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bark's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
xosirenox's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bxnny's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death of parent
annhorchata's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
couldbestephen's review against another edition
4.0
It’s so much fun revisiting a childhood favorite, especially one that holds up! I reread this as a part of my research into the genre of Subterranean Dystopian Fiction.
Lina and Doon are children of Ember, a city in the dark. As their home begins to crumble around them, they must find out if there is more to the world than what they’ve been told.
Propaganda and how it works to Keep Them Below is a theme kids might not explicitly pick up on when first introduced to the book at 8-12 years of age. The philosophical musings of people living in a city surrounded by “nothing,” wondering where they came from, what else is out there, and if someone is coming back, is genuinely so fascinating to read in a middle grade book. I feel like when I first read that stuff, I just thought it was “world building,” which, yes, it is, but it’s also so much more! Forced ignorance as propaganda is such a harsh choice, but so cleverly done.
The culture of Ember reads very “literary communist;” the descriptions of failing power, crumbling concrete buildings, lack of resource, and little choice feel like literary shorthand for Communism (these descriptions can be found in most Subterranean Dystopian texts). War from above, generally caused by a nuclear threat (from a “communist” country - post WWII/Cold War fears) drives us below to find that the communists followed us. Authoritarianism as an inevitability, the police must be used to enforce compliance for the people keeping the others below. Cool stuff to think about.
Ember is clearly a book for kids, but holds a lot of cool explorations of culture, propaganda, and philosophy for older people revisiting. Would recommend.
Lina and Doon are children of Ember, a city in the dark. As their home begins to crumble around them, they must find out if there is more to the world than what they’ve been told.
Propaganda and how it works to Keep Them Below is a theme kids might not explicitly pick up on when first introduced to the book at 8-12 years of age. The philosophical musings of people living in a city surrounded by “nothing,” wondering where they came from, what else is out there, and if someone is coming back, is genuinely so fascinating to read in a middle grade book. I feel like when I first read that stuff, I just thought it was “world building,” which, yes, it is, but it’s also so much more! Forced ignorance as propaganda is such a harsh choice, but so cleverly done.
The culture of Ember reads very “literary communist;” the descriptions of failing power, crumbling concrete buildings, lack of resource, and little choice feel like literary shorthand for Communism (these descriptions can be found in most Subterranean Dystopian texts). War from above, generally caused by a nuclear threat (from a “communist” country - post WWII/Cold War fears) drives us below to find that the communists followed us. Authoritarianism as an inevitability, the police must be used to enforce compliance for the people keeping the others below. Cool stuff to think about.
Ember is clearly a book for kids, but holds a lot of cool explorations of culture, propaganda, and philosophy for older people revisiting. Would recommend.
mlau17's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
katarinatg's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great book! A very interesting concept and I hope that the second book is just as good. I used to read this book growing up and I loved it and the movie. I don't like the movie as much anymore however.
librarydoc's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book...a very different take on the dystopian theme.
ginameix's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5