The City of Ember

　　「你相信這城市是黑暗中唯一存在的光嗎？」

　　自有記憶以來，微光市的燈光一直將周遭無盡黑暗拒之門外。但現在燈光卻經常閃爍不定，動輒停電。到底微光市怎麼了？會不會終有一天，所有的燈都不再亮起來？

　　微光市的孩子在十二歲時，就要離開學校，開始工作。莉娜想當信使，可是，她抽到的不是信使，而是地下管道工。也就是說，她必須待在深深的地下通道中。杜恩想待在地下，他打算研究、修復發電機，解決微光市的危機。但他抽到信使的工作！

　　莉娜發現一份殘破的文件。她和杜恩將它拼湊起來，發現那是一份走出微光市的指引。難道在無盡黑暗之外，另有天地？莉娜和杜恩將竭盡所有勇氣和智慧去探索祕密，還得趕在微光市的燈光熄滅之前！

　　這部以「浩劫後」人類生存處境為主題的科幻小說，不僅在探討科技與人文社會危機，更讓我們以不同的眼光了解我們共同生存的城市、我們的生活網絡。作者文筆流暢、人物描寫神奇、栩栩如生，情節懸疑巧妙，讓人一翻開書就想一口氣讀完。

本書特色

　　在許多電影或文學作品中都可以看見對「末世」的擔憂。本書化擔憂為動力，設想了一座因急難而建成的城市，用以延續人類性命。但是，躲進安全的城堡之後就能高枕無憂了嗎？萬一這座城超過了使用年限，城裡的人已不知外面天地有多廣，不知是否危險依然等著吞噬他們，是該繼續死守呢？還是拼著一線生機，也要到外面的世界探個究竟？

★本書中譯本《微光》由繆思出版

Ember is the only light in a dark world. But when its lamps begin to flicker, two friends must race to escape the dark. This highly acclaimed adventure series is a modern-day classic--with over 4 MILLION copies sold

The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to dim. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save the city. Now, she and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues to keep the lights on. If they succeed, they will have to convince everyone to follow them into danger. But if they fail? The lights will burn out and the darkness will close in forever.

Nominated to 28 State Award Lists
An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection
A Kirkus Reviews Editors' Choice
A Child Magazine Best Children's Book
A Mark Twain Award Winner
A William Allen White Children's Book Award Winner

"A realistic post-apocalyptic world. DuPrau's book leaves Doon and Lina on the verge of undiscovered country and readers wanting more." --USA Today

"An electric debut." --Publishers Weekly, Starred

"While Ember is colorless and dark, the book itself is rich with description." --VOYA, Starred

"A harrowing journey into the unknown, and cryptic messages for readers to decipher." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred

作者簡介

琴娜．杜普洛（Jeanne DuPrau）

　　1944年生於舊金山。曾任英語教師、教育書籍編輯、電腦公司技術文件撰寫員，同時也寫散文、書評、教材等。現定居加州，專事寫作。《微光》是她第一部小說，構思多年，動筆兩年而成，一出版便獲得美國教師、家長與學生的熱烈迴響。

　　杜普洛的網站：www.jeanneduprau.com

JEANNE DuPRAU is the New York Times bestselling author of the City of Ember books, which have been translated into multiple languages and are a time-honored staple in elementary school classrooms. She also wrote Escape the Vortex, part of the multiplatform sci-fi adventure series Voyagers. Visit her website at jeanneduprau.com.