Promotional Information

The beginning...

About the Author

John Marsden was born in Victoria, Australia and from an early age enjoyed reading. At nine years old, he decided he wanted to become an author. John’s first book, So Much to Tell You, was published in 1987 and was followed by a string of huge hits, highlighted by the Tomorrow series and The Ellie Chronicles. John has now sold more than two and a half million books in Australia alone, and is an international bestseller with many major awards to his credit. Suzi is an established Australian actress. She is a founding member of the Bell Shakespeare Company and has worked with leading Australian theatre companies such as the Sydney Theatre Company and the Melbourne Theatre Company. Suzi’s TV credits include Home and Away and The Kettering Incident on Foxtel’s SoHo in Australia and BBC Worldwide internationally. Her film credits include The Loved Ones, Queen of The Damned and Love and Other Catastrophes. Suzi has recorded many audiobooks for Bolinda including Tim Winton’s Dirt Music and the award-winning Tomorrow series by John Marsden.

Reviews

"... a riveting adventure through which Marsden explores the capacity for evil and the necessity of working together to oppose it."
*The Horn Book Magazine*

"I really love this book. It's great."
*Amazon*

"John Marsden's Australian setting for a seven book series becomes a vivid backdrop for the first title available in audio format. Read by Suzi Dougherty with teen-friendly voicing, the story moves from tense and gripping to philosophical by turns. Ellie, the narrator and resident of the rural ranching district surrounding Wirrawee, tells the story. She and her seven friends return from a camping trip to find their families captive, their homes destroyed or deserted, and their country invaded. Warned in a faxed message to 'go bush', they set up a base camp in Hell, a nearly inaccessible valley they have penetrated. Slightly reminiscent of Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien, which is mentioned in the story, Ellie is presented here as an inventive and admirable heroine. Conducting covert raids for information, supplies, and rescue missions, the friends ultimately progress to an actual guerrilla attack on a key bridge along the enemy supply line. All the while, the friends muse on larger questions – the good and evil in people, their own loyalties, and potential romance as they draw together in the face of their experiences. The discussion of sexual feelings, while not at all graphic, makes this more suitable for high school age listeners. Dougherty's narration is light-hearted, pensive, or fast-paced depending on the mood. Her Australian accent offers a convincing touch that adds to the flavor of the story. Everything does not come out happily ever after in this compelling and thought-provoking novel, and listeners will be eager to read or listen to the other titles in the saga."
*Customer Review*

Australian friends return from a camping trip in the outback to discover that enemy forces have invaded the country and imprisoned everyone in town. A gripping tale, told with Marsden's customary incisiveness. Ages 12-up. (Dec.)

"... a riveting adventure through which Marsden explores the capacity for evil and the necessity of working together to oppose it." -- The Horn Book Magazine
"I really love this book. It's great." -- Amazon
"John Marsden's Australian setting for a seven book series becomes a vivid backdrop for the first title available in audio format. Read by Suzi Dougherty with teen-friendly voicing, the story moves from tense and gripping to philosophical by turns. Ellie, the narrator and resident of the rural ranching district surrounding Wirrawee, tells the story. She and her seven friends return from a camping trip to find their families captive, their homes destroyed or deserted, and their country invaded. Warned in a faxed message to 'go bush', they set up a base camp in Hell, a nearly inaccessible valley they have penetrated. Slightly reminiscent of Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien, which is mentioned in the story, Ellie is presented here as an inventive and admirable heroine. Conducting covert raids for information, supplies, and rescue missions, the friends ultimately progress to an actual guerrilla attack on a key bridge along the enemy supply line. All the while, the friends muse on larger questions - the good and evil in people, their own loyalties, and potential romance as they draw together in the face of their experiences. The discussion of sexual feelings, while not at all graphic, makes this more suitable for high school age listeners. Dougherty's narration is light-hearted, pensive, or fast-paced depending on the mood. Her Australian accent offers a convincing touch that adds to the flavor of the story. Everything does not come out happily ever after in this compelling and thought-provoking novel, and listeners will be eager to read or listen to the other titles in the saga." -- Customer Review