This was gorgeous, so well done. I loved the imagery and the way it kept the heart of the story. wonderful highly recommend.

An amazing visual retelling of the City of Ember! I watched the movie and read the books and this graphic novel is a perfect combination of writing and visualization.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This was a DNF. I started and stopped at least four or five times all throughout 2023. I’m surprised I couldn’t get into this considering how much I adore and love both the original book and the movie. I think part of it for me was the illustrations. And while they are fit for the topic because they’re so brown and dreary, they seem disheartening, instead of hopeful and enlightening. This is a great introduction to the story, but I think the original novel does it better and keeps one’s attention way more than the graphic.

Good book about an alternate reality where people survive in the city of ember. This story captures the struggle of living in a crumbling corrupted society. I really enjoyed reading this.

I have never read the novel version of The City of Ember, but many of my students have loved it so when I saw the graphic novel version on NetGalley, I requested it immediately. The illustrations are so detailed and the story is really engaging. It was a quick read and quite a page-turner! The only aspect that I didn't care for was the ending. It definitely leads to a sequel but I think book 1 could have been wrapped up a little better. This book would make a great addition to classroom and school libraries.

Thank you to Random House Children's and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

This was cute. It actually made me curious to pick up the full book because I know there's a lot missing. I feel like they just took the most essential parts of the book and put that into the graphic novel.

I remember loving the City of Ember series as a kid but I only remember pieces of the plot now, so a graphic novel adaptation was a great excuse to revisit Ember.

There are about 100 fewer pages in this version so I'm pretty sure some elements were sped up or taken out, but I don't think it hurts the overall plot that much. Ember is such an interesting concept and I still enjoyed the story just as much in this new format. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series being adapted!

Thank you to Random House Graphic and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

The City of Ember graphic novel by Jeanne DuPrau was just as I remembered the story being in the original novel and the movie; mysterious, adventurous, and wonderful. In case some are unfamiliar with the source material, The City of Ember is about a run-down, underground city run completely off electricity in a post-apocalyptic world and two brave youths, Lina and Doon, who are curious and smart enough to try and recue everyone from it. Aside from the graphic novel seeming a little rushed to me, it had beautiful art and I welcome and recommend it to both old and new fans of this story alike.

Thank you NetGalley, publishers and Jeanne DuPrau for gifting me a copy of The City of Ember in return for my honest review.

4/5 stars

Many hundreds of years ago, the city of Ember was created by the Builders, to contain everything needed for human survival. It worked…but now the storerooms are almost out of food, crops are blighted, corruption is spreading through the city, and worst of all—the lights are failing. Soon Ember could be engulfed by darkness…

But when two children, Lina and Doon, discover fragments of an ancient parchment, they begin to wonder if there could be a way out of Ember. Can they decipher the words from long ago and find a new future for everyone? Will the people of Ember listen to them?

This was a gripping and well-thought-out book. This is a great book for middle readers but also adults alike. I had never heard of this book or that it was made into a movie before I received this from NetGalley. The author did a wonderful job of pulling the reader in and creating a captivating world.

There are many lessons that resonated with me while reading. The feeling of being trapped and unable to escape. It was inspiring reading about, Lina and Doon, both just 12 years old as they struggle with these feelings and strive to free themselves.

I loved learning about the different aspects of Ember and reading about the community. There is so much to take away from this book and I recommend it for anyone looking for a new adventure/mystery novel.

I was excited to read this graphic novel. I was a bit disappointed. I read the traditional novel and was hoping for more from the graphic novel version.

‘City of Ember: The Graphic Novel’ by Jeanne DuPrau with adaptation by Dallas Middaugh and art by Niklas Asker is a graphic novel based on a famous novel for children.

Lina lives in an underground city named Ember. As she comes of age, she also is assigned a job, as all children are. Her friend Doon discovers something wrong, and there are all those increasingly frequent power outages. Lina and Doon find a mystery that may provide an answer for their city if they can unravel it.

I’ve read the book this is based on, and, while there is no substitute for reading this classic, this is a decent adaptation. The art is good too.

✨ Review ✨ The City of Ember (The Graphic Novel) by Jeanne DuPrau,
Adapted by Dallas Middaugh, Illustrated by Niklas Asker

Adapted from the novel The City of Ember, this book exists in a city surrounded by darkness, where supplies are dwindling and blackouts are recurring. Two kids, Lina and Doon suspect there's something else out there, an escape to another world. This book traces their efforts to save themselves from what feels like an increasingly apocalyptic situation.

I enjoyed the art style which dramatically uses light and shadow to depict the world of Ember. I felt like the pacing was a little slow at points, but overall I enjoyed the story. It alternately felt adventurous and frustrating and hopeful!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: middle grades graphic novel - fantasy
Setting: the city of Ember
Pub Date: 25 Sep 2012

Thanks to Random House Graphic and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

I read the book City of Ember years ago and recall liking it quite a bit. While the version has the same beats, it feels a bit hollow in comparison. There is very little description with the vast majority of text being dialogue, which felt odd since it’s an adaptation. While not my favorite version of the story, it at least got the job done by reiterating the most important aspects.

