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John Marsden The Tomorrow Collection 7 Books Set
The Tomorrow series is a series of seven young adult invasion novels written by Australian writer John Marsden, detailing the invasion and occupation of Australia by a foreign power. The novels are related from the first-person perspective by Ellie Linton, a teenage girl, who is part of a small band of teenagers waging a guerrilla war on the enemy soldiers in the region around their fictional home town of Wirrawee. The name of the series is derived from the title of the first book, Tomorrow, When the War Began.
The books in the series were originally published from 1993–99, by Pan Macmillan, and have been reprinted sixteen times. A sequel series, The Ellie Chronicles, was later published from 2003 to 2006. The follow-up series concerns itself largely with the attempts of society and the protagonist to regain a normal level of functioning in the face of the psychological damage sustained during the war.
In the original series (1993–99) the identity of the invading force is never specified, which is most likely by explicit intent of the author. In the sequel series (2003–06) the invading force is specified as a coalition of highly populous Southeast Asian nations, who see the vast underdeveloped spaces and natural resources of Australia as a way to tackle their human overpopulation problem, and the series features multinational colonies of enemy civilians being set up in conquered territory. Few parts of the war outside Ellie's immediate perspective are covered; the reader is not informed exactly how much of the country is under enemy control, though a radio broadcast early in the series confirms that several major coastal cities and much of the inland area have been seized by the invading forces. How well the war is going for the Australian military is not covered, however, it's strongly implied that they suffer heavy losses.
Tomorrow, When the War Began and its sequels are one of the most popular and critically acclaimed series of novels aimed at young readers in Australian literary history. It has sold over 3 million copies in Australia and has been translated into five languages.
Tomorrow, When the War Began (1993)
The Dead of Night (1994)
The Third Day, the Frost (1995) (published in the U.S. and Canada as A Killing Frost)
Darkness, Be My Friend (1996)
Burning for Revenge (1997)
The Night is for Hunting (1998)
The Other Side of Dawn (1999)
(source: wikipedia)
The books in the series were originally published from 1993–99, by Pan Macmillan, and have been reprinted sixteen times. A sequel series, The Ellie Chronicles, was later published from 2003 to 2006. The follow-up series concerns itself largely with the attempts of society and the protagonist to regain a normal level of functioning in the face of the psychological damage sustained during the war.
In the original series (1993–99) the identity of the invading force is never specified, which is most likely by explicit intent of the author. In the sequel series (2003–06) the invading force is specified as a coalition of highly populous Southeast Asian nations, who see the vast underdeveloped spaces and natural resources of Australia as a way to tackle their human overpopulation problem, and the series features multinational colonies of enemy civilians being set up in conquered territory. Few parts of the war outside Ellie's immediate perspective are covered; the reader is not informed exactly how much of the country is under enemy control, though a radio broadcast early in the series confirms that several major coastal cities and much of the inland area have been seized by the invading forces. How well the war is going for the Australian military is not covered, however, it's strongly implied that they suffer heavy losses.
Tomorrow, When the War Began and its sequels are one of the most popular and critically acclaimed series of novels aimed at young readers in Australian literary history. It has sold over 3 million copies in Australia and has been translated into five languages.
Tomorrow, When the War Began (1993)
The Dead of Night (1994)
The Third Day, the Frost (1995) (published in the U.S. and Canada as A Killing Frost)
Darkness, Be My Friend (1996)
Burning for Revenge (1997)
The Night is for Hunting (1998)
The Other Side of Dawn (1999)
(source: wikipedia)
7 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
About the author
John Marsden
95 books1,968 followersThere is more than one author with this name in the database, see f.e. John Marsden.
John Marsden was an Australian writer and school principal. He wrote more than 40 books in his career and his books have been translated into many languages. He was especially known for his young adult novel Tomorrow, When the War Began, which began a series of seven books.
Marsden began writing for children while working as a teacher, and had his first book, So Much to Tell You, published in 1987. In 2006, he started an alternative school, Candlebark School, and reduced his writing to focus on teaching and running the school. In 2016, he opened the arts-focused secondary school, Alice Miller School. Both schools are in the Macedon Ranges.
John Marsden was an Australian writer and school principal. He wrote more than 40 books in his career and his books have been translated into many languages. He was especially known for his young adult novel Tomorrow, When the War Began, which began a series of seven books.
