The Vile Village: 7

The seventh instalment in Lemony Snicket's delightfully dark series finds the Baudelaire orphans trapped in a village where "it takes a village to raise a child"—and what a sinister village it is. With crows, cruel rules, and the ever-present threat of Count Olaf lurking about, this tale is wonderfully grim and cleverly written. Snicket's signature wit and wordplay shine as our unfortunate heroes navigate yet another disastrous situation. Perfect for young readers who favour their adventures on the darker, funnier side.