2.4k reviews for:

The City of Ember

Jeanne DuPrau

3.77 AVERAGE

grantusromantus's review against another edition

4.0

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This is another book from my middle school years that I decided to revisit. It was my favorite book when I was that age. I didn’t think I was as into it as an adult reader, but by the end I was filled with awe and wonder. The excitement in the last third of the book was enough to get a four star review from me. It’s hard to imagine that any of this tale is happening to 12-year-olds, but I know that’s just part of what makes it a YA book. Cute little journey!

cynthia_books's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Loveable characters: Yes

tucker_himes's review against another edition

4.75

medium-paced

kayleighanddanicaread's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

trickphoenix's review

4.0

adventurous hopeful 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: No

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Lovely little book, mostly a charming nostalgia trip into books I read as a kid. Still holds up though, and I found the text not so juvenile as to be frustrating for an adult reader, just a bit simpler than usual. Great story of kids standing up for themselves and trying to find a way to save or escape a dying city with dwindling resources.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent

Minor: Grief

ryrei's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

audreyjginay's review against another edition

3.0

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I found this book a tad hard to get into, but once I did I really enjoyed this. I am glad I read it, as I feel that this novel is a staple in Young Adult Dystopian fiction. Jeanne DuPrau creates a sweet, cozy world in the City of Ember while still managing to convey a sense of peril and urgency. As a sidenote- I love the creative names she gives her characters!

can this be taught in schools? Yes

content warnings:
drugs: none
sex: none
violence: none
language: none

jngarz's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

lizzies_house's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

samarie04's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No