The Third Day, The Frost (1996)

The tone of second book in this series for some reason had a darker feel than this third book. It left me feeling a bit exhausted. I didn't react that way to this third book. I'm not sure why because this one has just as many horrible events. The ending of this book is bittersweet. I still can't wait to get my hands on the fourth novel in this series to read what happens next to Ellie and her friends. ( )

My blog post about this book is at this link. ( )

see http://www.sfsite.com/12b/tom47.htm ( )

Book 3 - Six months have now passed since an invading army attacked Australia. Ellie and her band of teenage guerrilla fighters are rapidly becoming harder, more tired but less inhibited. Their plan this time is to destroy the port at Cobbler's Bay, a strategic harbor for the enemy. Throughout most of the book, the young freedom fighters outwit the bad guys and manage to keep just one step ahead of them. Alas, they are finally captured and taken to a maximum-security prison. There they are certain to be sentenced to death for their activities. Good prevails in the end, however. Well, sort of. War is not neat and tidy, and along the way there is a personal tragedy for Ellie's gang, yes they are diminishing in number. This sequel is less taut, less compelling, and grimmer than the other books, but it is still an action-packed, enjoyable read. Marsden poses several questions about right and wrong, the nature of evil, and what human beings are capable of enduring under extreme circumstances. ( )

Okay, this series is officially in my favorites. I just can't believe it! It does have its narrative mountains and valleys - they spend a lot of time blowing things up and a lot of time merely trying to survive. But what a powerful book about the effects of war. ( )