The Host

Reader reviewed by Lauren

From the author of Twilight, The Host is a science-fiction novel of an invasion of an alien species called souls. These souls can enter the body and completely take over their hosts, causing the host to just dissappear. And now, they have jouneyed to Earth.

Wanderer is a soul who has been to the majority of the planets avaliable to souls. When she is placed into a human body, a young woman named Mel, she thinks it will just be like any other host she's entered. However, Mel is strong and she will not fade away easily.

Wanderer soon succumbs to Mel's memories of Jared, her boyfriend. Being in such an emotional being, Wanderer falls in love with Jared as well, and instead of fighting back, she and Mel work together in the same body to find a hidden civilization of surviving humans. Wanderer and Mel make it to this secret haven, and instant confusion sprouts.

No one believes that Mel exists, but still, Wanderer is given a chance. When Jared returns, even more drama brews. Jaimy, Mel's little brother, instantly befriends Wanderer, believing that his sister is still there, while Jared hates her. Kyle and Ian, two other survivors, feel very differently about Wanderer. Things change when Jaimy gets an infected cut, Jared and Wanderer are forced to work together to get help.

What will happen to Mel and Wanderer, two beings in one body? Mel's body isn't big enough for both of them and in the end, one will have to leave. Which one? Read and find out. I reccomend The Host to any Twilight fans, and basically anyone else. It's probably best for teens and older as it is an adult novel.

Reader reviewed by Teanna

I love this book but not the part where jarrod thinks he can just go around slaping her that part was sad but jarrod is in love with melanie and wanda is in love with Lan but then the sadest part was where wanda wanted to give melanie her life back and lan was very upset he didnt want to give her up but i loved the ending where shes in another girls body and lans soo happy after that!!!

Reader reviewed by An_d

What would happen in a post-apocalyptic world that aliens have invaded homes, cities and most importantly, bodies?  What is the one thing that would give you hope and strength to go on?  LOVE.   This is a beautifully crafted story about one body with two voices.  One is a host body that is struggling to regain control of her own body and another is an alien being that has been injected into the host body.  I know, you're probably thinking that this sounds really weird and a little far fetched.  It is surprising an extremely tender and beautifully spoken story about keeping the ones you love safe and keeping your individuality while all things in your world seem hopeless.  

Reader reviewed by Insert Book Title

This book was AMAZING! Just like I thought. Kudos to you, Stephenie Meyer for writing such an amazing love story. This book is like nothing I have ever read. Wanderer is a parasite, latching herself on to her host. But she never had a host like Melanie. Mel refuses to fade, and through her Wanderer begins to love Jared (Melanie's love) and Jamie (Melanie's brother). Desperate to find them, Melanie and Wanderer set out on a journey that would change the way they look at each other and the way other's see the 'souls'. I was captured from start to finish.

Reader reviewed by sarhahahahaha

This.Book.Is.Amazing. i mean even if you dont like alien movies this book is worth checking out. Especially if you like twilight. it has the same heartache as twilight and has an even better ending the the twilight series. this book leaves you speechless and will even make you cry if your a sap like me. definetly take a look at this. its like one of the best.

Reader reviewed by Yan

I love this book! I found it so much better than Twilight in both the romance part as well as overall content. It was a much more believable romance than the rather stalk-ish, creepy romance between Bella and Edward. The sci-fi aspect is very faint and would have noticed it at all if the word alien hadn't kept popping up here and there. To all the Twilight fans, read this book as you might enjoy it much more than Twilight itself and to all the non-Twilight lovers, you just might enjoy THIS book by Stephenie Meyer!

Reader reviewed by Sara E.

Despite the fact I love Stephenie Meyer, I was skeptical about this book. It sounded great, but I'm really not a fan of sci-fi. I am to a point, but I'm very particular about it. However, I loved this book, even the sci-fi elements. Stephenie created such a wonderful, scary world in this novel. It's in the point of view of the "alien" Wanderer AKA Wanda, as she takes over her host body, Melanie. This is the most hilarious, heartbreaking, and unique love triangle in the world. If you liked Twilight, you should definitely give this a shot.

Reader reviewed by Mrs. C

The Host is an interesting exploration of love and all the different ways it can manifest in relationships. The main character is an alien who has been implanted in a human host. Though she is in control of her new body, the original inhabitant isn't giving up without a fight. In addition to that struggle, the alien also must learn to deal with being human, including strong and sometimes overpowering emotion.

The device of telling the story from an alien perspective is effective in the exploration of human relationships. Meyer successfully defines emotional situations with objectivity. She skillfully demonstrates that we as humans can sometimes be barbaric and confusing in our passionate pursuit of what (or who) we desire.

Highly recommended for mature readers interested in the nature of interpersonal relationships.

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Earth has been invaded by parasitic souls. The souls think they are helping the humans by purging the Earth of violence; the resisting humans see it differently. Humans have become hosts for these parasites and been forced to relinquish control of their bodies and minds to the souls. The resisting humans see this as bad as murder, if not worse.

Wanderer is a soul who has chosen Earth as the setting for her ninth life. She is given the body of Melanie Stryder, a recently captured resister. Wanderer has been informed about the increased difficulties of a mature adult host, but she never expects for Melanies mind to still be there. Melanie, always a fighter, refuses to give up. Instead, she tries to protect the humans she loves from Wanderer, lest a Seeker find them and make them into hosts for more parasites. But Melanie slips up and Wanderer gains knowledge of the existence of Jared, the man Melanie loves. Strangely though, Wanderer finds herself unable to completely separate her bodys desires from her own, and she begins to fall in love with this human shes never met. Soon, an annoyingly persistent Seeker unites Melanie and Wanderer, and they set off to find the man they both love.

I will admit that after reading the slightly disappointing Breaking Dawn, I was afraid that Stephenie Meyers writing had gone downhill, but after reading The Host, my faith was restored. Firstly, the idea behind this story, a science-fiction romance, was so unique that it immediately captured my interest. On top of that, the characters, especially Wanderer and Melanie, were so well developed that they actions were always easy to understand. Plus, the sense of desperation added in some action. I loved how everything fit together perfectly in the end, even thought that doesnt leave room for a sequel. The ending of the story, probably the last fifty pages or so, was my favorite part of this book, because that was when everything really came together; every character realized their importance and other conflicts were unexpectedly resolved. I dont think I couldve asked for a better story than this; it was all I was hoping for from the incredible author of Twilight and more.

I loved this story and recommend it to all readers, whether they be fans of Stephenie Meyer/science-fiction/romances or not. Length shouldnt be an issue either; those 600 pages really flew by. I suggest everyone find a copy of The Host so they can read this amazing story for themselves.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com

Reader reviewed by stebat

The book "The host" is a one of a kind book, i really liked it even though i don't enjoy reading science fiction, this book is about the time when the souls, creatures from other planets envade our planet, and the worst part is that they take away human bodies and transfer their souls into them, but Melanie didn't want to fade away, she resisted and stayed in her body even after being occupied by a soul named "The wanderer", but the soul decides to corporate with Melanie so that they can both find their true love "Jared" and their little brother "James"... I don't want to ruin the book for you...just check it out, it's the most touching story ever.. it made me sry.. so check out the ending of the book.. you won't be dissapointed!