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cburgbennett's review
2.0
Nothing can beat book 1! This was okay. satisfying conclusion to the series.
sarahanne8382's review
3.0
The final book in DuPau's series about the inhabitants of the city of Ember provides a satisfying resolution and even manages to connect the seemingly inconsequential The Prophet of Yonwood, although still in a rather tangential way. Winter has come to Sparks and the people of both Ember and Sparks are on the verge of starvation. Yet again, Lina and Doon appear to have stumbled across a clue to the solution, but it will require sharp thinking and courage to uncover the truth.
This was much more like The City of Ember with plenty of adventure and Lina and Doon the solving another puzzle. At the same time, though, I felt like this book was a lot longer than it needed to be. The end just sort of rambled on for several more chapters, and while I liked the way she managed to tie up all those loose ends, I feel like there must have been a snappier way to do it.
This was much more like The City of Ember with plenty of adventure and Lina and Doon the solving another puzzle. At the same time, though, I felt like this book was a lot longer than it needed to be. The end just sort of rambled on for several more chapters, and while I liked the way she managed to tie up all those loose ends, I feel like there must have been a snappier way to do it.
erinjuliaadams's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sparklethenpop's review
4.0
It was everything a final book should be. There were answers and everything was tied up nicely but you were sad to read the last page.
eandrews80's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A highly satisfying conclusion to a wonderful series. I love Lina and Doon as friends and partners in adventure, and it was great to see them back in action after their rift in book 2. While nothing will ever compare to the thrill of the Emberites discovering the outside world in book 1, there are some great discoveries in this installment too. I particularly loved the ending, which paints a hopeful picture of how humanity can overcome disaster and find a way to rebuild, creating a simpler and more enriching life in the process.
heatherg213's review
3.0
So, remember a couple of weeks ago I wrote a review of People of Sparks and how I felt like City of Ember was just an appetizer for People of Sparks and I was wondering if the last book, The Diamond of Darkhold, would be a scrumptious dessert. Well, I finished The Diamond of Darkhold, and it tasted more like a Hostess Twinkie than tiramisu.
The Diamond of Darkhold is the final chapter in the story of Lina and Doon, two residents of the former city of Ember, current residents of the village of Sparks, the surviving remnant of a civilization that annihilated itself through greed and violence. The story picks up during the first winter that the former residents of Ember are living in Sparks. After living their whole lives underground, the Emberites were unprepared for the cold, rainy weather of above-ground winter. Lina and Doon decide to return to their former home to try and find something to help their new neighbors get through the long winter months. They find hints in an old book that the people who built their city may have left something behind, and they set out to find it.
It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, because I did (after all, Twinkies are a tasty snack!). I just found there to be the same general lack of substance in this book as in the first, City of Ember. The story was enjoyable, the characters were well-written, the setting was evocative-there just weren't enough universal themes for me to sink my teeth into. People of Sparks had so much to say about the way that we as a society view outsiders, or the way people use fear to manipulate others, or the way that we solve (or fail to solve) conflicts. Diamond of Darkhold was entertaining, but ultimately it didn't really speak to any larger truths. I realize that I read lots of things for entertainment only-I certainly don't expect existential enlightenment from a cozy mystery or formula thriller. However, if a young adult novel is going to really grab me, given the readability level, it has to have something more to say.
The Diamond of Darkhold is the final chapter in the story of Lina and Doon, two residents of the former city of Ember, current residents of the village of Sparks, the surviving remnant of a civilization that annihilated itself through greed and violence. The story picks up during the first winter that the former residents of Ember are living in Sparks. After living their whole lives underground, the Emberites were unprepared for the cold, rainy weather of above-ground winter. Lina and Doon decide to return to their former home to try and find something to help their new neighbors get through the long winter months. They find hints in an old book that the people who built their city may have left something behind, and they set out to find it.
It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, because I did (after all, Twinkies are a tasty snack!). I just found there to be the same general lack of substance in this book as in the first, City of Ember. The story was enjoyable, the characters were well-written, the setting was evocative-there just weren't enough universal themes for me to sink my teeth into. People of Sparks had so much to say about the way that we as a society view outsiders, or the way people use fear to manipulate others, or the way that we solve (or fail to solve) conflicts. Diamond of Darkhold was entertaining, but ultimately it didn't really speak to any larger truths. I realize that I read lots of things for entertainment only-I certainly don't expect existential enlightenment from a cozy mystery or formula thriller. However, if a young adult novel is going to really grab me, given the readability level, it has to have something more to say.
hayleyccc4's review against another edition
4.0
I read the 3rd book in the series over 2 years ago... The Books of Ember were always one of my favourite series! Unfortunately, I never got to read the fourth and final book until this week. I loved it! The characters developed very well and the plot was quite engaging. Yes, it was obviously meant for a younger audience... But who cares?
spiiritgarden's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
surlymanor's review
2.0
The story may have been a little better than the 3rd book, but the writing was disappointing.
alexasaltzman's review
4.0
Second best book in the series. Did a fantastic job wrapping up the series, and tying in storylines from the previous books.