The Prophet of Yonwood
The Prophet of Yonwood is an apocalyptic science fiction novel by Jeanne DuPrau[1] that was published in 2006. It is the third "Book of Ember" of the series, and a prequel to The City of Ember. It is set about fifty years before the Disaster and the establishment of Ember, and approximately three hundred years before the events of The City of Ember, The People of Sparks and The Diamond of Darkhold.
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Jeanne DuPrau |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Book of Ember series |
| Genre | Young adult, Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Random House |
Publication date | May 9, 2006 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 289 |
| ISBN | 0-375-87526-3 |
| OCLC | 61295777 |
| LC Class | PZ7.D927 Pro 2006 |
| Preceded by | The People of Sparks |
| Followed by | The Diamond of Darkhold |
Characters
Nickie is the main character. Grover is her friend in the book. Also, there is the Prophet, Althea Tower; her caretaker Mrs. Brenda Beeson, and Nickie’s Aunt Crystal.
Themes
Community Crisis. As with all books in the Ember series, there is an underlying crisis within the wider community, nation, or, in the case of The Prophet of Yonwood, world. The tension between the US and the "Phalanx Nations" is a major contributing factor to the behavior and motivations of the characters, especially Mrs. Beeson and Hoyt McCoy.
Loss of Civil Rights. The coming crisis (i.e. war) serves as justification to implement Mrs. Beeson's "war against evil." The book explores how rights can be voluntarily given up in the name of a safer community, even to the point of creating a rigid, dictatorial society where individual rights are subordinated.
Outsiders. In addition to Nickie, Hoyt McCoy is seen as an outsider. His position differs from Nickie's in that he regularly voices his opposition to the "war against evil." Both Nickie and Hoyt are, however, able to see the error in the way Yonwood is governed and it is through their actions (i.e. the actions of an external party) that the community is reformed. McCoy's actions are credited with providing the impetus to avert the coming war.
Absent Parents. Again, in common with the rest of the Ember series, the protagonist is deprived of at least one parent. Nickie is in the temporary care of her aunt, Crystal, and as with DuPrau's other lead characters, she develops a surrogate parental relationship in order to obtain support and guidance.