The City of Ember: Summary and book reviews of The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, plus links to an excerpt from The City of Ember and a biography of Jeanne DuPrau.

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 decipher the message before the lights go out on Ember forever! This stunning debut novel offers refreshingly clear writing and fascinating, original characters.

Media Reviews

USA Today DuPrau's first foray into fiction creates a realistic post-apocalyptic world where everyone has lived underground for so long that they assume it has always been that way. . . . Reminiscent of post-apocalypse fiction like Robert O'Brien's Z for Zachariah, DuPrau's book leaves Doon and Lina on the verge of the undiscovered country and readers wanting more.   VOYA Starred Review. While Ember is colorless and dark, the book itself is rich with description. . . . Part mystery, part adventure story, this novel provides science fiction for those who do not like science fiction.   School Library Journal - John Peters Gr 4-7. The setting may not be so ingeniously envisioned as those of, say, Joan Aiken's Is Underground (Turtleback, 1995) and Lois Lowry's The Giver (Houghton, 1993), but the quick pace and the uncomplicated characters and situations will keep voracious fans of the genre engaged.   Kirkus Reviews The setting is well-realized with the constraints of life in the city intriguingly detailed. The likable protagonists are not only courageous but also believably flawed by human pride, their weaknesses often complementing each other in interesting ways. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers clamoring for the next installment. Ages 9-13.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Janice
Thoroughly enjoyed, Recommend to anyone
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The City of Ember. The storyline follows the standard tale of adolescent children who are brave and smart enough to try and solve their people’s problem. Even though the story has that same skeletal structure, the plot...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Zach
The city ofEmber
One of the greatest books I have read, for ages 9-13.

Rated of 5 by Inga
Fantastic book
This book is full of surprises and it is very interesting. ;))

Rated of 5 by sajiya
city of ember
I think the City of Ember is the most amazing book I have ever read.

Rated of 5 by me
City of Ember
I think that the City of Ember was a fantastic read for any age!

Rated of 5 by bookworm
city of ember
I haven't read this book in a while, but I have already read it twice in my lifetime and I really must say it was such an amazing book. I think that these series really captivates an audience and it makes you really want to read more. It's...   Read More

...19 More Reader Reviews

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