Humanity destroyed the earth, leaving it poisoned by nuclear radiation. The remnants of civilization reside in a spaceship but now the Chancellor overseeing them has decided it's time to test Earth's air. One hundred juvenile delinquents, all scheduled to be retried and potentially executed on their 18th birthday, are being sent to Earth. Will it be their salvation or a death sentence? Clarke, Wells, and Bellamy are about to find out while Glass is staying behind... will they all survive?

THE 100 has a fascinating premise! I love the idea of a remnant of society circling the Earth, hoping for a chance to return. Kass Morgan crafts a strict society, desperately trying to hold onto their culture and yet inadvertently watching their empathy slip away. I absolutely love the concept behind Kass Morgan's THE 100 as we watch the morality of society slowly fade away, even as their resources diminish.

The main characters in THE 100 are all juveniles and their angst is almost refreshing in the midst of such horrors. Wells and Bellamy in particular show a willingness to sacrifice themselves for the ones they love. Glass and Clarke, as well as a secondary character, Olivia, have been hardened by the traumas enforced upon them from the strict rules of the society. I like the contrasts between the characters, but the multiple point of view changes along with constant flashbacks slowed the pace of the story down. Hopefully, the second book will show us a bit more depth to the characters as well as a more even pacing as THE 100 reads more like a tv show than a book.

Book Summary

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.