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Tomorrow #4
Darkness, Be My Friend
Ellie and her friends had been rescued. Airlifted out of their own country to the safe haven of New Zealand, they'd arrived burnt and injured and shocked, with broken bones, and scars inside and out. They did not want to go back. But five months later the war is not over, the nightmares continue, and there are two compelling reasons for them to return: a planned sabotage of the air base in Wirrawee and, most important, the families they left behind. In this most recent episode of the tale begun in Tomorrow, When the War Began and continued in The Dead of Night and A Killing Frost, John Marsden takes us back to Hell, the outpost for a group of teens in a war-ravaged country. "Fans of this powerful series will not look forward to an early armistice." (The Bulletin)
269 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
230 people are currently reading
5181 people want to read
About the author
John Marsden
90 books1,955 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 507 reviews
May 29, 2020
Another wonderful entry in John Marsden's award winning Tomorrow series. In Darkness, Be My Friend, Ellie and her friends find themselves back in Hell, against their wishes. When something goes wrong they make their way to Wirrawee, looking for their allies. What they find is danger around every corner, so, against the odds, they embark on their most daring mission yet.
This is such a good series, written for young adults, but with an appeal that crosses generations. Powerful characters, an excellent setting and astounding, action packed plotlines mark this series, one I have no hesitation in recommending to everyone, not just lovers of dystopian fiction.
This is such a good series, written for young adults, but with an appeal that crosses generations. Powerful characters, an excellent setting and astounding, action packed plotlines mark this series, one I have no hesitation in recommending to everyone, not just lovers of dystopian fiction.
May 16, 2025
First Read: March 16th 2010
Re-read: March 2nd 2018, September 21st 2020, June 14th 2022
The fourth book in the tomorrow series picks up after the events of book 3.Five months into World War III, Ellie and her four remaining friends have barely escaped the Australian town of Wirrawee with their lives and their sanity intact. But as the next step becomes clear, they realize they must once again sacrifice their hard-won comfort and safety. A group of soldiers has recruited the kids to guide the way to the Wirrawee air base.
This book was the one that focused more on the psychological effects that the war was having on the group i found this was necessary part of the story because you can't go on without explaining how these characters are coping with how much there lives have changed in the course of a couple of months.
We see a change of place in this book where the group is rescued by the New Zealand army and taken to live in a new place for a couple of weeks. You could just imagine how ellie and her friends were feeling at this point of the book.
Re-read: March 2nd 2018, September 21st 2020, June 14th 2022
The fourth book in the tomorrow series picks up after the events of book 3.Five months into World War III, Ellie and her four remaining friends have barely escaped the Australian town of Wirrawee with their lives and their sanity intact. But as the next step becomes clear, they realize they must once again sacrifice their hard-won comfort and safety. A group of soldiers has recruited the kids to guide the way to the Wirrawee air base.
This book was the one that focused more on the psychological effects that the war was having on the group i found this was necessary part of the story because you can't go on without explaining how these characters are coping with how much there lives have changed in the course of a couple of months.
We see a change of place in this book where the group is rescued by the New Zealand army and taken to live in a new place for a couple of weeks. You could just imagine how ellie and her friends were feeling at this point of the book.
May 3, 2018
As this is the fourth book in the series I'll keep this brief to avoid spoilers. Another great installment in this series. Action-packed, a fast read, and great characters. Can't wait to see where this goes.
July 12, 2021
Kolejna część, która jest gorsza od poprzedniej. Pojawia się tutaj na siłę wciśnięte poczucie humoru, które zostało bardzo źle ograne. Główna bohaterka Ellie jest coraz bardziej irytująca.
June 20, 2012
This didn’t impress me as much as the others in the series. The book deals with the physiological impact the teenagers are going through as a result of the war. The action scenes are still heavy and fast paced but it’s all starting to sound the same. Not a lot of progress is being made. It is emotional in parts, when we learn a little more of family and friends held at the showgrounds.
Overall I think the series is brilliant and I’ve come too really like the characters. In particular Ellie, I think she is one of the bravest girls I have read, but she isn’t perfect and that’s what I like about her. I just felt this was the weakest one so far.
Overall I think the series is brilliant and I’ve come too really like the characters. In particular Ellie, I think she is one of the bravest girls I have read, but she isn’t perfect and that’s what I like about her. I just felt this was the weakest one so far.
September 25, 2016
Starting Words: I didn't want to go back.
Ending Words: Pay the price and be proud you have paid it,that's what I reckon.
Readable but not my thing
however I will give it 2 Stars.
Ending Words: Pay the price and be proud you have paid it,that's what I reckon.
Readable but not my thing
however I will give it 2 Stars.
August 29, 2015
3.5 ★
So wish we could have half stars on here!!!!!
