Tomorrow When the War Began (The Tomorrow Series) by John Marsden (2011-03-31)

Like many, many others I was captivated by Suzanne Collins's THE HUNGER GAMES. It hooked me with its pulse pounding action, nightmarish vision of the future, and most of all its strong, capable female lead and wouldn't let me go. I finished it in one sitting. Unlike many others I was less impressed with the sequels. Thankfully the books I wanted to read exist. After a very average first instalment John Marsden's TOMORROW SERIES is the series that THE HUNGER GAMES promised to be.

The school holidays are nearly over. Sixteen year old Ellie and her friends decided to have one final adventure before the new term begins. After a week camping in a secluded valley they return home to find their animals dead and their families missing. While they were away their country, Australia, has been invaded. Almost everyone they know has been taken prisoner. Some have been killed. Ellie and her friends decide to fight back.

The first book in the series, TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN, does a serviceable but not spectacular job at introducing the characters and setting up the premise. There's not a lot of action or suspense. The characters spend a lot time working out how to set up their base camp and generally planning things. Several of the kids fall in love and this leads to a couple of groan-worthy moments.

The second book in the series THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT is a much stronger entry. A short section involving a character that can only be described as Dolores Umbridge's male counterpart doesn't work but everything else is excellent. Like TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN there is less action than you might expect but what there it is several magnitudes more violent. It's a darker, more dramatic and more compelling book. By book three, THE THIRD DAY, THE FROST, John Marsden has mastered the art of pacing. The action scenes are longer and more intense. The series hits its stride.

Unlike Suzanne Collins, Marsden never forgets that the thoughts and reactions of the characters caught up in the action can be more exciting than any explosion. This is why the scenes of Katniss hiding in trees and dealing with thirst, starvation and exhaustion in THE HUNGER GAMES are more thrilling than the outlandish weapons, booby traps and genetically engineered monstrosities offered up in CATCHING FIRE and MOCKINGJAY. And like the Suzanne Collins who wrote THE HUNGER GAMES Marsden knows how to construct an emotional roller-coaster. Terror becomes elation which turns to revulsion. Hot anger becomes cold acceptance which gives way to panic. Every feeling is vividly conveyed in the lively and introspective voice of the series' narrator Ellie.

And what a character Ellie is! Fiercely independent, resourceful, stubborn and proud, unsure of herself, her place in the world and her future. A young woman who lives life on her own terms and who will take a stand against anyone who tries to stop her. Unlike Collins's Girl on Fire Marsden's Ellie only burns brighter as her series progresses.

Ellie's indecision over which boy to choose soon ceases. Her group of friends witness enemy atrocities first hand. They start losing members. Those that remain start taking lives close up with knives to the heart and shotgun blasts to the head. The reality of their situation hits home. The relationship that Ellie does end up having is a believably on an off affair. The Katniss Everdeen who survives 74th the Hunger Games can't think of anything better to do than angst over which love interest to pick while her friends and allies plan revolution.

First person narratives usually work when they're about their narrators, not the events that surround them. John Marsden remembers this, Suzanne Collins does not. THE HUNGER GAMES (the book, not the series) is primarily about Katniss. At its core it's a fish out of water story. In CATCHING FIRE and MOCKINGJAY Katniss becomes part of a much larger tale, the story of a revolution, and her narration of it leaves a lot to be desired. Despite spending most of her time interacting with key players in the revolution Katniss is never able paint a clear picture of what is transpiring. Characters regularly withhold information from her. Significant sections of the plot are carried out by other characters off-page. Katniss develops into a character that is often too depressed or self-absorbed to notice and/or engage with what is going on around her.

The TOMORROW SERIES is Ellie's story from start to finish. The books are a coming of age narrative where adolescence is rendered as a literal battlefield. The invasion exists to create rites of passage for Ellie to undergo. Her narration describes her changing outlook on life, the universe and everything. This is the main reason why the series resonated so much with me. For all its apparent scale, for all its gunfights, car chases, explosions and epic treks across war torn landscapes, the TOMORROW SERIES is an intimate story about growing up.

I was captivated by John Marsden's TOMORROW SERIES. It hooked me with its pulse pounding action, fantastically realised settings (I could go on about how rich and atmospheric Marsden's descriptions of country towns and the Australian landscape are but this review is long enough already) and most of all the compelling inner life of its strong, capable female lead and wouldn't let me go. The series takes a bit of time to find its feet but give it a chance. Action/Adventure stories - YA or otherwise - don't come much better.

