Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Lizzie

Jeanne DuPraus The Diamond of Darkhold is the fourth book in the City of Ember series. It takes place 9 months after the ending of The People of Sparks. Lina and Doon grew up in Ember, a city built underground over 200 years ago. When the generator finally dies, Lina, Doon and almost 400 Emberites flee the city. When they arrive above ground they travel to the city of Sparks, another city that is on the brink of death. After a world-wide disaster the people of Sparks live without electricity and dont have much to eat, so having 400 people suddenly relocate to their city was hard. Now nearly 9 months later they are finally getting back on their feet. Lina, her little sister and their caretaker live with the town doctor, Dr. Hester. Doon and his dad live at the Pioneer Hotel. One day a Roamer comes by the town and sells Doon a book titled For the People of Ember. Though it is missing most of its pages, the last 8 still remain and talk of a jewel. Winter is coming and Sparks is running out of supplies, so Doon and Lina decide they must travel back to Ember to gather the things that were left behind, and they hope to find the jewel that is mentioned in the mysterious book. Upon returning to Ember, Doon is captured by the Trogg family, who found Ember and the jewel while roaming. Doon is now trapped in the pitch dark Ember, with nothing but candles to light his way. Lina starts traveling back to Sparks to get help, but Doon escapes on his own with the diamond. When Lina is attacked by wolves, he must destroy the diamond to save her, and possibly destroy the secrets held within it.


I was less than thrilled with The City of Embers first sequel, The People of Sparks. This book, however, is probably my favorite in the series. It gives a realistic but not too bleak look at post-apocalyptic life, and even more importantly, a world without oil. It gives a tiny sliver of hope to alternative fuels. This is supposed to be the last book in the series and the ending is more than satisfying. The Diamond of Darkhold is a story of hope and adventure, and I recommend this whole series to pretty much everybody.