The Host
(The Host #1)
(The Host #1)
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publication Date: January 1st 2008
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.
Genre: Science Fiction / Dystopia
Synopsis:
Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.
My Thoughts: When I first saw this book I was expecting it to be something completely different. I guess I was expecting a Twilight Sci Fi. Regardless, I liked Twilight, so decided to give this book a chance. Well, it starts off pretty slow, so that didn't really impress me. But, once the story gets going it is really, really good. Both Wanda and Melanie are great characters, and I love that they start to work together, even though Wanda is possessing Melanie. After being about a third of the way through the book I couldn't put it down and finished it in a little over a day after starting it (Oh my pre-baby days!) The relationships between the various characters are well written, the book is pretty well written and it's a pretty easy read.
Meyer actually wrote another good story and I do recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it yet, you are missing out. I think it's great that this is a Sci Fi, since everything is all about Vampires the last few year, mostly thanks to Stephenie here, it's a great change of scenery. Also, since this is supposed to be a trilogy, hurry up already Stephenie!! I'm waiting for a book!
I loved this book(even more than the Twilight books:), too. And can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy...if only she would write it...I'm quite happy with how things ended, but if she said that there's more in the story than I want it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
I know! I'm eagerly awaiting the next book, supposedly it's coming out this year sometime!
DeleteI didn't much like Twilight but i loved this one. I devoured it! I've read thrice already :) I love Ian <3 Can't wait for The Soul and The Seeker!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait either!! She sure is taking her time writing them! This book is much better than Twilight!
DeleteI am not a huge sci-fi (or stephanie meyer) fan, but I loved this book! I loved the idea, and I think the execution was even better. There was an actual plot and great and complex characters.. and of course Ian.. I actually prefer him over Edward:)
ReplyDeleteI have seen who are cast as characters and acutally liked them so can't wait for the movie!
Great review, glad you liked it too!
I know! The movie will hopefully be awesome!
DeleteI was not sure if i would like this book. It started off a bit slow for me. But wow, i'm glad i stayed with it. I loved love loved this book. I just wish that she would write a 2nd book like the rumors have said. Looking forward to seeing this as a movie.
ReplyDeletejennifer k
Yeah, started of quite slow for me as well, but sooo glad I stuck with it!! I've heard this year for book 2? I hope so!! And I can't wait for the movie!! should be good!!
DeleteWow this is the first time I am reading about this book, review I mean. At first the Wanderer name reminded me of Elder from Across the Universe, no human name. And I actually thought that Wanderer's supposed to be a guy! Funnily thought it would be interesting that a guy host is falling for a human guy in hiding.
ReplyDeleteBut it does sound pretty interesting after reading this review.
Thanks for this!
Haha, Wanderer does sound like a guy, I suppose if you've read Across the Universe you would think so even more. I haven't read AtU yet, I did buy it a couple of weeks ago though! You should give this book a read, it starts off slow but is so good in the second half. And they are making a movie! :D
DeleteThe Host has got to be one of my favorite books of all time. I absolutely love Wanda and Ian (sigh), and love Uncle Jeb and Doc. The story, to me, is amazing. I'm really excited for the movie! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThe story is really good! I think a lot of people won't read it since it's written by Stephenie Meyer (All the Twilight Naysayers) They are going to be missing out! It's MUCH better than twilight!
DeleteI can't wait for the movie either!
The Host is actually (for me anyway) hundred times better than Twilight. Maybe because in this book are no sparkling vampires :)
ReplyDeleteI kinda hated Wanda at first, but then as the book continued I grow to like her. Like you said, it's a great read.
It is waaaay better than Twilight! :) I agree with you, Wanda kindof grows on you :)
DeleteMy favorite book of all time! I love all these characters so much! Ian is amazing ♥ Can't wait for the movie. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for this movie!! This book was awesome, I can't waitfor th second if she ever gets it written..lol
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