How should I start reviewing this book? Maybe by saying that I was expecting a YA fantasy novel but it's turned out to be a YA dystopia without any fantasy. But it's fine, because nothing in the synopsis let see that there'll be fantasy in it, maybe the cover gave me false expectations. However, I always enjoy a good dystopia, if it's properly explained, exposed and developed, which The King's 100 is not.
We're introduced to a new world order –we know it's a future world because Paris is called "the ancient city of Paris" more than once–, which gives us a glimpse to how the world has evolved to a new kind of society. A society that's divided between two kingdoms: Capalon, a high-tech society, where people act like robots, are forbidden to show their emotions and waste their time on hobbies, and are centered in working for the technological evolution; and Mondaria, quite the opposite of the other kingdom, because their people sing, play instruments, eat what they want and enjoy the little things in life –basically, a 21st century society.
But what I missed was a little bit of "history" to explain us how they got there. Yes, they tell us about the war between the two realms, but a deeper explanation of the world's history was missing to make it all more realistic and to locate the reader into the story.
"You always come back for the people you love."
Apart from this, the story is entertaining, though the premise is quite overexploited and foreseeable –the old "friends-to-lovers" trope mashed up with the classic "lying-about-my-identity-and-then-having-to-apologize" trope. But again, it's okay, because at the end it's a beautiful tale about love, friendship and family, about how important it is to show our emotions and to give more importance to the people than to the technology, because we're human beings and we live through emotions.
Karin Biggs' writing style is perfect for the young-adult public she's writing to, the expressions she uses and the way she explains the scenes are really well chosen, and in a good way there were parts that made me laugh, frown my brow and skip a heartbeat at times. Which I think is a good signal. I think that Karin Biggs has so much potential and I hope I'll have the chance to see it evolve and grow in the future.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
About the author: Karin earned her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University and served as an event planner for two Big 10 universities and various non-profits for over eight years before becoming a stay-at-home-mom. She enjoys chocolate-covered peanuts, uninterrupted sleep and singing with other people. Karin lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, cat and dog.
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