Jeanne DuPrau weaves an intricate story of the events leaading up to the City of Ember. She drops clues along the way, and then neatly tidies them up at the end. You might get anxious to come to the ending, but just enjoy the events as they unfold! Her main character Nickie is endearing, and you will feel her struggles as she tries to make sense of the troubling times plaguing the people of Yonwood, and the country as well. Mysteries abound, what secret government project is her father working on?, what's up with Mr. Hoyt and the strange lights coming from his house?, is God really speaking through Althea Towers?, and is Mrs. Beeson able to iinterpret these strange utterances? If you enjoyed the first two, this one won't disappoint you! If you go to the author's website she hints that there is a 4th book afoot!