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While I Live (The Ellie Chronicles #1)
by
John Marsden
The town of Wirrawee is emerging from war, slowly. School's back in, Juicy's is open for coffee, farmers are bidding at the cattle sales. Ellie Linton at last gets what she longed for and what she fought for, to be back on the farm with her parents. But it's not the same. A new nation is on the other side of a new border. Suddenly the war is about to explode into Ellie's l...more
Hardcover, 300 pages
Published
2003
by Pan
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I really don't know how to review this. I liked it but I only read it because my Dad bought me the entire series. I read the whole series, but I really don't think that The Ellie Chronicles needed to be there. I recommend reading it if you enjoyed the Tomorrow series, because it was nice to see how everyone reacted and how people were fairing. But it wasn't necessary.
When I read the Tomorrow series by John Marsden I really loved them. Then when I found out there was a series set after the Tomorrow series I was very excited because I did like this series. So when I finally read the first one I thought it was alright.
One thing I didn't think was so great was that none of my favourite characters except for Ellie were in it but there's a good reason for that.
While I did find it really interesting and I thought it was great how the book got straight into the acti...more
One thing I didn't think was so great was that none of my favourite characters except for Ellie were in it but there's a good reason for that.
While I did find it really interesting and I thought it was great how the book got straight into the acti...more
view all 5 comments
Aug 14, 2012
Damali
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult-and-ya-contemporary
The Tomorrow, When the War Began series should be read *before* this trilogy.
Just when Ellie thinks her life is back to normal and she can be a regular girl again, tragedy strikes, and she has to make some tough choices. A few of her friends who survived the War don't like how the government resolved things, and they join a top secret group to attack the invaders. Ellie wants no part of it, she has enough on her plate, but she may not have a choice.
Just when Ellie thinks her life is back to normal and she can be a regular girl again, tragedy strikes, and she has to make some tough choices. A few of her friends who survived the War don't like how the government resolved things, and they join a top secret group to attack the invaders. Ellie wants no part of it, she has enough on her plate, but she may not have a choice.
Plot summary: A mere four months after the end of the war that ended Ellie Linton's childhood forever, her world is rocked to its core once again. Juggling grief, school, guardianship of Gavin, enemy attacks, and massive financial responsibilities, Ellie's fight is only just beginning.
Thoughts: God, this poor kid. If you think Harry Potter's been through a lot, try Ellie Linton on for size. A year of living in the bush undertaking guerrilla warfare, responsible for dozens of deaths, losing thre...more
Thoughts: God, this poor kid. If you think Harry Potter's been through a lot, try Ellie Linton on for size. A year of living in the bush undertaking guerrilla warfare, responsible for dozens of deaths, losing thre...more
After having read the 'Tommorow When The War' began series my hopes were high for this book. A sort of follow on series, the book focuses more on the life issues of Ellie Linton and less action with less things blowing up which can be good or bad depending on your point of veiw.
A series a lot of people loved because of its unique plot and storyline, the Tommorow When The War Began series was a hit. This follow on series is surprisingly different than the original series. I had hoped for another...more
A series a lot of people loved because of its unique plot and storyline, the Tommorow When The War Began series was a hit. This follow on series is surprisingly different than the original series. I had hoped for another...more
Mar 08, 2010
Ronya
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
post-apocalyptic,
young-adult
Marsden's /Tomorrow, When the War Began/ started off a 7-book series about a modern-day invasion of Australia and the group of backwoods kids who turned into guerrilla fighters. /While I Live/ kicks off Marsden's next series, which could just be considered a continuation. This isn't to say it's horrible or that the books have deteriorated over time. No, what keeps me coming back to this series is the protagonist, Ellie Linton, part of that original group of teenagers. Each book in the series has...more
I loved Tomorrow When the War Began and (to varying degrees) its sequels, so I was excited to find that Marsden's follow-up series about Ellie and her friends was available in the US. While I Live plunges the reader immediately back into the turmoil of Australia following a hostile invasion from an unnamed country. Now, there is a tenuous peace between the two countries; Australia has been divided into two countries, and Ellie's property is dangerously close to the border line. Almost immediatel...more
While I Live is a wonderful book by John Marsden. It is the first book in The Ellie Chronicles, a continuation of the Tomorrow Series. There are many fantastic aspects of this book. It is a very insightful book that gives a perceptive view on the life of people post-war. I realised that I have an idyllic view of life after the war, but it has been revealed to me that there is still conflict that goes on after an invasion. It was particularly moving at the beginning when Ellie loses both her pare...more
Ellie and her family are trying to recover from a Marsden-invented war that ravaged Australia and New Zealand, resulting in an uneasy peace and half of Australia in the hands of foreign invaders. Ellie's family lives on a ranch near the recently constructed border. She was an active member of the Australian resistance force during the war and is looking forward to life returning to some semblance of normalcy. That lasts all of maybe 2 pages. The book opens with a renegade band of invaders attack...more
This book was basically a guide to farming cattle with a bit of fighting thrown in, in an attempt to tie it to the Tomorrow series.
