The People of Sparks

The People of Sparks is the second book in the Ember series. The people of Ember, around 400 strong, have come up into the world. Few of them brought much provision, so after several days of wandering, they begin to starve. Fortunately, they come upon the village of Sparks, population 200. The people of Sparks generously take the refugees in, although with many reservations. They had just had their first good harvest in many years and had enough to share, but were very nervous about using all their hard-earned stores in one year rather than having it for emergencies for many years. There is a nearly derelict hotel that the refugees are housed in.
Soon trouble starts and are stoked by various members of both communities out to start a fight. Meanwhile, Lina travels to “the big city” 5 days away to see what it’s like. It’s a bombed out ruin, like what you would expect if Berlin or Nagasaki hadn’t been rebuilt for 200 years. No one lives there and she learns the dreadful impact of global war. This was clearly the disaster the builders had been afraid of.
When Lina returns to Sparks, the people are on the verge of open fighting, but through good will on the part of Lina, Doon, and many others who do not want to fight, they are able to avert the trouble. The main trouble maker runs away from town before he gets his comeuppance.
Another very good book.