Couldent tell you anything about it. I bought it and intended to read it but never did and now it sits on my shelf. I looks like a good book and im sure it is but im more sure ill never get around to reading it cause im lazy and spend all my time playing Skyrim and drinking beer. I guess ill lie and say its amazing and keep typing so this review looks thoughtful and well planned out but by the time you get to the end of this review you will have realized that I didnt tell you anything about this book other than I didnt read it, it sits on my shelf and I like beer and videogames.

The Tomorrow Series by John Marsden has been called the very best YA series ever written by an Australian writer. Not having read any other YA by Australian authors, I'll bow to those more knowledgeable than I. First published in 1993, the story is presented in first person with a teen narrator named Ellie. The premise is thus: Ellie and a group of her friends plan a fun camping trip into the bush for a few days. While they are away, Australia is invaded by a foreign force (it's never precisely clear who....just a few vague references to some SE Asian country are our only clues). Ellie and her friends are forced to grow up very quickly in order to avoid being captured by the invaders and they must figure out what it is, exactly, they are going to do. It's quite compelling in many ways but not without flaws.

To begin with, I didn't much care for how the first person narration was laid out: Ellie is supposedly writing this account down for posterity. I suppose that might be okay if it weren't a tad unbelievable that this girl - hiding in the bush with her friends - actually hand wrote our nearly 300 page, small-font, printed version in a mere week. We're supposed to suspend belief here, I suppose, but it seems an egregious choice given that the rest of the book is written with enough skill that suspending belief isn't even necessary.

The second issue I had is more due to my advanced age than any fault of the author. It is only natural, I suppose, that even teenagers escaping an invading army still have an awful lot to say about crushes and flirting with the opposite sex. Ah, to be a teen again! So while this is a large aspect of the storyline and one likely to appeal to the target audience, I found myself wanting to skim over those parts.

Aside from those small quibbles, the book was certainly an attention-grabber. I can see why it sold so well. Not sure if I'll continue (I believe there are 8 books in the series), but I will be saving the book for my kids as they approach their teen years. Who knows....they might love it.

John Marsden is a name that 90% of Australian teens know, thanks to the Tomorrow series being an English teacher favourite. I remember reading it in (I think) year 9 – we were tasked with reading the first book. I consumed the entire series (minus the Ellie Chronicles) in a matter of weeks.

It’s been nearly eight years since I read the books, and while details are fuzzy I still remember the emotional roller coaster it took me on. As well, certain scenes are still clear in my mind. Because my emotions still felt raw at even the thought of rereading the Tomorrow series, it’s taken me a while to pick them back up. The anticipation of the ABC series based on the books was the final kick in the bumb I needed to pick up the first book.

And I am so glad I did. I was instantly reminded why I wanted to go to one of Marsden’s workshops so badly. He really is an amazing writer. Everything is concise enough to move quickly but descriptive enough that you feel like you’re there with the characters.

One thing I’ve always loved about the books is that there is a definitive reason for it to be in first person POV. Often I find myself thrown off by first person POV because I start questioning the why behind it. With Tomorrow, When the War Began I don’t have to because we know Ellie is writing their story down so they have a documentation of their journey.

It’s so easy to connect with the characters – they don’t feel fake, their conversations and reactions and everything about them seems natural. The books are set in a world prior every teenager and their dog having a mobile phone, but it’s very easy to ignore that and feel like it could be happening present day which is just incredible. In our fast paced world, it’s so easy for things to feel outdated within a year. 

One thing that has always stood out to me, and that I wish applied to more books, was the way that Marsden handled killing in self-defence, and the effect that has on the characters. So many YA novels mention a character killing someone but don’t address the repercussions. In Tomorrow, When the War Began each character processes it differently and realistically. Ellie questions whether she’s still a good person, the meaning of good and evil, and so on. But no matter how the characters respond, the important thing is that they do. 

I want to address something briefly: in other reviews, I’ve noticed people point out the romance that occurs and consider it unrealistic etc. I beg to differ. The story is about a group of teenagers who are thrown head first into a whole new world. Yes, their families are captive. Yes, their country has been invaded. Yes, their lives will never be the same again. But in a situation like that, among the grieving and fighting and the overall horror of the situation, they are going to seek comfort in the things that seem normal. It is not uncommon for relationships to form during intense situations – and to me, I think it’s a completely normal reaction to be thinking about love and sex during such a long-lived, volatile situation

Tomorrow, When the War began has some real humour gems in it, and I can just imagine Ellie smiling despite herself as she wrote about them. All in all, I wanted to laugh and cry and scream right along with all the characters and I can’t wait to dig into the rest of the series (and to finish the Ellie Chronicles).

