The 100 by Kass Morgan | Book Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The 100 by Kass Morgan | Book ReviewThe 100 by Kass Morgan
Series: The Hundred #1
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on September 3rd 2013
Genres: Action & Adventure, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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two-stars

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents -- considered expendable by society -- are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life...or it could be a suicide mission.CLARKE was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. WELLS, the chancellor's son, came to Earth for the girl he loves -- but will she ever forgive him? Reckless BELLAMY fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And GLASS managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth.Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind's last hope.

I am glad to be among others who know my struggle regarding reading a book before I watch the TV show or the movie. Well, except for books by Nicholas Sparks — I love those movies but can barely slog through the books. Power to those who like it though, no judgment here. Anyways! So many of my twitter friends are into the CW show The 100 that I knew I had to get up and read The 100 by Kass Morgan – first of the Hundred series and the book that the CW show is based on. Alas, I guess the TV show is maybe better than the book because I was left feeling dissatisfied with the book and was kind of hoping for a bit more oomph.

Kass Morgan’s The 100 is a science fiction thriller. No one has lived on Earth in centuries because of nuclear radiation. So, those who survived fled from Earth and now live on three different space stations that are connected – one space station is more elite than the other two and is where all of the rich and high class people live. These stations also determine your profession and more. Unfortunately, the space station can no longer sustain the populations and so, must look into other alternatives for survival. The space life is kind of harsh. If you are under the age of 18 and commit an infraction, you are sent to jail pretty much and then await trial on your 18th birthday where you are either released or executed. These days most people are executed. However, reprieve is soon offered to one hundred underage criminals. They are to be sent to Earth in drop ships where they are sort of an experiment to see if Earth is now inhabitable for human life. Brilliant idea, that, sending criminals to see if the planet is safe to inhabit.

The 100 is told in close third person point of view and alternates between four main characters. Clarke is the daughter of scientists. We learn that her parents were maybe not as great and wonderful as she thought. She’s in jail because she has been betrayed by her boyfriend. Wells is the Chancellor of the space station’s son. He’s also the boy who betrayed Clarke. Wells does something crazy to land himself in jail just so that he can be on Earth to protect Clarke and win her back. Bellamy is not upper crust like Clarke or Wells, however, his situation is unique in that his sister has been chosen to be sent to Earth and so he needs to go to Earth as well. FYI – in this world people are only allowed to have one child, so Bellamy having a sibling is a huge deal. Then there’s Glass, who committed a crime but because she is upper class is essentially forgiven and pardoned. Palms were greased is what I am saying. Glass is in love with someone below her class who lives on a different ship.

Kass Morgan writes a page turner with The 100. Despite the quick pace of the book, I felt like it was all surface. I never felt truly and deeply connected to the characters. I did not care as much about the characters as I typically care. I was not invested in the story or the outcomes of Wells, Clarke, Bellamy and Glass. Instead, I spent more of my time wondering what the line was for infractions and how so many children could be thrown in jail without adults rebelling. I am pretty sure that is not where my mind was supposed to go, but that’s what it did. I mean, this book is great for a plane and vacation read, but it’s not exactly going to be going on my favorites list.

two-stars
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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. I really wanted to like The 100 but I couldn’t get into it. I wanted more action and I felt like it was more so a romantic book that didn’t live up to my expectations xP but I do like the TV show! Have you see it yet?