I loved this series of books. Some books talk down to children, but Snicket knows better. I read the first 12 books quite some time ago. Years, in fact. I somehow never got to Book the Thirteenth until this May "Children's/YA Lit Boot Camp" challenge. It seemed time. I think it's wonderful when authors don't shy away from big words like "penultimate" or "ersatz" or big concepts like "the existence of evil". Kids will get it if you take the time to explain it to them, which I think contributes to the wild success of this series and the Harry Potter series. I do think the Series of Unfortunate Events goes even a little further than the Harry Potter series when talking about evil though. Whereas most books end with the vanquishing of evil, the message here is that evil can never be vanquished but you CAN survive it. Furthermore, potential for good and evil exists in everyone, even in the most well-meaning or villainous of folks. That's some COMPLEX STUFF!!! And it's in a children's book. Good job, Lemony Snicket.