Also, I realise I haven’t really addressed the first book so much as the series as a whole, but in future reviews I’ll focus more on the particular Tomorrow book I’m reviewing.

I recommend the tomorrow series to young, new and adult adults alike. It’s a timeless series that I’m sure people of all ages can connect with. Even if you don’t think it’ll be your thing – if you’re more into supernatural or fantasy or sci fi – still give this a go. And if you don’t like it, maybe look at one of Marsden’s other novels like Letters from the Inside.

Have you read the tomorrow series? What are your thoughts? Are you looking forward to the ABC show? I sure am, even though I still think the movie cast was 100% spot on and wish that they could have acted in the TV show.

There are not enough words to adequately describe how MUCH I love this book. It’s intense, and thrilling, emotional, raw, witty…everything I love in a book and more. The story is set in Australia, where a group of teens decide to take one last camping trip before school starts back up. While camping deep in the bush, their country is overtaken by an enemy that is never fully defined, but that feeds the plot so perfectly. And because the teens don’t know who is behind it, neither does the reader.

As the reality of what has happened slowly dawns on Ellie and her friends, a chill washes over the reader. It is so utterly believable that you can’t help but get caught up in the story, feel the initial shock and growing fear as they realize everyone they love is gone, their pets dead, and they have no idea what has happened.

Slowly they put the pieces together and decide to fight back, first against their own fears, and then against the enemy. The emotion that John Marsden brings to the story is authentic. As a high school teacher, he has a deep understanding of the teenage mind and draws his characters so beautifully real that it’s hard to remember they’re fictional.

Plot
The characters deal with the realities of life in a country ripped from under them and the ugly realities of war. They’re the only ones left to do something, and yet nothing in their lives has prepared them for it. The story starts off a little slow, but not haltingly so. John Marsden beautifully sets up his pivotal moment, building to the unfolding horror like a steady climb up the steps of Hell, where the kids have been camping. And then it takes off at breakneck speed, from one intense moment to the next, allowing us only small moments to catch our breath.

I think what I love best about this story is the way the characters are so deeply affected by what has happened and what they have to do. So many stories of this nature have the characters deal with emotions in the moment, but there never seems to be any lasting damage from the events. Often, characters are broken by what happened before the story starts and play into the character arcs. But in Tomorrow When the War Began, the characters are profoundly affected by what they need to do, and we see them break before our eyes.

Characters
The characters are what really make this book what it is. Yes, it has a pulse-pounding plot, but the nuanced complexities of Ellie, Homer, Fi, Robyn, Corrie, Lee and Chris take the story from just a thriller to something so much deeper. Ellie is a fun-loving only child who considers her friends to be family. The way she adores her friends makes me adore her even when she’s getting on my last nerve.

Homer is the guy I want to hang out with, the one I want as my best friend. He’s a crazy Greek with streak for getting into trouble, but would never abandon you in the thick of things. He’s definitely the guy you want along on your camping trip or an attack on an unknown enemy.

Corrie is Ellie’s best mate, the one she’d do anything for. Their relationship is at the heart of the story and ultimately the most emotional and heartbreakingly real. Corrie stands by Ellie when Ellie snaps and alienates everyone else, but she does it with love and a touch of humor.

Robyn is sweet and principled and is constantly finding those principles put to the test. Standing by her long-held beliefs or standing by her friends is a battle she fights nearly every day and it’s both painful and satisfying watching her grow.

Fiona, or Fi, is the sweet, wholesome, rich girl from town hanging out with the “rural inbreds” and she’s so clearly out of her element that most of the comic relief is at her expense, but she takes it with grace.

Chris is the town stoner, but he’s no Jeff Spicoli. Chris is far deeper than I originally thought and the more I learn about him, the more I like him.

And finally, there’s Lee. What can I say about Lee except that I love him. So completely and truly. He’s a musician and the only one of the group who the others don’t really know. Ellie invites him along as a last choice because she finds him “interesting.” He ultimately becomes her love interest, but he’s much more than that. Lee is the center to Ellie’s craziness. He’s willing to do what needs to be done, regardless of how awful he finds it. He’s not immune to the consequences of their actions, but he understands better than the others that war sometimes means difficult choices and that beating yourself up constantly over those choices isn’t prudent.

Bottom Line
Tomorrow When the War Began is probably the best young adult dystopian novel you’ve never read. John Marsden has created a totally believable and horrifying world and plunked his complex characters into it to play out a what-if scenario that is brilliant on so many levels. The fact that it is just the first book in a series, and that I read the entire ten-book series in under three months, is a testament to how incredibly much I love the Tomorrow series.

