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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Dystopia-lite for kids. Not incredible, not terrible, no harmful messages and no bad writing. Didn't strike my core but it's a solid one to put into kids' hands.
It's a world with no sun, lit only by electricity. But the generator is dying and the citizens of Ember don't know what to do. 12-year-old Lina discovers an ancient document that may be the secret to surviving Ember's decay, but time is running out. This book's a page turner, a mystery, and a thought-provoker.
For some reason, I've been through a spate of YA novels lately, and I think this was the best of them. Some very interesting ideas here, centered on what you would have to do when faced with the prospect of not having any natural resources to fall back on. The library full of books written by the citizens. The stores of reused, found, and repaired items (yarn taken from sweaters too worn to wear, for example). The way everything would slowly become shades of grey, with no bright colors left after centuries of handling.
In several other ways, though, this is as typical a kids' adventure story as humanly possible. Parents dead or otherwise out of the way, leaving room for young protagonists to act? Of course. Authority poking its nose in, unable to see the forest for the trees? Of course. Help from a trusted adult at exactly the right time? Of course. But that's just storytelling, and it works out fairly well in this case.
final thought: I dug it, but I haven't thought about it much since I finished it. I'd happily give it to a middle schooler, though.
(from http://epicdystopia.blogspot.com)
In several other ways, though, this is as typical a kids' adventure story as humanly possible. Parents dead or otherwise out of the way, leaving room for young protagonists to act? Of course. Authority poking its nose in, unable to see the forest for the trees? Of course. Help from a trusted adult at exactly the right time? Of course. But that's just storytelling, and it works out fairly well in this case.
final thought: I dug it, but I haven't thought about it much since I finished it. I'd happily give it to a middle schooler, though.
(from http://epicdystopia.blogspot.com)
I'm not sure how I missed this series when it originally came out, except for the fact that I was deep in brain surgery recovery. I came across the movie and thought, why not, a YA novel break is never a bad thing.
adventurous
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
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
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Just as great of a concept as I remember from reading it as a kid. The nostalgia of this easy read reminds me why I loved it so much back then. Rereading as an adult it’s hard to ignore the shallow world-building and uncomplicated plot, but for a children’s book that was one of the first to spark my love of this genre, it still holds up as one of the best for young readers.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes