The City of Ember

A gripping and intriguing thriller set in an all-too-possible future - a world where the lights have gone out for ever-

A good story for those who like a down-to-earth element in their underground fantasies

A gripping read with a powerful sense of place and which leaves the reader eagerly anticipating the sequel

A fast-paced sci-fi thriller with an exciting and well-constructed plot

DuPrau . . . is a most engaging writer: direct, succinct, delivering lively characters and genuine suspense, sustaining the mystery but generous with her clues

THE CITY OF EMBER is the debut novel from an exciting new American writer, Jeanne DuPrau. Having been a teacher, an editor and a technical writer, Jeanne DuPrau now writes full-time. She lives in California.

Many hundreds of years ago, the city of Ember was created by the Builders to contain everything needed for human survival. It worked - but now the storerooms are almost out of food, crops are blighted, corruption is spreading through the city and worst of all - the lights are failing. Soon Ember could be engulfed by darkness-But when two children, Lina and Doon, discover fragments of an ancient parchment, they begin to wonder if there could be a way out of Ember. Can they decipher the words from long ago and find a new future for everyone? Will the people of Ember listen to them?

Jeanne DuPrau

Jeanne DuPrau has written one of the most important fables of our time, addressing both our fear of annihilation and of immigration, and she has done it with captivating grace and style . . . The People of Sparks is full of suspense and asks good questions about what we owe each other in a community

The anti-war message of The People of Sparks is more valid now than ever before

The second in the trilogy but deserves to be read in its own right . . . It has a powerful message for now. Jeanne DuPrau has embedded a topical issue into a completely credible future

This is a gripping thriller with a biting message - violence has consequences. Well worth reading

When the people of the underground city of Ember follow Lina and Doon to the surface, little prepares them for what they will encounter. Leaving behind the darkness that has been their home for generations, they discover a world of colour, warmth and light. The people of the small village of Sparks seem willing to help them . . . at first . . . but life on the surface has it's dark side too. 
 
Before long the villagers of Sparks become more reluctant to share their precious resources with the strange, new underground people. Lina and Doon watch in horror as the differences between the two groups grow into resentment, anger and hate. Somehow they must help overcome the distrust and bring the people of Ember and Sparks together.

Jeanne DuPrau

Praise for The People of Sparks

Jeanne DuPrau has written one of the most important fables of our time, addressing both our fear of annihilation and of immigration, and she has done it with captivating grace and style . . . The People of Sparks ...

The anti-war message of The People of Sparks is more valid now than ever before

The second in the trilogy but deserves to be read in its own right . . . It has a powerful message for now. Jeanne DuPrau has embedded a topical issue into a completely credible future

Jeanne DuPrau has written one of the most important fables of our time, addressing both our fear of annihilation and of immigration, and she has done it with captivating grace and style . . . The People of Sparks ...

The anti-war message of The People of Sparks is more valid now than ever before

The second in the trilogy but deserves to be read in its own right . . . It has a powerful message for now. Jeanne DuPrau has embedded a topical issue into a completely credible future

Jeanne DuPrau has written one of the most important fables of our time, addressing both our fear of annihilation and of immigration, and she has done it with captivating grace and style . . . The People of Sparks ...

The anti-war message of The People of Sparks is more valid now than ever before

The second in the trilogy but deserves to be read in its own right . . . It has a powerful message for now. Jeanne DuPrau has embedded a topical issue into a completely credible future

Books by Jeanne DuPrau

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