This book was mentioned in book club and it sound interesting. The teen who had read it gave it raving reviews. The library copy was always out so I decided to pick it up on audio. It was a pretty awesome book. I loved it from beginning to end. I was captured by the plot and I fell in love with the characters. This book was very thought provoking, action filled, and even full of some humorous moments.

5 Teenagers go camping during their winter vacation. They are gone a week camping in a place called Hell. They have no communication with the world, it's just them an nature. While they are enjoying themselves, relaxing, having a good time, Australia is taken over by another country. After a week of being gone they return home to no one, no family, no electricity, nothing. Confused they venture out to each other's houses and so on until they discover what really happened. In the interim of them staying safe, trying to stay hidden, finding out more of what is going on, they wreak havoc, major havoc.

I will start by saying this is Red Dawn in Australia, just a bit more involved. I loved Red Dawn and love these books. They are enough different that I didn't mind the similarities but it is the same concept. The country is taken over and teenagers kick the enemies buttocks. That said ...

I loved the book. First off.. there is action throughout the entire book. Fun action, chases, gun fire, things blowing up... it's a lot of fun. Second, great characters and character building. Finally... great writing and very thought provoking.

I love the plot! I know it's not completely original but this storyline never gets old. I love to see patriotic teenagers taking matters into their own hands. There is a lot of that in this series. I think the idea of a country being taken over is so realistic that the unrealism of a group of teenagers fighting back makes it just a tad bit less scary to think about. There were times I was holding my breath, many surprises, and the author does not hold back on tragedy. The writing flows and the style works very well this type of book. The book is very fast paced when needed and slows down a bit when more time is needed for the situation.

The characters really bring this book to life for sure. I just love Ellie. She is a bit immature at times yes, but for the most part she is courageous, determined, and very loyal to her country, family, and her friends. Corrie is sweet, the great best friend, seems pretty down to earth but in a perky kind of way. Robyn is the peaceful one. She is strong in her faith and will stand for what she believes. Lee is quiet, the thinker while Homer is the planner and doer. Then we have sweet, girly girl, Fiona and the stoner Chris. All together they make quite a cast that bring out the best and the worst in each other. They work well together and become one huge not always happy family.

The book really is well written and full of action and edge of your seat moments. It's a very small book and it never slows for even a moment, so it takes no time at all to get it read. I was definitely wanting more after that last page.

If you like action, teens that kick butt, lots of blowing up, and a bit of drama, pick this book up. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Even though this book is similar to Red Dawn, it’s better in that the characters are more pure, and I was really rooting for them.

I really liked this book, and somehow I never read the other 6 books in the series, something I will correct soon.

Triggers: It’s about a war, so there is violence at that level, mostly off screen. Even on screen people get shot or blown up. There are “camps” where the enemy holds the parents, and people’s homes are confiscated.

The book is a journey for the kids, a fast growing up experience.

So, I LOVED this book. I think everyone should read it. I recently saw the film and while I enjoyed it, it left me wanting more. I noticed while reading the film credits that it was based upon a book, so I went searching and was quite overjoyed to learn that it was a 7-book series!

Tomorrow When the War Began is coming of age story set in the middle of an invasion. A group of Australian teens sets off on a bush trip for a week before school begins and comes home to learn that the world will never be the same. Soldiers from a foreign country have invaded, and their family members have been rounded up.

The story is told by Ellie, one of the teens, and the narrator of the book. I was rather surprised that the story was written by a man. He really “gets” Ellie as a girl. She is a very well-written character to me. Her emotions, fears, loves, and joy are all very real.

The book is chock full of action and adventure with just a pinch of romance. It is an incredibly satisfying read with very little downtime. If you want a fast-paced book that’s filled with lots of crazy-dangerous activities as the group of teens fights back against the invaders, this is the book for you! I can’t wait to get the next books in the series.

John Marsden starts the story off with the main character Ellie and her group of friends from Wirrawee planning a camping trip down in ‘Hell’, a gorge in the Australia bush. They soon return from their trip to find that their houses are empty and their country has become the target of an invasion by a nondescript nation.

The teens are left with a choice, whether to abandon their town and run away, to turn themselves in, or to take back their home and fight the invasion. They choose the latter, and the story follows them through their escapades with explosives, survival, romance and friendship as they try to take back Wirrawee and save their family.

Marsden’s style of writing is very clean and clear cut, and he portrays the teenagers very accurately in terms of how they behave and their mannerisms towards the situation at hand, and doesn’t overwhelm the novel with action scenario after action scenario.