Marsden began writing for children while working as a teacher, and had his first book, So Much to Tell You, published in 1987. In 2006, he started an alternative school, Candlebark School, and reduced his writing to focus on teaching and running the school. In 2016, he opened the arts-focused secondary school, Alice Miller School. Both schools are in the Macedon Ranges.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 12, 2020
With my birthday just passed I’ve got at least 10 books in the reading queue now, but have interrupted everything to re-read this incredible series – probably the greatest young adult fiction ever written.
I couldn’t find the first 2 books – all my books have long been packed away in boxes, waiting for a move that never comes – but was able to dig out the latter 5 easily enough. I only meant to read a few bits & pieces to see how John Marsden wrote his action sequences, as it’s something I was struggling with a bit myself, but soon got so absorbed I began reading them just like my enthralled former teenage self did.
There’s more to say about the Tomorrow series than I can possibly fit into an Insta post, but what Marsden did with these books puts him right up there with the greatest in literature. The authenticity of Ellie’s voice, as a female Australian teenager; the terrifying yet also empowering nature of the extraordinary circumstances she & her friends find themselves in; their development as they discover depths of courage & strengths of bonds they never thought possible. It’s without a doubt one of the most important reads of my life.
I do feel the original trilogy have a perfect magic that’s SLIGHTLY lost in subsequent books, but at the same time I found myself appreciating the last book a lot more this time round. Set largely in a POW camp & thus jarringly different to all the predecessors, it’s also considerably darker & more violent, giving the reader a reality check of the disturbing brutality that being captured by the enemy in wartime can mean – such as when a woman spits out shards of teeth after being smashed in the mouth with a truncheon.
Derided by some hack author as ‘paranoid white nationalist fantasy’, it’s a sad sign of the times that John stated on Q&A not long ago that he wouldn’t write the Tomorrow series now. What a tragic loss that would’ve been to young people not just in Australia but all over the world, who’ve drawn inspiration from Ellie & her multicultural group of friends who grow, laugh, cry, love, fight & die – never for jingoistic reasons but simply in defence of the community & a way of life they know & cherish.
I couldn’t find the first 2 books – all my books have long been packed away in boxes, waiting for a move that never comes – but was able to dig out the latter 5 easily enough. I only meant to read a few bits & pieces to see how John Marsden wrote his action sequences, as it’s something I was struggling with a bit myself, but soon got so absorbed I began reading them just like my enthralled former teenage self did.
There’s more to say about the Tomorrow series than I can possibly fit into an Insta post, but what Marsden did with these books puts him right up there with the greatest in literature. The authenticity of Ellie’s voice, as a female Australian teenager; the terrifying yet also empowering nature of the extraordinary circumstances she & her friends find themselves in; their development as they discover depths of courage & strengths of bonds they never thought possible. It’s without a doubt one of the most important reads of my life.
I do feel the original trilogy have a perfect magic that’s SLIGHTLY lost in subsequent books, but at the same time I found myself appreciating the last book a lot more this time round. Set largely in a POW camp & thus jarringly different to all the predecessors, it’s also considerably darker & more violent, giving the reader a reality check of the disturbing brutality that being captured by the enemy in wartime can mean – such as when a woman spits out shards of teeth after being smashed in the mouth with a truncheon.
Derided by some hack author as ‘paranoid white nationalist fantasy’, it’s a sad sign of the times that John stated on Q&A not long ago that he wouldn’t write the Tomorrow series now. What a tragic loss that would’ve been to young people not just in Australia but all over the world, who’ve drawn inspiration from Ellie & her multicultural group of friends who grow, laugh, cry, love, fight & die – never for jingoistic reasons but simply in defence of the community & a way of life they know & cherish.
May 12, 2019
I reviewed the entire Tomorrow series, s part of my Throwback Thursday series where I republish old reviews, re-review books I've read before or review older books I have only just had a chance to read.
For this week’s Throwback Thursday review, I dive back into one of the most popular and iconic Australian fiction series of all times, John Marsden’s epic Tomorrow series.
The Tomorrow series, by bestselling and award-winning Australian author John Marsden, is a powerful and thought-provoking young adult series that was released in the 1990s. Made up of seven books, the series began in 1993 with Tomorrow, When the War Began and ended in 1999 with The Other Side of Dawn. The Tomorrow series follows a small group of young teenage protagonists as they deal with a foreign invasion of Australia which forces them to hide in the bush and engage in a guerrilla war to win. Thanks to its strong characters, frank depictions of war and trauma and its excellent utilisation of Australia’s bush and rural landscape, the Tomorrow series has become one of the most highly regarded and popular Australian series of all times, with millions of copies sold in Australia alone (which, considering our relatively small population, is pretty impressive). It is also considered a must-read series for young Australian readers, and it is still required reading in many schools to this day.