Ellie spends the whole book learning how to run a farm, fighting with the family lawyer, not speaking up for herself, ignoring all the warning signs about what's really going on, learning what the word 'mortgage' means, looking after Gavin, and wondering what Liberation is and who is in charge of it.
Then there's a really weird montage scene of all the things she love...more
Ellie spends the whole book learning how to run a farm, fighting with the family lawyer, not speaking up for herself, ignoring all the warning signs about what's really going on, learning what the word 'mortgage' means, looking after Gavin, and wondering what Liberation is and who is in charge of it.
Then there's a really weird montage scene of all the things she love...more
I loved this! While I felt the last few 'Tomorrow' books were a bit disappointing - it must be hard to sustain the pace of them, this was a return to why I fell in love with the series in the first place. The war is now over and the other side have settled on the other side of a border. Groups and soldiers from both sides are crossing the border, though, for raids and violence. While life has returned to normal for some, Ellie's parents are brutally murdered, and so she has to try to run the far...more
As a high maintained teenager, at least on the literature side of things, I can say that without no doubt John Marsden is one of the authors I remember the best and that is because of the already mention series Tomorrow The War Begun. Now I don't remember how old I was but somewhere between fourteen and sixteen, Tomorrow the War Begun left a lasting impression, the kind that settles over your chest and makes you breath heavier for a second, making you wonder if you're going to cry or if you cont...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I loved reading John Marsden's series on tomorrow when the war began series so decided to carry on with the Ellie Chroicles (they are linked).
I think the main reason I read his books is I want to know what a war would be like. I also want to understand what is going on around me.John Marsden writes the sort of books that are imposible to understand if you read them in the wrong order, they also have a very vague ending. He discribes everything in detail and lots of people find it a bit too much...more
I think the main reason I read his books is I want to know what a war would be like. I also want to understand what is going on around me.John Marsden writes the sort of books that are imposible to understand if you read them in the wrong order, they also have a very vague ending. He discribes everything in detail and lots of people find it a bit too much...more
While I Live is probably what many bloggers might call old news, but after only just having read this first book in the Ellie Linton chronicles I thought I’d give a review a go. Interesting and well written, it offers an insight into something most authors don’t bother to explore: after the war. Though I wouldn’t say I was captivated mind and soul, it was definitely a good way to pass a few hours when I was bored.
The basic plot picks up a few months after the war has ended, and Australia has com...more
The basic plot picks up a few months after the war has ended, and Australia has com...more
Sep 28, 2010
Amanda
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
trivia-answered,
reviewed
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Aug 21, 2007
Lucy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who like their ya with a strong voice
Shelves:
teen,
post-apocalyptic
It is four months since the war ended, and for Ellie Linton, life is slowly returning to some form of normalcy. She is living on her family farm with her parents and helping to pick up the pieces of their life. She is back in school, and is slowly reclaiming who she was before the war. And then, in the blink of an eye, devestating tragedy strikes. Now, Ellie must pick up the pieces all over again and struggle to hold on to everything that she's managed to build. And this time, some of her enemie...more
this is first book of a trilogy in the follow up to the tomorrow series which follows ellie post war. I love it its as good as the previous series and doesn't lack in keeping you entertained. ellie has to deal with how to battle in a grown up world and use a different type of cunning. Most of the original characters are stil here with the introduction of new ones who you love just as much. I have read this book a few times and find its great to re read, like watching ya fave movie again.
May 24, 2011
Mandy
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
alternate-history-possible-future
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Interest level: 7th +
Reading level: medium
Genre: Adventure, survival, war, Australia
Series: The Ellie Chronicles
"While I Live" is the first book of "The Ellie Chronicles", the sequel to "The Tomorrow Series". The war is over but things have not yet returned to normal: skirmishes contine near the border, people are still being murdered (including Ellie's parents), and Ellie is struggling to survive on her parent's farm.
Reading level: medium
Genre: Adventure, survival, war, Australia
Series: The Ellie Chronicles
"While I Live" is the first book of "The Ellie Chronicles", the sequel to "The Tomorrow Series". The war is over but things have not yet returned to normal: skirmishes contine near the border, people are still being murdered (including Ellie's parents), and Ellie is struggling to survive on her parent's farm.