After being rescued by the New Zealand army at the end of the previous book, Ellie, Homer & the rest of their little group are heading back to Hell.
Another good instalment of this series, but I didn’t find this one as gripping as previous ones, that may be because it had to follow the 3rd book ( The Third Day, The Frost ) which in my opinion is the best in the series (so far) so it had a lot to live up too. Not as much action & more how Ellie and her friends are dealing with everything that is going on & has happened to them so far.
I’m really enjoying this series & looking forward to starting the next.
So wish we could have half stars on here!!!!!
After being rescued by the New Zealand army at the end of the previous book, Ellie, Homer & the rest of their little group are heading back to Hell.
Another good instalment of this series, but I didn’t find this one as gripping as previous ones, that may be because it had to follow the 3rd book ( The Third Day, The Frost ) which in my opinion is the best in the series (so far) so it had a lot to live up too. Not as much action & more how Ellie and her friends are dealing with everything that is going on & has happened to them so far.
I’m really enjoying this series & looking forward to starting the next.
August 19, 2022
jednak przypomniałam sobie w trakcie🤝
bardzo dobra, kolejna część, trochę inny klimat niż np pierwszy tom ale wynika to wszystko z tego co się działo 🤝, dużo akcji trzymającej w napięciu i bohaterowie, którzy nie wiem jak jeszcze mają na to siłę 😍🥲 trochę denerwująca Ellie momentami ale girl się trzyma 🤞 polecam🫀
bardzo dobra, kolejna część, trochę inny klimat niż np pierwszy tom ale wynika to wszystko z tego co się działo 🤝, dużo akcji trzymającej w napięciu i bohaterowie, którzy nie wiem jak jeszcze mają na to siłę 😍🥲 trochę denerwująca Ellie momentami ale girl się trzyma 🤞 polecam🫀
August 12, 2024
I originally gave this 4 stars but after thinking about it for a few days, I’m lowering it to 3. This is definitely my least favorite book in the series so far and I hope it doesn’t hint at how the following books will be.
The ending of book 3 was like reaching the finish line of a marathon. It was so emotional. We thought Homer and Ellie would be executed and after a harrowing turn of events that made us lose one of the gang, we finally had something good happening. By all means, it wasn’t a happy ending (we didn’t know about Corrie, if their families were even alive, etc.) but I considered stopping the series right there.
Book 4 starts with something that I was lowkey expecting: the Hell gang is going back to Australia. It’s an emotional comeback because of how emotional it is but also because Ellie is going through PTSD (and something else). This time they go back with a group of Kiwi military soldiers who are planning an attack and need some local guides (why they take ALL the 15-year-olds with them is beyond me). Getting through the book requires you to suspend your disbelief quite a bit.
Perhaps because now the gang’s with a military squad who are planning something big, I expected something to happen. But this book is mostly going back and forth, stalling, thinking, stalking, reminiscing, getting separated, etc. The whole process makes Ellie learn a lesson, but… did we need a whole book about it?
We also don’t get much focus on the group. This book gives Fi some focus which I guess was nice if anyone cares about her (I don’t) and it reignates the whole Lee-Ellie situation. But Homer’s been forgotten and Kevin’s still an afterthought (which is fine for me :D I still don’t like him).
The only ‘saving grace’ this book has is that we finally find out about Corrie and the families. Tough stuff. (And honestly, it all happened within 5 pages, I wish this had been divided into two separate parts so at least the book wouldn’t have been so boring).
PS. I do want to say that I’ve been expecting sexual abuse in the series since day 1. And it finally happened in the safety of New Zealand, crazy.
The ending of book 3 was like reaching the finish line of a marathon. It was so emotional. We thought Homer and Ellie would be executed and after a harrowing turn of events that made us lose one of the gang, we finally had something good happening. By all means, it wasn’t a happy ending (we didn’t know about Corrie, if their families were even alive, etc.) but I considered stopping the series right there.
Book 4 starts with something that I was lowkey expecting: the Hell gang is going back to Australia. It’s an emotional comeback because of how emotional it is but also because Ellie is going through PTSD (and something else). This time they go back with a group of Kiwi military soldiers who are planning an attack and need some local guides (why they take ALL the 15-year-olds with them is beyond me). Getting through the book requires you to suspend your disbelief quite a bit.
Perhaps because now the gang’s with a military squad who are planning something big, I expected something to happen. But this book is mostly going back and forth, stalling, thinking, stalking, reminiscing, getting separated, etc. The whole process makes Ellie learn a lesson, but… did we need a whole book about it?
We also don’t get much focus on the group. This book gives Fi some focus which I guess was nice if anyone cares about her (I don’t) and it reignates the whole Lee-Ellie situation. But Homer’s been forgotten and Kevin’s still an afterthought (which is fine for me :D I still don’t like him).
