kindlereads's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book a lot more. Much better then the last.
magnetgrrl's review against another edition
4.0
All the fun and interesting things about Ember are gone from the series, it seems, now that the Emberites have come above ground. I would have liked to see more of what it's like for people who've lived below ground and relied on electricity for their entire lives to come above ground, in the sunlight, and to live completely without electricity. I liked that Doon gets to inspect a whole world of new insects, and that Lina has never seen fire and is naturally very afraid of it, but I wish things like that would have been gone into in a little more depth. That could have been really interesting, and maybe not too much to ask for after having sacrificed the whole cool underground sort of steampunk society aspect of the series in the first book. However, that just wasn't the focus of this book - the focus was mainly on the clashing of two societies which is used to examine in a more general sense the nature of conflict, and the beginnings of war. That part of the book is done, I think, extrememly well, especially for a YA novel. A great many things are over-simplified in order to bring the reader into a pretty raw contact with what kinds of things will pit two societies who mean well against each other. I think this is a great YA level examination of conflict and the causes and mentalities that produce war.
Actually, this book was a bit hard for me to read because the conflict brewing between the people of Sparks and the refugees from the city of Ember was so emotionally potent, and I'm generally a conflict-averse type person. As soon as I could see the telltale signs of a real clash between the societies coming, I started to shy away from the book altogether. (YA books are increasinly dark and gritty lately, it seems, perhaps following behind the more general literary trend. After reading especially realistic and/or gritty YA stuff like the Hungry City chronicles as well as Life As We Knew It and How I Live Now I was imagining all kinds of horrible outcomes that I just wasn't in the mood for.) About two thirds of the way through the book I just couldn't bring myself to read any more for a few weeks. I'm glad I eventually went back and finished the book, because I really enjoyed it. I think it's a mark of the author's ability to engage the reader that I was affected as strongly as I was, and that I was forced to take a break from reading until I was ready to handle what I felt was coming in the plot. I am excited to read the next two books in this series, even though I understand the next book is a prequel, back to the early days after 'the Disaster' and really I'm more interested in seeing what happens to the Emberites and People of Sparks next.
Actually, this book was a bit hard for me to read because the conflict brewing between the people of Sparks and the refugees from the city of Ember was so emotionally potent, and I'm generally a conflict-averse type person. As soon as I could see the telltale signs of a real clash between the societies coming, I started to shy away from the book altogether. (YA books are increasinly dark and gritty lately, it seems, perhaps following behind the more general literary trend. After reading especially realistic and/or gritty YA stuff like the Hungry City chronicles as well as Life As We Knew It and How I Live Now I was imagining all kinds of horrible outcomes that I just wasn't in the mood for.) About two thirds of the way through the book I just couldn't bring myself to read any more for a few weeks. I'm glad I eventually went back and finished the book, because I really enjoyed it. I think it's a mark of the author's ability to engage the reader that I was affected as strongly as I was, and that I was forced to take a break from reading until I was ready to handle what I felt was coming in the plot. I am excited to read the next two books in this series, even though I understand the next book is a prequel, back to the early days after 'the Disaster' and really I'm more interested in seeing what happens to the Emberites and People of Sparks next.
rileygoodwin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bldinmt's review against another edition
4.0
This second title in the Books of Ember made me think about the impacts of "otherness," self-preservation, leadership, cooperation, conflict, and war. It wasn't what I expected the second book to be like, really, but I thought it was excellent.
tishreads's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as Ember. The prose seemed a bit cheesy and condescending at times, but the plot teaches a wonderful lesson. It was great to read about how the people of Ember lived after the cave.
mildhonestbonsai's review against another edition
4.0
Truly an amazing read...took me three days to finish this book. I must say I might have liked this book more than I did the first book! You can tell how much the author has improved in her storytelling as well as presenting such tension between the groups in very short chapters. I delved into the story very quickly, it was truly enjoying.
everthereader's review against another edition
5.0
I read the first book nearly two years ago. Then I saw the sequel and finished in a few hours. It was just as good as the first one. ♥ ☺ ☻
firox1566's review against another edition
4.0
Started off super slow, but had a really good ending.
izzadorah's review against another edition
4.0
A fun sequel to The City of Ember with a good message.