10 Books Like A Series of Unfortunate Events
Did Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” leave you craving more dark humor, clever plots, and children facing outrageous situations?
I think you are in luck.
This list dives into some fantastic reads that capture the spirit of Snicket’s world, offering a delightful mix of mystery, adventure, and a sprinkle of the macabre.
So, grab your magnifying glass, light a fire (with adult supervision, of course!), and prepare to embark on a journey filled with quirky characters, dastardly villains, and enough plot twists to make your head spin.
Books Like A Series of Unfortunate Events
1. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
This engaging series follows the adventures of four gifted children who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened.
The children must use their unique talents and intellect to solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and thwart the plans of the evil Mr. Curtain. With its clever plot twists and a cast of memorable characters, the series offers a mix of mystery, humor, and suspense.
Major Similarities:
Like “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “The Mysterious Benedict Society” features a group of intelligent, resourceful children facing off against villainous adults in a world that’s both fantastical and darkly humorous.
The emphasis on puzzles, secret messages, and the importance of friendship and bravery in the face of adversity echoes the themes and tone found in Lemony Snicket’s series.
2. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood
This series tells the story of Miss Penelope Lumley, a young governess hired to educate the Incorrigible children, three wild children found in the forests of Ashton Place.
The books blend mystery, comedy, and adventure as Penelope tries to civilize the children while uncovering the truth about their origins. Along the way, they encounter a cast of eccentric characters and bizarre situations.
Major Similarities:
The whimsical yet mysterious atmosphere of “The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place” closely mirrors that of “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”
Both series feature young protagonists in unusual and challenging circumstances, a gothic sense of humor, and a mystery that deepens with each book. The narrative voice in both series is distinct, adding to the unique charm and appeal.
3. The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch
This series kicks off with “The Name of This Book is Secret” and follows two curious young heroes, Cassandra and Max-Ernest, as they discover a mysterious box and get involved in a secret society’s intrigue.
The books are filled with codes, puzzles, and secrets, blending humor, mystery, and adventure. The narrator’s direct engagement with the reader adds a unique layer to the storytelling.
Major Similarities:
“The Secret Series” shares the playful, mysterious, and slightly dark tone of “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”
Both series involve secret societies, enigmatic puzzles, and the theme of children navigating a world filled with adult adversaries and conspiracies. The interactive narrative style, inviting readers to solve puzzles along with the characters, is another common element.
4. Wildwood Chronicles by Colin Meloy
Written by Colin Meloy, lead singer of The Decemberists, and illustrated by Carson Ellis, this series starts with “Wildwood” and takes readers into the Impassable Wilderness, a magical forest on the edge of Portland, Oregon.
The story follows Prue McKeel as she ventures into Wildwood to rescue her baby brother from a murder of crows. The series is known for its rich storytelling, detailed illustrations, and a blend of magic, adventure, and the battle between good and evil.
Major Similarities:
Like “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” the “Wildwood Chronicles” feature children embarking on perilous adventures in a world where adults may not always be reliable allies.
Both series are enriched by a distinctive narrative voice and a vividly imagined setting that blends the familiar with the fantastical.
The themes of courage, friendship, and the fight against dark forces align closely with the experiences of the Baudelaire orphans.
5. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
“The Willoughbys,” a satirical take on classic children’s literature, follows the Willoughby children who, feeling neglected by their self-absorbed parents, decide to become “deserving orphans” and embark on their own adventure.
The book plays with conventions of the genre, offering a humorous, albeit dark, exploration of family dynamics, adventure, and the meaning of happiness.
Major Similarities:
Both “The Willoughbys” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events” playfully critique and homage the tropes of classic children’s adventure and orphan stories.
The dark humor, clever narrative twists, and the children’s quest for a sense of belonging and family amidst adversity are themes that resonate with Lemony Snicket’s series. The self-referential and metafictional elements also make “The Willoughbys” a delight for fans of Snicket’s stylistic storytelling.
