Books of Ember

The City of Ember ***1/2

by Jeanne Dufrau
Book Type: Children, Dystopia

Summary: The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must decipher the message before the lights go out on Ember forever! This stunning debut novel offers refreshingly clear writing and fascinating, original characters.

summary found on goodreads

My Review: This book is definitely geared toward a younger audience. It makes you think a little bit, but it is written really simply. The main characters are supposed to be 12 years old but are written from the point of view of more like a 16 or 17 year old. Overall it was enjoyable but you can just watch the movie. It's actually one of the best movie of a book I've seen. It's very similar and the story is pretty accurate.

The People of Sparks  ***
by Jeanne Dufrau
Book Type: Children, Dystopia
Summary: When Lina and Doon lead their people up from the underground city of Ember, they discover a surface world of color and life. The people of a small village called Sparks agree to help the Emberites, but the villagers have never had to share their world before. Soon differences between the two groups escalate, and it's up to Lina and Doon to find a way to avoid war!

summary found on goodreads

My Review: This book was not as good as the first. The adults behave like children, the children act like total morons - doing things so incredibly stupid you want to smack them upside the head, and no one seems able to act appropriately. The people of sparks allow the people of ember come live and work with them. The people of sparks are angry that they have to share all of what they have with a whole city. The people of ember feel that the people of sparks are not giving them enough and eventually get angry. I mean, really? Let's act like adults and find a nice mature way to deal with this guys. The book was fun for the most part, but the behavior of the characters was exceedingly irritating.