The only ‘saving grace’ this book has is that we finally find out about Corrie and the families. Tough stuff. (And honestly, it all happened within 5 pages, I wish this had been divided into two separate parts so at least the book wouldn’t have been so boring).
PS. I do want to say that I’ve been expecting sexual abuse in the series since day 1. And it finally happened in the safety of New Zealand, crazy.
December 3, 2015
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight LibraryWe can’t all be winners all the time.
That’s the theme of this book.
Sure, in the past, things have gone wrong. Plans have gone awry. People have been killed.
But the main objective was always achieved.
Wirrawee Bridge. The officer’s houses. Cobbler’s Bay.
Not in this book.
This book is all about failure.
Small mistakes.
The kind you make because you’ve been living a perfectly ordinary life for six months.
The kind you make because you’re adjusting to being dumped back in a war zone.
The kind you make because you take things for granted.
The main objective is not achieved, not by either group.
Despite their failure, it’s still a good book to read. Ellie’s reflects a lot on the trauma of war, of being reintroduced to it against her will, but at the same time tempering it with the joy of being home and in the bush doing what she does best.
There’s plenty of action, including a high-speed chase while being shot at and riding horses bareback in the middle of the night whilst being shot at. Well, there’s a lot of being shot at, and not a lot of time spent in Hell.
Even though the gang failed in their main objectives, there’s still thrills enough to keep reading and although the climax doesn’t culminate in the usual explosions there’s enough to want to know what the gang will be up to in the next instalment.
That’s the theme of this book.
Sure, in the past, things have gone wrong. Plans have gone awry. People have been killed.
But the main objective was always achieved.
Wirrawee Bridge. The officer’s houses. Cobbler’s Bay.
Not in this book.
This book is all about failure.
Small mistakes.
The kind you make because you’ve been living a perfectly ordinary life for six months.
The kind you make because you’re adjusting to being dumped back in a war zone.
The kind you make because you take things for granted.
The main objective is not achieved, not by either group.
Despite their failure, it’s still a good book to read. Ellie’s reflects a lot on the trauma of war, of being reintroduced to it against her will, but at the same time tempering it with the joy of being home and in the bush doing what she does best.
There’s plenty of action, including a high-speed chase while being shot at and riding horses bareback in the middle of the night whilst being shot at. Well, there’s a lot of being shot at, and not a lot of time spent in Hell.
Even though the gang failed in their main objectives, there’s still thrills enough to keep reading and although the climax doesn’t culminate in the usual explosions there’s enough to want to know what the gang will be up to in the next instalment.
August 14, 2018
3.5 / 5 for this one.
After how incredible the previous book in this series was, I found that this one (by comparison) fell slightly flat unfortunately ._.
The beginning of this novel deals with the aftermath of the end of A Killing Frost, in particular the . In this, Ellie and co are in New Zealand (and have been for five months or so), dealing with the trauma, healing from their physical wounds, getting help for their psychological scarring and feelings of loss, and even trying to raise awareness for the cause.
The portrayal of the PTSD that Ellie (and the rest of the group, but mostly Ellie as the POV character and narrator of this series) faced was real, and true and just so incredibly well done. It covered both her road to recovery, and the setbacks she had , and really was completely raw and honest about her emotional anguish and survivor's guilt.
When Ellie and Co are asked to
It was mentioned so many times in this that while Ellie and co are young, there are many child soldiers all over the world. Children as young as 11 going out into battle and fighting wars for their people, or for those who've enslaved them. But just because that's true, it doesn't lessen the pain and terror that Ellie and her friends would've faced in this situation.
I was really impressed with the Kiwi soldiers and I really hope that before the end of this series . I wasn't however, super impressed with the Colonel and his decision to Not. Cool.
And as frustrating as it is... I actually really liked that both failed. I mean... beginner's luck has to fail at some point, right? o.o;; I'm just hoping that, come next book, they'll get .
Now... onwards to Book #5!
After how incredible the previous book in this series was, I found that this one (by comparison) fell slightly flat unfortunately ._.
The beginning of this novel deals with the aftermath of the end of A Killing Frost, in particular the . In this, Ellie and co are in New Zealand (and have been for five months or so), dealing with the trauma, healing from their physical wounds, getting help for their psychological scarring and feelings of loss, and even trying to raise awareness for the cause.
The portrayal of the PTSD that Ellie (and the rest of the group, but mostly Ellie as the POV character and narrator of this series) faced was real, and true and just so incredibly well done. It covered both her road to recovery, and the setbacks she had , and really was completely raw and honest about her emotional anguish and survivor's guilt.