The movie also does a great job in terms of having a balance between action scenes and story development, however the scriptwriting seemed a bit messier than Marsden’s, novel, thus making it a messier and more relaxed feel. The film also managed to lighten the mood on a heavy topic using comic relief to break up the tension and give the film a smoother flow.

Both the film and the book also manage to move away from the classic war films filled with violence upon violence and works upon the character’s and their development throughout the storyline, exploring topics such as fear and innocence and empathy during the scene where Ellie and Homer blow up a tractor which fatally wounds an enemy teen aged soldier and leaves him lying on the ground suffering after maintaining eye contact and seeing the pain and fear in his eyes. This exploration of emotions is what I believe to be the most relatable and believable part about Tomorrow When the War Began. It makes the audience think about what war is really like, and question if it is all just blood and gore, or something more psychologically taxing.

All in all, John Marsden’s Tomorrow When the War Began is a must read for those who are into war novels but not into the gruesome fighting that comes along with it. The movie is also worth a watch if you don’t want to deal with the heavier side of the story and would like a more light hearted take on it.

The Tomorrow series is one of my favorite young adult series, hands down. Ellie, the main character, is a breath of fresh air. She's frank, introspective, smart and tough, but she's not perfect either, which makes her very real. I wish I'd had this series when I was a teenager--I would have devoured it many times over. I appreciate that the focus of the story is the teens' survival and their reactions to the invasion of Australia rather than the small romance aspect to the book--it doesn't feel like it's central to the story, it feels natural and appropriate given the intense experiences of these kids. The secondary characters are well-developed, and it's interesting following Ellie's changing understanding of her friends when they're stuck together in what's literally called "Hell."

My only issue with this book (and this bothered me more later in the series), is that sometimes Ellie's narration becomes dry, and doesn't seem like a teenager girl--particularly when talking about the details of farm life and her sometimes love interest. There's a distinct change in tone that doesn't fit. But that's awfully nit-picky. I highly recommend this (and the rest of the series, especially through book three) as an excellent teen read or for adults who appreciate good YA literature.

I'm completely agreeing with the many people who say this series is great so i'll keep it short. I had to write a review, however, because Marsden change my world (during the time i was reading the books i watched very very little tv - which is impossibly rare-and i got through each book anticipating what would happen next, ploughing through each one in less than a week; again a rare thing).
Basically Ellie writes the acounts of 7 aussies who go camping and when they return the find everyone missing. Australia has been invaded and is under war (with the parents and friends of those camping held as POWs).
It's not just the story that makes this series special. It's the realistic portrayal of some of the warmest characters you'll ever come across in novels. I don't know what style marsden uses but his mind-think is awesome and entertaining, to say the least.
If people from all over the world want a good reflection of an aussie check these books out. It's almost sad to see films like "Crocadile Dundee" and other crappy aussie flicks represent (apparently) "who we are". I've never seen "Croc. Dundee" and never will for obvious reasons. A true image of some aussie characters lies in Ellie, Homer, Fi, Lee and the others that journey through this fictitious war, making guerilla attacks on the invaders.
Lastly, I wanna let everyone know Marsden has "re-opened" the series, so-to-speak. It's not quite the same deal but it's called "The Ellie Chronicles" and the first book is called "While I Live" and is already out. Go read it those who've read the tomorrow series - because it's just as good and sophisticated as the original series. Plus these set of books are ambigious in the direction they're going - I won't say anymore (or the premise) because it would give away the end of the tomorrow series but do check out his site(...)

Tomorrow, When the War Began, a first-class book, is filled with adventure and action and is notably heart pounding. It appeals to all my senses and is very emotional and fun. The Tomorrow series as well as this book will appeal to most teenagers if they have the luck to stumble across this series. Therefore, it makes it onto my all time favorite series list. This page-turner does not go by the familiar rules of most suspense stories, (at the end of each chapter there is a "What's going to happen next!") that are so commonly used and over used. This book and series use an improved and more varied method to make you turn the page. The book is beautifully written and describes the seven main characters as if they were real people. Another thing that is amazing about his writing is his self-control. What I mean by that is that he can lead you up to the problem and on the way give you miniscule hints little by little or just not give you any hints at all and then suddenly the problem occurs. Then not until a few pages later do you find out what happened. Another thing I like about this book is that it brings out the emotions from the seven main characters in a realistic way. In the story the seven friends decide they want to go "bush" in their back yard, the Australian outback. They want to go to a place called "Hell," an isolated valley surrounded by cliffs. When after a week they emerge form their camping trip they find that their country has been invaded and that their parents are gone. Therefore, the story is about their struggle to be guerillas and help their country and town. Like I said this book is packed with action and is a sure hit.

