The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau follows 12-year-olds Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow in the underground city of Ember, where dwindling resources and decaying infrastructure spark their quest for a way out. Assigned roles in the city's workforce, they uncover instructions left by the original builders meant to guide the inhabitants to safety. Themes include secrets, selfishness versus selflessness, and the value of curiosity. The book addresses death and loss.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau captivates with its imaginative setting and intriguing premise of a post-apocalyptic underground city. Readers praise its fast pace and compelling mystery, ideal for young adults. However, some find character development lacking and the plot predictable. Overall, it remains a thought-provoking read with a strong sense of adventure.

A reader who would enjoy The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is typically a middle-grade or young adult enthusiast who enjoys dystopian settings, adventure, and puzzles. Fans of The Hunger Games and The Giver will find its exploration of a self-contained world and the quest for survival compelling and thought-provoking.

Jeanne DuPrau

Novel

Book of Ember

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The City of Ember reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The City of Ember | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The City of Ember and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The City of Ember Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 4

The City of Ember Prologue-Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-8

The City of Ember Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-12

The City of Ember Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-16

The City of Ember Chapters 13-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 17-20

The City of Ember Chapters 17-20 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The City of Ember Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The City of Ember Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The City of Ember Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The City of Ember Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The City of Ember Essay Topics

The City of Ember

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The City of Ember?

Reading Age

Book Details