When Ellie and Co are asked to
It was mentioned so many times in this that while Ellie and co are young, there are many child soldiers all over the world. Children as young as 11 going out into battle and fighting wars for their people, or for those who've enslaved them. But just because that's true, it doesn't lessen the pain and terror that Ellie and her friends would've faced in this situation.
I was really impressed with the Kiwi soldiers and I really hope that before the end of this series . I wasn't however, super impressed with the Colonel and his decision to Not. Cool.
And as frustrating as it is... I actually really liked that both failed. I mean... beginner's luck has to fail at some point, right? o.o;; I'm just hoping that, come next book, they'll get .
Now... onwards to Book #5!
March 23, 2011
**check out my review for Tomorrow, When the War Began for my take on the series as a whole**
Probably the slowest of the series so far, but by no means unworthy of the 5 stars rating. The feel of this book and the style are a bit of a departure. There is less action and craziness and way more internal dialogue for Ellie. I noticed a lot more “I remember when...”, and Ellie will often stop midway through a conversation or action sequence to share an anecdote with the reader. I can see how this might bug some people, but I didn’t mind. Everything she shares is relevant and it really grounds the town of Wirrawee in to reality more. You get a deeper understanding of the history of the place and the relationships of the characters. You get some more background on these radically changed kids, and it gives you new perspective on everything that happens. It also makes sense that Ellie would do more musing and philosophizing as part of her recent therapy. Writing helps Ellie exercise her demons and sweet goodness does she have a lot of them.
Also, as soon as I thought some healing was happening for certain relationships, I got sideswiped with some really devastating news and lost it. I cried for the first time in this series, which surprised me. Took me long enough. But I have a theory that it was because the book slowed down the pace a lot more and things calmed down. I wasn’t ready.
March 17, 2025
pim pam pum tengo una pistola pim pam pum q dispara sola
June 25, 2024
Probably the only time in my life my BPW consumption (book per week) might be higher than Mandi Bramwell’s
December 17, 2025
3.75! Not as gripping as the previous book. Loved the inclusion of NZ and there was a thrilling horse ride and lots of page-turning close calls but overall nothing too major felt like it happened (except a sad loss 😢)
May 10, 2010
Marsden keeps hitting them out of the park for me in this series, which take place in a present-time Australia that has been invaded and conquered. In 'Darkness,' Marsden's teenage narrator Ellie is forced out of a sort of retirement in New Zealand after she and her friends accomplished a spectacular act of resistance in 'A Killing Frost.' Perhaps this is best, as Ellie seems at loose ends. After some self-destructive behavior at a party, she signs on to return to Australia. As with the previous three books, from this point on there's no stopping, as the reader gets involved in the interactions of Ellie's group of friends, each with very distinct personalities, and a healthy dose of suspense and action. Highly recommended.
January 30, 2009
This story felt the slowest of the all so far, however I'm still loving the series. It was interesting to hear about how damaged they all were after their time in the prison camps. I don't think any of them realized how traumatized they actually were. They just kept living each day, never know when it would be their last. I'm really curious to see how the next book goes as they are now stuck back in the thick of the war.
January 7, 2024
My first book finished in 2024, the fourth in this series. The book feels quite epic but that's only because it took me two months to read. In reality, it's very sad because we learn about the terrible cost of the war and trauma is beginning to take its toll on the kids. Will definitely be getting the next book
March 31, 2023
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
(Read via Audible)
In my opinion this book is the weakest in the series.
(Read via Audible)
In my opinion this book is the weakest in the series.
June 29, 2013
I started reading the Tomorrow series a few years ago, after a family friend bought me the first book (original australian edition muhahahhahaha) after discovering my love of books. I fell in love with the characters, story and writing straight away - despite the leap that I'd just made into more sophisticated writing. I have to say, the last book, The Third Day The Frost, left me wondering how a sequel could better it - so I'm not surprised the Darkness Be My Friend didn't quite live up to my expectations for the books.
Darkness Be My Friend starts in New Zealand, where Ellie and her friends are being looked after following the events in Wirrawee that led to their escape of their invaded home. All of them - most of all Ellie herself - are greatly shellshocked from their experiences, but, as time passes, and the progress in Australia stalls, they aren't entirely surprised when they're asked to go back into the country. Living as guerrillas in war time was hard enough when there were eight of them, mostly just trying to survive. Now, with only five left and on a mission to make a difference to the retaking of their home, can they possibly continue to survive when danger is hunting them down whenever they go?
John Marsden writes in a very complex way for Young Adult fiction. Whilst his writing isn't difficult to read, as such, it's definitely more sophisticated and detailed than the majority of teenage fiction out there. A lot of thought and deliberation goes into his passages, so the reader picks up all kinds of emotions from the characters, which definitely adds to the effect.
