Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer
by Jenners • 06/19/2010 • 4 Stars, H Titles, M Authors • 19 Comments
2 words that describe the book: Sci-fi lite
3 settings where it took place or characters you met:
- Setting: Planet Earth (mostly in and around Arizona), sometime in the future
- Wanderer is a “soul,” a type of parasitic alien that insert themselves into host bodies throughout various galaxies. In their physical form, souls look like silvery centipedes. Wanderer is a soul who has been in a number of host bodies, but she’s never quite experienced a host like the one she finds on Earth. In fact, the souls have been struggling with their attempts to take over Earth and make it into a peaceful, happy paradise. It seems that many humans are resisting the soul’s invasion of their planet and fighting back by any means possible.
- Melanie Stryder is the (unwilling) host for Wanderer, and she refuses to fully vacate her body, even after Wanderer has been inserted. This inability to fully remove the previous host from a body is a new development for Wanderer, and she finds herself struggling to maintain control of her host. But Melanie has a lot to fight for–her young brother Jamie and her lover Jared, who are still fully human and alive, hiding somewhere in the desert. Melanie is bound and determined to fight Wanderer with everything she has in order to protect and find the ones she loves.
- I liked how Meyer enabled the reader to sympathize with Wanderer by making her an eminently likable and noble character. The book is told from Wanderer’s perspective, so we get the benefit of her experiences and viewpoint. In fact, Meyer makes Wanderer so appealing and likable that you often find yourselves rooting against the humans who are fighting to resist the souls’ invasion of their planet.
- I liked how Meyer created a familiar world (almost everything takes place on Earth) with alien overtones to it. The story is told after the invasion of Earth by the souls, so we experience a familiar landscape that has become unfamiliar. The humans who are resisting being taken over by hosts live in a series of intricate underground caves, while the souls colonize the rest of the Earth but in a way that feels familiar but benevolently alien. (The souls have good intentions … they’ve seen what a mess humans of made of things and they just want to help out.)
- I liked how Meyer takes her time telling her story (the book is 594 pages) so you get to know and feel invested in the characters and their fates. My only complaint is that characters often don’t feel nuanced enough. They are either good (Jamie) or bad (Kyle), with little gray in between. However, Meyer does her best to complicate things toward the end–giving some of the more broadly drawn characters a “moment of truth” to further their emotional and moral development.
- I disliked how easily Meyer was completely able to hijack my reading time (again)! I know a lot of people criticize Meyer and scorn the Twilight books. But, having been sucked into the Twilight series against my will, I have to give the lady credit: she tells a good story. Once I started this book, I was hooked. Although Meyer might not write “great” literature for the ages, I think she is a gifted storyteller who crafts compulsively readable books. What can I say? I’m putty in her hands. (An idea! Perhaps Meyer herself is a soul who has taken over the collective minds of us host humans and compelled us to read her deliciously fun and addictive books!)
I’m giving the book 4 stars. Meyer has written a book that I think might appeal to sci-fi fans and non-sci-fi fans alike. Venturing into sci-fi territory for the first time, Meyer creates a gripping story that is really not so much about aliens but about humans and what makes us special and unique. Ultimately, I think that is why this book has broad appeal. It would be perfect for readers who don’t really read or like sci-fi as it has a strong emphasis on human characters caught up in a strange new world. At the same time, Meyer creates an alien invasion story that has all the classic elements of such a tale but infused with an emotional and romantic plot line that gives it a human heart. If you’re looking for a summer read that is simultaneously an “easy” read but also delves into some deeper issues and emotions, this would be the perfect choice.
I've had this on my TBR shelf ever since I finished the Twilight series, but I wasn't sure if it would be any good. I'll have to dive in soon. I'm in the mood for a compulsive summer read and this might fit the bill.
I've yet to read any of Meyer's novels. I know I am way behind but tend to shy away from novels that have a lot of hype surrounding them. I do want to read the Twilight series at some point.
I'm so glad you liked this book, because I loved it!
For Petty Witter and Sandy:
I don't remember a lot of sex in this book, but I have a notoriously bad memory! There was some kissing and yearning but no sex scenes.
As far as a movie, I could see it being done as a movie but I don't think it has the appeal of "Twilight" by any means…. unless of course they cast Robert Pattinson.
I think I actually liked this book better than the Twilight series, but I think it definitely could have been shorter.
–Anna
I'm still not QUITE sure I want to read this, but I might, one day. I never got past the 2nd Twilight book, though.
Great review, and ever so tempting.
back from vacation and I have to tell ya, I just LOVE your header!!!! Way totally cool!
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It allowed me to try other sci-fi books that I would have never picked up before.
I wonder if this will prove as popular as Twilight? Can you see it being made into a movie Jenners?
A good question Sandy, I thought the Twilight books were a little old for some of my friends daughters to be reading. I certainly wouldn't be happy for our 10 year old niece to be reading them.
I'm still harboring a grudge at how Twilight sucked me in against my better judgement. So here is my question…is there sex in the book, and is it hard to follow? There are some teen girls (friends of my daughter) that have been wanting to read it and the mothers are asking me.
I have never read any of Meyer's book…yes, I know, hard to believe…and quite honesty, I like my sci-fi a little heavier, not light.
still…4 stars give me pause.
I'm not a sci-fi fan at all either but The Big Guy might read this- he likes Sci-fi stuff, at least on tv anyway. That's when I leave the room.
I'm glad you enjoyed Meyer's book although it was against your will to read them ha ha
I just added it to my wish list. I'm not a sci-fi fan so I made the mistake thinking it wasn't a book for me. Sounds like an entertaining read. Thanks.
I tried to read the first Twilight book, because it was all my granddaughter talked about (even though she never read farther than I did – go figure). I just didn't feel the love for anyone…and I thought the first movie was stupid.
This one sounds more like something that I might like.
I feel like I'm admitting defeat if I acknowledge that I read one of her books…
Glad you enjoyed it. I haven't felt any desire to read any of her books but no doubt will do so one of these days.
I hope she writes a sequel to this one
I loved this one..ANd I love ur blog header ..
I read this one during my Christmas break from school. In classic Meyer fashion, I could not put it down. I rarely get to read for pleasure so I have to choose carefully.
I actually loved the book and felt the writing was better than the Twilight books. I like the series, but sometimes I get tired of Bella's whininess and the feeling of reading a young girl's diary.
I'm thinking Time Traveler's Wife might be next (at your recommendation) – just waiting on my mom to finish it.
I'm glad you enjoyed this book. I read it before I read the Twilight books and, as much as I loved them… I might have liked it even better!
I hope she'll write another one like this that is geared to adults.