Today is “Whatever Wednesday” over on my Facebook page. I don’t know why, but I’m beginning to like “Whatever Wednesday” the best, out of all of the other days. I guess because there aren’t any restrictions, like the other days of the week. Today, I’m going to be writing about, The City of Ember series. I loved this series. Like Ella Enchanted, I watched the movie before I knew there was a book. I know–I’m slow. lol.
The movie was captivating and starred Bill Murray. How could it go wrong? He played a fat, slob of a mayor and who loved to hoard food and eat. It also starred Martin Landau, Tim Robbins, Mary Kay Place, David Ryall, Toby Jones and, of course, Saoirse Ronan (who played Lina) and Harry Treadway (who played Doon). Like with most movies made from books, Hollywood left out some stuff, but it worked.
I was hoping they would make the second book into a movie, but there wasn’t enough interest at the box office.
On to the series.
If you liked the movie, you will love the books. There are four in all–The City of Ember, The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood, which is a prequel (you get to find out why they were down in such a deep hole) and the last book in the series, The Diamond of Darkhold. It’s weird how the books are in order. The prequel is the third book. I suggest you read it first and then read the other three.
Here is what The City of Ember is about: 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.
Here is what The People of Sparks is about: The People of Sparks picks up where The City of Ember leaves off. Lina and Doon have emerged from the underground city to the exciting new world above, and it isn’t long before they are followed by the other inhabitants of Ember. The Emberites soon come across a town where they are welcomed, fed, and given places to sleep. But the town’s resources are limited and it isn’t long before resentment begins to grow between the two groups. When anonymous acts of vandalism push them toward violence, it’s up to Lina and Doon to discover who’s behind the vandalism and why, before it’s too late.
Here is what The Diamond of Darkhold is about: It’s been several months since Lina and Doon escaped the dying city of Ember and, along with the rest of their people, joined the town of Sparks. Now, struggling through the harsh winter aboveground, they find an unusual book. Torn up and missing most of its pages, it alludes to a mysterious device from before the Disaster, which they believe is still in Ember. Together, Lina and Doon must go back underground to retrieve what was lost and bring light to a dark world.
Here is what The Prophet of Yonwood is about: It’s 50 years before the settlement of the city of Ember, and the world is in crisis. War looms on the horizon as 11-year-old Nickie and her aunt travel to the small town of Yonwood, North Carolina. There, one of the town’s respected citizens has had a terrible vision of fire and destruction. Her garbled words are taken as prophetic instruction on how to avoid the coming disaster. If only they can be interpreted correctly. . . .
As the people of Yonwood scramble to make sense of the woman’s mysterious utterances, Nickie explores the oddities she finds around town—her great-grandfather’s peculiar journals and papers, a reclusive neighbor who studies the heavens, a strange boy who is fascinated with snakes—all while keeping an eye out for ways to help the world. Is this vision her chance? Or is it already too late to avoid a devastating war?
In this prequel to the acclaimed The City of Ember and The People of Sparks, Jeanne DuPrau investigates how, in a world that seems out of control, hope and comfort can be found in the strangest of places.
Jeanne DuPrau hasn’t written anything since 2006. I was hoping for more stories from her since she is an awesome writer. However, she is now 70 years old and might not want to write anymore. She may just want an extended holiday and I don’t blame her. When you’re that age, you should get to do whatever you feel like doing. So kudos to her.
Remember, if you purchase one of her books, please leave a review.
Also, I do giveaways each month on my Facebook page, so head over there and give it a Like and get in on the action.
Have a great Wednesday!
Karen’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Gammons/145105348851352?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
The City of Ember on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/City-Ember-First-Book/dp/0375822747/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Karen Gammons 