The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer
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Book Reviews of The Host: A Novel
Book Review: Absolutely loved it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am 36 years old,a big fan of all good literature, both classics and contemporary; a big fan of the Twilight series, and I was very excited to read Stephenie Meyer's newest story. It did not disappoint in any respect. If you are reading this book looking for anything "twilight-ish" you would be doing yourself and the story a huge disfavor~ this is a whole new world, a whole new love story. One thing I really love about Stephenie's work in general is the undercurrent of what choices mean~ why we make them, who they affect (both on an intimate and a "big picture" level), and where they lead us. Wanderer is truly a beautiful being and now one of my favorite heroines. Melanie too. But there are alot of heroes in this book~ it's not always the grand scale sacrifices that mean the most...often times it's those "little" choices that are made that ultimately have the most profound impact later on. (you've GOT to love Jeb! I won't spoil anything by listing any more names here) This story is wonderful on many levels: first, it's just plain good reading~ hard to put down because you just have to know what's going to happen next;lots of suspense; second, it is extremelly thought-provoking and rich with not only human emotion~ but feelings and ideals that we want to strive for within ourselves and in society as a whole; third, Stephenie has a brilliant way of creating a whole new world for us that we can see and feel~ it becomes real in so many ways. As Ron Weasley may have put it "She's bloody brilliant!" (yes, I loved Harry Potter too!)
I would in no way classify this novel as a science fiction story, though there is talk of other planets and, of course, the earth has been invaded by alien life forms ("souls") It's just plain good reading, period. The very worst part of reading a really good book is that last page. I had a hard time saying goodbye to my new friends in "the Host". Thank you Stephenie for yet another fabulous story! We just love it when you get "bored!" LOL (When I get bored I usually just stare at the dishes in the sink and try to pretend they're not really there.)
For mom's out there who want to know if their kids could read it~ (I have a 13 year old son) I would say definitely yes~ there is some kissing and brief description of how that makes her feel, but no sex, a couple of "damns" and a "hell" but other than that~ nothing objectionable. That's another thing I love about Stephenie Meyer. We get so innundated with sex and violence and gutter talk everywhere we go~ it's nice to just get a really great, entertaining story that can stand on it's own without having to resort to all of that. Quality with a captial "Q"
Book Review: An amazing and creative read
Summary: 5 Stars
MOre reviews by me at www.silviapisyabooks.blogspot.com
This book was amazing. I loved it.
The characters were well developed and the plot was really good.
Our world is invaded by the souls -bodyless creatures that live in diferent planets using the bodies of their populations as hosts-.
Wanderer is a Soul destinated to the Earth. Melanie is part of the human resistance. Both in the same body, both knowing what each other thinks.
Wanda (wanderer's nickname) is a kind character -always putting the others before herself and always worried, thinking about if she's doing the right thing-, while Melanie is very determined and knows exactly what she wants.
But both of them are strong and fighters, and both of them would do anything to keep save Jamie and Jared, without worring about what happens to themselves.
I love Ian. He's such a lovely character. A very nice and cute guy; maybe a little bit too protective, but knowing Wanda it is OK to be like that. My first impression of him wasn't that good but as the story continue you get to know him better.
Jamie and Jared are good characters too.
Jamie is so sweet. I found it very funny everytime he complainend because he thought the others treated him as a child, but the truth was that he was the one that wanted to do things that wasn't for a boy to do.
Jared was a character that sometimes made me be angry although I knew it was just natural for him to act like that because of his strong personality and because all the thing going on was very hard for him.
Jeb a Doc touched my heard too.
Jeb was very bossy and sometimes seemed a bit too impulsive, but in reallity he was the most sensible; he was aware of things that others overlooked and was impartial -he acted in the same way with everyone, no matter what they were-.
Doc turned to be an affectionate person. He tries to find a way to save the humans and return them their body but he feels so bad everytime something turns brong in his experiments. He cares a lot about the others and is very trustworthy.
The other characters were nice as well, though I couldn't help but to think that Maggie and Sharon were way too stupid and unsympathetic.
The story run in a good pace and with lots of descriptions that made me want to really be there, walking where they were walking, seeing what they were seeing and feeling what they were feeling.
Overall: An amazing book written in a very nice way with which Stephenie shows us again the great writer she is.
Book Review: The Host: A slow-unraveling of an unforgettable story--don't miss it!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I read the preface, I was plenty confused and wondering what I got myself into. After the first few chapters I found myself getting into a steady reading pace with moments where I didn't want to stop reading...then, after the first 1/2 of the book, I just couldn't put it down because I wanted to know what would happen next.
This book is verbose but very enjoyable. I was fascinated by the backstory--the history and reasoning of the souls and the planets that Wanderer has been on, the memories that Melanie--the human host--shares with(and sometimes forces upon) Wanderer(the "soul", or alien parasite invading Melanie's body)... especially the memories of Melanie's survival.
I loved the many emotions that Stephenie Meyer portrays and describes--she has a way with words and a great ability to explain the unexplainable (but especially complex emotion). I love seeing the world through Wanderer's eyes, she is truly a unique, compassionate and overall likeable character. You will more than likely come to like her more than the humans, for she acts more human than most. Because of the author's writing style, this book makes you feel like you're taking a journey with Wanderer and Melanie; feeling their hatred for one another that slowly develops into a selfless love. I also really enjoyed their conversations--they are two people in the same body who view things very differently. Personally, I became very attached with some of the characters and I hope that Stephenie Meyer will turn this stand-alone novel into a series because even after 600 and some pages I find myself wanting more.
