48 pages 1 hour read

The Diamond Of Darkhold

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2008

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Book Brief

Jeanne DuPrau

The Diamond Of Darkhold

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

293

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Sparks, underground • Futuristic Dystopia

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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Super Short Summary

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau follows the journey of young people, Lina and Doon, as they return to the struggling city of Ember seeking to unlock secrets from the past. Their mission involves discovering vital resources and tools that can aid their communities' survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

Adventurous

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Challenging

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Reviews for Jeanne DuPrau's The Diamond of Darkhold show mixed reactions. Readers appreciate the adventurous plot and emotional depth, highlighting DuPrau's ability to weave hope and resilience into dystopian settings. However, some feel the story is predictable and lacks the originality of earlier installments. Overall, it offers a satisfying conclusion for fans.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Diamond Of Darkhold?

A reader who would enjoy Jeanne DuPrau's The Diamond of Darkhold typically appreciates dystopian adventure novels with young protagonists. Fans of Lois Lowry's The Giver and Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games will likely find this book engaging due to its focus on survival, resilience, and the rediscovery of lost knowledge in a post-apocalyptic world.

Character List

Doon Harrow

A thoughtful and determined 13-year-old boy living outside the village of Sparks, who embarks on a quest with his best friend Lina to discover a mysterious device left by the Builders of Ember.

A brave and resourceful 13-year-old girl who lives with her sister Poppy and their guardian in Sparks, known for her past role as a messenger and her participation in the quest to find the Builders' secret.

A young boy from Sparks who respects Doon and Lina, and exhibits keen observational skills and a love of nature, providing insights into the characters’ motivations.

An antagonist who, along with his family, takes over the abandoned city of Ember, exploiting its resources while proving to have resourcefulness and a desire for control.

A roamer and Washton Trogg’s sister, notable for trading valuable items and unwittingly aiding Lina by facilitating communication and providing shelter.

A boy held captive by the Troggs in Ember, weakened by injury yet courageous, who assists Doon and desires a new life in Sparks.

The original planners and creators of the underground city of Ember, who designed it to be self-sufficient and left behind tools and instructions intended to aid future generations.

Book Details
Pages

293

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Sparks, underground • Futuristic Dystopia

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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