A Walk With God

By Reviewer Angi

Title: The City of Ember (Books of Ember)
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Primary Audience/age group: 9 - 12
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
# Of pages: 270
Publisher: Yearling
Year of Release: 2004
Part of a Series? Yes, 1st in the Books of Embers
Rating: 5 (View Scale)
Recommend?: Yes

Description: 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.

Review: The City of Ember was a fun, easy read. I found myself drawn into Ember, urging Lina and Dune to keep exploring, to continue seeking the answers they know exist but can not find. The ending was a cliffhanger that left me anxious to read the next book of the series.

Rating: 5

Positive: Lina’s mother ingrained in her the value of when confronted with a choice to be made, always choose that which is right. Lina’s family was one that took care of each other and the neighbors were supportive as well. Doon’s father warned him that anger unchecked has unintended consequences. Doon and Lina who at one time did not get along, see their behavior was childish and mend ways.

Spiritual Elements: There is a group of people called “The Believers” who believe that the “Builders” of Ember will return and save them. Lina makes a comment that she does not want to join the Believers and wait around for the Builders to return, she wants to be active and seek the answers herself.

Violence: There is no real violence in the book, only a few intense scenes of action.

Language: None.

Sexual Content: None.

Recommendation: The City of Ember was a fun read that I suggest for kids ages 9 - 12. I am concerned about where the Spiritual Elements are going in future books of the series - does the author continue stressing relying on yourself rather than a higher being to guide you? This book is being made into a movie that comes out in October - I can see the movie being darker and scarier than the book - so be sure to read some reviews before taking little ones to see it.

~Selina