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Jellicoe Road
- GenresFantasy
Unknown Binding
Published November 15, 2011
About the author
Melina Marchetta
45 books7,616 followersMelina Marchetta was born in Sydney Australia. Her first novel, Looking For Alibrandi was awarded the Children's Book Council of Australia award in 1993 and her second novel, Saving Francesca won the same award in 2004. Looking For Alibrandi was made into a major film in 2000 and won the Australian Film Institute Award for best Film and best adapted screen play, also written by the author. On the Jellicoe Road was released in 2006 and won the US Printz Medal in 2009 for excellence in YA literature. This was followed up by Finnikin of the Rock in 2008 which won the Aurealis Award for YA fantasy, The Piper's Son in 2010 which was shortlisted for the Qld Premier's Lit Award, NSW Premier's Lit Award, Prime Minister's Literary Awards, CBC awards and longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. Her follow up to Finnikin, Froi of the Exiles and Quintana of Charyn were released in 2012 and 2013. Her latest novel Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil is an adult crime novel.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 25, 2025
My roman empire in terms of books. In the first half of the book I was sure I would rate it three or four stars until I read the second half. I got goosebumps AT LEAST five times through reading this story, despite predicting what the outcomes would be. Very tragic and raw story, yet beautiful all the same.
It was difficult to figure out what exactly was going on at the beginning of the book which influenced my choice to rate it lower. However, as you read, every puzzle piece you thought was missing clicks into place. At that rate you realize too late how depressing the lives of the characters are, each and every single one of them (mostly). It makes you yearn and grief for the life they could have had. But, there is a sorta glum joy with how they manage to come to terms with who they are and make the better out of it.
Not to mention, this is the first time in a while a book has truly made me want to pour out all of my tears onto the pages.
It was difficult to figure out what exactly was going on at the beginning of the book which influenced my choice to rate it lower. However, as you read, every puzzle piece you thought was missing clicks into place. At that rate you realize too late how depressing the lives of the characters are, each and every single one of them (mostly). It makes you yearn and grief for the life they could have had. But, there is a sorta glum joy with how they manage to come to terms with who they are and make the better out of it.
Not to mention, this is the first time in a while a book has truly made me want to pour out all of my tears onto the pages.
March 1, 2025
Once I finished the book - I really enjoyed the story/mystery. There were times I felt sorry for Taylor and several other teens that they had to endure such a life. I enjoyed the relationship dynamic between people who weren't "blood" family and family.
I must admit I was a little confused at the beginning with all of the different parts of the stories being told. BUT when the author started bringing things together - it moved quickly. I read the last 120 pages in 1 sitting.
"It has a despair he could not comprehend, spilling from her mouth."
"These people have a history and I crave history. I crave someone knowing me so well that they can tell what I'm thinking."
"This isn't romance. This isn't a declaration of love or affirmation of friendship. This is something more. I wasn't there that day to get one the 3:47 to Yass, " he says "I was there to thrown myself in front of it."
I must admit I was a little confused at the beginning with all of the different parts of the stories being told. BUT when the author started bringing things together - it moved quickly. I read the last 120 pages in 1 sitting.
"It has a despair he could not comprehend, spilling from her mouth."
"These people have a history and I crave history. I crave someone knowing me so well that they can tell what I'm thinking."
"This isn't romance. This isn't a declaration of love or affirmation of friendship. This is something more. I wasn't there that day to get one the 3:47 to Yass, " he says "I was there to thrown myself in front of it."
July 28, 2026
Grinar.
July 7, 2025
(Kulturrådets- och Skolverkets läslistor – Gy.)
Lite av en berg-och-dalbana i åsikt. Första delen – spännande. Andra delen – vilken tonårsbok som helst. Tredje delen – känslomässigt (positiv åsikt) kaos. Rekommenderar.
Lite av en berg-och-dalbana i åsikt. Första delen – spännande. Andra delen – vilken tonårsbok som helst. Tredje delen – känslomässigt (positiv åsikt) kaos. Rekommenderar.
May 21, 2026
Have you ever read the right book at the right time? This book was everything I needed right now. Its a coming of age, mystery, love story, and found family type of story. It had a little of everything to it. I also took my time reading it and I didn't want it to end. Really loved this book!
October 6, 2025
I adored this book growing up and I’m surprised how well it’s kept up. It was a joy to read and the plot is perfectly mysterious, fun and loving.
December 18, 2025
Dammit it gets me every time
April 12, 2026
I’ll be honest, this wasn’t an easy read at first. Like many others have said, I felt completely lost for at least the first fifty pages. But there was something about it? something compelling that made me keep turning the pages. And I’m so glad I did.
Jellicoe Road unfolds into a deeply moving and beautifully crafted story. It’s the kind of book that slowly finds its rhythm, then pulls you in with an emotional depth that’s hard to shake.
