alex Rider series, Point Blanc had me gripped from the get-go just like it's predecessor. I absolutely love the series; it's so full of life and different twists and turns. 

Again, Alex was absolutely on point. I adore his wittiness but also his bravery and endeavour. In this book, however, I found the secondary characters much more interesting. Point Blanc boasted a much more entertaining and unpredictable villain and I liked the introduction of not only adversaries his own age but also a potential friend. 

The danger and suspense had only been amplified for the second story although I did work out what was happening far easier than in the first. I imagine that many will complain of the habit Horowitz's villains have for revealing their entire plan however in a way I think it makes sense. These men are quite clearly narcissists, probably very proud of their schemes too so why wouldn't they want to share them?

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think?Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!