I have been a major fan of this series for a very long time. I remember reading these books while I was at school, both for classes and for my own enjoyment, and I was enthralled by its depictions of war and its captivating story, which stoked my imagination for years. Re-reading it at an older age, I began to appreciate the more complex nature of its story and the characters portrayed within. I have re-read or re-listened to these books many times over the years, and it still remains one of my most favourite series of all times. I have actually been planning to review this as part of my Throwback Thursday series for some time, and after recently mentioning it in my First Ten Books I Reviewed list, where it placed No. 1 thanks to a review project at school, I have decided it was time to share why I love this series and why those who readers unfamiliar with it should check it out.
The Tomorrow series is set in the 1990s, around the same time as the books were written, in a fictional area of Australia. The plot revolves around seven teenagers, Ellie, Corrie, Homer, Fiona, Lee, Robyn and Kevin, who live in and around the rural town of Wirrawee. During the holiday period they decide to head out to a remote and mostly unexplored area of the bush, known as Hell, for a week of camping. Isolated from the rest of the world, they are mostly unaware of events transpiring beyond their bush hideaway. Once they finish their trip, they emerge from Hell to find their farms and houses abandoned and their town occupied by soldiers. It soon becomes apparent that all of Australia has been invaded by a foreign nation, with Wirrawee being one of the initial points of occupation due to its proximity to a harbour that is vital to the invader’s supply network. Using Hell as a base, the protagonists have to come to terms with the new reality they find themselves in, and they must band together to not only survive, but to try and find some way to oppose the invading army.
While all seven books in the series are deeply entertaining and extremely well written, their real strength lies in their continuation as a series. Marsden does an outstanding job linking all of the books in the series together, creating one lengthy and captivating story that you cannot wait to get to the end of. The sheer amount of character development that occurs throughout the series, as well as the various attacks and input in the war effort, is amazing, and the Tomorrow series really needs to be read in its entirety and in order.
To see the full review of this series, check out the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2019/05/10/...
For other exciting reviews, visit my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
For this week’s Throwback Thursday review, I dive back into one of the most popular and iconic Australian fiction series of all times, John Marsden’s epic Tomorrow series.
The Tomorrow series, by bestselling and award-winning Australian author John Marsden, is a powerful and thought-provoking young adult series that was released in the 1990s. Made up of seven books, the series began in 1993 with Tomorrow, When the War Began and ended in 1999 with The Other Side of Dawn. The Tomorrow series follows a small group of young teenage protagonists as they deal with a foreign invasion of Australia which forces them to hide in the bush and engage in a guerrilla war to win. Thanks to its strong characters, frank depictions of war and trauma and its excellent utilisation of Australia’s bush and rural landscape, the Tomorrow series has become one of the most highly regarded and popular Australian series of all times, with millions of copies sold in Australia alone (which, considering our relatively small population, is pretty impressive). It is also considered a must-read series for young Australian readers, and it is still required reading in many schools to this day.
I have been a major fan of this series for a very long time. I remember reading these books while I was at school, both for classes and for my own enjoyment, and I was enthralled by its depictions of war and its captivating story, which stoked my imagination for years. Re-reading it at an older age, I began to appreciate the more complex nature of its story and the characters portrayed within. I have re-read or re-listened to these books many times over the years, and it still remains one of my most favourite series of all times. I have actually been planning to review this as part of my Throwback Thursday series for some time, and after recently mentioning it in my First Ten Books I Reviewed list, where it placed No. 1 thanks to a review project at school, I have decided it was time to share why I love this series and why those who readers unfamiliar with it should check it out.
The Tomorrow series is set in the 1990s, around the same time as the books were written, in a fictional area of Australia. The plot revolves around seven teenagers, Ellie, Corrie, Homer, Fiona, Lee, Robyn and Kevin, who live in and around the rural town of Wirrawee. During the holiday period they decide to head out to a remote and mostly unexplored area of the bush, known as Hell, for a week of camping. Isolated from the rest of the world, they are mostly unaware of events transpiring beyond their bush hideaway. Once they finish their trip, they emerge from Hell to find their farms and houses abandoned and their town occupied by soldiers. It soon becomes apparent that all of Australia has been invaded by a foreign nation, with Wirrawee being one of the initial points of occupation due to its proximity to a harbour that is vital to the invader’s supply network. Using Hell as a base, the protagonists have to come to terms with the new reality they find themselves in, and they must band together to not only survive, but to try and find some way to oppose the invading army.
