b00kw0rms0fthew0rldunite's review against another edition
5.0
Re-Reading it for the hundredth time as I'm in love with the series... can't go past this one!
thebookishfrog's review against another edition
3.0
This was the only book assigned to me in high school that I actually enjoyed. I’d love to go back and reread it someday, see what I think of it now.
indubidablyali's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was an interesting take on a more mature theme, but from the view of a younger cast.
mandyist's review against another edition
4.0
This is great. I'm glad I finally took the chance to get into it. I loved the scenes in Hell and how it was the opposite of Lord of the Flies with the teens pulling together as a team and growing to love each other as a family. I'd love to carry on the series but it's proving difficult to get hold of on ebook.
4.5 stars rounded up. Half a star deducted for the multiple gruesome animal deaths.
4.5 stars rounded up. Half a star deducted for the multiple gruesome animal deaths.
amy_grace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
gabydeppe's review against another edition
I didn't know at first there was a book after watching the movie. I loved the movie so much but it ended at such a strange time. So I went to search and found out there was a whole series of 7 books! I just needed to read it and I'm so glad I did.
Starting this story, I had the movie in the back of my mind, but when I got further I started to forget the movie and it became a story of it's own, I love that. The characters were amazing, I loved them all (some more than the other) and it's really easy to read as well.
Starting this story, I had the movie in the back of my mind, but when I got further I started to forget the movie and it became a story of it's own, I love that. The characters were amazing, I loved them all (some more than the other) and it's really easy to read as well.
crystalwilson16's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lawbooks600's review against another edition
4.0
Never heard of this one, but can't wait to read it!
Trigger warnings: Death of a pet, fire, explosions, murder of a wife and child, blood depiction, military violence and war themes, gun violence
Update: 7/10, I've been wanting to read this for a while since it looked interesting to me and I'm glad I did, I can certainly say that it definitely feels similar to Alone by Megan E. Freeman but this author like another one I've read from managed to pull off a classic Australian twist making this fresh and original, where do I begin. It starts off with the main character Ellie Linton with six other friends enjoying their school holidays and living their lives in this rural town and they were in this open area called Hell, at first nothing much happens but the next day everything changes much like Alone. Ellie wakes up and noticed that there were a few changes like all the pets are dying or dead and everyone else seems to be captured, all that's left is her and her six remaining friends and the author succeeds in writing these characters well and all of them I enjoyed reading. At least they have each other. Anyways the fact that almost everything and everyone is gone was disorienting at first until Ellie stumbles across a world radio which gave some critical information like possible intervention from the US confirming that it's not a world war, well not yet and humanitarian aid will come "soon". It was a nice touch setting this book in the 90s as I only know a few books that are set during this time period from the fact that one character used a Walkman. The pacing is varied with some action scenes of explosions and chases but most of the book is a slow burn with Ellie contemplating about very deep subjects like nature, love and good and evil. By the time the book ends, it was heartwarming when I still saw Ellie and her group still all together now adjusted to this new reality but I'm confused about how the war actually started, it could be revealed in the next books in the series.
Trigger warnings: Death of a pet, fire, explosions, murder of a wife and child, blood depiction, military violence and war themes, gun violence
Update: 7/10, I've been wanting to read this for a while since it looked interesting to me and I'm glad I did, I can certainly say that it definitely feels similar to Alone by Megan E. Freeman but this author like another one I've read from managed to pull off a classic Australian twist making this fresh and original, where do I begin. It starts off with the main character Ellie Linton with six other friends enjoying their school holidays and living their lives in this rural town and they were in this open area called Hell, at first nothing much happens but the next day everything changes much like Alone. Ellie wakes up and noticed that there were a few changes like all the pets are dying or dead and everyone else seems to be captured, all that's left is her and her six remaining friends and the author succeeds in writing these characters well and all of them I enjoyed reading. At least they have each other. Anyways the fact that almost everything and everyone is gone was disorienting at first until Ellie stumbles across a world radio which gave some critical information like possible intervention from the US confirming that it's not a world war, well not yet and humanitarian aid will come "soon". It was a nice touch setting this book in the 90s as I only know a few books that are set during this time period from the fact that one character used a Walkman. The pacing is varied with some action scenes of explosions and chases but most of the book is a slow burn with Ellie contemplating about very deep subjects like nature, love and good and evil. By the time the book ends, it was heartwarming when I still saw Ellie and her group still all together now adjusted to this new reality but I'm confused about how the war actually started, it could be revealed in the next books in the series.
kikkrareads's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book I had to read when I was in year 8 or 9 back in school. I remember thinking "how lame" when I saw the cover, then devoured it within a day, finished the series within a week and have obsessed with it ever since!
I recently decided that I will reread the series and I am so happy I did! As soon as I started it all came flooding back to me, why I love it so much and how amazing John Marsden is!
[Image]The story follows 7 teens and their discovery that when they were away on a week get-away camping trip, their town has been invaded and they must decided to fight, flee or turn themselves in!
Whilst the story is told by Ellie, the main character, she is able to give each character their own spotlight and thus creating not one but seven main characters. Each with their own unique thoughts, actions and abilities. Each character grows and changes too as the world around them changes. For example Homer, a teenage book of Greek heritage went from being the joker and trouble maker in school too the logical, responsible and even romantic male leader. Ellie went from carefree and farm focused to task focused and determined to do what has to be done.
Romantic relations bloom, friendships grown, and abilities are tested and strengthened as they each face obstacles along the way. Throughout the book, questions of behaviour during war is brought up and questioned. Is it okay to kill if saving your own life? Is it okay to invade a country that is so rich and full of space when your own people are poor, hungry and overcrowded? There is also the question of should you fight of flee?
Marsden has a very distinctive way of writing. His ability to get into the female psyche, describe the ever beautiful Australian outback, and create a world of fear, terror and courageous characters is remarkable. His characters are 3D. They are easy to relate too and believable change as the world around them does.
This past-paced, action packed novel is a great read, and one that I know I will continue to re-read as the years pass by.
I recently decided that I will reread the series and I am so happy I did! As soon as I started it all came flooding back to me, why I love it so much and how amazing John Marsden is!
[Image]The story follows 7 teens and their discovery that when they were away on a week get-away camping trip, their town has been invaded and they must decided to fight, flee or turn themselves in!
Whilst the story is told by Ellie, the main character, she is able to give each character their own spotlight and thus creating not one but seven main characters. Each with their own unique thoughts, actions and abilities. Each character grows and changes too as the world around them changes. For example Homer, a teenage book of Greek heritage went from being the joker and trouble maker in school too the logical, responsible and even romantic male leader. Ellie went from carefree and farm focused to task focused and determined to do what has to be done.
Romantic relations bloom, friendships grown, and abilities are tested and strengthened as they each face obstacles along the way. Throughout the book, questions of behaviour during war is brought up and questioned. Is it okay to kill if saving your own life? Is it okay to invade a country that is so rich and full of space when your own people are poor, hungry and overcrowded? There is also the question of should you fight of flee?
Marsden has a very distinctive way of writing. His ability to get into the female psyche, describe the ever beautiful Australian outback, and create a world of fear, terror and courageous characters is remarkable. His characters are 3D. They are easy to relate too and believable change as the world around them does.
This past-paced, action packed novel is a great read, and one that I know I will continue to re-read as the years pass by.