~Mairéad's Reading List~

{February 2nd, 2015} MINI-REVIEW

2.5 stars.

“The day had a strange but comforting feel to it, like a rest between the end of one time and the beginning of another.”

Considering I've seen the movie in bits and pieces, I could remember the scenes as I read through the book. There are differences between them for sure (what doesn't when there's a book and a movie adaptation?) but regardless, I wasn't so enthralled as I should be, I guess? I mean there was still the mystery but I knew the answer (again, the problem with only realizing there's only a movie and forgetting there's a book lol). Also how did I not know that this was a series? yup, still baffled on that note myself

I also blame my remarkably good memory for these things, which is why I try not to play, watch, read things so soon (I tend to have to wait a while like a year or so). Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. In this case, it didn't. But that's not a bad thing, it just means I'll notice scenes and events better and browse through faster (if that's the best way to phrase it? idk). There's only so few books that I'd actually reread and won't remember too much about it, this one sadly isn't that particular kind of story for me. I don't know about you.

But don't get me wrong, the setting alone is unique and interesting as you follow Doon and Lina across their doomed City of Ember. Let's face it, it's seriously going to ruin. Most of the stores of supplies and untold riches in food are depleted. Many foods being mere myths and legends among the residents of Ember. Although the question of how these foods remained in 'good' conditions all these years (we're never really certain how long it's been time frame-wise, but it's safe to assume a good chunk of time has passed).

At age 12, you're assigned duties or jobs which range variously. Both Lina and Doon end up switching (this is not spoiler since it's in the blurb btw!) and getting jobs they either dreamed their whole lives for (Lina with Messenger) or one that will satisfy in hopes of finding a solution to helping their failing city (Doon with Pipeworks). Both begin to unravel a mystery that has been ever present since the prologue as the city and everything start going more wrong to the point you can't really look the other way. The darkness will consume, unless something is done--in an essential sense.

While I do have the other two, the fourth is not available at the library I'm at. Not sure if we're even getting it either, but who knows, I'll be asking about it soon enough next time I'm in. That said, I will be reading the next two--I read the excerpt of the second in this book and it felt interesting enough to encourage me to venture forward.

“They lifted their faces to the astonishing warmth. The sky arched over them, a pale, clear blue. Lina felt as though a lid that had been on her all her life had been lifted off. Light and air rushed though her, making a song, like the songs of Ember, only it was a song of joy. She looked at Doon and saw that he was smiling and crying at the same time, and she realized that she was, too."