La vida de Elli y sus amigos era de lo más tranquila en un pueblecito australiano, hasta que deciden irse unos días de acampada para celebrar su último verano de instituto en un páramo llamado Infierno. Desde allí, mientras disfrutan de idílicos días, se dan cuenta de un tráfico aéreo de aviones de guerra un tanto inquietante. Cuando vuelven a casa, sus familias han desaparecido, los animales han muerto, una fuerza extranjera ha tomado el territorio y todo el país está en guerra. El grupo de jóvenes, liderado por Ellie, decide convertirse en una de las pocas resistencias libres que quedan en la ciudad.

I've had this on my TBR list for years. The premise had always intrigued me because it seems so impossible, but yet so possible at the same time. A group of teenagers return from a week out in the bush to find their country invaded, their families missing, their pets dead or dying, and all communication and power shut off.

One thing that struck me was just how well this book held up despite it being published just shy of 20 years ago in another country. ( )

Good story of teenage campers who find their Australian town has been invaded while they were gone and how they begin rebel operations (think of the movie "Red Dawn" a little bit). Very nicely done. Good read. Ellie is the main character who is telling about it, and she shares her experiences in a sort of diary way. ( )

[b: Tomorrow, When the War Began|71865|Tomorrow, When the War Began (Tomorrow, #1)|John Marsden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388214812l/71865._SX50_.jpg|1253352] is a book I read 3 years ago so keep this in mind with this (very) late review, I remember loving how it was set in Australia and the war setting.
At the start of the book, it was a struggle, I will admit it, I was struggling to keep engaged and interested. The characters are actually all tolerable and even somewhat likeable, the premise was promising, but at some points, it is quite cringy and unbelievable.

Parts of this were also quite jarring and the fact that this was set in WW2 with an ample amount of food? Quite hard to believe if I do say so myself.

However, eventually, the plot became exciting and I myself was actually engaged.
( )

There were a lot of things I liked about the book. Ellie is a great main character, very likeable and barely annoying. She does what needs to be done without agonizing about too much. The only thing I had a trouble with was the treatment of animals by the kids, as well as their tendency to ignore safer, more sane, options.
In regards to the animal thing, I get that they're "rurals", but I am too and wouldn't be that callous. I think it's some of the author's bleed through.
Decent book, interesting to read about Australians for...well...the first time. ( )