The Tomorrow series is, firstly, a action/thriller. Yet, for the most part, the plot is actually based around these kids and how they manage to deal with war time and their situation. This book especially, a lot of the writing is about how Ellie and her friends feel and react to their parents being held hostage by the invaders. This is shown very well through Ellie's point of view.
I usually don't like books written from the first person, because I feel like the reader is influenced to think a certain way about people and events - whereas I prefer to draw my own conclusions from adding different sides of an argument that sometimes don't come through when a book is written this way. But Ellie's a very aware girl, and she always understands that there's another side of the story. But, at the same time, she is very selfish - and very real. This combination creates a quite confusing feeling for the reader - but it works in the situations the characters are in because it's a lot easier to empathise with someone when you have an idea about how they feel, not just what they're going through.
It's one of the most intense books I've ever read - there's either action and danger going on, or deep meaningful soliloquies from Ellie.
Like I said, a great deal of the plot is focused on the characters, particularly in this book. Not a whole lot actually happened, event-wise. This is probably why I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous books, just because I really enjoy reading action and adventure.
Having said that, the events that did happen were very well orchestrated. The action scenes were detailed, but brief. Marsden is an incredibly realistic writer; he never goes for the predictable, because the predictable very rarely happens in these situations. Although it may nail-bitingly annoying that the group failed their goal in the book, I have to admire Marsden for actually choosing this route. It's what would likely have happened, and that's why I'm still giving the book a very high rating.
I love the little down-time parts of his novels. I don't usually like quiet-bits in books because I think a lot of authors use them too much because they want a break from writing challenging chapters, but you can tell Marsden always uses them for a reason: sometimes it's to get a certain reaction from the reader; sometimes to prepare or foreshadow a future event; sometimes even just to emphasise how one of the characters is feeling.
The characters are the basis of this book, and it would all crumble down without them and the relationship they have with the reader. After reading the previous three books, I've grown to love these characters so much that I feel for them and I get sad when they do etc etc. And that's exactly what Marsden wants and planned when he started writing the series.
I often feel very sorry for Ellie. The thing that makes her such a great protagonist is that she is nothing special: just an ordinary, normal girl with no amazing abilities or anything. Yet she manages to live through so much. And that's what makes her special. In most books we're greeted by a person who already has something unusual and wonderful about them. What makes Ellie so brilliantly made is that she becomes special throughout the books, so we get to see her change slowly and gradually - and we hardly notice it. In a way she's one of the weaker characters, since it's made quite clear that she's affected by what happens to them quite a lot more than her friends, and she often jeopardises the group through her fear. But because of that the reader can relate to her and her narration makes it clear why she does such things and how she comes to doing them. We're presented with a character who, from the outside, could be considered very selfish and a bad person. But when we get to look inside her, we can tell that actually she's been forced into this situations and dangers and she's just dealing with it the best she can - which may not be very well, but she's only human. It's one of the best representations of human nature I've ever, ever experienced.
Fi becomes a bigger character in this book. Previously, she's still had a vital relationship with Ellie, but now that some of the other characters have left, we're definitely seeing more of her. I've never really been sure of Fi. I'm not quite sure why: she's a perfectly nice person - on the contrary she's an amazingly kind and courageous person. I think what's always put me off about her is the fact she came from a very rich and posh family right at the beginning of the series. I'm actually quite ashamed of myself for letting a stereotypical role form in my mind, and then stick with me throughout the books, but I can't help it. There may be another reason why I'm not certain of Fi, but if there is I can't think of it.
Homer is my favourite character, which was why I was sad he wasn't such a big part in this book. Homer is the most interesting to me because she's got such a big character and a lot of attitude, and still messes up all the time and is a complete jerk - that I can't help but find Marsden' flawless presentation intriguing. I honestly love him so much. I really wish his and Ellie's friendship was shown more, since we hear about it a lot, but rarely actually experience it. I just think he's such fun to read, even when he's in one of his signature stormy moods.
Kevin used to annoy me, but actually I've grown to like him. I think we're supposed to see him as a jerk in the first book, because he really messes up big time. And that feeling does linger in the other books. But Kevin keeps proving himself in small ways, as Ellie herself points out, and that, in the end, made me like him. Again, it's just another way of dealing with their circumstances. Acting like an idiot must be hard to avoid when everything you know it's there anymore - but sometimes he manages to break through it and be a hero.
Lee confuses me. I like him. I think. Like I said, he confuses me.
The other problem I had with Darkness Be My Friend was that when the climaxes came, they didn't seem particularly important. It's hard, in a book such as this, to have things constantly going on, and yet still push some events out as bigger than others. You can clearly tell what the main parts of the plot are, but when I was reading them, I was more thrilled or excited than I was on the other parts of the story.
