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)

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.

yes. omg. so beautifully descriptive.

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes read this book so descriptive book 2 of series

Why don't the chapters in the audiobook match...

...with the chapters in the book? This was the only complaint I have about this book. My son follows along when we are in the car. Sometimes he loses his place in the book and we want to go back to the start of the chapter. You can't do this with this audiobook, because the chapters in the audiobook don't match up to the chapters in the book. Most other books we read do.

A good sequel

What did you love best about The People of Sparks?

I enjoyed the City of Ember very much, and was looking forward to part 2.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The People of Sparks?

I enjoyed the retelling (by one of the characters) of their escape from Ember, but had wanted that part of the story better fleshed out by the author.

What does Wendy Dillon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I'm surprised at her range of characters, and unlike other reviewers I saw for City of Ember, I really liked her character renditions. I found the small sound effects that were occasionally added nice, not distracting.

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.

People of Sparks

Where does The People of Sparks rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The person who read this book is probably our least liked of any audiobook we have listened to. The story was great, but the reader made it lack a bit.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The People of Sparks?

Doon not going along with Tick and the others who wanted war.

Would you be willing to try another one of Wendy Dillon’s performances?

We would prefer not, but are going to be listening to The Diamonds of Darkhold and we haven't looked to see who is reading. Hoping it's not her!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not as much as others we have listened to.

Great story. Horrible speaker.

I loved the City of Ember so I decided to listen to the sequel. I absolutely loved the storyline but the reader was horrible. It sounded like she was twenty feet away, and I have great headphone, so that wasn't the problem. There was also static and she had a horrible voice.

great for the kids

A nice story for kids - I'd say targetted at about the 11 year old set - makes for a good listen in the car for them.

Morality Play

The first book in this series was very imaginative and a unique idea. This book isn't. It is simply a way to get an idea of ethics and morality dealing with immigrants and those being invaded by immigrants. To what extent should you help your fellow man? To what extent should you tolerate the bigotry of those who have taken you in? If you know the answer, you don't need to read this book. However, if you really want to try to enjoy it, just remember it's written for kids.

Learn to Tolerate Difference

I liked this follow up story to the "The City of Ember". Now you follow the "refugee's" of Ember into a world they've never dreamed of. Light comes from the sun, not a bulb. The temperature get's hot, food is not provided, and most importantly, there are inhabitants in this new world... Inhabitants that have barely survived in a barren world, that aren't so happy to see newcomer's. Especially those that are hungry and have no knowledge of how to care for themselves during the fast approaching winter. Civilization on a small scale. The narrator is a bit harsh, but the story is really good.

Great story

This is a superb story for kids and a blunt metaphor for the human condition (war and the consequences thereof). The narrators american drawl is quite acceptable. Great value, stronly recommended

Amazing

I have been looking forward to this series of books for a long time, only recently released in the U.K. on Audible, I don’t have much time to read and tone able to listen to them on my commute and while at work has been very much enjoyable, I recommend this series to all listeners of all ages.

Spectacular

A great story and fantastic morals of understanding one anothers perspective are conveyed. Couldng recommend more

A vicious circle

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely Recommend - not only is the story catching as Jeanne DuPrau delicately tells the story of how tiny little steps almost lead to a war, just because one party wants to beat the other one by just an inch. And she also tells the story of how this vicious circle can be stopped by overcoming just a little pride. Also it is read beautifully and easy to follow.

What other book might you compare The People of Sparks to, and why?

The other City of Ember Novels

Have you listened to any of Wendy Dillon’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Equal

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh and cry as it is touching and the characters are painted very emotional.

Good part 2

Having listened to City of Ember I was keen to get this sequel, and wasn't disappointed. Not quite as good as the first, but if you did enjoy the first I would recommend getting this one too.

a review by des (11 years old)

i really enjoyed this book, it is set in the future but not a modern and shiny future but where things have gone wrong and technology has gone back instead of forward.
the characters are well described and you get to know them well and care for them. i would have rated this book 5 stars but i didn't quite like the narrator's voice she sounds rather old and it spoils some of the younger chatacters a bit.