While all seven books in the series are deeply entertaining and extremely well written, their real strength lies in their continuation as a series. Marsden does an outstanding job linking all of the books in the series together, creating one lengthy and captivating story that you cannot wait to get to the end of. The sheer amount of character development that occurs throughout the series, as well as the various attacks and input in the war effort, is amazing, and the Tomorrow series really needs to be read in its entirety and in order.
To see the full review of this series, check out the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2019/05/10/...
For other exciting reviews, visit my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
December 9, 2017
AMAZING!!
I think the thing I loved most about it was that it was so realistic. Like it wasn't just all a one-sided war. Ellie and Lee shot. 3 of Ellie's friends died. They got caught twice. They nearly got caught a million times. It was so unpredictable what was going to happen next.
But at the end when she thought all her friends died, I was actually like
"wait, hang on. That's impossible! Nup I'm not believing that."
Then I thought "dude, you don't want to disappointed when they are actually dead at the end"
So I ended up trying to convince myself that they were dead so I wouldn't be sad when they actually were. It kind of worked. But I still thought they would show up at the end. and then when they didn't show up with the parents and other trucks I started getting really sad and angry and started hating the book. But in the end they did show up and I was relieved.
I read the series really quickly. I am glad there was so many books.
I would read it again any day! And I highly recommend it!
I think the thing I loved most about it was that it was so realistic. Like it wasn't just all a one-sided war. Ellie and Lee shot. 3 of Ellie's friends died. They got caught twice. They nearly got caught a million times. It was so unpredictable what was going to happen next.
But at the end when she thought all her friends died, I was actually like
"wait, hang on. That's impossible! Nup I'm not believing that."
Then I thought "dude, you don't want to disappointed when they are actually dead at the end"
So I ended up trying to convince myself that they were dead so I wouldn't be sad when they actually were. It kind of worked. But I still thought they would show up at the end. and then when they didn't show up with the parents and other trucks I started getting really sad and angry and started hating the book. But in the end they did show up and I was relieved.
I read the series really quickly. I am glad there was so many books.
I would read it again any day! And I highly recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2024
I sought out this series shortly after I watched the movie, because while I liked the movie, I wanted more.
A group of teens were on a celebratory camping trip deep in the bush, they come home to find their families gone. Upon further investigation they realize they have been invaded by enemy forces.
The teens go back into hiding, but instead of staying hidden they decide to fight back, guerrilla warfare style. As the occupying forces sink deeper into their homeland, these teens must make tough decisions as they grow from kids to soldiers.
Reading the author’s portrayal of these resilient teens- turned soldiers makes a person wonder if they would have what it took to do the hard things, or the skills to survive it were they in that position themselves. As someone who loves survival/war stories I would recommend this series to someone who shares that interest.
A group of teens were on a celebratory camping trip deep in the bush, they come home to find their families gone. Upon further investigation they realize they have been invaded by enemy forces.
The teens go back into hiding, but instead of staying hidden they decide to fight back, guerrilla warfare style. As the occupying forces sink deeper into their homeland, these teens must make tough decisions as they grow from kids to soldiers.
Reading the author’s portrayal of these resilient teens- turned soldiers makes a person wonder if they would have what it took to do the hard things, or the skills to survive it were they in that position themselves. As someone who loves survival/war stories I would recommend this series to someone who shares that interest.
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April 12, 2020I read this series back in high school, I wasn’t much of a reader but Tomorrow When The War Began got me into books. It’s a fictional story of a group of Australian teenagers who go camping and a war begins while they are in the mountains.
I really enjoyed it back then, I’m not as sure if I’d still like it now... I think my tastes may have changed and I might find it more scary now than I did as a teen (I’m becoming more sensitive in my old age) haha! And yet I have fond memories of the series and enjoyed the movie. Plus anything set in Australia gains brownie points from me!
I really enjoyed it back then, I’m not as sure if I’d still like it now... I think my tastes may have changed and I might find it more scary now than I did as a teen (I’m becoming more sensitive in my old age) haha! And yet I have fond memories of the series and enjoyed the movie. Plus anything set in Australia gains brownie points from me!