Normally, I would have given up when a story leaves me feeling that disoriented, but I trusted the recognition it received (and my instincts), and it truly paid off.
It’s difficult to say too much without spoiling the experience. This is a story about love, trust, friendship, and loyalty told that will pull your heartstrings.
Jellicoe Road unfolds into a deeply moving and beautifully crafted story. It’s the kind of book that slowly finds its rhythm, then pulls you in with an emotional depth that’s hard to shake.
Normally, I would have given up when a story leaves me feeling that disoriented, but I trusted the recognition it received (and my instincts), and it truly paid off.
It’s difficult to say too much without spoiling the experience. This is a story about love, trust, friendship, and loyalty told that will pull your heartstrings.
January 9, 2026
Este libro me destrozó como hace mucho que un libro no lo hacía.
Lo que más valoro en los libros es que me hagan sentir algo y vaya que con este libro sentí y sentí muchísimo.
Al inicio debo confesar que no entendía ni la mitad de lo que decían, no tenía ni una mínima idea de a qué se referían, pero aún con ello, había algo que me hacía seguir leyendo, que mantenía enganchada, que quería descubrir cuál era el misterio, que escondía Taylor sobre su vida, y por qué me sentía tan identificada con ella, porque me daban ganas de llorar cada vez que hablaba.
Sobra decir que la pluma de la autora es preciosa y que cada cosa que escribía simplemente te destrozaba el corazón. Los amé a todos, a los 5 originales y a los nuevos, sus vínculos, sus relaciones, sus miedos, sus dolores.
Como amé este libro
Lo que más valoro en los libros es que me hagan sentir algo y vaya que con este libro sentí y sentí muchísimo.
Al inicio debo confesar que no entendía ni la mitad de lo que decían, no tenía ni una mínima idea de a qué se referían, pero aún con ello, había algo que me hacía seguir leyendo, que mantenía enganchada, que quería descubrir cuál era el misterio, que escondía Taylor sobre su vida, y por qué me sentía tan identificada con ella, porque me daban ganas de llorar cada vez que hablaba.
Sobra decir que la pluma de la autora es preciosa y que cada cosa que escribía simplemente te destrozaba el corazón. Los amé a todos, a los 5 originales y a los nuevos, sus vínculos, sus relaciones, sus miedos, sus dolores.
Como amé este libro
March 3, 2026
Was confusing at first but the way it all blended together by the end was so good. There were still some ends not tied up but I really liked the story. Very sad.
"I remember love. It's what I have to keep on reminding myself. It's funny how you can forget everything except people loving you. Maybe that's why humans find it so hard getting over love affairs. It's not the pain they're getting over, it's the love" (261-262).
"I remember love. It's what I have to keep on reminding myself. It's funny how you can forget everything except people loving you. Maybe that's why humans find it so hard getting over love affairs. It's not the pain they're getting over, it's the love" (261-262).
July 13, 2026
Okay 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the story in its entirety. But the first half of the book was like trying to read a psych patients flight of ideas and I already have ADHD so i had absolutely no idea what was going on. Even after I finished, I am confused about what really happened to Webb??? I felt like finding out in passing that he was shot came out of nowhere. ANYWAYS. I love a book with mystery families and building trust. Bonus points: as a romance girly I loved Jonah. That’s all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2024
I really liked it until the sex scenes but I feel as if she lost many of the things she started. It was a war whwere we don't see much about the war only how they are affected. It was many loose treads.
February 26, 2026
it took me almost five years to understand the first chapter and only four days to finish the rest of it.
confused was the first word that came out of my mouth, but later on, it kept me up until 3 AM in the morning because i couldn’t stop reading.
confused was the first word that came out of my mouth, but later on, it kept me up until 3 AM in the morning because i couldn’t stop reading.
June 21, 2024
Super good book! Really cool story
November 20, 2024
Book was kind of giving me an aneurism I’m allergic to Australians and world building was kind of mid. I liked the characters and the mystery with Hannah’s story. 😋😱😎🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
September 28, 2025
This gave me shivers
November 11, 2025
wow it's actually so good but I cried and then happy again. I wanna read this again and again 🙏
December 21, 2025
love Aubrey and someone to count on vibes
January 27, 2026
❤️❤️❤️
Forever my favourite book.
Forever my favourite book.
March 5, 2026
DNF due to language. Book group pick.
August 9, 2026
Read on my way home from Carley’s wedding shower. Incredibly tender. Loved.
September 7, 2025
I'm dehydrated from crying too much.. nobody told me it was going to be this sad :((
June 22, 2026
A coming of age story that I come back to over and over again. Devastating, heartwarming, and truly beautifully written.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews



















