AND SO IT BEGINS.

Yes, technically this is the fifth book in the series, but to me, it is the very first.

This is the book when I really start to love this series, which, in case you are new to my reviews or have been otherwise purposefully ignoring my Snicket-related screeching, is my favorite in the world.

This book introduces V.F.D., my favorite combination of three letters in the universe. Over such fan favorites as "eat" and "bye." This book also introduces the Quagmire triplets, who, in addition to being completely great on their own merit, in turn introduce a complex world of fatal fires and imperiled fortunes. The setting of Prufrock Prep is great. The cast of characters is great, and, with a few notable exceptions, pretty nuanced.

Count Olaf is probably at his most villainous here, because he is a Gym Teacher Who Forces Children To Run Laps. What could be more completely godawful than that??????? Full-on evil.

Also, "austere" has been my favorite word for years, and I learned it from this title. Mad bonus points for that.

Bottom line: I LOVE THIS SERIES I LOVE THIS SERIES I LOOOOVEEEEE THIIIIIIIS SEEEEEERIEEEEES.