The City of Ember was established two hundred years ago, as the last bastion of civilisation, after a terrible bloodletting on the surface. The residents are assigned jobs by the luck of the draw. One young man ends up working on the water system, while his friend becomes a messenger. Both long to find a way to the surface, especially since their city is facing two major crises: dwindling food, and dwindling energy (not unlike our current Plant Earth). Using old stories and an even older map, they try to find a way out, but the mayor's assistant is determined to thwart them.
A curious genre piece involving adventure, fantasy and some horror menace. Parental guidance and supervision strongly recommended for sensitive children.
