Ellie is the viewpoint character of the series, having been charged with the duty of writing down what the group has down (as a record of their story). She also gradually becomes the leader of the group. Before the invasion, she lived on a sheep and cattle property. While her height, weight and build are never specified, she is described as being the shortest of the group and sturdily built in comparison to the other main female characters. Although she starts the series relatively optimistic, she becomes harder and less forgiving as the war goes on, particularly after she is taken to her best friend's grave and discovers that her partner is cheating on her with a woman from the invading country.