The Host: A Novel
by Stephenie Meyer
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Book Summary Information
Author: Stephenie MeyerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2010-04-13
ISBN: 0316068055
Number of pages: 656
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Book Reviews of The Host: A Novel
Book Review: Non-violent Yerks for adults-thought provoking body snatchers makes for a soul searching novel in more ways than one
Summary: 5 Stars
In my time spent among people who see themselves as tolerant of everything I have observed a sort of reverse superiority that sometimes crops up. It's an attitude held by some (not all) and it is simplest to say it like this: "because I am tolerant of everything, I am better than you". It's an exceptionally annoying quality to observe in a person because not only does it make them more than slightly hypocritical, it means there is no arguing with them about it.
The souls (an alien race whose name changes depending on the planet they are currently living on) embody this annoying ideology quite well. The small, silver, brain and body snatching aliens are compassionate and caring by nature. Fights, wars, even basic arguing in unknown in their societies. So when they take over a planet (and they have taken many, using the various hosts at their disposal) they see it as improving the society and land vastly. In spite of the fact that the beings whose bodies they inhabit no longer seem to possess anything left of their original self.
See the hypocrisy? They take a planet and society to make it better and in the process vanquish all but the bodies and adopted customs of the society so they can experience it for themselves.
"The Host" is the tale of one of the souls who requested to try living on Earth. Nicknamed Wanderer, this soul has seen more planets and lives then most of her kind and cannot seem to find a place she truly belongs in the universe. But she instantly loves the beautiful and varied landscapes of Earth and the wonderful senses and emotions a human host allows her to experience.
Only there's a problem. The host body given to Wanderer belonged to one of the few members of the human resistance-an unorganized group of people hiding from the group of souls know as seekers tasked to bring them in and give them over to a soul. Wanderer's host, a young woman named Melanie, refuses to give total control of her being over to the invading soul. Despite all odds Melanie is still present in her brain and able to talk to Wanderer and sometimes through her. And the memories of her lover and brother she constantly throws at Wanderer are starting to take effect-until Wanderer herself has not only bonded with Melanie but is so desperate to know of their loved ones safety-not only physical but from her own people-that she finds herself leaving behind the society she knows but has never truly fit in to seek a group of rebels whose inherent way life of she doesn't truly understand but is compelled towards all the same.
There were two reasons I wanted to read this book. After reading the Twilight books I was excited to try out Stephenie Meyer's one adult novel. And, as a younger reader I was an avid (some might say rabid) fan of K.A. Applegate's "Animorphs" series in which a group of aliens which squirmed into people's brains (called Yerks) attempted to take over earth as they had some many other planets. I had hopes this would be a slightly more adult version of the series I so loved.
But the similarities stop with the whole alien needs to be inside the brain thing. This is more of a psychological sci-fi novel than anything else. It's about what it means to be good and sacrifice and judge others, and how finding yourself can take the most unusual journey you never imagined. And how you can end up being very far from the person you thought you would be.
There's also a pretty nice romance quadrangle for those who want some "Twilight" style angst thrown in. But other than that this is a more grown up novel only in what it makes you think about and consider-the level of swearing and sexual detail is right up with the Twilight novels so have no fear for younger readers.
This was a delight to read and I hope for more novels set in the universe. So much has been set up to explore. I commend Stephenie Meyer on her world making abilities. My only complaint with this book was that is wasn't longer.
Five stars.
Summary of The Host: A Novel
Now in the trade paperback edition:New Bonus Chapter and Reading Group Guide, including Stephenie Meyer's Annotated Playlist for the book.
Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.
Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human. (2008)
Amazon Best of the Month, May 2008: Stephenie Meyer, creator of the phenomenal teen-vamp Twilight series, takes paranormal romance into alien territory in her first adult novel. Those wary of sci-fi or teen angst will be pleasantly surprised by this mature and imaginative thriller, propelled by equal parts action and emotion. A species of altruistic parasites has peacefully assumed control of the minds and bodies of most humans, but feisty Melanie Stryder won't surrender her mind to the alien soul called Wanderer. Overwhelmed by Melanie's memories of fellow resistor Jared, Wanderer yields to her body's longing and sets off into the desert to find him. Likely the first love triangle involving just two bodies, it's unabashedly romantic, and the characters (human and alien) genuinely endearing. Readers intrigued by this familiar-yet-alien world will gleefully note that the story's end leaves the door open for a sequel--or another series. --Mari Malcolm
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