Searching for Light in a Dark World

Imagine living in a city where the only light is provided by electricity. Then imagine that electricity is starting to fail. Every time the lights go out, you are plunged into total and utter darkness! That is the scenario of this captivating book, The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau.

Lina and Doon are two twelve year olds living in Ember. They have both just finished school and have become workers in the stringently regulated system that keeps everything flowing in the city. But soon they realize something is wrong. Supplies such as food and clothing are running out, the mayor has a terrible secret, and people are beginning to panic whenever the lights go out (which is more and more often!). Together Lina and Doon must solve the age-old mystery of Ember and find out what is beyond the “unknown regions” surrounding the city.

This is a wonderful and captivating read. It’s geared primarily to middle school readers but I enjoyed it thoroughly. Both the characters and the action are well written and plausible, despite the slightly science fiction quality of this futuristic/apocalyptic world.

This book is part of a series which continues with the People of the Spark and the Prophet of Yonwood, which I definitely have on my list to read next (a fourth and final book is scheduled to come out in the Fall). The City of Ember is also being made into a movie coming out in October.

To find this book in the Library, go to our website at www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Lori M.