I picked up The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau after reading several blog reviews and after hearing it is being made into a movie. Thus, it counts for the Lit Flicks Challenge!
Ember, a self-contained city, is on the brink of ruin. The Builders who built the city left supplies, but after 200 years those supplies are beginning to run out. And, worse, the electrical system is failing, leaving the city in darkness for longer and longer periods of time. No one can leave the city to explore the Unknown Regions, because there are no mobile lights. Fortunately, the Builders prepared for this contingency. They left a time-release box with the Mayor containing instructions. Sadly, the seventh mayor took the box home and tried unsuccessfully to open it. He died before taking the box back and before telling his successor about it.
Lina and Doon, the two twelve-year-old narrators, have recently graduated from Ember’s educational system, taking jobs as a Messenger and a Pipeworker, respectively. Lina and Doon seem to be the only people concerned with the city’s condition, and they race to find a way out.
I really enjoyed this book a lot. It was interesting to read a post-apocalyptic tale with child narrators. The writing is simple and seamless. The characters are interesting and fun. And, the idea is just great. This seemingly forgotten city in the midst of the darkness opens up a world of possibilities. Luckily, there are three more books in which to explore.
The City of Ember, by Jeanne Duprau 
Other Reviews:
Becky’s Book Reviews
Fyrefly’s Book Blog
It’s All About Books
Library Queue
Buy The City of Ember at Amazon.com.
Related posts:
{ 12 comments }
I’m glad you liked it! The other books in the series aren’t quite as good, I think because they’ve got a more standard post-apocalyptic setting, but they’re still fun reads. It’ll be interesting to see what the movie does with the story… visually (from the trailer, at least), it looks pretty impressive
Three more? I’ll look out for those – I enjoyed this one and thought it was quite an original idea.
I didn’t know there was going to be a movie either!
This is a big book for a teenybopper audience! I might have to give it (and the others) a try.
Happy Birthday to you too!!!!
This book sounds wicked good.
Fyrefly – I haven’t viewed the trailer yet, but I’m excited by the casting. I’ll post a review once I see it. (Only ten more days!)
Fern – Yes, there are three more in the series, and I think the author may be working on more! If you live near a Borders, Borders put out a compilation volume of the first three books that is very inexpensive.
Chartroose – This is definitely a YA book but very interesting.
Bluestocking – Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Blake – It is wicked good. Really.
This looks like a good one.
I’m really looking forward to this movie and I hope it does the book justice.
Looks like a good book. I think that cover image is really clever. It took me a minute to see where the title was.
I didn’t know it was your birthday Jessica. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Great review! You just added another to my TBR!
Let’s go see this movie on Saturday!
Great book review! I’m going to have to pick this one up. I didn’t realize the film was based on a book I would have picked it for the challenge.
Comments on this entry are closed.