I was hesitant to start this book because I didn't particularly like the first book in the series, City of Ember. This book had the same plot outline as many other books. Also, it had the repetitive messages we find so often in children's literature "treat other the way you would like to be treated" and "war benefits no one", but offered nothing beyond that. This book lacks fresh ideas. The People of Sparks starts where The City of Ember leaves off; Lina and Doon escape from their underground city to find a whole new world above with things like trucks, seasons, and even the sky. They leave instructions for the people of Ember to follow them, hoping for a life better than what they left behind in Ember. While there are many unknown things in this new world for Lina, Doon, and the refugees of Ember, there are also quite a few things missing. For example, the city of Ember drew its energy from a large electric generator, whereas Sparks (and the world Sparks is in, presumably future Earth) has no electricity. Along with many other things, electricity became extinct after what the people refer to as "the disaster". As Sparks tries to accommodate the 400 or so refugees who have made their way to Sparks from Ember, resources deplete quickly and tensions rise. There is a buildup of conflict between the two groups which inevitably leads to fighting. However, long story short, they sort it all out and decide that it's more productive to be nice to each other than to fight. Needless to say, The People of Sparks is nothing new. It's unfortunate because Duprau seems to be an imaginative and creative writer, but somehow fails to grab the reader's attention and pique curiosity. I don't think I will be continuing this series because I haven't really grown attached to the story the way you should by the end of the second book in a series. There is no intrigue; no hidden plotlines, no unanswered questions, no character mysteries. It lacks a certain, forgive the pun, spark.
Rating: 2/5
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