"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Thursday, September 25, 2014

Review: DAY 21 (The Hundred #2) by Kass Morgan (YA)


by Kass Morgan
Release date: September 16th, 2014
Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Sci-Fi Romance
Format: Hardback, eBook, Audiobook
Format read: Hardback from publicist. 


SUMMARY

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries - 
until now.

It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries... or so they thought. 
Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. 
And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.

In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can - together.








MY REVIEW

This is one of the best sequels that I have read in a really long time! DAY 21 starts right back up where THE 100 left off without missing a beat - with so many questions needing to be answered, no stone is left unturned...

*Since this is about book 2, a few minor spoilers may be mentioned. You have been warned.*

It has been 21 days since they have landed on Earth. Supplies are running low and emotions are running high. Most are thinking the same thing - when is the next dropship coming? Are they still being monitored? Are they okay? Will they survive?... and then the most unthinkable happens and they discover that they are not alone.

We continue to follow the same four lead characters - Wells, Clarke, Bellamy and Glass.

Wells is trying his best to keep the group together with logic and distractions. He has organized groups to build log cabins and others to gather basic supplies. People are drawn to him and he has become their unofficial leader. He knows that the first attack and that the kidnapping of Bellamy's sister was just the beginning to warning them - they are not welcomed. But other than the fact that there is no other place for them to go, no way to leave and go back home - he also knows, there's no way to defend themselves. They have no weapons and no experience or knowledge of their new surroundings.
Clarke is drowning in sadness and guilt. Not only does she have to live with the knowledge that her scientist parents were performing immoral experiments, but also, with what happened to her friend, a friend that has a connection to Bellamy. It is something that she will not be able to keep a secret for much longer... As she's dealing with her feelings she is certain about one thing - that if they find the Earthborns and approach them in a peaceful way, the Earthborns will be able to help and guide them. She also feels that they may have unlimited information on other resources and may even know something about  some artifacts that she had found in the woods. Items that may indicate that another dropship may have been sent prior to theirs...
Bellamy is hellbent on finding his sister and will do anything to get her back. He will risk his life and more... but another development has occurred- his deep feelings for Clarke are getting in the way. He doesn't want this distraction right now. Especially when Clarke reveals not only the reason why she was imprisoned, but also, that the heavy guilt and sadness that she's been carrying around with her has to do with Lilly, her friend aka his past girlfriend. Regardless of his feelings, he is compelled to help Clarke find the colonists and hope that it leads to finding his sister.
And now for Glass. Last we saw Glass she was pardoned and reconnecting with her mother, and her ex-boyfriend, Luke. Their story and chemistry is much like Rose and Jack's - swoony... Things seem to be falling apart on the spaceship and they discover that there isn't enough oxygen for everyone. The poorer sections are cut off; leaving Luke to die. Glass goes to him and decides to die with him. Until they discover a way to break through the barrier to get to the dropships that will be heading to Earth, even though received any proof of Earth being habitable yet. In the chaos of trying to get onto the dropship - horrific events that mimic the likes of the tragedies of the Titanic occur... and Luke learns the entire truth as to why Glass was not only imprisoned, but why his best friend was executed. A heartbreaking moment for everyone involved.

From the very beginning the book was a complete page-turner for me. Luckily, for me at least, each chapter is titled with each of the characters names. Therefore, I was able to do the unthinkable - my apologies! For me, Glass and Luke's storyline was my favorite, and I just had to know what was happening - and since their storyline is separate from Wells, Clarke and Bellamy's, I read Glass' chapters straight through! It was heart pounding and left me breathless. Going back to read the storyline that was happening on Earth, again, it was fast-paced and straight-forward. Kass Morgan is able to give you just enough information to keep you going - never overwhelming or too sci-fi-ish. It's to the point and you learn about everything as you go, just like the characters. And I absolutely love that!

I still haven't watched the show, but I can already tell that the books are, obviously, way better. All of my questions from book one have been answered; but now there are more things going on, more questions, more characters - and I cannot get enough. I am anxiously awaiting to hear about book 3!
In the meantime, I am going to calm my nerves while I catch up with the show...


*A hardback was sent to me for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Kass Morgan


 New York Times bestselling author of The 100 and its sequel Day 21, received a bachelor's degree from Brown University and a master's from Oxford University. 

She currently works as an editor and lives in Brooklyn, New York.   




1 comment:

  1. Oh wow. 5 bees! I haven't read the first book but your enthusiasm for this series is contagious!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment today!
If you are asking a question and you are a no-reply commenter,
please email me directly at thebumblegirl at rocketmail dot com or leave your email in the comments...
Thank you! and, as always, happy reading :)

 
Imagination Designs
Images by LabyrinthofDreams