The Diamond of Darkhold (Ember #4) by Jeanne DuPrau

Rating
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 19/19
Reccomendation: 20/20
Overall: 95/100 or A
Source: Borrowed from Grandma

Summary: It’s been several months since Lina and Doon escaped the dying city of Ember and, along with the rest of their people, joined the town of Sparks. Lina knows they are lucky to be there, but life aboveground is hard. Instead of opening a can for dinner, they must plant and harvest their food. And while there was no sun or moon in Ember’s sky, neither was there rain, sleet, or wind. Now, in the middle of their first winter, Lina finds herself feeling homesickfor her old city

It’s during this dark time that Doon finds an unusual book. Torn up and missing most of its pages, it alludes to a mysterious device, a piece of technology from before the Disaster. Doon becomes convinced that the Builders of Ember meant for them to find the device when they left the city, to help them in their new lives. Together, Lina and Doon must go back underground to retrieve what was lost and bring light to a dark world.

In the fourth Book of Ember, bestselling author Jeanne DePrau juxtaposes yet another action-packed adventure with powerful themes of hope, learning, and the search for truth.

Review: The Diamond of Darkhold is the fourth and last installment of the spectacular “Books of Ember” series. It was an absolute thrill to read and I enjoyed watching it come to a formidable end.

When Doon and Lina led the people of Ember out of their dying underground city and into the world above, everything was different and strange. A few months have passed since then, and the people of Ember are living in the small village of Sparks. Life in this new world is difficult, especially when facing the hardships of the Emberite’s first winter. Harsh weather and quickly depleting food and medical supplies make some Emberites think back to their easier life in Ember. Valuable supplies were left behind in Ember during the final rush to evacuate the city before the once-great generator finally gave out. If these supplies could be retrieved, it could make all the difference for life in Sparks.

In the story, Doon and Lina discover an ancient book written by the Builders of Ember. The unusual book is nearly destroyed, but it hints at an advanced device that the Builders might have left behind for the Emberites. This device was built to help make life for the citizens of Ember above ground easier. Together, Lina and Doon return to the abandoned city of Ember to find this device from the Builders. But Ember is a different city now, and is definitely not what they expect.

“The Diamond of Darkhold” is another great book from Jeanne DuPrau. The plot is immaculate, with plenty of great details and fresh new looks at areas of Ember that readers didn’t get to see before. With each new Book of Ember DuPrau shares just a little more information about the grand plot and intricate workings behind the history of Ember. I highly recommend “The Diamond of Darkhold” and the entire “Books of Ember” series to anyone who not just loves a fantastic adventure, but also a story with great moral inclinations.

http://www.jeanneduprau.com/index.shtml

DuPrau, Jeanne. (2008). The Diamond of Darkhold. New York: Yearling.

Read my reviews of the other Books of Ember: