The Books of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau

In these first three books of Ember (The City of Ember, The People of Sparks, and
The Prophet of Yonwood), young people in a future world face the fear of impending war, seek escape from a decaying underground city, and work to help immigrants make a home in a city stretched to its limits in the wake of "the Disaster."

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Adventure, Childrens

921 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Jeanne DuPrau is an American writer, best known for The Books of Ember, a series of science fiction novels for young people. She lives in Menlo Park, California.

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two books were really wonderful but I was less enthusiastic about the third. By then, I just wanted to finish the thing.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young friend of mine loaned me these books and encouraged me to read them. I did, and quickly so. City of Ember was a compelling read that dragged me speedily into an underground civilization that is dying and whose citizens are in need of rescue and escape and whose ultimate triumph comes at the hands of two adolescents, Lina and Doon. People of Sparks continues the story of the people of Ember and their quest for a better life where food, commodities, and resources are not scarce. Prophet of Yonwood takes the reader back in time to before the founding of the underground city and some of the many events which led to its creation and in habitation. A fourth book in the series entitled The Diamond of Darkhold has recently been released. A movie based on the City of Ember is to be released 10/10/08.

These books are geared for a middle school audience, and do that job justly. However, the books are full of interesting cultural, social, and modern commentary that cannot help to attract adults to come and devour their pages.

[Marv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of three childrens novels in one collection. I thought they were all very good and easy, quick reads. The stories are interesting and move along at a nice pace. Basically it is about two kids who live in the city of Ember. Ember is completly underground and the only source of light comes from floodlights run by an increasingly unreliable generator. The books have a lot of interesting themes and ideas that, while somewhat simple, are thought provoking. The first two books were more interesting, but I was pleased at the end of the third. I would recommend this.

[Tiffany Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very cool and unique situation in a steampunk-type city. This book is very interesting to a case of escape from the dangerous world but shows many problems of living there forever and a couple of kids must figure out a way to fix it. Would recommend :)

[R.J. Roles · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 out 3 ain't bad ☺

[Storm Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so goood. A classic

[Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is falling in love with reading again. The city of ember is such a brilliant book. With keeping you on your toes. With the mayor doing anything for the city. To figuring out not everything is perfect and seeing the brake down of what really is happening. And the importance of the lights ahh I could gush more about this book but it's so worth the read. It's better to know nothing more and to just read this one.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Borders exclusive collection of Jeanne DuPrau's books includes The City of Ember, The People of Sparks, and The Prophet of Yonwood. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books; the third less so, mostly because the two main characters from the first two books, Lina and Doon, do not appear in The Prophet of Yonwood.

**Minor spoilers for the series start here: Lina and Doon live in Ember, a city that, it is revealed in The People of Sparks was built to protect people from an apocalypse. The world was ending, but "The Builders" who founded Ember had hopes that humans would be able to keep life going underground, away from all the devastation that was happening aboveground. They only left enough provisions for a few hundred years, and the information about how to get out of the city (and why the city was built in the first place) was lost to the people of Ember. Lina and Doon figure out the mystery, however.

The City of Ember and The People of Sparks were interesting to me as a fan of post-apocalyptic literature, particularly because these stories are told from the viewpoint of two children, members of a society who have no idea that they have been living in a post-apocalypse world. Their experience emerging aboveground is not one of horror at whatever devastation exists, but wonder at the beauty of the sky, at the feel of a breeze on their skin, the song of a bird. Their experience is one of hope and promise.

The People of Sparks tackles some tough moral issues, such as how wars can begin, and what it means to want revenge. These are big concepts for kids (and, who am I kidding, adults, too). The fact that DuPrau is able to tackle these issues in a post-apocalytpic setting makes them all the more compelling. I was fascinated to see the story unfold.

The Prophet of Yonwood ties in to the first two books, but I won't say how here. It's also a good read, but I much preferred the stories Lina and Doon starred in. There is at least one more book in the series that I know of, but I most likely won't get to it for awhile, given that it felt like Lina and Doon's story was done after the events of the first two books.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

i decided it was easier to review all the books here instead of each one individually.
that said:
The City of Ember;
i fell in love the the characters and enjoyed the story. i really like the way the author hints at things but never really explains the mystery, its what kept me reading but when the last page was turned i couldn't wait to start the next
The city of Sparks;
picks up where we left off and continues the journey adding new characters and shedding light on some of the mystery of happened and how ember came to be. beware of the "life lessons" to be learned about this is a kids book after all.
The profit of Yonwood;
this seems like a book out of place it takes place in the past/ more current time. i found my self comparing these new people and new city to people i know. and was truly pissed with the dog incident so i think the author did a great job at capturing the reader and then at the end tying the books and characters together
the diamond of Darkhold;
takes us back to the people of Sparks and Ember and gives some much needed closer and answers a lot of questions but at the same time leaves us with a bunch more but of all 4 books this one is my favorite the author ties every thing up so there is no feeling of "wheres the next book" but its not rushed and some mysteries are left for the imagination

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books were an easy and fun set of adventure stories. All of the books relate back to the City of Ember, but the Porphet of Yonwood was my least favorite because it did not relate back to the characters as much as I would have liked. The book interrupted the main characters’ story too much. However, it was still an interesting read.

