Ellie and her friends go on a week-long camping trip into a secluded area called Hell. The area is difficult to access, but once they get there they feel removed from the world. As it turns out, they are, indeed, removed from the world as they know it. On their return home, they find one house after another deserted, empty of family, no notes or explanations, and the animals dead or dying of thirst and neglect.
During their absence, their country has been invaded and their loved ones incarcerated. The teens must work together to survive and discover how to deal with the invaders. Surrender? Fight? They investigate, gather supplies, make plans. Gradually, they realize that the world they've known will never be the same.
Leaders, sometimes unexpected, emerge as the teens prepare for what they now realize will be a long siege. Mistakes are made, but they learn to work together and trust the individual strengths of their fellows. Lots of action and suspense!
I really enjoyed this novel and will be continuing with the series!
Other reviews: Whimpulsive,
Fiction. Adventure/Suspense. 1993, Australia. 2006. 276 pages.
Oh I'm so glad you liked this one. I started this series last year and have read the first four so far. It's so well done. As I read them I can't help but think how I might have acted in similar circumstances at the same age as the characters. I wouldn't have the guts, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this book! I want to read the rest, but the library doesn't have any until book 4. Will have to figure something out in the new year because I really want to see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteI read this entire series quite some time ago and loved them all. Ellie is a great character.
ReplyDeleteSuziQ- My biggest problem was that it didn't last long enough. I practically read it in one sitting!
ReplyDeleteKailana - Our library didn't have any. Bet that changes soon, but I think I'm going to give myself a couple for Christmas. :)
Bookfool - I'm so glad there is more to come in this series! Ellie does make a great narrator.
My daughter read this 3 years ago when she was in year 9. It was the catalyst for turning a girl who was not the slightest bit interested in reading into an avid reader, and she devoured the rest of the books in the series in a matter of weeks. We kept our local library busy reserving copies they had to get in from other libraries! She now owns her own copies as well as the Ellie Chronicles. I'm grateful John Marsden is such a terrific story teller for the young adult audience as had she not read that first book I still don't think she'd be interested in reading. I love the books myself and really enjoyed the movie.
ReplyDeleteVonny - I can see how this series would encouraging non-readers into compelled readers. I'm going to order the next couple in the series!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great, really great. I didn't want to buy any new books but this sounds like something I would really like to read (no, no library option for me, I live in a German speaking country)
ReplyDeleteThe first one was really good, and I look forward to the next in the series. I understand not wanting to buy any more books! It is an addictive behavior when it is so easy to do online, and I'm always trying to control myself.
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