The Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events #12)

At this point in the series I know that things can never really end well. Yet, I always hold out a tiny bit of hope that this or that character may live and this or that mystery will be solved. And once again I'm left not exactly disappointed, but sad that Snicket wasn't lying all this time about the Baudelaire's terrible misfortune and they still can't catch a break.
Will someone please, PLEASE, just tell me what's in that damned sugar bowl? Seriously, I'm dying over here.
I'd completely forgotten about the big revelation pertaining to the hotel so it actually caught me by surprise, which I liked. Though, it's possible I was just being especially unobservant the day I listened/read it. (Sadly, my hopes of exploring said revelation were dashed after finishing the third book.)
One of the better books of the series, I'd say. I enjoyed having the lot of past characters all shoved into the hotel and sprinkled throughout the story.

I thought this was another great book in the series. New characters introduced, more mysteries and it makes you want to read on and on. I can't wait untill I get my hands on the last book so I can see if any of the Baudelaires misfortune will ever leave and if they ever solve all the mysteries. I've had a good time reading the series and it is sad that this is the next to last book in the series, I wish it would never end.

Reader reviewed by Ellery

The Baudelaire children emerge from the sea and run into Kit Snicket.  She takes them to a hotel where they are to work undercover and get information on Olaf's next scheme to get his hands on them and the Baudelaire fortune.  Olaf has the hotel hold a trial against the orphans and then light the place on fire. 




SPOILER ALERT BELOW





Everyone manages to escaps including the orphans who were in Olaf's grasp as they were fleeing the hotel.

Reader reviewed by LaLa

I love the Lemony Snicket books and the 12th is no different. What I really enjoyed about this one is the reappearance of all the characters that had not been killed off. It's interesting to see what some of the remaining characters have been up to, whether they were on the orphan's side or not. It's easy to overlook some of the drawn out plot details and start preparing for The End.

Reader reviewed by LaLa

The neat thing about this book is that is revisits with all of the guardians and other minor characters from the first 11 series of unfortunate event books. But I found this book a little bit of a disapointment. As an adult, I have problems with books that have odd text features (part of the book needs to be read in a mirror) and while this is only a minor feature of the book, I found it distracting. I was also a bit disapointed by the plot of this book. All the characters are the same as the last time we saw them. There is very little growth shown in these minor characters. I'm also a bit disapointed in the changes in the orphans since the 10th book. I'm not looking for a happy ending (I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen), but I am looking for the good qualities we saw in the orphans for the first 10 books to show up again.

Reader reviewed by linda

The Baudelaire orphans are reunited with a host of characters from previous adventures as they gather at Hotel Denouement to await the delivery of the sugar bowl. The hotel is organized according to the Dewy Decimal System, a fact that pleases Klaus. The orphans deserve some time off and a hotel is the best place to stay. But theres always adventure and danger wherever the Baudelaire children are. I liked this book and the rest of the series. The series is drawing to a close, yet the mystery has been kept alive by Lemony Snicket