The People of Sparks

The Second Book of Ember

By: Jeanne DuPrau

Narrated by: Wendy Dillon

Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Don't miss Lina and Doon's other adventures in The City of Ember.

©2004 Jeanne DuPrau (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"Bound to appeal to young readers." (The New York Times Book Review)

Great

It's hard to write reviews without spoilers. All I can say is that it does a great job picking up where the City of Ember book left off.
#tagsgiving
#sweepstakes

Still really enjoying the story and setting

Was The People of Sparks worth the listening time?

I was reluctant to start The People of Sparks because I felt it was so unlikely that the series could continue to be so pleasing to me without the setting of Ember. However, that really wasn't an issue. I really did like the book and the refugees temporarily settle in to a place that also captured my imagination, though I don't think that the author makes enough use of this interesting location. The rest of this new world has the benefit of being a post-apocalyptic setting, another thing that interests me. There is perhaps not a ton of action is this book. The reader is still annoying. At one point I was afraid things were going to get annoyingly preachy, but it wasn't so bad. I noticed some reviewers were very bothered by this and I don't love pacifist characters as a general rule. However, if you are going to put characters in who are really anti-war, I can think of no better place to put such people than in a world that was almost destroyed by war. I don't know about this as a stand alone because my fondness for the characters carrying over from book one played a strong role for me in how much I enjoyed this.

Light Hearted Story

I enjoyed this story. Some of the narrative voice characterization is not very good but not often.

Good book

The book was good. The climax was a little disappointing. But a good easy read. Didn't live the narrators voice interpretation, but she was very clear and easy to follow.

Great book in series, skip Prophet of Yonwood

This was a great second book in the series. Please do yourself a favor and skip The Prophet of Yonwood and move directly on to the 4th book when you finish this one. Book 3 adds nothing to the series, is only barely connected, and isn't even that good as the stand alone book that it basically is.

Attention Grabbing

It was great, not only was the story narrorated perfectly, but some sound effects and music somewhat also brought the book to life! this was great!

Good book

I've read it before, its a childhood favorite of mine so I decided to listen to it again with my husband. Its a great display of humanity at its highest and lowest points.

Love this story

Previews the books and just had the opportunity to listen to the audiobooks with my nine and three year old in the car. Well written story to help kids understand the themes of refugees, how violence can take hold, community building, politics, and is a good introduction to dystopian writing. I actually liked the background sounds. Kids liked it too.

Wonderful story

Story picks up where City of Ember ends. DePrau portrays a very realistic future world. In this novel, she shows how well she understands human nature -- the good and the bad -- the fears and prejudices, as well as the the hopes and aspirations. A good, clean and wholesome tale for all ages. Loaded with adventure and suspense. The conclusion of the story is especially wonderful.

Good Sequel!

The story was different than I thought, but it was for the better. The producers and narrator really make it come alive.