Mini Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

By Jen On May 11, 2011 · Add Comment · In Book Review

The Host (The Host #1)
by Stephenie Meyer
Published by Hachette Audio on April 13, 2010
Genres: Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads • Amazon •

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.

Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, 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.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts 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 yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time. (Goodreads)

I have to agree with other reviewers when they say this is Stephenie Meyer‘s real masterpiece. The Host is nothing like the Twilight Series (which I loved) and is better written, so people that didn’t like Twilight may really like The Host. I’ll be honest and say that the first 1/4 of the book bored me silly, but I do think most of it was necessary to set up the rest of the book. It was nothing like I expected, and I was surprised (like I was with Twilight) that I really enjoyed a book about aliens! There’s not too much sci-fi, so you don’t need to be a sci-fi fan to enjoy this book.

Note: This was originally posted on New Shade of Green (my other now extinct blog).

4 Stars