Author: Kass Morgan
Series: The Hundred #1
Genres: Dystopian, Space | Young Adult
Release Date: September 3rd 2013
Publishers: Little Brown
No. Pages: 323
Source: Review Copy - Little Brown
Rating: 
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Before I start talking about the book I really feel like I should point out that I waited what felt like a long time for the show. I first heard about it last year and was really excited because it seemed right up my alley, having taking time away from my blog for most of last year I didn't know about the book and it wasn't until the show had already started I knew. Was I excited for the book once I started watching the show? of course I was. I thought my ship had come in, to many time I watch something and wish I had a book of it to read also. After reading the book however I wish I either read it before the show, or could separate the two in my head. Sadly I cant and I was left confused and disappointed by the book.
In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late.
Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again.
Before I start talking about the book I really feel like I should point out that I waited what felt like a long time for the show. I first heard about it last year and was really excited because it seemed right up my alley, having taking time away from my blog for most of last year I didn't know about the book and it wasn't until the show had already started I knew. Was I excited for the book once I started watching the show? of course I was. I thought my ship had come in, to many time I watch something and wish I had a book of it to read also. After reading the book however I wish I either read it before the show, or could separate the two in my head. Sadly I cant and I was left confused and disappointed by the book.
I'll try not to compare the book to the show, so before I start my review I'll get it out of my system. Firstly, very early on its apparent that the show had a lot of creative license, something that was pretty important was done completely different and I was confused as to why it wasn't the other way around (granted, if I hadn't watched the TV show I wouldn't know any different). One of my favourite characters from the show also wasn't in the book.. like not that he wasn't mentioned, he just wasn't in the books at all. Which yet again opened up more questions for me. (again I say I wouldn't know any different), and though I don't want to compare the show to the book, I would be a liar if I said I wasn't disappointed. This show had painted this picture for me, and it was nothing like the book, but that's not really the authors fault.
However, I didn't like the character in this book. We still had Clarke and Wells and Bellamy, but Clarke was more of a 'woe is me' character, Bellamy was a romantic but not the good kind and Wells was just... confusing. He was a mixture between a leader and a follower, it was like he couldn't make up his mind. I did like Glass, she is one character I knew nothing about so it was interesting to read about her and her experiences/relationship and such. Though the new character was refreshing, it wasn't enough to connect me to the book. I think personally there was just too many characters and 4 POV just didn't seem to work for the story
The relationships in the story were also something that I will say I found completely unbelievable, everything seemed to happen in a blink of an eye and its not like other books where you think its been too quick, but the time frame isn't implied. Well you know how long has passed between them landing on earth and the end of the book so it was something I really didn't like.
Though the world building was really good, I feel too little was explained at the start about why everyone was up in space, it wasn't really until half way through the second book did we get an in depth explanation. Thought a lot more important things were going on in the book, they were too overshadowed by the love interests.
I know I'm a fan of the show, I will forever be a fan of the show. But even if I didn't like it, I don't think it would have made me like this book anymore, most of the things that I disliked about this book had nothing to do with the show. In fact, it was like a completely different story so my comparisons aren't valid. Either way, this book just wasn't for me. I don't think there was enough action to go with this type of book.
I loved reading your review on this because I have watched a few episodes of the show and it actually made me not to want to read the book. For some reason the show came off as a group of idiots trying to survive that are also very much acting like annoying teenagers. Now, I only did end up watching like three episodes, but maybe I would like the book more after reading your review? I don't know. I will probably just stay away from both.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are enjoying the show tho! I know many that are. :) Too bad the book wasn't as good for you.
Well like I said, I loved the show, it's actually one of my favourite of the year even though I know a lot of people had problems with it, but I loved it and the book was completely different. It was almost like reading something with just slight aspects of the story to the show but with its own story too, so much was different and so much has been changed. I didn't like that, but it's my fault because I loved the show so much that I couldn't connect with the book, but if you didn't like the show so much I would recommend the book without a doubt because it's nothing like it.
DeleteI was disappointed the book wasn't good for me, but I honestly don't think I would have been able to connect with the first one with or with out the love for the show, the second book on the other hand was a lot better so if there is a third one I am actually looking forward to it.
Can't wait to see what you think of it :)
Hmmm. I definitely think I am going to read the book before watching the TV show. Hopefully then I might be able to enjoy it a bit more. I don't know. Either way, if I am disappointed by the book then maybe I will end up loving the show.
ReplyDeleteall you should now is they are completely different. So if you like the book you might ending not liking the show because it's not what you thought, I personally think the TV show is much better because there is just so much more action and explanation.
DeleteCan't wait to hear what you think though :)