Tomorrow when the war began was great. I loved it right till the very end. It's the kind of book that keeps you reading and reading because the end of the chapters keep you guessing all the time. It gives you an insight to what war would be like if we had one now. There's a bit of everything in this book:Romance, action, emotional scenes. Basically it's a book for anybody who's interested in adventure and a lot of tension. I liked this book a lot because of the way it was worded. It gave you all the feelings and emotions each of the characters was feeling as well as what the surroundings were like so you could actually feel like you were that character, there, feeling all the slightest movements that were incredibly frightening to them. The bad thing about this book is that it's the kind of book you can only really enjoy the first time you read it. After that it's still good, but you won't have the feeling of not knowing what's going to happen next. I personally feel sorry for John Marsden who didn't have the privelege of reading it for the first time from scratch like me and many of you. This book is part of a series and if all of the books are as good as this one it'll definitely be my favourite series of books yet. Get this if you want a really good read and you won't be disappointed.

Tomorrow when the war began was great. I loved it right till the very end. It's the kind of book that keeps you reading and reading because the end of the chapters keep you guessing all the time. It gives you an insight to what war would be like if we had one now. There's a bit of everything in this book:Romance, action, emotional scenes. Basically it's a book for anybody who's interested in adventure and a lot of tension. I liked this book a lot because of the way it was worded. It gave you all the feelings and emotions each of the characters was feeling as well as what the surroundings were like so you could actually feel like you were that character, there, feeling all the slightest movements that were incredibly frightening to them. The bad thing about this book is that it's the kind of book you can only really enjoy the first time you read it. After that it's still good, but you won't have the feeling of not knowing what's going to happen next. I personally feel sorry for John Marsden who didn't have the privelege of reading it for the first time from scratch like me and many of you. This book is part of a series and if all of the books are as good as this one it'll definitely be my favourite series of books yet. Get this if you want a really good read and you won't be disappointed.

I bought this for my daughter to encourage her interest in reading. We wound up fighting each other for turns at it. Within a week, with a few past-midnight "power reads" I hoed through every book in the series. The first three are superb, each better than the last. There are some niggles - the stories rely a touch too much on luck and coincidence, and there is some repetition of ideas. But the strengths are real ones. The plotting is superb - few writers in any genre can get you turning pages like Marsden can. The characters are psychologically and emotionally convincing. The heroism is fairly shared between the boys and the girls in the group. (The female narrator is a refreshing touch). Negative emotions, fear, fatigue, impatience, are not shied away from. The central device is an unexpected invasion of Australia by a foreign force which separates a group of teenagers from adult supervision, leaving them to rely on their own resources. It allows Marsden to explore real issues for teenagers about responsibility, courage, sexual attitudes - even spirituality. All are delivered without judgement or the author's baggage. The action is so exciting - real pulse-racing stuff - but from a parent's perspective it also carries an important theme: life may be difficult, threatening, even terrifying, but it is always worth living, and courage - in whatever its form - is a quality everyone can find and one that is always worth seeking out. I recommend this series to anyone, although the mild sexual references may make it more appropriate for post-pubescent readers.

I read Tomorrow, When The War Began. This book Was Written by John Marsden. Overall i give this book a 4 out of 5. This book started out boring but got good after the first fifty pages.
It all started when a group of teenagers wanted to go camping in the deep Astralian woods. The take the long journey there threw the bushes. They all have to go down big rocks that lead to then middle of the woods. They get to where they wabt to be and are exausted. One night while they were sleeping Ellie heard a bunch of planes fly by. They didnt have any lights on which she thought was very odd. The main charachers in this book are Ellie, Homer, Corrie, Fi, Kevin, Robyn and Lee. They stayin the woods for a few days then start the journey home.
When the arrive home they find things terribly wrong. Most of the animals are dead and everyone is gone. They come up with a couple explanations but none make sense. All the electric is off some houses are recked and most of the food went bad. They go to Corries house and find that there is a email saying that something happen and they didnt think it was serious but didnt know when they would be home. They all decide to wait until it get dark until the go exploring.
Night comes and they decide to split up. They walk to the fair grounds where they parents had went. They see all the cars and they they see soldiers standing outside a tent. That must be where they are keeping everyone Homer thought. They try to get closer little by little and everntully are spotted. The sound of gun shots fills the air. They take off running and hide in someones yard. They know the soldiers will eventully serch there so the think fast and make a bomb out of the lawnmower gas tank. the 3 soldiers that were chasing them arrive and Ellie lites the tank. Seconds latere is explodes right in front of the soldiers and they die. They decide to go back to the neighborhood and think of what to do. You can read the book to find out what happens