Stephenie Meyer has outdone herself with this one. I really enjoyed the Twilight Series (and am looking forward to the next installment) but, even though "Twilight"--her first book, and "The Host" cannot be compared, I really feel like Stephenie Meyers writing style has improved with this novel. She is definitely growing as an author and I am anxiously awaiting any book that this author may write in the future.
All-in-all, if you give The Host a chance and don't expect a rollercoaster ride, I think you'll really enjoy it. However, if you expect a fast-paced novel, look elsewhere; but you'll be missing out!
I think that those who enjoyed Twilight, will enjoy The Host because they get more of the author's brilliancy. Although, be ready to experience a whole new story.
My only complaint--the book was big and awkward to hold. lol; but that's about it.
Enjoy!
Book Review: Angieville: THE HOST
Summary: 5 Stars
I felt myself getting more and more excited about this book as the release date drew closer. I've enjoyed the Twilight books, but I found myself pretty intrigued to see what Stephenie Meyer would do when she set out to do something different. Plus, I was just in the mood for some science fiction. I've loved sci fi ever since I picked up my first Ray Bradbury and, even though Meyer states it's science fiction for people who don't read science fiction, it certainly qualifies. What with the aliens and all. And there ended up being more (and a wider variety) of them than I was expecting.
You're undoubtedly familiar with the premise of this novel already, so I'll leave it at this: it's invasion of the body snatchers, but the body snatchers are benevolent and the humans are, well, human. Flawed, emotional, corruptible. You name it. And there are very few of them left at all. But the few there are are....tenacious. Especially Melanie, the human whose body has just been taken over by the soul called Wanderer. Known for her extreme skill at taking over a body, as well as her penchant for never staying on one world for more than one life, Wanderer has been hand-picked for insertion in the rebellious Mel in the hopes that she will be able to glean details from Mel's memory about possible leftover humans in hiding. As you might expect, all does not go smoothly for Wanderer. Or Mel.
The great thing about THE HOST is that the main character is one of the "bad guys." As a result, the reader's emotions (and loyalties) are wonderfully conflicted throughout the beginning of the story. It doesn't take long, though, to fall in love with Wanderer and I really liked the way Meyer interspersed Wanderer's narrative with flashbacks from Mel's life as she hurled them, one after another, at Wanderer's mind in a bid to save herself as well as the ones she loves--her younger brother Jamie and her human love Jared. I was pleasantly surprised to find that, contrary to the whole love story being central to the plot scenario I'd been prepped for, the book was not at all ruled by romance. It is a story about love, but it's more a story about what it means to be human and humane. The love in the story includes all forms: familial, friendship, platonic, and romantic. I was particularly drawn to Wanda's fierce love for Mel's little brother Jamie and the lengths she went to to protect him. THE HOST is in many ways (despite its length) a small, intensely personal story. I loved it, was sad when it was over, and will reread it again soon.
Book Review: So Good It Makes Stephen King Jealous
Summary: 5 Stars
The essence of a good story (fiction novel) is in its development. Does it get too wordy? Is the prose well written? Are the characters well developed? Is it so good, you'd even be seen in the library at a snotty college reading it with glee? (OK, that's one of MY criteria.)
To an average reader (who had not read the Twilight series), The Host would make them squeamish simply because it is such a big, thick book (OH NO!). The cover is somewhat off-putting (that eye, creepy). Stephanie Meyer is too new, and the subject doesn't fit into a category.
Oh, and if you are a big, ego-fattened author in love with their own writing, even though, as with all art, what is good and what is bad is always subjective (I send you over to the discussion about romance novels here on Amazon.com and the various opinions about Diana Palmer's talent or none thereof).
None of this does Stephanie Meyer's "The Host" justice, but it IS relevant vis-a-vis a discussion on whether or not her second novel should be recommended reading or not. IMHO, Stephanie Meyer has an amazing talent. She is able to tell a fascinating story in words that don't confuse, develop amazing characters that you either love or hate, but at least you feel like you are in their heads, and make you feel like you aren't just reading a novel, but are living it on the back of your eyelids. Meals come and go and you aren't paying attention. The phone rings, you don't hear it. American Idol comes on TV, and you forget (that's what Tivo is for). Until that last, delicious word, you are submerged in a world created by this wildly talented author.
As a lover of reading, I honestly could not ask for more. While this book is not "quite" as good as the Twilight series (again, IMHO), it is close.
Oh, and one more thing. Somehow, not only does she manage to keep you completely immersed in this story that has already been well-described in this opinion thread, but she also manages to subtly weave in a message about what it means to exist in this universe, as Wanda slowly learns that her "perfect" race is not so perfect after all. Ms. Meyer brilliantly tells a morality tale and most people (coughStephenKingcough) don't even see it coming.
Well done, Ms. Meyers. This is one author's books I will now buy in advance without even knowing anything about it. That is how GOOD she is, and she convinced me with "The Host," that she is not a one-novel wonder. I can't wait for her next one.