The Diamond of Darkhold: The Fourth Book of Ember (Books of Ember)

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Review:

Review:

Synopsis:

About the Author

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!

Average customer rating based on 2 comments:

Jack Stevenson, May 15, 2011 (view all comments by Jack Stevenson)
As the fourth and final book in Jeanne DuPrau’s enjoyable “Books of Ember” series, The Diamond of Darkhold smoothly polishes off the enjoyable post-apocalyptic series, but still manages to leave many unfinished questions for the reader. Returning again to the main plotline of Books 1&2 (Book 3,The Prophet of Yonwood, was a prequel) the duo of the inquisitive Doon Harrow and the adventurous Lina Mayfleet stumble across a book that a roamer had brought to town as a fire starter. Deciding to buy the book, Doon finds that it is another book that seemed to be made by the mysterious Builders of Ember, and was meant for them; however, most of the pages were missing. Doon and Lina then decide to travel back to the City of Ember to find whatever was left behind, in hopes that it can help them and the Village of Sparks survive. Throughout the book, themes of adventure, rebuilding, friendship, and exploration are constant. Many other styles seen throughout the series persist in the final book as well, including DuPrau’s stunning ability to describe familiar things as we know them in a sense that makes them seem strange and new to the people of this amazing, post-apocalyptic future: “She had no idea what horses were like. Maybe they were terrible, savage animals. This one certainly looked strong enough to give a person a deadly kick; maybe it would bite.” However, all was not perfect in this finale; the ending does not answer all questions, leaving many other questions only partially answered, even with a possibly major cliffhanger that could never be described in a sequel. Other parts of the book may fit together awkwardly at times to readers, and near the end, events that are mentioned are quickly explained, with some events that could of been chapters-long simply condensed to a paragraph. However, this book can be a satisfying conclusion to the series for some, but can leave much more to be desired for others in its ending and delivery.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)

report this comment

jean brian, October 30, 2008 (view all comments by jean brian)
i love this book so much!! you guys should tottaly read this book!!

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(4 of 12 readers found this comment helpful)

report this comment

View all 2 comments

Product Details

ISBN:

9780375855719

Author:

DuPrau, Jeanne

Publisher:

Random House Books for Young Readers

Subject:

Fantasy

Subject:

Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic

Subject:

Action & Adventure - General

Subject:

Good and evil

Subject:

Fantasy & Magic

Subject:

Underground areas

Subject:

Children s-Science Fiction and Fantasy

Copyright:

2008

Series:

Book of Ember

Series Volume:

04

Publication Date:

August 2008

Binding:

Hardcover

Grade Level:

Children/juvenile

Language:

English

Illustrations:

Y

Pages:

285

Dimensions:

8.10x5.90x1.10 in. .90 lbs.

Age Level:

08-12