The romance is brilliant. It's there a little bit, but it's very dysfunctional - as you would expect in the situation. I really like how that affects Ellie and the way she thinks about everything going on around her. It also doesn't consume the story. I was wary, when reading the first book, about how much it was going to affect the story. Btu actually, it definitely dies down when they realise the seriousness of their situation.
Again, Marsden, the best believable writer in the history of ever.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes meaningful stories or anything about war time. There's loads of action, and I couldn't say it isn't a thriller. There is romance, but don't expect your typical Young Adult love story. It's anything but. I have a friend who's really into politics and loves these books, so maybe that might also interest you.
It's quite hard reading, do don't be surprised if you're a bit slow at first, it does pick up, especially towards the end. Also, it's quite a subduing, sad book. Don't read it when you're in a sensitive mood - it won't help.
Read the first books first! You won't truly love and understand and feel for the characters until you know their full story. Also, it's quite confusing if you don't know what's previously happened to them.
Darkness Be My Friend starts in New Zealand, where Ellie and her friends are being looked after following the events in Wirrawee that led to their escape of their invaded home. All of them - most of all Ellie herself - are greatly shellshocked from their experiences, but, as time passes, and the progress in Australia stalls, they aren't entirely surprised when they're asked to go back into the country. Living as guerrillas in war time was hard enough when there were eight of them, mostly just trying to survive. Now, with only five left and on a mission to make a difference to the retaking of their home, can they possibly continue to survive when danger is hunting them down whenever they go?
John Marsden writes in a very complex way for Young Adult fiction. Whilst his writing isn't difficult to read, as such, it's definitely more sophisticated and detailed than the majority of teenage fiction out there. A lot of thought and deliberation goes into his passages, so the reader picks up all kinds of emotions from the characters, which definitely adds to the effect.
The Tomorrow series is, firstly, a action/thriller. Yet, for the most part, the plot is actually based around these kids and how they manage to deal with war time and their situation. This book especially, a lot of the writing is about how Ellie and her friends feel and react to their parents being held hostage by the invaders. This is shown very well through Ellie's point of view.
I usually don't like books written from the first person, because I feel like the reader is influenced to think a certain way about people and events - whereas I prefer to draw my own conclusions from adding different sides of an argument that sometimes don't come through when a book is written this way. But Ellie's a very aware girl, and she always understands that there's another side of the story. But, at the same time, she is very selfish - and very real. This combination creates a quite confusing feeling for the reader - but it works in the situations the characters are in because it's a lot easier to empathise with someone when you have an idea about how they feel, not just what they're going through.
It's one of the most intense books I've ever read - there's either action and danger going on, or deep meaningful soliloquies from Ellie.
Like I said, a great deal of the plot is focused on the characters, particularly in this book. Not a whole lot actually happened, event-wise. This is probably why I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous books, just because I really enjoy reading action and adventure.
Having said that, the events that did happen were very well orchestrated. The action scenes were detailed, but brief. Marsden is an incredibly realistic writer; he never goes for the predictable, because the predictable very rarely happens in these situations. Although it may nail-bitingly annoying that the group failed their goal in the book, I have to admire Marsden for actually choosing this route. It's what would likely have happened, and that's why I'm still giving the book a very high rating.
I love the little down-time parts of his novels. I don't usually like quiet-bits in books because I think a lot of authors use them too much because they want a break from writing challenging chapters, but you can tell Marsden always uses them for a reason: sometimes it's to get a certain reaction from the reader; sometimes to prepare or foreshadow a future event; sometimes even just to emphasise how one of the characters is feeling.
The characters are the basis of this book, and it would all crumble down without them and the relationship they have with the reader. After reading the previous three books, I've grown to love these characters so much that I feel for them and I get sad when they do etc etc. And that's exactly what Marsden wants and planned when he started writing the series.
I often feel very sorry for Ellie. The thing that makes her such a great protagonist is that she is nothing special: just an ordinary, normal girl with no amazing abilities or anything. Yet she manages to live through so much. And that's what makes her special. In most books we're greeted by a person who already has something unusual and wonderful about them. What makes Ellie so brilliantly made is that she becomes special throughout the books, so we get to see her change slowly and gradually - and we hardly notice it. In a way she's one of the weaker characters, since it's made quite clear that she's affected by what happens to them quite a lot more than her friends, and she often jeopardises the group through her fear. But because of that the reader can relate to her and her narration makes it clear why she does such things and how she comes to doing them. We're presented with a character who, from the outside, could be considered very selfish and a bad person. But when we get to look inside her, we can tell that actually she's been forced into this situations and dangers and she's just dealing with it the best she can - which may not be very well, but she's only human. It's one of the best representations of human nature I've ever, ever experienced.
