The City of Ember (Books of Ember)
by Jeanne DuPrau
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Book Reviews of The City of Ember (Books of Ember)
Book Review: Good beginning for the series
Summary: 3 Stars
"City of Ember" is the children's version of anti-utopian fantasy. The protagonists - twelve-year old girl and boy - live in the gloomy underground city Ember, where the knowledge of most technologies and even many day-to-day things are forgotten. So, Ember does not have computers, cars, any manufacturing, or even boats and matches. It still has the generator that supplies electricity, but nobody understands how it works. What will happen when generator fails? What will happen when food supplies, stored by previous generations, are exhausted?
Even though the premise of the plot has some loopholes, it was interesting enough to keep my daughter and myself reading the book, trying to find what happens next. My daughter liked the book more than me, since she was fascinated by the idea of under-ground city; she also liked the brave and reckless heroine well enough, to forgive her some really stupid acts. I personally was slightly disappointed by the slow action in some parts of the book.
Despite these shortcomings, "City of Ember" is a good read for kids who are interested in fantasy or sci-fi ("City of Ember" is closer to sci-fi, in any case), but are tired of dragons, wizards and magic schools. In our case, my daughter went to read the next books in the series.
Book Review: A City with hope?
Summary: 4 Stars
In this book two children Lina Mayfleet and Boon Harrow face some of the toughest moments of their life. They set out on an epic adventure to discover the secrets of the city of Ember. This majestic city was built were there is no sun stars or moon and the lights are slowly fading. There are many problems facing this city a low food supply only twelve hours of light and every thing else is going wrong to. In the adventures of Lina and Boon they are faced with puzzles and problems all leading to another adventure. The solution, venture in to the dark and find a new place to settle with lights and a new hope. On the main characters Quest many obstacles are over come by sheer determination and will. Their problems range from the city turning against them to being wanted criminals. Their solution is to prove that somewhere hopefully there is a new hope with a new beginning.
The plot of the story flows. There's never a dull moment. You will always feel that you never want to put this one of a kind book down. The firs half of the book is awesome but the last few chapters are the ones that you will want to read. Those chapters are the ones leaving me craving for the second book. The whole tome your reading you'll fell like your there with the characters.
Book Review: A Good Solid and Simple Read, Esp. For Low-Average Readers
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this book at a writing conference in which the author was giving a talk. I enjoyed her lecture and discussion on plot writing. Which of course, it does have the strength of a good, basic simple plot.
This is a good solid, simple story told in a good narrative. The characters do eventually become compelling enough to draw you through the book, and the cliffhanging ending was not too surprising.
The dialogue is almost like reading a "Leave It To Beaver" episode. But then it could be argued that the people have ended up speaking the way they do because of the time spent in the city. They've been so isolated, they've turned simplistic.
It does answer the question, what if the world ends? Would there be a contingent plan to keep the human race going? And what if they forget or aren't told that they were the contingent plan? And of course, all things go wrong with the plan.
I could see my low to average readers enjoying this book. But the simple dialogue and plot might bore a Gate or Advanced student. There just aren't too many surprises and twists. There isn't much of a mental challenge to reading it. It's a straight forward read. But children love a good story, and that is surely what it is, a simply told story.
Book Review: The City of Ember
Summary: 5 Stars
The City of Ember is an amazing story. Jeanne DePrau wisely decides to begin this novel with a quick intoduction about the Builders of Ember and how these intelligent people have created a secret box, which is supposed to be passed along to each mayor afterwards. The box is supposed to be only opened when the city is in dangerous times. (Already, Jeanne DePrau had me hooked.) The main characters of this story are Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, two twelve year olds who find the secret box in which the Builders left behind. Unfortunately, Poppy, Lina's younger sister, chews up the paper inside the box. With help from Doon, Lina manages to decipher most of the paper. Doon and Lina follows these instructions and they end up in an unusual, strange place that they have never been before.
This novel is simply fantastic and Jeanne does an amazing job describing Ember. She also leaves us with a cliffhanger, making us grip on the edge of our seats, clamoring for more. Basically, the cover of the story tells it all: Ember is the faint lightbulb that is dying. It is surrounded by darkness, mysteries, questions, and unknown regions; this is the black background. Ember's only hope? Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow.
Book Review: Outstanding
Summary: 5 Stars
Ember is running out of supplies. After graduating from school, Doon starts his job in the Pipeworks, hoping to really contribute to the community, and learn how dark the city's problems are. Lina wants a foot in every pot, and all the help she can get - her grandmother, also her guardian, is on death's bed.
Lina accidentally stumbles upon a centuries'-old escape plan, to the world outside Ember. Surviving a journey in a toddler's mouth, the Instructions now have bits missing, and Lina and Doon must piece together what they can to find a way out of Ember, and a way of saving their city.
Jeanne DuPrau's contribution to the fabulously innovative subgenre of dystopian YA is outstanding. It's easy to relate to these characters, who often feel - and are - out of the loop. Their love for their city and desire for a better life elsewhere are emotionally realistic, and breaking out also challenges them physically. Life in Ember feels somewhat historical, so steampunk fans may flock to this, too.
Good news: there are two more novels in this sequence, as well as a prequel. Me want!