I was first introduced to this serioes at school, we were assigned to read it for English, before this book all books assigned to us in school were all garbage and I expected the same, as did most the other students in my class, most wouldnt bother to read it, so the teacher read it aloud in class, for most of it upuntil the half way mark I ignored most of it, until it dawned on me that this book was actualy sounding o.k. When I got home i got my copy from the bookshelf and actualy started to read it, and I read at any chance I had, and when I finished I read the second and third and then had to wait while the rest were written and released
The amazing story starts off with a group of teenagers going camping, and when they return the find the Australia has been taken over by another country, they go to the bush again to hide, but can't just sit back and do nothing and decide to fight back in what ever way they can, although unconventional, when all is said and done and the series is over they made a huge impact on the war, sometimes planned, sometimes fluked, of coarse not all survive and with every loss you can not help but feel the emotional pain of the others, it is the best comming of age story I have read, and although it is listed as a young adult series, it will be unforgetable to all ages and you will develop a bond with Ellie, Homer, Kevin and the rest of the gang, I have never fell in love with any fictional charactors the way I did with these guys, not even in T.V series
A story like this comes along once in a life time, do not, and I mean do not missss this book

I think I first heard about this series from Michelle over at GalleySmith and had bought it awhile back but only read it recently. I wish I had done so sooner. It was a riveting story about what this group of teenagers do after finding out their country has been invaded and their families being held prisoner. The interactions between the various characters was gripping and while there was some romance going on I liked how surreal it was to be thinking about crushes and relationships when all of this is going on. I wavered from relating to Ellie to being irritated by some of her actions and thoughts but for the most part I could empathize because it seemed so realistic. This book definitely had me wishing I had book 2 at hand right away!

Being an Australian myself, I was suprised to find a book that was based on Australia. A group of seven teenagers embark out into the depths of a deep forest, shrouded by mountains to go on a camp out. Little did they know that whilst they were gone, Australia was invaded!
This story is brilliant in that it shows the beauty of Australia, and people can percieve Australians as they really are, rather than them being given a false Australian Accent.
They story is written in first person as you follow the life of Ellie, a teenager trying to come to grips with her true self, her emotions and her physical courage. As the tale unfolds you will find out alot about the different characters, their love and their fears.
If you haven't read it, and would like a change from a typical everyday book. Then try this one. It will really change your way of thinking!

TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN, a goose-bump-producing adventure (first out in 1993) follows seven intrepid Australian teens as they try to figure out what happened while they were out in the bush on a week-long campout. They return to find their town deserted, with electric and phone services cut. Clearly something has gone terribly wrong, but what? Though it was a bit slow to get underway, the beginning narrative gives you a strong tie to each character, and once the action started, I couldn't put it down. It's the first in a series, and I'm off to find the next book.... For those who enjoyed Susan Pfeffer's LIFE AS WE KNEW IT -- this is a great choice for you!

My husband wondered if teenagers are different in Australia than they are here in America as we listened to this audiobook of this story. Parents send a group off teens, boys and girls, off alone to go camping in the wild. Invaders come and take over Australia. Teens fight back, setting up bombs and rescuing their friends.

If this is an accurate picture of average Australian teens, Australia should feel quite proud. Quite certain our American counterparts would be knocked off in the first wave of trouble.

Tomorrow, When The War Began is a great book. It is told by one of the main characters Ellie. A group of seven teenagers takes a camping trip to Hell. It's not really Hell, it's just a place that is isolated from the rest of the town. They have to travel down "Satan's Steps" to get there. The teens return home only to find that their country has been invaded. The group runs into another friend. They load up supplies and go back to Hell, now as a group of eight. I like this book because it is full of excitment. It keeps you on the end of your seat to the very last page. This book os also full of drama and a little bit of romance. There really wasn't any part of the book that I disliked. This book is unlike any others I have read. I loved this book and recommend ot to all teens, boys and girls.

An amazing, AMAZING, story that lets your imagination run wild and takes your mind on a truly emotional journey. I read all 5 books in the space of 1 week I was that caught up; the next day after I bought Tomorrow, when the war began, i went back and bought the next four in the series because i was so in love with the characters. I still I feel as if I am frozen in time, sitting in that cold, dark paddock (at the end of Darkness Be My Friend) and I am waiting until the magical moment when I can rejoin the characters and follow them on more adventures in the 6th book. By the way I am 21 so I believe anyone of any age could enjoy these inspiational, motivating books by the brilliant John Marsden.

