New to Ember
Begin with The City of Ember, then follow publication order rather than moving the later-published prequel to the front.
Book Series · 4 Books
The City of Ember Books
In order from The City of Ember to The Diamond of Darkhold.
Jeanne DuPrau's four middle-grade dystopian novels follow children searching for truth and a livable future as fragile communities face darkness, scarcity, and the consequences of the past.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read The City of Ember Books
Use publication order: The City of Ember, The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood, and The Diamond of Darkhold. The third book is a prequel, but its backstory is most meaningful after the first two adventures.
The City of Ember graphic novel retells book one and can be read instead of the prose version. It does not continue the story or count as book five.
Sources: Penguin Random House's official series page, Penguin Random House's graphic adaptation page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The series includes darkness and blackouts, food and resource scarcity, corrupt leadership, mob suspicion, war threats, disaster and extinction anxiety, dangerous journeys, separation, and death. The suspense can be intense, but the overall treatment is hopeful and appropriate for many middle-grade readers.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$858
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2003
The City of Ember
In a dimming city, two friends race against time to uncover secrets and save their world from eternal darkness.
270 pages· 59,786 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In the city of Ember, the lights are fading, threatening to plunge the world into darkness. Lina and Doon discover a mysterious message that might hold the key to salvation. As they unravel its secrets, they must convince their fellow citizens to follow them into the unknown. Will they succeed before the last light goes out, or will darkness consume everything? This gripping adventure challenges them to decipher clues and face the dangers of a world on the brink.
In reading order
The City of Ember Series
4 books · Published 2003–2008
#1
Sale price
$858
The City of Ember
Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2003
In a dimming city, two friends race against time to uncover secrets and save their world from eternal darkness.
#2
Sale price
$858
The People of Sparks
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2004
A new world brings hope and conflict. Can peace prevail?
#3
Sale price
$858
The Prophet of Yonwood
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2006
A town's prophecy of doom divides its people. Can a young girl uncover the truth before it's too late?
#4
Sale price
$858
The Diamond of Darkhold
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2008
Two teenagers return to their abandoned underground city to uncover its secrets and find a mysterious light source.
Graphic adaptation of book one
The City of Ember: The Graphic Novel
1 book · Published 2012
A visual retelling of Lina and Doon's first story, not another installment after the four novels.
#1 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1348
The City of Ember (Graphic Novel)
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012
Two kids race to decipher a secret note to save their darkening underground city.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the City of Ember series?
There are 4 books in the City of Ember series. It began with The City of Ember in 2003, and the newest book, The Diamond of Darkhold, was published in 2008.
What order should you read the City of Ember books in?
Start with The City of Ember and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #4.
What ages are the City of Ember books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–13, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which City of Ember book is the longest?
The People of Sparks (Book #2) is the longest book in the series at 71,875 words (338 pages).
Which City of Ember book is the shortest?
The City of Ember (Book #1) is the shortest at 59,786 words (270 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring The City of Ember to life.
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