The 100 (novel series)

The 100
Company type	Book series
Industry	Publishing
Founded	September 3, 2013; 13 years ago
Founder	Kass Morgan
Products	Young adult science fiction novels
Parent	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

The 100 is a science fiction series aimed at young adults, authored by Kass Morgan and published through Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. The inaugural novel, The 100, was released on September 3, 2013. It was succeeded by Day 21 on September 25, 2014, Homecoming on February 26, 2015, and a fourth volume titled Rebellion, which came out on December 6, 2016.

Prior to the debut of the first novel, television producer Jason Rothenberg secured the adaptation rights. The television adaptation premiered on March 19, 2014, airing on The CW Network, featuring Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley in the lead roles of Clarke Griffin and Bellamy Blake.

The 100

Taking place three hundred years after a devastating thermonuclear apocalypse, the narrative centers on humanity's last known survivors residing in an orbital space station around Earth. This settlement is ruled by The Chancellor alongside a legislative council. Due to limited resources, any crime committed—regardless of its nature—is punishable by death unless the offender is under eighteen years old.

The story begins with Clarke Griffin, who was once studying medicine but is apprehended because her parents conducted illegal experiments on children under threat from Vice Chancellor Rhodes. Clarke confides in Wells Jaha, son of The Chancellor, who betrays her confidence by alerting his father. This results in the Griffins’ arrest and strains Clarke and Wells' relationship. Two years onward, the Colony dispatches one hundred juvenile prisoners—including Clarke, Wells, Octavia Blake, her half-brother Bellamy Blake, and Clarke’s friend Thalia—to Earth to assess whether it remains habitable.

After crash-landing along the East Coast of what was once the United States, the group faces challenges adapting to this unfamiliar environment. Clarke provides medical care to those injured while Bellamy begins developing romantic feelings for her. Octavia’s struggle with drug addiction emerges, and a fire tragically claims Thalia’s life. Their investigation into the blaze leads them to discover a nearby farmstead, revealing that they are not alone on Earth.

The 100: Day 21

Twenty-one days after their arrival, the group continues to endure assaults from an unidentified foe; meanwhile, Octavia has disappeared. Wells strives to keep spirits high as Bellamy searches for his sister. They capture Sasha Walgrove, a native Earth girl from Virginia who discloses that other survivors from the Colony reached Earth before them. Bellamy suspects Sasha’s faction is responsible for Octavia’s disappearance and demands to know their whereabouts. At the same time, Wells and Sasha develop a romantic connection as she assists in sourcing food supplies.

Back aboard the deteriorating space station, residents scramble to secure spots on dropships heading to Earth amidst Vice Chancellor Rhodes’ merciless attempts to control access.

Sasha guides Clarke and Bellamy to a concealed settlement beneath the ruins of Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center, led by her father Max Walgrove. There they find Octavia rescued from hostile renegades responsible for attacks against the 100. Max promises ongoing assistance as additional Colony survivors arrive; concurrently, dropships start crashing from orbit.

Wells uncovers that Bellamy and Octavia share a mother—Melinda Blake—who previously had a relationship with Wells’ father before he married Wells’ mother for political motivations. This discovery confirms that Wells and Bellamy are half-brothers through their father.

The 100: Homecoming

Following the crash of the dropships, Clarke, Bellamy, and Wells spearhead a rescue mission to the crash site, where Clarke and Wells are reunited with Glass and Luke. Clarke contemplates departing to locate her parents. Meanwhile, the Chancellor remains unconscious in the Colony orbiting Earth, as Vice Chancellor Rhodes assumes authority on Earth and intends to compel Luke to execute Bellamy as a deterrent.

With Sasha's assistance, Clarke and Wells manage to escape alongside the injured Bellamy. Glass and Luke also abandon the camp to avoid Rhodes' grasp. During a supply run, Rhodes' troops kill Sasha and plan an assault on Mount Weather to reclaim Bellamy, Clarke, and Wells. Amid preparations at Mount Weather, certain Colonists revolt against Rhodes. Initially, Clarke, Bellamy, and Wells are taken prisoner, but another group overthrows Rhodes before Bellamy's execution. Additional Colonists arrive bearing news that Wells' father remains unconscious with scarce oxygen.

Before Sasha's memorial service, Clarke reunites with her parents at Mount Weather. She makes peace with Wells but chooses not to rekindle their relationship due to her connection with Bellamy; meanwhile, Wells grieves Sasha's death.

The 100: Rebellion

Released on December 6, 2016, Rebellion is set one month after the events of the previous book. Bellamy begins exhibiting signs of paranoia as a faction known as the "Protectors" infiltrates their camp, capturing several individuals including Wells, Glass, and Octavia. Clarke and Bellamy assemble a rescue party, challenging their mutual trust.

The group successfully liberates the captives and defeats the Protectors. Following these events, Clarke and Bellamy reconcile, and with approval from her parents, Bellamy proposes marriage.

Reception

Publishers Weekly observed that while Morgan’s dramatic approach in The 100 may sometimes appear contrived, it remains compelling. Booklist characterized the series as "dark and riveting," combining elements of science fiction and romance within an engrossing narrative. The novel attained position No. 13 on The New York Times Young Adult Best Seller List.

According to Kirkus Reviews, Day 21 features a more rapid pace compared to its predecessor.

Television adaptation

On May 9, 2013, The CW commissioned a pilot for the 2013–14 American television season. Developed by Jason Rothenberg, the series premiered on March 19, 2014. The seventh and final season debuted on May 20, 2020, concluding the series with a total of 100 episodes across seven seasons.

In October 2019, Rothenberg created a prequel series for The CW that is set 97 years prior to the original timeline, focusing on events surrounding the nuclear apocalypse. A backdoor pilot titled "Anaconda" aired on July 8, 2020. However, in November 2021 The CW opted not to move forward with the prequel series.

External links

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