In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.

Lina wants to be a messenger but instead has to work underground.

The City of Ember is a magical story about two teens who finds their way out of a dark, underground city

In the City of Ember, lived two young teenagers named Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow. Surronding their city is nothing but total darkness. For 200 years, the citizens of the City of Ember lived in a world of amazing lights. But now, the buildings are crumbling, the supplies are decreasing and worst of all- the lights are starting to go out. When Lina finds an old box whos content may save the city from going to utter darkness, she discusses it with Doon. And unfortunately, as the contents of the box were ancient and that Lina's little sister has chewed on it, there are holes in the paper. The papers seem to be instructions for something..... can it be intructions to save their city?

A young girl lives in a city where the lights are turned off at the exact same time every day, and where the generator that powers those lights is breaking down. Surrounding them is nothing but total darkness. Will she be able to save the whole city from living in utter darkness?