2.41k reviews for:

The City of Ember

Jeanne DuPrau

3.77 AVERAGE

hckilgour's review against another edition

2.5

slow-paced

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So I think I didn’t care for this book quite as much simply because it wasn’t written for a nearly 30 year old woman. That being said, it wasn’t a bad book.

I did find the uptake on the plot a bit slow but the ending definitely had me!

utahmomreads's review against another edition

4.0

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I don't always read the books my kids read. I don't have time. They read so much and I have my own very long to-read list. But I found "The City of Ember" last summer at a used book store and my eight-year-old son wanted to read it. I hadn't heard much about it and decided that I wanted to read it first.

I found it to be a well written, delightful tale. It's the story of a socialistic city that is lit only by light bulbs. Two hundred years after the builders created the city, the store houses are running on empty and the light bulbs are running out. The people are beginning to panic and the leaders are corrupt. Two young kids discover the secret to saving their city.

I thought it was interesting and realistic that after over two hundred years in the city, the society had experienced few if any advancements. Socialism does not beget ingenuity or creativity.

I was disappointed that it is the first in a series. I enjoyed it, but not necessarily enough to continue reading the sequels. I will let my son read it. I'm sure he'll enjoy it.

thems0kitty's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

tinmanreads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

lilacwine17's review against another edition

4.0

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Well I found this book after i watched the movie but the book i can say is 10x better than the movie. The book has the same theme as the Hunger Games series with the after the world ends sort of type book. I really enjoyed it but when i got to the end i found out there is 4 in the series!Now i have to find them and read them too. Hopefully they will be as good as the first one

enbylievable's review against another edition

4.0

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Very excellent read, vivid imagery and portrays a very accurate perspective from the eyes of someone who's never seen a candle, fire or a boat before. Thrilling for all ages (as I am 17 and I thoroughly enjoyed this) it is a great choice to keep you busy for a couple days.

readingrockk's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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

blakelyschmidt's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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A great read, but not much detail

brentmansour's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

thebiggestbooknerd7612's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A