February 20, 2018
It took me a solid 2 months to get through the series. I found myself literally going nights without sleep because I just couldn’t put the books down and just needed to know what happens next.
It’s an extremely captivating series and I highly recommend that they’re read. It’s not only for the young teens.
I’m starting the Ellie Chronicles which is somewhat a continuation of the series now because I just need to know how this ends!
It’s an extremely captivating series and I highly recommend that they’re read. It’s not only for the young teens.
I’m starting the Ellie Chronicles which is somewhat a continuation of the series now because I just need to know how this ends!
March 21, 2022
Like many, I read the Tomorrow When the War Began series when I was in high school. But we were only required to read the first couple of books. However being a reading addict even then I had to finish the series. And now some years later it's still a series I know I enjoyed.
While I probably wouldn't reread it now, my tastes and reading has matured and grown over the years. I highly recommend it as a series to read whether you're in the teenage age bracket or just enjoy this genre.
While I probably wouldn't reread it now, my tastes and reading has matured and grown over the years. I highly recommend it as a series to read whether you're in the teenage age bracket or just enjoy this genre.
July 23, 2023
I've been actively reading for about 10 years now (a series a week) but this one took me almost a month. I didn't want it to end. I loved EVERYTHING about this series. The story itself, the characters, the highs and lows. I grew up in Australia so it resonated on a homebound level and just couldn't get enough. This series made me a very big fan of 'teenage distopia' thank you John marsden, I absolutely loved Ellie and I can't wait to re read
December 2, 2021
Debated between 3 and 4 stars. For me, 3 = don't regret reading, was good and 4 = would recommend to others. (I reserve 5s for my very favorites.) All in all, I liked the premise of the series and always wanted to read the "next" book though I got a little tired of always hearing Ellie's perspective and would have liked to have had other narrators.
December 8, 2022
Wat een reeks, in minder dan een maand heb ik de 7 boeken verslonden! Het is nooit ondraaglijk spannend (feelgood) en niet elk boek/verhaal is even origineel of cool. Het boek aan de kant leggen lukte me toch ook niet, meerdere avonden uren na bedtijd nog liggen lezen. Zeer knap, dat doen weinig series na.
December 20, 2017
Even though these books are written for a teenage audience I still found them to be a great and captivating read. I felt really drawn to the main character and once I finished this series was eager to keep following her story in 'The Ellie Chronicles'
October 21, 2018
Brilliant series. I first read this book wen i was in my early teens. Now in my thirtys i still go back and read these books. I highly recommend them
May 21, 2019
The book series that got me through a lonely senior year. Thank you!
December 24, 2019
Loved these books!
December 28, 2019
Loves this series , really drew me into the story , fell in love with and related to the characters. Was so easy to follow and a great story behind it. Highly recommend them.
January 26, 2020
Brilliant series, it's a shame they never made all the movies and more than 1 season of the show
April 3, 2020
My favorite childhood novels. Still to this day, I read them over and over again
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June 2, 2021AMAAAZZZIIIIINNGGG!!!!!!!!!!!
November 30, 2021
First read at 12 and love them just as much at 26.
August 2, 2022
Spannendste Jugendliteratur eeeeevaaaaa. Und: das waren 7!!! Bücher
January 3, 2023
It is a great series, it has become one that I will pick again and again. This was my 4 time reading the first 5 and 2nd reading the last 2.
February 22, 2023
Absolutely blooming brilliant. 10/10 cannot recommend enough.
July 19, 2023
Just brilliant.
August 16, 2023
Amazing must read
October 24, 2024
Absolutely my number one favourite series of all time. I have probably read the whole series about 10 times and the writing style has definitely influenced my writing.
April 17, 2025
Tomorrow When the War Began,
The Dead of the Night,
The Third Day of Frost,
Darkness, Be My Friend,
Burning for Revenge,
The Night is for Hunting,
The Other Side of Dawn,
The Dead of the Night,
The Third Day of Frost,
Darkness, Be My Friend,
Burning for Revenge,
The Night is for Hunting,
The Other Side of Dawn,
January 1, 2026
IDK why but this is my go-to comfort series.
February 11, 2026
I loved it so much, and it got me addicted to reading as a kid. It's such a beautiful and tragic story
March 24, 2024
One of my favourite book collections, I've read it twice already and a third is soon coming
February 21, 2017
This series is a great one for teenage girls. Awesome Protagonist. Thrilling plots. Light on romance. Seriously awesome. I read these several times as a teenager.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews