This is a series that you either love or you don't.

I love this series, and I plowed through all 13 of these books quickly.

The three children are believable and you love them and you feel so bad about all the terrible things that have happened to these poor, fictional charcters...even Olaf is endearing!

I find Snicket's writing style incredible - one of the best writers I've seen in a long time. Snicket's character descriptions consist of little tidbits of information - you are confident that every word has been chosen carefully, and every moment Snicket is Up To Something. He explains big words to his readers without insulting them. He juxtaposes sad and funny. Like I said––you either like it or you don't.

Might this be children's satire? :)