Fi becomes a bigger character in this book. Previously, she's still had a vital relationship with Ellie, but now that some of the other characters have left, we're definitely seeing more of her. I've never really been sure of Fi. I'm not quite sure why: she's a perfectly nice person - on the contrary she's an amazingly kind and courageous person. I think what's always put me off about her is the fact she came from a very rich and posh family right at the beginning of the series. I'm actually quite ashamed of myself for letting a stereotypical role form in my mind, and then stick with me throughout the books, but I can't help it. There may be another reason why I'm not certain of Fi, but if there is I can't think of it.
Homer is my favourite character, which was why I was sad he wasn't such a big part in this book. Homer is the most interesting to me because she's got such a big character and a lot of attitude, and still messes up all the time and is a complete jerk - that I can't help but find Marsden' flawless presentation intriguing. I honestly love him so much. I really wish his and Ellie's friendship was shown more, since we hear about it a lot, but rarely actually experience it. I just think he's such fun to read, even when he's in one of his signature stormy moods.
Kevin used to annoy me, but actually I've grown to like him. I think we're supposed to see him as a jerk in the first book, because he really messes up big time. And that feeling does linger in the other books. But Kevin keeps proving himself in small ways, as Ellie herself points out, and that, in the end, made me like him. Again, it's just another way of dealing with their circumstances. Acting like an idiot must be hard to avoid when everything you know it's there anymore - but sometimes he manages to break through it and be a hero.
Lee confuses me. I like him. I think. Like I said, he confuses me.
The other problem I had with Darkness Be My Friend was that when the climaxes came, they didn't seem particularly important. It's hard, in a book such as this, to have things constantly going on, and yet still push some events out as bigger than others. You can clearly tell what the main parts of the plot are, but when I was reading them, I was more thrilled or excited than I was on the other parts of the story.
The romance is brilliant. It's there a little bit, but it's very dysfunctional - as you would expect in the situation. I really like how that affects Ellie and the way she thinks about everything going on around her. It also doesn't consume the story. I was wary, when reading the first book, about how much it was going to affect the story. Btu actually, it definitely dies down when they realise the seriousness of their situation.
Again, Marsden, the best believable writer in the history of ever.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes meaningful stories or anything about war time. There's loads of action, and I couldn't say it isn't a thriller. There is romance, but don't expect your typical Young Adult love story. It's anything but. I have a friend who's really into politics and loves these books, so maybe that might also interest you.
It's quite hard reading, do don't be surprised if you're a bit slow at first, it does pick up, especially towards the end. Also, it's quite a subduing, sad book. Don't read it when you're in a sensitive mood - it won't help.
Read the first books first! You won't truly love and understand and feel for the characters until you know their full story. Also, it's quite confusing if you don't know what's previously happened to them.
January 4, 2023
3.5 stars
I'm getting quite attached to finishing this series now. In this book the kids get sent back to Australia from the safety of NZ to do some things for the military, but all does not go to plan. Bit of a cliffhanger ending!
I'm getting quite attached to finishing this series now. In this book the kids get sent back to Australia from the safety of NZ to do some things for the military, but all does not go to plan. Bit of a cliffhanger ending!
April 22, 2024
I feel like the series is getting a bit dragged out now 😭 still an easy fast read though
September 25, 2025
I don’t remember this one at all. It’s a bit of a filler compared to the other ones in the series but nonetheless thrilling
January 27, 2024
Good read but they didn’t really accomplish anything for the whole book? No massive plot advancements war-wise despite the character developments
September 15, 2016
"And so we started on that familiar journey. Again we became shadows in the night, dark dingoes sinking home to our lair."
3.5/5
Me pasaron distintas cosas con este libro.
Primero que nada, me costó engancharme, no sé si fue porque leí el anterior hace más de un año y me olvido rápido de algunos detallitos que suceden en los libros :O o es porque por un par de páginas pasa muy poco.
Me pareció bastante distinto a los anteriores por el tema de que el cansancio está venciendo a nuestros personajes y se les nota mucho, por más ganas de no rendirse que tengan.
Ellie y los demás planean un ataque hacia los “invasores” y lo van planeando a lo largo de todo el libro, y finalmente eso no llega a nada. Eso me decepcionó un poco, también el tema de que . Es como que se le da vuelta a lo mismo en 200 páginas y finalmente es “bueno, fallamos, volvamos al Infierno” y grrrrrrrrrrrr.
Otro tema también que se plantea implícitamente a lo largo de todo el libro es de que puede haber alguien que los traiciona, yo siempre pensé que era Lee porque no me cae bien (?) o podría ser Kevin también y tendría algo de sentido. Pero al final, se dice que puede ser alguien y……..no.
