The People of Sparks (Books of Ember)
Manufacturer: Yearling
Average Rating: 4.0
List Price: $5.99
Offer Price: $2.63
97 used & new
Product Description
Product Description
The People of Sparks picks up where The City of Ember leaves off. Lina and Doon have emerged from the underground city to the exciting new world above, and it isn’t long before they are followed by the other inhabitants of Ember. The Emberites soon come across a town where they are welcomed, fed, and given places to sleep. But the town’s resources are limited and it isn’t long before resentment begins to grow between the two groups. When anonymous acts of vandalism push them toward violence, it’s up to Lina and Doon to discover who’s behind the vandalism and why, before it’s too late.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
They've made it out--what's next for the people of Ember?
Rating: 4 (2009-01-03)
This second Book of Ember examines what happens next after Lina and Doon lead the citizens of Ember out into the light of the real world. They find other survivors who are not exactly happy to see them. In the fight for scarce resources, the Emberites nearly wear out their welcome with the People of Sparks. Of course, it's all about learning to live together eventually.
The People of Sparks did not knock my socks off but it is a worthy sequel and I was interested in learning what happened when the citizens of Ember had to confront the harsh reality of life outside their former cocoon-like existence. DuPrau's story is good metaphor for growing up--one that tries a bit too hard sometime but a very worthy read.
The overall series is strong with one notable misfire: I give The City of Ember (Books of Ember) 5 stars; The People of Sparks 3.5 stars; the misbegotten and unnecessary prequel The Prophet of Yonwood (Books of Ember) 1 star; and the redemptive finale The Diamond of Darkhold: The Fourth Book of Ember (Books of Ember) 4 stars. Recommended for thoughtful readers ages 8-12.
The City of Ember's " second explores the nature of conflict and the strength and courage necessary to overcome it.
Rating: 5 (2008-12-15)
This is the second book of Ember, a collection of children books.
When Lina Mayfleet and her friend Doon Harrow lead the people of Ember out to the outside world, they are adopted by a town that survived the atomic holocaust ("Four Wars and Three Plagues").
Unfortunate the survivors of Ember outnumber the people of Sparks. The Sparks' town leaders decide to adopt them and to share their food in exchange for work.
Lina and Doon learn, through two different pathways, that the war that destroyed the world occurred because people got angry with each other and started doing evil things to their fellow men. They learn that the only way to stop the destruction is to eradicate the hate from the beginning. Lina goes on an adventure and gets to see first hand the destruction from an atomic attack.
Which is good, because the people from Ember and the People from Sparks start bickering about how food and work should be divided. Doon gets accused falsely of wasting food and a person from Ember foments the hatred.
In this second installment of the highly acclaimed "The City of Ember," Jeanne Duprau explores the nature of conflict and the strength and courage necessary to overcome it.
Even though it was written for children, the themes are so universal and the writing is so good that they will be enjoyed by anyone who loves science fiction.
Not as exciting-but good.
Rating: 4 (2008-12-06)
I read this series because my daughter was reading them and they are a fun read! The City of Ember and the Diamond of Darkhold are by far the best. We skipped the Prophet of Yonwood because we heard it was dumb and didn't make any sense (it also has underlying themes of anti-religion in my husband's opinion). The People of Sparks is good, and somewhat interesting; but it is a little predictable and not as exciting as books 1 & 4.
Not as good as 1st book
Rating: 4 (2008-12-01)
I was very interested in this series after reading City of Ember. I was very eager to see what befell the city of Ember. Like the first book, this was a page turner as well. The story itself wasn't as good. Basically, the Embrites emerge from the underground and begin looking for other people. They happen upon the City of Sparks and seek to start a new life. They are taken in and given 6 months (during the winter months) to stay and learn how to live on the upside. Tensions rise as the people of Sparks have to now share everything with the Embrites. A new word, WAR is introduced. Due to the actions of a child being mad, a war is started.
The book hits themes about right and wrong. It was a good read, not what I really expected. Excellent series for young and old. Can't wait to read the next book.
The People of Sparks
Rating: 4 (2008-11-24)
After being enthralled by The City of Ember, I knew that I would be reading the rest of the series, sooner rather than later.
The People of Sparks begins after the residents of Ember have found their way to the surface, and are searching for a place to live. When they stumble upon the community of Sparks, they hope that they have found a new home.
Even though the addition of the Emberites more than doubles the population of Sparks, the two communities attempt to live side by side, sharing everything including the limited food supplies.
Inevitably, tempers flare and both communities blame each other for the increasing acts of vandalism and hatred. As the tension builds, the citizens of Ember and Sparks have to decide if they are willing to forgive and forget, or if revenge and anger will rule the day.
The People of Sparks, while staying with the same characters from the first book, has a very different tone and topic. This second book in the series focuses on how small interactions can trigger people to hate and then eventually war with each other.
I enjoyed this book almost as much as The City of Ember. It didn't have the same magical discoveries and mysteries as the first book, but that is unavoidable since it is a sequel, and the story has to move forward. That being said, it was a fun read and I am looking forward to reading the third book in the series.