The City Of Ember Book Review

Here I am, back again with another book review. After finishing book 3 of 45 for my reading challenge this year, I have yet to choose a book I am not 100% satisfied with.

I originally found this book in my local bookstore for only $3. Surprisingly, I had never heard of the series, but after reading the summary as well as the first chapter at the store, I decided to go ahead and take it home. Ultimately, what was I risking? Taking home a book that I might not like or finding an enthralling book for only $3. Either way, the risk-to-reward ratio wasn't grave.

Personally, I am a huge fan of the post-apocalyptic genre, so I was very excited for this book. After briefly getting a glimpse of what was to come and finally getting home, I flung the pages open so fast that the book jumped from my hands a little.

Prior to humanity destroying itself on the surface, the builders had created their own secret survival plan. Gathering the smartest engineers and scientists humanity had to offer, a self-sustaining city was formed deep underground along a powerful river. After completing this massive project, the builders then gathered 100 adults, a mix of men and women, and 100 babies to populate the city of Ember. The new citizens were provided with what seemed like endless resources as well as never-ending electricity due to a water-powered generator. However, to ensure the city of Ember would not repeat the same mistakes, no history or knowledge of the world before would accompany the first citizens of Ember. From there, the new citizens began the quest to remain humanity's last hope for survival.

Skip forward 240 years, and signs of Ember's end have begun to show. Food supplies are slowly running out, and light outages have begun to happen much more frequently. Despite the blatant signs of Embers pending downfall, the citizens have turned a blind eye to their death sentence. However, Lina and Doon are the only two who truly realize the advancing reaper is coming to slice away at their future. If supplies run out and their only source, the light bulbs, all burn out, every citizen will be starved and trapped in deafening darkness.

After Lina's senile grandmother threw aside a mysterious box during her new-found game of hide and seek with something important hiding from her, Lina's attention was stolen. The futuristic box that was thrown aside appeared to be open, with a bunched-up letter inside. Unfortunately, her baby sister had partially destroyed the paper with her baby tendencies of putting anything and everything in her mouth. Luckily, remnants of the letter were still readable.

Upon the discovery of this letter Lina deciphered must be from the builders, her and Doon quickly rekindle their relationship to discover a way to swiftly escape Death's grasps. On their journey, they discover the lost secrets of Ember, the lies the citizens were being fed, and ultimately the truth behind Ember.

Overall, "The City of Ember" was a very enjoyable read. Each moment my eyes had even a second to glance at the page, they refused to be pulled away. Lina and Doon were such an easy duo to follow along with. Despite the entire book taking place in the small city of Ember, the way the author unraveled stories inside of other stories had me continuously proposing my own prediction for how each would end. Until the very last page, I was excited to see the explanation the author granted for all my unanswered questions, and I am glad to say I was not disappointed.

Now, after finishing book 3 of 45 for my yearly reading challenge, I can officially say I am already looking to read the rest of the series and add the collection to my library. If anyone is looking for a very easy read that will keep them curious as to how the story will play out, I would highly recommend this book!