Review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide: So... I know everyone loved this book and that's the reason why I picked it up. But I have very mixed thoughts on it. I was really apprehensive about how much I was going to like this book in the beginning because it started out slowly. I was reassured by fans of the book that picked up and it got so much better, and I admit, it did. But still not to the extent that I expected it too. This is always the reason why I hate reading books knowing other people's review. I either built it up too much in my mind if they loved it or I start to believe people's reviews if they hated it and I have a hard time figuring out how I really felt about it. 
 First, I don't think a book should have to be "redeemed'. I really didn't like that it started out slowly because I felt completely lost in the beginning. I understood Taylor's world a lot better since we were actively involved in it. I could get her character, her friends, Hannah, and it took me a little bit, but I started to comprehend the "territory wars". I was totally lost with the story of the 5 kids who lived on Jellicoe Road (Tate, Narnie, Webb, Jude, Fitz) -- I got confused which ones were siblings, which one was the Cadet, which ones were involved in the accident and which weren't - And I didn't even know Tate was a girl for a long time. I know it was intended to leave us in the dark a bit, but I just felt totally lost and couldn't sort anyone out. 
 As we got into the story, I started catching on to things, but I really couldn't separate half of those kids until we finally got into their story. It's difficult because their story is supposed to be a mystery so we only get to find out more about them a little at a time. 
 I think the territory wars were a bit confusing for me in the beginning as well. Maybe it's because it was an Australian-based book? I know absolutely nothing about Australia, and I didn't feel like I should be that lost, but for some reason I was. I also kind of felt the same way when I read TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN. Maybe that's just a coincidence between the two Australian books that really stick out, but I kind of had that feeling with both. I always hate that feeling that maybe I'm not getting something that I should, but I still can't shake that feeling. 
 I liked the romance between Taylor and Griggs -- I thought it was really nicely developed and you could definitely feel the tension between them. They share an obvious past - one that was difficult and a forged a strong connection between them - and I was definitely rooting for them throughout the book. 
 Once we started getting into the full story of Taylor's past and the mystery behind the 5 kids, I was hooked! The only thing is, I just felt like it took too long to get there. I knew it was coming and I really loved how everything was tied in together. It was a truly beautiful story and the way everything was weaved together I thought was great. I just really almost disappointed how long it took me to get there. 
 I was also extremely distracted and rushed when trying to finish the book and I think that really ruined a lot of the end for me. I know that's my own fault, but it still affected how I felt and didn't let me get fully absorbed in the book. I should have just put it down and come back to it the next day, but by then I was actually excited and really did want to finish.