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The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1)
The City of Ember - Ember, Bk 1
Author: 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...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780375922749
ISBN-10: 0375922741
Pages: 288
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 2

3 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Book Type: Library Binding
Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Leigh avatar reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 378 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 15
What an inventive, creative, and exciting YA book! I couldn't tear myself away from this great tale of two young people trying to save their dying city while deciphering a cryptic set of instructions. Set in an unknown future, this story is excellent for any age.
cloverluv avatar reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 129 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
I have literally just finished this book and I am still trembling with anticipation and literally KICKING myself for not buying the entire series at once. It is 1 AM and I might just have to go out to an all-night store and buy myself the next book I want to see what is going to happen THAT badly!

In the city of Ember, light is more precious than water. The electricity comes on only during the "day" and is turned off from 9 PM until 6 AM leaving the city in complete and utter darkness...this is the way it has been for as long as any of the residents can remember.

But something is wrong. Something is very wrong. The lights are going off not just at night now. True there have been power outages before, but never like this one. This one lasts for SEVEN MINUTES, the longest blackout in recorded history.

There are also rumors. Rumors that the generator under the city is failing. Rumors that the stores of canned food and light bulbs are running out. And things are indeed running out. Stores have empty shelves, blank paper is a rarity, and the food rations are becoming more and more limited.

Doon knows the city is failing and can't figure out why. If only he could understand the generator and what makes electricity, maybe he could save the city from its inevitable destruction.

Lina doesn't want to believe what Doon is saying. The city dying? How can that be possible? But the blackouts have been coming more and more frequently and one day Lina comes across torn up strips of paper that clearly have some sort of instructions on them...instructions that could possibly save them all...if she and Doon can figure them out.

This book would make the best movie ever! It is geared for younger kids, so Harry Potter kids will adore it! It was a fast read, but had a surprisingly adult theme that left my mouth watering for more! This was the best book I have read in a long time. So good it gave me chills! Once you pick this up you won't be able to put it down! Don't say I didn't warn you!!!

FIVE STARS! SIX IF I COULD GIVE IT THAT MANY!!!!!!!!!!!
reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This book was a blast. I enjoyed it so much I can't wait to read The People of Sparks. If you like adventure and thrill then this is the book for you. Enjoy!
reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 69 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
If you liked The Giver, you'll like this book. It's got a great cliffhanger ending, and I can't wait for the next one to come out!
reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
"Freakin' sweet!" - Kate (my daughter)
Read All 36 Book Reviews of "The City of Ember Ember Bk 1"

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katewisdom avatar reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 25 more book reviews
It may have been a mistake to watch the movie first, but I wasn't aware of the book until I had. I found Doon and Linna to be somewhat selfish in the book. They weren't completely unsympathetic, but they weren't terribly endearing. I don't feel like they had enough info to reasonably put the puzzle together, so things felt a little jumbled and rushed at some points to me.

I'm glad that I read it, though, and I'm curious about the next book.
reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Good read for middle school boy! :)
dreambeliever avatar reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 56 more book reviews
My 9 year old daughter said that this is one of the best books that she has ever read (and she reads alot!)
2manyb00ks avatar reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 203 more book reviews
Once I had read the prologue of this book I was eager to read the rest of this book and the entire series! I love the mental picture the author has drawn in the her descriptions... Everything from the city itself to the people in it are great! There are times you feel like you could be walking through Ember. This is a good read for kids (ages 10-15) too.
ghostlysun avatar reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
Having watched the movie first, I was still anxious to start reading the series. I loved the film, but the more the book progressed, I found some major flaws in the movie. I loved the book. Although I basically knew what was going to happen, I found the book to be highly exciting from page one. This book is not just for young adult readers but adults who enjoy a good apocalyptic fantasy.
reviewed The City of Ember (Ember, Bk 1) on + 90 more book reviews
An enjoyable story with two well-written tweens as the main characters. The whole series has great commentary on the danger of "us versus them" mentality and the damaging choices it can lead to. I recommend reading the sequel, "The People of Sparks" also, as the two books together make a complete story. There is also a "prequel" available and a third book which takes place after "the people of sparks."

Book Wiki

Series
Ember  1 of 4
People/Characters
Lina Mayfleet (Primary Character)
Doon Harrow (Primary Character)
Poppy Mayfleet (Major Character)
Fictional Places

Genres: