The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, 1) - Softcover

Snicket, Lemony

Softcover

ISBN 10: 006075589X ISBN 13: 9780060755898

Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books, 2004

Synopsis

From debut author Katharyn Blair comes a heart-stopping fantasy novel, perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare and The Young Elites, about a teenage runaway who enters a dangerous tournament with an impossible prize.

Vesper Montgomery can summon your worst fear and turn it into a reality—but she’s learned the hard way that it’s an addicting and dangerous power. One wrong move and you could hurt someone you love.

But when she earns a spot in the Tournament of the Unraveling, where competitors battle it out for a chance to rewrite the past, Vesper finally has a shot to reverse the mistakes that have changed her forever.

She turns to Sam Hardy, a former MMA fighter who’s also carrying a tragedy he desperately wants to undo. However, helping heal Sam’s heart will mean breaking her own, and the competition forces her to master her powers—powers she has been terrified of since they destroyed her life.

About this title

Review:

★“An extraordinary debut packed with richly drawn characters in a sure-to-entertain storyline.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))

★“Interweaving excellent worldbuilding with the uncertainties of discipline, friendship, and taking ownership of one’s decisions, Blair’s debut will entrance and delight in equal measure.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“This story of magic, hope, death, friendship, and family...offer[s] a taste of the mystical, a great voice and dialogue, and well-written questions that address teen angst.” (School Library Journal)

“Blair provides plenty of action, twists, and duplicity as the story unfolds, incorporating a complicated romance and even discussion of religion along the way.” (ALA Booklist)

“Part fantasy, part battle royale, this gripping novel builds on the well-loved trope of mutant outcasts with unexplained powers but adds a worthy gladiatorial spin.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)

“The Beckoning Shadow is a fast-paced, exciting debut with an awesome girl protagonist! I rooted for Vesper as she smashed her way through this vividly imagined story, and was left hoping for more!” (S.J. Kincaid, New York Times bestselling author of The Diabolic)

“An absolutely riveting, supercharged story set against a world of secretive and thoroughly badass magic-wielders. I adored Vesper for her toughness and vulnerable heart—I dare you not to fall for her, too.” (Lana Popoviç, author of Fierce like a Firestorm)

From the Back Cover:

Dear Customer,
I am sorry to tell you that this CD is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. One might say that they are magnets for misfortune.
On this recording alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune and cold porridge for breakfast.
It is my sad duty to record these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from ignoring this tape completely and choosing something happy instead, if you prefer that sort of thing.
With all due respect, Lemony Snicket

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 006075589X
• ISBN 13: 9780060755898
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 162
• Illustrator: Helquist Brett