The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, supplies are running low and terrifying blackouts are seeping through the streets. It's only a matter of time before the lights go out and never come back on again. When Lina finds part of secret message, she's sure it holds a clue that will save Ember. She enlists her friend Doon, and together they explore long-forgotten parts of dying city as they race to solve the mystery. If they succeed, they will have to convince everyone to follow them into danger. But of they fail? The lights will burn out and the darkness will close in forever.

Very good book. I like it a lot.

I took the whole book series at a meet-up. I'm sure I've seen a movie based on these.

This was a quick and nice read, and I liked the story. I have indeed seen a movie based on this first City of Ember book, a Gil Kenan film from 2008, starring Saoirse Ronan as Lina and Harry Treadaway as Doon.

On the book swap shelf near library cafe.