"While I live" is a follow up of Marsden's internationally acclaimed "Tomorrow, she the war began" series. While knowledge of this series is recommended it is not required as the style of writing combined with the pace of the writing forces a connection with the characters if unfamiliar. a great read for those new to Marsden's style, or those familiar with his prior series'.
I liked the Ellie Chronicles although I thought that the Tomorrow Series was more exciting. The Ellie Chronicles is very well written and has fulfilled my wonderingly about what happens to the five young characters - Ellie, Lee, Homer, Fi and Gavin - after the war and their many losses of friends, family and acquaintances.
It took me a surprisingly long time to read this. I liked it, but never really got caught up in the book, the way I did the original series. I missed Fi - she got far too little pagetime. Fortunately Homer was there though (I never really warmed to Lee). Still, it's a fascinating insight into life after war - especially considering the great amounts of land Australia had to give up.
I'll probably eventually read the rest of the series as well, as I do love Ellie and want to hear more about how sh...more
I'll probably eventually read the rest of the series as well, as I do love Ellie and want to hear more about how sh...more
Enjoy Marsden's writing style (although I find the random comparisons, scenes and memories that have no real connection with the action kinda annoying) and the descriptions of her (dead) parents' private parts is kinda creepy/weird/eew.
I think the return to 'normal' life is balanced rather nicely with the war parts of it. I mean, Marsden managed to write just enough about school and the farm and Gavin or whatever but also included scenes with soldiers and conflict and stuff.
I wish wish wish wi...more
I think the return to 'normal' life is balanced rather nicely with the war parts of it. I mean, Marsden managed to write just enough about school and the farm and Gavin or whatever but also included scenes with soldiers and conflict and stuff.
I wish wish wish wi...more
This first book in the Ellie chronicles shows us just how hard it is for Ellie and her buddies to return to some form of normality after the war with their families. Then the killings begin and they revert into wartime mode again. Overall a good continuation of this series.
I love Ellie!
I was already so invested this character from the previous series (Tomorrow the War Begins) that I bawled my eyes out at the beginning event of this book. Well, not this time, because I was reading it for the second time. But I did when I first read it.
I was already so invested this character from the previous series (Tomorrow the War Begins) that I bawled my eyes out at the beginning event of this book. Well, not this time, because I was reading it for the second time. But I did when I first read it.
I like it but John should have just left us with the 7 book series! I mean we want to know what happens after but sorry to ruin it for anyone. Why did her parents die? Why did they go after others. Like they raped that girl. I can't remember her name.
Was so happy when I found out that the 'ellie chronicles' were out. It finishes off the story and wraps it all up. I have read the series now 3 times, starting with "tomorrow, when the war began and finishing with 'Circle of Flight' and am pleased to say that I love it more each time. A timeless series that I hope my kids will read one day.
another part to the series, a little repetitive of prior books but still has that same wonderful writing style that JM has. Ellie is such a likeable and honest character. The second half of the book really is a page turner, very good!
This is the first book of a series that continues the Tomorrow When the War Began. While I Live is set four months after the final book of the Tomorrow series. Of course, Ellie has to go through new hardships that the reader has to wonder how much can a teenager go through and not completely break?
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His first book, So Much To Tell You, was published in 1987. This was followed by Take My Word For It, a half-sequel written from the point of view of another character. His landmark Tomorrow series is recognized as the most popular book series for young adults ever written in Australia. The first book of this series, Tomorrow When The War Began, has been reprinted 26 times in Australia. The first...more
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“Dad always said there were three types of workers. The ones who stood there saying "Is there anything I can do " and did nothing. Most of our city guests were like that. The ones who said "Tell me what you want done and I'll do it" and did. Most of our workers over the years had been like that. And the ones who didn't say anything but were always a jump or two ahead of you. When you were changing a flat tyre and you took the old one off and turned to pick up the new one they'd already have it in their hands and they'd move in and put it on from your left while you were still turning round to the right.
Dad reckoned one of those was worth two or the second type and five of the first type.”
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Dad reckoned one of those was worth two or the second type and five of the first type.”
“The only real enemy humans have is death. Every other enemy like a kid who slags you off at school or a cop who pulls you over you think they're enemies but they're not really. They're just I don't know irritations. But death that's the serious one because you know he'll win eventually. And that makes you like you've got to try to beat him. The bigger the challenge the harder you try. That's true of anything. In a way our enemies aren't these soldiers themselves our enemy is death and the soldiers are just his little local representatives." -Homer”
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