Ember to gradually join the firefighting efforts, until the fire is extinguished. This turns around the spiral of resentment, and with everyone thinking more clearly and less parochially, it is discovered that Tick Hassler perpetrated the vandalism against the Emberites to gain support, and the tomato incident is resolved. The two groups decide to cooperate, with Mary declaring that "we are all the people of Sparks". At the end of the book, Doon manages to construct a simple electric circuit, based on a science book found amongst the books piled in a room in the village's storehouse. Reception A review by Publishers Weekly noted that this second book shifted the focus of the story onto a different set of characters, but that the novel contained a positive message. References 2004 American novels 2004 science fiction novels American fantasy novels The City of Ember American post-apocalyptic novels Sequel novels