6. The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann
“The Peculiar” is set in an alternate Victorian England filled with magic, faeries, and steam-powered technology, telling the story of Bartholomew Kettle, a half-human, half-fey boy living in the shadows of society.
When Bartholomew witnesses a mysterious lady kidnapping another changeling, he finds himself caught in a dangerous conspiracy that could threaten both the human and faerie worlds.
The book blends elements of fantasy, mystery, and steampunk, creating a richly imagined world full of danger and intrigue.
Major Similarities:
Much like “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “The Peculiar” features young protagonists facing grave dangers in a world where adults are often the source of peril.
The blend of a dark, mysterious atmosphere with a Victorian setting parallels the gothic and whimsical tones found in Lemony Snicket’s series. Additionally, the theme of children navigating through a society that misunderstands and underestimates them is central to both stories.
7. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
Set in an alternate 19th-century England overrun by wolves, “The Wolves of Willoughby Chase” follows cousins Bonnie and Sylvia as they fend off a sinister governess and a plot to steal their inheritance.
This classic tale combines adventure, suspense, and the triumph of good over evil in a richly detailed historical setting. The story is the first in a series that explores the adventures of various characters in this alternative history.
Major Similarities:
“The Wolves of Willoughby Chase” shares with “A Series of Unfortunate Events” the theme of resourceful children battling against malevolent adults in a somewhat dark, alternative historical setting.
The mixture of adventure, peril, and the resilience of young protagonists in the face of adversity echoes the experiences of the Baudelaire orphans. The gothic elements and the emphasis on a strong narrative voice further align the two series.
8. The Name of this Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
This is the first book in “The Secret Series” mentioned earlier, but it deserves its own spotlight for setting the tone of the entire series.
It introduces Cassandra and Max-Ernest, who find themselves on the trail of a magician’s notebook that leads them into a mysterious adventure involving a secret society and an ancient, alchemical plot. The story is filled with humor, puzzles, and direct addresses to the reader, warning them about the dangers of knowing too much.
Major Similarities:
Directly engaging with the reader and blending humor with mystery, “The Name of this Book Is Secret” shares a similar narrative approach and tone with “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”
Both series feature young protagonists who are clever, curious, and more competent than the adults around them. The themes of secrecy, the pursuit of knowledge, and the presence of a hidden world beneath the surface of our own are central to both stories.
9. Floors by Patrick Carman
“Floors” introduces readers to the whimsical world of the Whippet Hotel, a magical place filled with hidden rooms, bizarre puzzles, and eccentric guests.
The story follows Leo, the maintenance man’s son, who embarks on a quest to solve the hotel’s mysteries after the owner disappears. Each floor of the hotel offers new puzzles and secrets, blending fantasy with mystery and adventure.
Major Similarities:
Like “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “Floors” is characterized by its imaginative setting, quirky characters, and a plot driven by the discovery of secrets and the solving of puzzles.
The sense of adventure and the presence of a young protagonist navigating a world filled with adult eccentricities and challenges mirror the experiences of the Baudelaire orphans. The whimsical yet mysterious atmosphere of the Whippet Hotel parallels the constantly changing settings the Baudelaires face.
10. Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
“Splendors and Glooms” is a Victorian gothic tale that weaves together the stories of Clara, a girl from a wealthy family; Lizzie Rose and Parsefall, two orphans apprenticed to a sinister puppeteer; and a witch cursed with immortality.
The narrative delves into themes of magic, manipulation, and liberation, as the characters’ lives become intertwined in a dark mystery involving a magical amulet.
Major Similarities:
The gothic atmosphere, complex characters, and interplay of dark and light themes in “Splendors and Glooms” echo the essence of “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”
Both stories feature children in perilous situations, confronting malevolent adults and navigating a world that is both magical and menacing.
The richly detailed historical setting and the emphasis on storytelling that reveals deeper truths about human nature and resilience align closely with the narrative style and thematic concerns of Lemony Snicket’s series.
