Jeanne DuPrau: City of Ember (2009, Random House Publishing Group)
English language
Published 2009 by Random House Publishing Group.
A modern-day classic. This highly acclaimed adventure series about two friends desperate to save their doomed city has captivated kids and teachers alike for almost fifteen years and has sold over 3.5 MILLION copies!
The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she’s sure it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues before the lights go out on Ember forever!
Pretty decent. Early parts drag on a bit too much looking back on it but still a enjoyable read as much as when I read it 15yrs ago. Needed it as a refresher to finish the series
This was a very entertaining story with an interesting premise! This review does have allusive spoilers, so don't read it unless 1) you don't care about spoiling the surprise or 2) you already know. :)
This is the first post apocalyptic-style story I've read that isn't just gritty and hopeless. The people of ember lead normal lives in their strange, broken-down city, and I thought the way everything was approached was very well done! Only the bare minimum of the circumstances are explained, which was kind of annoying to me, and the backstory of the city isn't even touched on until the end of the book. Lina and Doon were alright as characters, but the city itself and it's reason for existing we're far more interesting to me.
One problem I had with the story is that none of the problems are resolved at the end. All that happens is …
This was a very entertaining story with an interesting premise! This review does have allusive spoilers, so don't read it unless 1) you don't care about spoiling the surprise or 2) you already know. :)
This is the first post apocalyptic-style story I've read that isn't just gritty and hopeless. The people of ember lead normal lives in their strange, broken-down city, and I thought the way everything was approached was very well done! Only the bare minimum of the circumstances are explained, which was kind of annoying to me, and the backstory of the city isn't even touched on until the end of the book. Lina and Doon were alright as characters, but the city itself and it's reason for existing we're far more interesting to me.
One problem I had with the story is that none of the problems are resolved at the end. All that happens is that basically the city is reaching its inevitable collapse, and Lina and Doon escape. That's it. I would have loved to see more about the kids' reactions to the outside world, and even see how the rest of the city reacted to the true situation of Ember, but there's really not much of that.
I don't know if there is a sequel (or prequel) or anything like that, but I'd really love to learn more about the world these characters live in more than I really care about the characters themselves!
