The story starts when two teenagers, Ellie and Corrie, living in a country town decide to go bush for a few days. They weren't allowed to go unless more people joined them, so they invite five more friends. Homer, Lee, Kevin, Robin and Fiona. They spend several days camping in a remote place that is called Hell. They return home after several days and find their pets either dieing or dead. They are then horrified to also discover their friends and family are missing. In search of other members of their town they head to the showground only to discover that their country has been invaded and their loved ones imprisoned. Seeking refuge they return to 'Hell' and begin their struggle for survival.
             The story is told by Ellie, who decides to write it all down to leave a record of what happened in case they don't survive. It follows them as they set up a camp in Hell and then as the book progresses we learn more about each of the characters.
             While the book has received lots of praise and given Marsden a strong following of fans I found the book boring and I really didn't enjoy it. This was because the characters didn't appeal to me as they seemed unrealistic. I was unable to relate to them as I doubt that all of the teenagers would be as loyal, hardworking and able to come to grips with the though of the invasion so easily. They also display numerous amounts of quick thinking and the capability to think like soldiers even though they haven't had any training.
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