Our story follows two children, Doon and Lila as they live their lives in the City of Ember. One day, Lila's grandmother starts going on and on and on about something she lost that her grandfather and told her to hold on to, which leads to the discovery of a box with an old shredded piece of paper in it. As the days pass, Lila and Doon work during the day, and attempt to unscramble the message written on the paper at night. As they decipher things on the paper, they discover a locked door in the pipeworks tunnels under the city, where they see the Mayor has a hoard of food and supplies, kept for himself. Outraged, Doon and Lila attempt to turn him into the guards. With a little more time they are further able to decipher the message written on the paper and discover a way down to the river where they find hidden boats and supplies to leave the City of Ember. They head to the surface to tell the other citizens about the way out, when they discover that they are both wanted for spreading lies about the Mayor, forced to run they escape to the boats and leave the city- without leaving behind the message to tell the others how to also get out. Once out, they feel the wind on their face, see the sun, and meet animals for the first time. After a while they begin looking for a way back into the city to be able to tell others, when they discover a path that leads to the "sky" high above the city. They fill a pack and attach their note of how to get out, and send it down to the city below. Our story ends with a citizen finding the notes and looking up in surprise.

I really enjoyed this! I have never read the original but if I know anything about middle grade classics, this one hits the nail on the head. It feels very much like The Giver, which probably explains why it is so popular and done so well along side it. I love the relationship with Doon and Lila and that, at least in this graphic novel adaptation, there seems to be no romance between the two; just two friends trying to save their city.

I also thing the graphic novel adaptation lends itself very well to the setting. Ember is dark and dreary, the lights regularly going out, the sorrow of the citizens. The when they get out of Ember and into the real world, and see the sun and animals, the explosion of color, you can almost feel it yourself as you read. It's quite astonishing. Very well done. And a fast read as well.

I always love this story. It is literally one of my favorites. I read this over a very long and rough summer for the first time ever and this graphic novel does an excellent job.

I absolutely LOVED The City of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau and I was excited to receive the ARC for the graphic novel. The story begins in the city of Ember, a town that is hidden underground with the lights flickering. The people of Ember know no other existence and are starting to get worried. Young Lina and Doon know something is not right in town and work together to decode a hidden message that they hope will help them save Ember.

The storyline was consistent, and the illustrations fit the story nicely. I think that as an intro to this series, the graphic novel is a great place to start, and that the main storyline is told well. The one thing that I didn't like was I felt that the additional details that I loved so much in the original story weren't in the graphic telling of it - which wasn't a surprise, but if given the choice, I absolutely would choice the novel format! However, I absolutely know my 11-year-old would start with the graphic novel over the novel version and if that is her exposure to this wonderful series, then I fully support that as well! I think this book will be well-received by middle grade readers who will enjoy the story and want to know what happens next!

"The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau, adapted into a graphic novel format by artist Niklas Asker, is a captivating and visually striking rendition of the modern-day classic. The story of a hidden underground city facing darkness and the quest to bring back the light is vividly brought to life through the illustrations and captures the essence of DuPrau's original vision.

Set in a city where the lights are flickering and resources are dwindling, the graphic novel follows Lina and Doon as they discover a long-lost message that might hold the key to saving their city, Ember. The urgency of their mission and the mysteriousness of the message create an atmosphere of suspense that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Asker's artwork adds depth and dimension to the story, effectively conveying the atmosphere of the underground city with its dimly lit streets and the sense of urgency that permeates the characters' journey. The illustrations are not only visually appealing but also enhance the emotional depth of the narrative, making the experience of reading this adaptation truly immersive.

The graphic novel format serves as an accessible entry point for readers, particularly younger ones, while still maintaining the essence of the original novel. The pacing of the story is well-executed, and the dialogue and interactions between characters feel natural and engaging.

"The City of Ember" remains relevant and captivating in this graphic novel adaptation, appealing to both fans of the original book and new readers alike. The combination of DuPrau's imaginative storytelling and Asker's skillful artwork results in a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience that captures the essence of a city on the brink of darkness and the hope that drives its young protagonists to take action.

Thanks to Random House Children's, Random House Graphic, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a reprinting of the 2012 graphic novel, The City of Ember, an adaptation of the novel about a post-apocalyptic, underground city that is slowly running into decay. It features around two children who have recently graduated from their limited schooling and are being sent out into the adult world of working. Lina and Doon do no care for the jobs they are initially assigned and swap positions, and their friendship builds from there. Together, they discover that there may be a way out of Ember, and with their efforts combined, they may be the key to saving Ember and its citizens.

It's a cute comic that will likely enthrall any of its youthful readers

I love the story of The City of Ember. I teach a special education English class and there are groups who struggle with the prose book. The comic version is great. Same story. It doesn't contain every little detail the book does but it cuts out what I usually do anyway. Having the pictorial addition is also a great modification built in to help the kids visualize the story. This book is perfect. It includes the deep important parts and I am able to still able to do the high level questioning/discussions. I am going to buy a class set to use with my English class.