--- product_id: 1422350 title: "The City of Ember (The City of Ember Book 1)" price: "€ 16.75" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.hr/products/1422350-the-city-of-ember-the-city-of-ember-book-1 store_origin: HR region: Croatia --- # 28 state award nominations 4M+ copies sold City’s failing lamps central to plot The City of Ember (The City of Ember Book 1) **Price:** € 16.75 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🔦 Illuminate your next great read with The City of Ember — where every page sparks adventure! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The City of Ember (The City of Ember Book 1) - **How much does it cost?** € 16.75 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hr](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/1422350-the-city-of-ember-the-city-of-ember-book-1) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **A Modern-Day Classic:** Join over 4 million readers captivated by this bestselling dystopian adventure. - • **Award-Winning Storytelling:** Nominated to 28 state award lists and recognized by top literary organizations. - • **Perfect for Thoughtful Readers:** Ideal for millennials seeking meaningful stories beyond typical fantasy or sci-fi. - • **Immersive Post-Apocalyptic World:** Explore a richly described city on the brink of darkness, where every clue counts. - • **Timeless Themes of Courage & Friendship:** Follow Lina and Doon as they embody persistence, intelligence, and heroism. ## Overview The City of Ember is a nationally bestselling dystopian novel with over 4 million copies sold, acclaimed for its gripping story of two young heroes racing to save their darkening underground city. Nominated for 28 state awards and praised for its rich world-building and timeless themes, this modern classic blends suspense, friendship, and courage in a post-apocalyptic setting that resonates with readers of all ages. ## Description NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Ember is the only light in a dark world. But when its lamps begin to flicker, two friends must race to escape the dark. This highly acclaimed adventure series is a modern-day classic—with over 4 MILLION copies sold! The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to dim. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she’s sure it holds a secret that will save the city. Now, she and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues to keep the lights on. If they succeed, they will have to convince everyone to follow them into danger. But if they fail? The lights will burn out and the darkness will close in forever. Nominated to 28 State Award Lists! An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection A Kirkus Reviews Editors’ Choice A Child Magazine Best Children’s Book A Mark Twain Award Winner A William Allen White Children’s Book Award Winner “A realistic post-apocalyptic world. DuPrau’s book leaves Doon and Lina on the verge of undiscovered country and readers wanting more .” — USA Today “An electric debut .” — Publishers Weekly, Starred “While Ember is colorless and dark, the book itself is rich with description .” — VOYA, Starred “A harrowing journey into the unknown, and cryptic messages for readers to decipher.” — Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review: City of Heroes - The City of Ember is a rule-bound place, where all the lights go out at 9 each night, everyone rises early for breakfast, and careful recycling is a way of life. Lately, though, the lights have begun flickering. Supplies are shorter each year, and some foods are no longer available. Until their 12th year, the children of the City of Ember go to school. But at the end of that year, they are assigned the jobs they will do for years after, perhaps to the end of their lives. Lina yearns to be a Messenger, running free in the streets, learning the secrets of the city. Doon wants desperately to be an electrician's assistant or a pipeworker, because he dreams of fixing the ancient, failing generators of the city. When each receives the assignment the other wants, they switch jobs, and begin a conspiracy that will not end until they learn how to save the entire city. Along the way, they solve an ancient puzzle, defeat the greed and subterfuge of the Mayor and his minions, and discover a much wider world than either had ever dreamed existed. When I read children's literature, I look for more than a tale well told. Juvenile science fiction is not hard to come by, especially today in the age of Harry Potter. But fiction that lauds heroism (particularly the kind of courage which every child will have an opportunity to demonstrate), extolls the value of friendship, and shows when adult precepts and rules are worthwhile, and how to tell when they are not - that is uncommon. (Those qualities form the foundation of the Harry Potter stories, too, and explain the widespread appeal of the boy wizard and his friends.) The City of Ember has that same appeal. Doon and Lina are courageous; they do things children would do, yet also show judgement, persistence and intelligence. These are kids who love their parents, and still see that they must take extraordinary steps outside the regimented life they have led. In the end, they do save their city, and if they do not battle great evil, they do encounter and overcome the kind of petty nastiness that is far more common in the world. On Kindle, the book loses none of its original charm, with the possible exception of the maps and notes. Where these extend across the page, they are difficult to enjoy, even in Zoom mode. The book works best in tandem with its sequel, The People of Sparks: The Second Book of Ember (Books of Ember) . Together, they are an interesting story - even for an adult. I recommend it highly for boys and girls who want something better than comic-book heroes and video-game battles, and for readers who are no longer children, but still yearn toward the hero we can each become. Review: great read - Loved reading this book with my 10 year old daughter for our book club. We both found it engaging and loved the authors attention to detail. ## Features - Great product! ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #920 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1 in Children's Dystopian Science Fiction Books #11 in Children's Nature Books (Books) #32 in Fantasy for Children | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 9,479 Reviews | ## Images ![The City of Ember (The City of Ember Book 1) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81UqGnY1s4L.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Media Language, Media Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ City of Heroes *by D***T on August 13, 2013* The City of Ember is a rule-bound place, where all the lights go out at 9 each night, everyone rises early for breakfast, and careful recycling is a way of life. Lately, though, the lights have begun flickering. Supplies are shorter each year, and some foods are no longer available. Until their 12th year, the children of the City of Ember go to school. But at the end of that year, they are assigned the jobs they will do for years after, perhaps to the end of their lives. Lina yearns to be a Messenger, running free in the streets, learning the secrets of the city. Doon wants desperately to be an electrician's assistant or a pipeworker, because he dreams of fixing the ancient, failing generators of the city. When each receives the assignment the other wants, they switch jobs, and begin a conspiracy that will not end until they learn how to save the entire city. Along the way, they solve an ancient puzzle, defeat the greed and subterfuge of the Mayor and his minions, and discover a much wider world than either had ever dreamed existed. When I read children's literature, I look for more than a tale well told. Juvenile science fiction is not hard to come by, especially today in the age of Harry Potter. But fiction that lauds heroism (particularly the kind of courage which every child will have an opportunity to demonstrate), extolls the value of friendship, and shows when adult precepts and rules are worthwhile, and how to tell when they are not - that is uncommon. (Those qualities form the foundation of the Harry Potter stories, too, and explain the widespread appeal of the boy wizard and his friends.) The City of Ember has that same appeal. Doon and Lina are courageous; they do things children would do, yet also show judgement, persistence and intelligence. These are kids who love their parents, and still see that they must take extraordinary steps outside the regimented life they have led. In the end, they do save their city, and if they do not battle great evil, they do encounter and overcome the kind of petty nastiness that is far more common in the world. On Kindle, the book loses none of its original charm, with the possible exception of the maps and notes. Where these extend across the page, they are difficult to enjoy, even in Zoom mode. The book works best in tandem with its sequel, The People of Sparks: The Second Book of Ember (Books of Ember) . Together, they are an interesting story - even for an adult. I recommend it highly for boys and girls who want something better than comic-book heroes and video-game battles, and for readers who are no longer children, but still yearn toward the hero we can each become. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ great read *by L***K on April 29, 2026* Loved reading this book with my 10 year old daughter for our book club. We both found it engaging and loved the authors attention to detail. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ really liked this book... *by D***A on August 21, 2017* (Reviewed by my 9 year old daughter) SPOILER ALERT! I would rate this book four and a half stars, but I can't so I give this book four stars. The setting is underground in the city of Ember, which is believed to be the only city existing. You do not know city of Ember is actually underground until the end of the book. You do know that there is no sun and the lights come on at 6:00AM and turn off at 9:00PM. The story takes place during the time the main characters are twelve years old. You also get jobs when you're twelve years old and you do not go to school. The characters visit the greenhouse, pipes works, there house, the supply store, and around the city during the book. This book does not remind me of anything I have ever seen or read. I had many feelings about the book as I read it such as, happy, sad, and suspenseful also surprised. I was sad when Lena’s grandma died. I was happy throughout the book. The book was suspenseful and surprising. When I finished I felt let down,because I wanted to know what was going to come next in the story. The main characters in the book feel scared, curious, and brave. The author wanted to show the characters curious because she wanted for the readers to feel the same way. The main supporting characters are Lena’s grandma,Doon’s dad,the Mayor,the Guards,and Lean’s baby sister Poppy. Lena’s family is her grandma and baby sister. Doons family is his dad. Lena is smart and focused. Doon is serious and kind. Lena is 12 years old and Doon is the same age. Lena has blonde hair. Doon has black hair. Lena likes running and Doon likes science.Lena and Doon are both the Main characters. Lena finds an important piece of paper in her closet. Her and Doon start figuring out clues that lead them into a cave where they sail to a new city. The major problem in this story is the lights going out forever. The steps that lead to the problem is the Mayor taking all the supplies, including taking light bulbs. Believe it or not they never solve the problem that’s for the next book. I enjoyed both of the characters. I loved the book. My favorite part is when the chapters leave off with cliff hanger. I do not want to change any part of the book, it is a great book. I recommend this book to everyone! ## Frequently Bought Together - The City of Ember (The City of Ember Book 1) - Hatchet - Number the Stars: A Newbery Award Winner --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.hr/products/1422350-the-city-of-ember-the-city-of-ember-book-1](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/1422350-the-city-of-ember-the-city-of-ember-book-1) --- *Product available on Desertcart Croatia* *Store origin: HR* *Last updated: 2026-10-09*