Written by: Kass Morgan
Number of Pages: 320
Average Rating: 3.56/5 stars
My Rating: 3/5 stars
Published: September 2013
Read in November 2017
Summary According to Goodreads
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.
My Thoughts
I have recently gone through all of the old NetGalley arcs I had been approved for, but never got around to reading - and this was one of those books. This was very hyped for a while, and was definitely on my radar even before the TV show was released. I’m not sure if it was my high expectations, or lack of interest in science-fiction, but this didn’t blow my mind.
Although this was a very quick read, I never felt completely engaged in the story nor was I able to connect to the characters. As I mention often in my reviews, being able to relate to a character or at least care remotely, is HUGE in my ability to enjoy a novel - but I couldn’t have cared less if they’d all died on their way to Earth. I think the majority of disconnect for me was the four alternating perspectives. It was the best way to tell this story, especially since we are able to know what is happening back on the ship, but these perspectives were told in third-person so the reader isn’t able to feel how the character feels, if that makes sense? I think that even if we did get that connection, I would have still been weary on them just because none of them had redeeming qualities and were instead whiny, annoying, and dramatic. It was also frustrating to be reminded of the teen angst, and slight love-triangle, but that was minor enough that I could see past it.
I don't read a lot of sci-fi, so I really appreciated that this one was very simple and didn't go too far over my head. It was more action/thrilling than science fiction, but a good transition novel for anyone getting into this genre. It is shelved as young-adult, but I would say it reads quite young even though majority of the characters are in their late teens.
I originally wanted to read this novel because of the plot, but now feel disappointed because it wasn't anything spectacular. It was very reminiscent of Lord of the Flies, or even the TV show "Lost" (both of which I am a fan of). I was not at all surprised by the big twist at the end, but I did like that it wasn't dragged out to the point of being completely obvious. It was acknowledged, like an "ahh" moment, and then the story ended. Was it a cliff hanger? No. Was it enough to get me to read the sequel? Maybe.
Overall, this was nothing special but also not something I regret picking up. It was a fun audiobook to listen to while at work, and I’m happy to have crossed another off of my NetGalley list! I think I might watch the first episode or two of the show, and if I pick up the sequel I would expect more action and less drama because it weighed this one down for sure.
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