Tomorrow, When the War Began is a very interesting book. John Marsden wrote it in 1995. Ellie a teenager from Australia is bored to death over the summer. She decides to get some friends and take a camping trip in the outback brush. Upon returning home, something is terribly wrong. The dialog is great, the way he has the characters talking in true Australian language. Another part I like is how John has Ellie have internal passion for two different boys on the trip.
If you enjoy an entertaining with some suspense, and survival, you should read Tomorrow, When the War Began. I really enjoyed this book, and would of never guessed the ending. I think you will enjoy it also.

I really enjoyed this series. Set in Australia, these ordinary young characters, leading ordinary teenage lives, come home from a weekend camping trip to find their homes deserted. Signs of misadventure make them cautious and they set off to find out whats happened. What they find, shocks them away from childish things. Couldn't put it down.

I thought this was going to be boring and stupid, seeing how the premise of the book is Australia suffering a military invasion. I don't believe your government would be that short sighted.

Turned out its a good read. I like the ordinary people faced with extraordinary situations aspect, and how they react. I'm halfway through the second book, plan on reading them all. I really hope at some point they say who the invaders are. At first its kind of confusing trying to keep all the players separate, but the author whittles them down, and gives them all distinct traits. I still want to know why Ellie had to turn the phone to talk? Whats up with that? :)

In case any Aussies are wondering, and I know its for local consumption.And its just a plot device,but our memory extends further back than Viet Nam, within 72 hours of any invasion,their would be so much US firepower floating off your shores, it would make D-Day look like a Sunday Sail. For better or worse,like it or not, your on our "short list" of people not to be screwed with.

Tommorow When the War Began is one of the engrossing books that I have ever read. The story was not only riveting, it was believable . The charecters were admirable. It was one of those books that you can't put down. I stayed up half of the night finishing it once I started it. You will too, if you like exciting books with likable charecters written in an understandable and entertaining way. This is not your typical young adult book! It is not just another book about a teen trying to find themselves! It is truely memorable

The story keeps you intrigued. It is wonderfully written. I would classify this as young adult fiction, but nice for us older folks as well. Only complaint would be that this is one of those books that stops abruptly without a proper ending. Really ticks me off when an author can't follow through.

Any teen, any adult, any grandma must read this book!!!

The whole series is absolutely amazing, I swear, I lost my life for 2 months reading these books. You probably don't need any filling in on details of what actually happens in the book, but I'll give you a brief introduction... A group of teenagers take a little holiday and come back to see their country has been invaded. Ever since I finished, (a good 2 months ago) all I have been thinking about it the books, I want to go to hell, I want to experience what they experienced myself... It's amazing what this book does to you.

Marsden has made no mistake in this book, he gave amazing descriptions, that when I saw pictures of what he had wrote about it was just what I had envisioned. When I finished I felt as though I knew the characters personally (I don't know if this was just because of the length). Dude, what more can I say, these books are amazing, they mess with your mind, you don't know how many Tomorrow Series dreams I've had since finishing, lol.

But yeah, if you walk past one of the books in your libary, or at a book store, GET IT!

I can't say I was too hapy with the sequel, 'The Ellie Chronicles', bit of a waste of time, IMO, I think if the ******* (you know what I mean, if you have read the book) happened again, just for one book it would be good.

I'm done... Now it's your turn, get it!!!

This book, and its sequels "Third Day of the Frost" and
Dead of Night", has developed an avid following among
11-15 year olds in Australia. As a parent I was urged to
read these books and loved them too.
Young adults are portrayed as "real people"
who can make a difference, despite adults low
expectations. Sex is not ignored and is sensitively woven
into the story as natural but also somewhat emotionally
problematic

The tommorrow series took me on an adventure ill never forget, The whole series took me three months to finish and it was the best three months ive had in my life because of how real the characters were, it was like you were with them throughout the book and was there in the mix of the danger. It was an end of an era when I finished them but I know ill forget what happens and will be able to start the adventure all over again. These books allow you to go through an adventure of years through a war and through the roughs of trying to survive, and at the end you feel like part of your life is gone. It literally changed me. And i didnt even need to leave my bedroom to have the adventure and friends of a lifetime.

Ellie is so articulate, bright, and caring that she makes what would have been an average story into an amazing and believable account of eight young adults out to save their families and ultimately their homeland.

Once I got used to the Australian vernacular, I read this book at an amazing pace because I simply couldn't put it down.

I can't wait to hunt down the rest of this series.