I first read The Bad Beginning and A Series of Unfortunate Events when I was young, about 8 years ago, so this review is of the most recent time I've read them because I can't remember exactly how I felt about them when I first read them except for that I enjoyed them.
First of all, I have to point out that A Series of Unfortunate Events are children's books. However, I often find that children's books often contain very adult themes - Harry Potter and Percy Jackson are also children's books. The Bad Beginning managed to balance the horrors endured under Count Olaf's care with an appropriate way of telling the story. I have to say some of the story telling was unbelievable and frustrating in the way children's stories often are, but the story would have been perfect if you were a child. Even as a 16 year old, I did really enjoy the book.
It was odd reading it because although I couldn't really remember reading it for the first time, I have seen the movie countless times and just watched the TV show so reading it was very familiar with very slight changes. Overall the plot was a great set up for the series, setting out what the characters are like from violet's inventing nature to Klaus' bookish brain to Sunny's biting skills. I loved the bond between the siblings and how they each had something unique about them.
One of my favorite parts was the set up to the mystery of why their parents died. It isn't touched upon that much, so it leaves the reader intrigued and wanting to read the rest of the series.
In conclusion, I would definitely recommend these books whether for a child or for yourself. It's best to binge these books because they are so short - I read the first book in about an hour! I gave this book 4.5 stars.