When the 100 TV series premiered on March 19, 2014, The CW instantly knew they had hit the jackpot. It was a resounding success.
The series went on to have—appropriately enough—a hundred episodes divided into seven seasons, all of which received a warm critical reception and high ratings that remained somewhat stable throughout its run.
But with the popularity of the TV series, it can be easy to forget it was originally a New York Times best-selling book series penned by Kass Morgan.
However, it is never too late to turn the pages and submerge yourself into this dystopian future. If you’re interested in the 100 book series, read ahead to learn everything about one of the most popular post-apocalyptic YA novels of the 2010s.
The Background
Written by Mallory Kass under the penname Kass Morgan, the 100 book series is a post-apocalyptic dystopic YA series that encompasses four books published from 2013 to 2016.
Only a few months passed between the publication of the first book of the series and the release of the first season of the TV show, as producer Jason Rothenberg secured the series’ adaptation rights even before the first book’s official publication.
While this strategy ensured the book’s popularity and success, it also meant its identity was forever tied to the show—which is a problem, as the show and the books are entirely different, aside from general settings and character names. Nonetheless, success was inevitable. Soon enough, the 100 book series made Kass Morgan a New York Times best-selling author.
The Setting
The apocalypse already happened, and it was a thermonuclear disaster that turned Earth inhospitable. The few survivors of the human race therein departed the planet, surviving in a space colony composed of several spaceships orbiting around the now desolate Earth, now united and deemed “The Ark.”
However, things are far from okay. Without a planet to call home, the resources needed for survival are few and need to be tightly controlled—a task that falls into the hands of the Chancellor, the ruler of the population’s legislative council and de-facto leader.
With scarce resources and a need to dwindle the population, this new world treats all crimes as punishable by death—unless committed by a minor, in which case they remain prisoners.
The Plot
Long after the disaster that made Earth inhospitable, authorities at the Ark ponder the possibility of the planet slowly healing and becoming habitable again.
To test their theory, they send human subjects deemed disposable for that purpose—a hundred teenage prisoners, the eponymous 100. However, something goes wrong, and a crash causes the dropship to sever all connections with the Ark.
Now separated from any guidance and without help, they must find a way to survive in an inhospitable environment and come to terms with the hard truth: they are not the only humans there.
The Characters
As expected from its title, the 100 book series has a massive cast of characters. It features the titular 100 teenage prisoners, of which a handful stand out the most.
The main character is undoubtedly Clarke Griffin. Despite being from the upper class, Clarke is imprisoned due to the forbidden knowledge she overheard from her father. As one of the 100, she quickly establishes herself as a leader and an essential figure.
Other prominent characters include Octavia Blake and her brother Bellamy Blake, Clarke’s ex-boyfriend Wells Jaha, and many more. Unlike the show, the 100 book focuses more on romance, featuring love triangles, slow-burn romances, and more.
However, remember that other characters beyond the 100 delinquents join the cast as the story progresses—particularly the Earthborns, people born on Earth after the apocalypse.
The Books
As previously mentioned, the 100 book series consists of four (4) main books. However, the story depicted in these pages differs notably from the one on the TV show, so it’s best to consider them separate stories with only superficial resemblances.
The 100
The book that started it all, the 100 gives its name to the series and sets the main plotline explained beforehand.
A hundred teenage delinquents deemed expendable by their post-apocalyptic society are given a mission—return to Earth, discover whether or not it is habitable, and then recolonize it. The only alternative is death.
Without options, they embark on their mission. However, they soon discover that surviving is much harder than it seems—not only due to the inhospitable land but also because they are not as alone as they once thought.
Day 21
It feels as if a lifetime has passed, but it has only been 21 days since the Hundred arrived on Earth and discovered the secret it was hiding. And as their frail structure collapses, they must quickly learn how to navigate these new circumstances.
The group is falling apart, more Colonists have potentially arrived on Earth than they initially thought, and safety is not guaranteed for any of them. Bellamy and Clarke’s bond continues to deepen, yet tension rises—even more so since Octavia is missing.
Homecoming
As weeks pass and the 100 come to terms with their new routines, their society slowly settles and begins to thrive. However, this fleeting peace abruptly ends the moment a new dropship arrives.
The new arrivals shift the order and force them to face the ghosts of their past to protect the future they have built on Earth. However, Clarke cannot let go of the hope that her parents may still be alive, while Bellamy faces the sins and crimes he committed—and their consequences.
Rebellion
The last entry in the 100 book series begins a month after the Colonists arrived and joined The 100. Peace is finally here, and the Colonists and the Earthborns enjoy a holiday together in glee—until a group of strangers attack.
The result is nothing short of a tragedy. Countless are dead, supplies are stolen, and many people are captured as prisoners—including Wells, Octavia, and Glass. To make things worse, their captors are a religious cult eager to destroy it all. Clarke and Bellamy will do whatever it takes to rescue their friends and family, but the weight of the mission puts them, their relationship, and everything they love at risk.
Who Should Read The 100 Book Series?
The 100 book series reflects the interests and trends of the time it was released. The early-to-mid 2010s saw an explosion of post-apocalyptic and dystopian YA books, so any enthusiasts of those genres might be interested in the story crafted by Kass Morgan.
Likewise, fans of the eponymous show should give the original author a try, particularly if they miss the characters and their dynamics. However, it’s important to remember that the TV show and the book series are vastly different, so approach them as separate stories. If you do so, you might be lucky enough to love the same characters twice.
Consider The Maze Runner book series if YA dystopian stories captivate your interest. However, if you prefer your post-apocalyptic scenarios to be oriented toward a more mature audience, the Silo series might be your next favorite saga.
