Children

Synopsis:
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 race to figure out the clues before the lights go out on Ember forever!

Review:
This book was a nice, quick, light read that still brings the reader deep into another world underground. The City of Ember continues with the ever popular middle school dystopian series that have been gaining in popularity/been required reading since before I was in middle school. This book is both meant for a younger audience and also very easy to empathize and get into. Amazon recommendations are for 5th to 7th graders, but given that this doesn’t use a lot of higher level vocabulary and the concepts are rather simple, I’d likely say 9 years and up. While this book was rather fast paced and had a great variety of depth, it very much ends on a cliffhanger of uncertainty.

For the age it was intended for, I’d give this book a 5/5. For me personally, I’d give it a probably a 4/5. A book for the same age group as this would be The Giver by Lois Lowry, with an older and more obvious dystopian series being The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. A really neat standalone Dystopian style futuristic novel for teenagers I would recommend would be Feed by M. T. Anderson.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Synopsis:
Thorn, an outlaw’s son, wasn’t supposed to be a slave. He’s been sold to Tyburn, an executioner, and they’re headed to Castle Gloom in Gehenna, the land of undead, where Thorn will probably be fed to a vampire. Lilith Shadow wasn’t supposed to be ruler of Gehenna. But following the murder of her family, young Lily became the last surviving member of House Shadow, a long line of dark sorcerers. Her country is surrounded by enemies and the only way she can save it is by embracing her heritage and practicing the magic of the undead. But how can she when, as a girl, magic is forbidden to her?

Just when it looks like Lily will have to leave her home forever, Thorn arrives at Castle Gloom. A sudden death brings them together, inspires them to break the rules, and leads them to soar to new heights in this fantasy with all the sparkle and luster of a starry night sky. Book 1 of a three book series.

Review:
This book is spellbinding. From the moment I started I found it hard to set down. The chapters are all the perfect length. It flows well. There are lots of little word games and word connections for readers to find, which is quite fun. I loved all the aspects of this novel, and there were no parts I glanced over or was annoyed at having to read to get to the juicy parts.

I absolutely loved the characterization; everyone had such solid personalities and attitudes, especially for the teenagers. There wasn’t as much forward knowledge of the thoughts and feelings of the adults, but that was understandable. The knowledge and love of different hobbies and activities shown by the main characters in their daily lives was refreshing, even if they might not like their overall jobs.

I loved this book, and am only sad I didn’t realize it was a three book series based on the blurb on the back when I purchased it at the store. I will, of course, continue on to finish this series- hopefully sooner than later! I do believe this was written for a younger audience, but that doesn’t make it any less awesome!

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Amy S. Brown

Review of The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Review of Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan