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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
Like The Divide, which I reviewed last week, City of Ember was an accidental book selection. While avoiding as much work as possible after a very grueling week of meetings, I ran to my friend's classroom and chose the first book off of her shelf that I remembered her loving-City of Ember was it. Needless to say I spent a much more enjoyable afternoon with Lina and Doon than I would have organizing the destruction the substitute did to my room!
Lina and Doon are the two protagonists of this YA novel by Jeanne DuPrau. It is the story of the City of Ember-the only city in the world, as far as the residents know. The sky is always black, and there are no stars or moon. If the lights fail, there is total darkness. And that's something that has been happening more often lately, the lights failing. Lina and Doon, two young residents, just out of school at 12 years old with their first jobs, discover that things in Ember are even worse than everyone thinks, and they try to discover a way out of the coming darkness.
I think this book, the first in a series of four, is very well-written and engaging. The protagonists are likable and relateable. When Lina finds a rare set of colored pencils in a city where supplies are running low, you feel the same excitement. The author does such a good job putting you into the scarcity of the City of Ember that when one of the characters discovers a can of peaches (considered a treat akin to dining at Le Cirque to the residents of Ember), my mouth actually tasted the sweet, syrupy, slightly metallic taste myself. The action is well-paced, though most of the real action happens pretty quickly towards the end of the book. It didn't feel slow to start though, because DuPrau did such a good job setting the scene and letting suspense build.
While I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and plan on reading the next one, I found that there was a lack of global themes. In a dystopian novel such as this I expect a little bit more social commentary, even from a YA book. But seeing the way the story arc is going, I suspect that some of that will be addressed in upcoming novels, and I am looking forward especially to reading the prequel, to find out what on earth caused this bizarre set of circumstances! If you like YA fiction for the middle school set, you should check this series o
Lina and Doon are the two protagonists of this YA novel by Jeanne DuPrau. It is the story of the City of Ember-the only city in the world, as far as the residents know. The sky is always black, and there are no stars or moon. If the lights fail, there is total darkness. And that's something that has been happening more often lately, the lights failing. Lina and Doon, two young residents, just out of school at 12 years old with their first jobs, discover that things in Ember are even worse than everyone thinks, and they try to discover a way out of the coming darkness.
I think this book, the first in a series of four, is very well-written and engaging. The protagonists are likable and relateable. When Lina finds a rare set of colored pencils in a city where supplies are running low, you feel the same excitement. The author does such a good job putting you into the scarcity of the City of Ember that when one of the characters discovers a can of peaches (considered a treat akin to dining at Le Cirque to the residents of Ember), my mouth actually tasted the sweet, syrupy, slightly metallic taste myself. The action is well-paced, though most of the real action happens pretty quickly towards the end of the book. It didn't feel slow to start though, because DuPrau did such a good job setting the scene and letting suspense build.
While I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and plan on reading the next one, I found that there was a lack of global themes. In a dystopian novel such as this I expect a little bit more social commentary, even from a YA book. But seeing the way the story arc is going, I suspect that some of that will be addressed in upcoming novels, and I am looking forward especially to reading the prequel, to find out what on earth caused this bizarre set of circumstances! If you like YA fiction for the middle school set, you should check this series o
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
This was a good kids book! It makes you grateful for things you have and everyday things.
I with there would have been a little more backstory as to how the city became how it is.
I with there would have been a little more backstory as to how the city became how it is.
A few days ago, my nine year old came home telling me about this book she had been reading. She was unbelievably excited about it, and wanted to tell me all the fascinating details. So, I got a copy and dipped in to see what I thought (as I often do when she recommends books). This one caught me completely off guard. I could not put it down.
A wonderful book! A delightful story about a young girl in a extraordinary world. The characters are compelling, the plot suspenseful, and the style inspiring.
It is books like this that show me how wonderful it is to engage in reading with (or at the suggestion) of our young. As a parent, I try to teach my children not simply to read, but to love reading. If there were more books like The City of Ember, the love of reading would be a much easier principle to impart.
A wonderful book! A delightful story about a young girl in a extraordinary world. The characters are compelling, the plot suspenseful, and the style inspiring.
It is books like this that show me how wonderful it is to engage in reading with (or at the suggestion) of our young. As a parent, I try to teach my children not simply to read, but to love reading. If there were more books like The City of Ember, the love of reading would be a much easier principle to impart.
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In fourth grade, Mrs. Wilson, my English teacher, read us this book aloud with our class. As I was going through this one again, I remembered the certain way she said some sentences and the questions she asked us after reading a chapter together. Even now, I still love the storyline and creativity used throughout the plot of this book and I hope to be able to share this story with my kids someday :)
I'm giving this a mixed review: from an "adult" standard, 4⭐ and a young reader perspective, 5⭐. I read it first and Katie is reading it now- SUPER good!! I figured a few things out at the beginning, but I don't think she will.. so it'll have more of a wow factor for her. I really liked it, though! Very intriguing concept!!
middle graders. audiobook 7hr. mystery, adventure. part of series
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great adventure/sci-fi story. Twelve-year olds Lina and Doon must save the crumbling city of Ember, or find a way out before the lights go out for good. Clean, exciting, made into a movie. The sequels are ok.