The best aspect of this series is the display of courage, persistence and perseverance from the two main characters, Lina and Doon. They grew up in a town with no crime and no reason to question authority, but when they realize that things are changing they seek the truth despite the fact that no one else notices a problem. This is especially true for Lina who convinces Doon to help her in this journey. Finding a way out of the city is only the beginning for Lina and Doon. The series takes you through several twists and turns that keep you turning the pages to find out how the story will end.

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[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children’s series of 4 books, aimed at an audience aged 8-12. The titles: City of Ember; People of Sparks; Prophet of Yonwood; and Diamond of Darkhold. The first book was the best, although the entire series was good. Basically, mankind nearly wipes itself out with four huge wars. A city is built underground and a group of people are sent to live below ground for 200 years in order to save the human race. The first book deals with this city, Ember, and how it is slowly dying. Two kids manage to figure out how to return to the real world, and the second book deals with the conflicts the townspeople face when they take refuge in the tiny village of Sparks. The third book is actually a prequel, giving background information on how the city of Ember began. The final book deals with humanity’s survival and eventual slow recovery. Plots are rather simplistic, but it is, after all, a kids series. Quite good.

[Audrey Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed rereading this series that has been stuck in my head the week or so before I finally found the book and read them.

The City of Ember was wonderful as always and kept my imagination at work. I'll probably end up rewatching the movie now.

The People of Sparks was great, I think it's fighting for favorite in this series with The City of Ember. I really liked that the story continued and how she continued it.

The Prophet of Yonwood is probably the least favorite of these three simply because it was a prequel. It was definitely worth reading but I will admit to skimming through it unlike the first two.

I'm looking forward to reading the fourth, and last I believe, installment when I receive it in the mail. It's been ordered. :)

[Boann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased "The Books of Ember" after the movie came out in theaters. After much consideration about buying three seperate books that I knew I would finish in just a couple of days I found this edition and purchased it immediately.
I poured through the first two books and became enthralled by the story line. The story made me think, considerably about what we as a society are doing to ourselves.
Then I got to the third book. By itself the third book isn't bad, but it feels out of place. The third story is a prequel to the first two and throughout the book all I could do is question how it could possible have to do with the series.

[Brian Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the Ember trilogy in a single volume -or, at least, it was until the fourth book came out. I skipped the Book of Ember as I had already read that excellent chapter in this series. I did enjoy the sequel, The People of Sparks; it is a great source for young readers on the dynamics of society and the threat of sectionalism. The third book, The Prophet of Yonwood, didn't really feel like a part of the same series - it's a stand alone story that I was only lukewarm toward. Still, a great story and journey.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This three in one book kept me reading steadily for two days straight. I enjoyed the first two books, didn't care for the third book but, I can see how it sets up the story for the City of Ember. I've heard that the fourth book is as good as the first two, can't wait to read it. I really enjoyed the story of a city underground and the characters. And in the story of The People of Sparks, I could see the conflicts and tension between the two sets of communities. I enjoyed reading them.

[Abby Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of my "Reading What is Already on My Shelves..."

Finished the entire thing sometime in January. Kinda heavy, considering this is three books bound into one. The first book, is by far the strongest of the three, and the third could have been from another series entirely, but still quite a good foreshadowing of what our future just might have in store for us. I enjoyed it enough to seek out the fourth book, but just not right away.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing the movie, the book is a bit anti-climactic. This is one of those instances where the movie stays pretty close to the book, and the book doesn't offer any additional vivid imagery to make up for the fact that you already know what's going to happen.

That being said it was a fun, very fast read, and I'm interested in reading the rest of the series.

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only a four star because I really got into the story of the people of Ember in the first two books and was disappointed that they weren't in the third part anymore. Quick read, great idea for a story.

[LeAndra Grinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these books. I love thinking about how different their experiences are than ours. I loved being jolted every time they ran across something that I understand or use every day, but they had to figure out what it was. Things as simple as a boat. Love it.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adding up the rankings I gave these three books then finding the average I arrived at 3 stars.

Book #1 an excellent start to the series.
Book #2 was the best.
Book #3 didn't even feel like it was part of the series.

[Kate Donnelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books one and two I really enjoyed. Book is a prequel. I am not sure that it's length was justified. Perhaps book#4 will justify its length. Just the metaphor coming into the light is impressive. Some of what people today are feeling is described in book#1 and#2.

[Nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILERS!!

these books are wonderfully creative, the idea of a city lying underground fully functioning ( well sort of) and all of the pieces that come into play to make the city function as well as steps the founders took to ensure they would find their way out

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the first two books were better than the third one. I don't know if I'll read the other ones yet. Maybe this summer when I've finished everything else.

[Melinda]

Enjoyed Ember an Sparks but Yonwood was lacking in my opinion. I didn't like that it seemed to be all neatly wrapped up in the last few pages.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good! Great concept, interesting development. Writing is a bit paint-box simple and the characters sometimes suffer, but overally worth reading.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read. This would be a good series of books for kids to read.

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all of them. Especially the third where you get to read about someone's life before the first people went down to Ember. So kind of a prequel story to the first book.

[Yvette Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome series! Great read for adults and youth!

[Yianna Yiannacou · Rating 3 out of 5]

See individual book for review