Review - The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau
Publisher: RandomHouse 2008
Hardcover 285 pages


In the fourth book of DuPrau's Book of Ember series, Lena and Doon are facing their first winter in the city of Sparks. Faced with shortages and one misfortune after another, the two friends soon realize that something must happen in order for the city to survive. When a roamer comes through town with a strange book written for "the people of Ember" they believe the answer to their problems may lie in their dark, abandoned city.

With enough adventure and mystery to keep the reader entertained, The Diamond of Darkhold, will please the followers of Ember.

Review - The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau
Publisher: Randomhouse 2004
Hardback 338 pages



The People of Sparks is book two in DuPrau's City of Ember series. The citizens of Ember have made it out of their cave, thanks to Lena and Doon, and are now in a strange new world where the sky is blue and light comes from the sun instead of a light bulb. The Emberites travel through the beautiful, but barren world before happening upon a small village, Sparks. The people of Sparks are overwhelmed by the sheer number of the people of Ember and both groups try to survive together in this destroyed post-apocalyptic world.

As mounting tension grows between both groups as the once plentiful resources of Sparks wears thin, Lena and Doon must once again find a peaceful way to coexist before violence breaks out.

Review - The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Publisher: Random House 2003
Hardback 270 pages


What would our world look like if we lived in darkness? No sky, no stars, no moon... only the glare of artificial light keeping the world around us illuminated? This is the world in which DuPrau takes us to in her debut novel The City of Ember.

Ember is created by a mysterious people refered to only as "the Builders" as a haven for humanity... a way to ensure that no matter the world outside, humanity will survive. The book takes us 241 years into the existance of the City of Ember where the generators that keep the city alive are slowly shutting down and the vast stores of food and supplies that have allowed the city to thrive are running out. Along come our heroes Lina and Doon. Both are twelve years old and on the brink of "adulthood" in Ember. At the end of their twelfth year they are given jobs as all people in Ember must work. For Doon this means a chance to show all of Ember his worth and intelligence as he works to try and fix the generators and thereby saving all of Ember. For Lina a job means a way to explore the city, to see sights that she has never seen before. As the city gets closer to the brink of colapse, Doon and Lina will soon find a mystery that will take all of their cunning as they fight not only against the corruption of Ember, but for the saftey and lives of all they hold dear.