The Dead of Night

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: An utterly realistic, gripping account of the continuing adventures of Ellie and her friends as they fight the army that has taken over their country and captured their families while struggling to stay alive. Beginning with "Tomorrow, When the War Began," the books draw you in because they confront the conflicting feelings and sometime self destructive behavior that the war brings out in Ellie, Lee, and their friends. The teenagers struggle to hang onto their humanity in the face of overwhelming hardship, and sometimes they lose their grip on it, only to be brought back by their friendships and inner strength. Reading through the whole series, you can see how Ellie and the others change, harden, and lose their compassion -- a poignant reminder of how desperate circumstances can lead teenagers to do desperate things. Her friends and their work together are what keep her from slipping over the edge, and it's that darkness that sets these books apart. A must read for any teenager -- past or present.

Rating:
Summary: Tres Bien!!
Review: Good book. But the latest book "the night is for hunting" is brilliant.

Rating:
Summary: Action packed but an overall disappointment
Review: Got your attention, didn't I? After I read the first book, "Tomorrow, When the War Began", I was intrigued to read on further. But by the time I finished the second book I was disgusted. Marsden allows you to read about the other characters but mainly focuses on Ellie and her boyfriend Lee. Ellie, the narrator, is always there for every important moment of the book also making it somewhat ridiculous. Ellie and her group of friends go on about destroying minor areas of the enemy's plans and act as if they've done a great deal. I was disappointed at how Marsden makes the enemy look like animals. It is true that their country has been invaded and their people aren't being treated very well. But come on, this isn't the Holocaust, this is "war". When Lee stabs a hurting soldier in the heart I was especially disgusted. Lee makes a comment about how the enemy is vermin, the only vermin I see is Ellie and her friends scampering about Hell doing nothing except making a few Molotov cocktails once in while, and everyone knows how to make those. The worst part about this book is the relationship between Ellie and her boyfriend Lee. Instead of having a subtle romance steadily becoming stronger, Ellie hits it head on with her boyfriend in The Dead of the Night when they make (descriptive) love right before a major "battle". If Marsden wasn't concentrating so heavily on Lee and Ellie's sexual relationship the book might have been mediocre. A particular revolting comment Ellie makes is in the epilogue; she says that she and Lee had made love five times since that night, six in all. If Ellie and Lee were so worried about the war and their families perhaps they shouldn't be making love for their own pleasure. "War" and "Sex" just don't mix. I can't believe that young adult authors today actually think that we teenagers like that kind of stuff. I can write a better novel than John Marsden about teenagers in war. I would not recommend this book to anyone unless they are the type who are easily engrossed with "pleasurable" and descriptive scenes. The Dead of the Night was an absolute disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: spinetingling
Review: I am a looonngggtime reader and collector of the Hardy Boys (I am34 and a woman!) And I must say that this story was one of my all-time favorites. "WHat Happend At Midnight" is still my number one though, Can you tell Joe is my favorite Charachter in the books? Anyways, I had been waiting for the time when they dealt with Joes guilt over Iolas death. Now Frank has some Idea of Joes pain. the whole story was so great and well written I tingled all through til the end. Oh and it is about time their mother had a bigger role.

Rating:
Summary: good plot and action continues, WARNING to preteen parents
Review: I am feeling rather prudish writing these reviews, but I do feel it is appropriate to make sure parents know what is in their children's books. My 13 year old daughter and I both read and enjoyed the first book in the series. I have now just finished reading the second and know she will enjoy it, but will find the sexual content a bit uncomfortable. I will let her read it, but plan on discussing it with her. I would definitely not put this book in the hands of anyone younger. The violence may also be disturbing. I would highly recommend another book out of Australia that we both enjoyed: "Looking for Alibrandi" by Melina Marchetta. Check this one out, good romance, good plot, good decisions. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the first, but still great!
Review: I don't know, after reading the first book in the series, this book seemed a bit 'lighter', even though they blew more stuff up in it! I'm making a computer game of the first book by the way...

Rating:
Summary: Oh my God, this is one of the best books I've ever read!
Review: I first found out about the "Tomorrow" series when I was looking through my library's "new YA books" case. And I am so glad i found it. This book not only got me upset, in tears, laughing and thinking, but it (and the next 3) got me an A+ on a book report I had to do. (Thank you Mr. Marsden, for writing such good books!) Ellie and gang are out camping when an Asian take-over changes their lives forever. One of the best things about this book is that not all the "baddies" die. In real life, the cheerleaders and quarterbacks don't always save the day, as depicted in countless movies and books. In this book, the kids are real. Just because you are pretty doesn't mean you come out OK. Alright, I know that some of this review covers the first 4 books, which I absolutly love, but I read them one after another. About three months ago. It's hard to seperate one part from another. So to anyone out there who'd actualy read what I have to say - go get this book. Find it somehow, and read it and it's counterparts, because you will be deeply moved. ~Nishana

Rating:
Summary: SO GOOD!!
Review: I loved this book! I was so mad when they described Corrie's condition though! She had been my favorite character!!! Besides that, they get themselves out of some pretty tough situations. The gore and sexuality definetly takes a step up. MUST HAVE!

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: I loved this book, it was one of the best books I have ever read. If anyone knows what comes after "Darkness be my friend." Please let me know.

Rating:
Summary: Not just for kids...a review by Rachaels' mom
Review: I occasionally read the books that my 12 year old daughter reads, just to make sure they are acceptable. The quality and depth of this series is absolutely incredible. The characters are so believeable, with real emotions and reactions. You actually feel that you are living every moment with them and often find yourself considering what you would do if you were in a similar situation. Some situations are very violent, but our kids need to realize that war is real, and the destruction and pain it causes is real--there is more to it than what they see on the news...