Lo que si me gustó fue el tema de la humanidad de los personajes. Sobretodo de Ellie, quien es la narradora de esta historia. Ella desde el primer libro nos plantea su conflicto con matar gente y eso se mantiene a lo largo de la historia. Siente que debe ver las caras o saber los nombres de la gente que mató porque no soporta saber que son extraños para ella, que nunca va a poder saber cómo lucen y me parece bastante realista comparado con otras historias juveniles. Otra cosa también es la repercusión que tienen los hechos sucedidos al final de A Killing Frost, es un gran golpe para ella y eso repercute en más de una vez.
La cosa que más me gustó creo fue el manejo de las relaciones entre nuestros protagonistas. Porque, en A Killing Frost si no recuerdo mal estaban bastante separados por toda la tensión que sucedía. Me gustó que Ellie y Fi volvieran a ser las Ellie y Fi del primer libro, más allá de todo lo que les pasa: las amigas que se pueden contar cosas, que recuerdan cosas con anhelo, la Fi que es graciosa sin necesidad de esfuerzo, etc. Y bueno, otra cosa que me gustó es la “vuelta” del Homer del primer libro. El Homer gracioso y querible, quien había desaparecido un poco en los libros anteriores.
Como ya dije, este libro me gustó pero creo que fue más de relleno que cualquier cosa, un aire fresco de la guerra y para volver a conectarse entre amigos. Sin embargo algunas cosas que pasaban no me gustaron y me aburrió en gran parte del libro. Esperemos que el próximo mejore.
"That's what war does to you. Either kills you in one go or destroys you bit by bit. One way or the other, it gets you."
2016 Reading Challenge:
A book that takes place on an island✓
July 28, 2012
Oh man am I glad I went right into this after The Third Day, the Frost! I think I can stand to wait a little before moving onto the next book now, but not too long because WHOA.
April 10, 2017
Plot summary: Now safe in Wellington, Ellie and her friends are adapting to life outside of war-torn Australia. All that is about to change. When they're asked to return to Wirrawee with a team of New Zealand soldiers to undertake guerilla attacks, they reluctantly agree. But when the New Zealand soldiers disappear without a trace, the teenagers must once again fend for themselves, and decide once again whether to hide out or fight for their country.
Thoughts: This is the book where the emotional toll of the war starts to show itself. Every single one of them is a total wreck, in completely different ways. For the first time, they find out what's happened to their families. As is to be expected with war, there's a mixture of relief and tragedy involved. This, for me, is the book that's about exhaustion and a degree of resignation. Yes, they're still fighting. But this is where it becomes obvious that they're barely hanging on by a thread, and where the darkness starts to embrace them.
Thoughts: This is the book where the emotional toll of the war starts to show itself. Every single one of them is a total wreck, in completely different ways. For the first time, they find out what's happened to their families. As is to be expected with war, there's a mixture of relief and tragedy involved. This, for me, is the book that's about exhaustion and a degree of resignation. Yes, they're still fighting. But this is where it becomes obvious that they're barely hanging on by a thread, and where the darkness starts to embrace them.
November 16, 2017
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I really enjoyed the first three books in the series, but after the third book, it kind of felt finished. Since I was reading a book containing the first books all in one, I knew it had to continue one way or another, but I was still a bit disappointed in the way they made it happen. After all, they might have been acting as rebels, they are not soldiers.
The action is still very fast-paced but the story is less big than the previous books. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the series, also in the second part.
I really enjoyed the first three books in the series, but after the third book, it kind of felt finished. Since I was reading a book containing the first books all in one, I knew it had to continue one way or another, but I was still a bit disappointed in the way they made it happen. After all, they might have been acting as rebels, they are not soldiers.
The action is still very fast-paced but the story is less big than the previous books. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the series, also in the second part.
December 7, 2015
I see a progression in characters here, they keep getting stronger, no matter what they have to face. In war time, this is an indisputable fact, you toughen up or you die. What you don't expect is one of your own, one on your side turns on you. Without spoiling anything, this happens to Ellie. At this stage I'm going to say I don't feel that this series is suitable for anyone under the age of 16 simply because there is the risk that anyone younger may think that the 'thing' I am talking about is ok. Vague, I know but there it is anyway.
October 19, 2014
Still eminently readable, but not quite as good as the previous books in this series. Ellie is basically suffering from PTSD for this entire book, so it is a lot more talking about how scared and tired everyone is. It was a lot more about how terrible war is, but our intrepid youngsters seemed less knowable then ever. There was a lot of narrative, explaining stuff, not very much conversation. It's hard to explain because that all seems to follow one another - of course they are unknowable now, look at the crap they've had to do - but it makes the series less fun to read, also.
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