I just finished reading the Stephenie Meyer novel The Host for the second time.
I've always steered away from science fiction, because it seemed too weird, too nerdy, or too far-fetched for my taste. Plus this cover with the big shiny eyeball staring at you didn't help either. But after my sister-in-law approved of and loved The Host, and I enjoyed the Twilight series (also written by Stephenie Meyer,) I decided to give it a shot.
In my mind, Twilight targets a younger crowd- young adults and adolescents. The Host seems to be a little more mature... There were times during Twilight when the main character would do or say something and I'd think, "Seriously? Why in the world did you do that?" But I don't remember thinking that once during The Host.
If you haven't read this book, and are interested, but still need more convincing like I did at first, then here's the excerpt from the front cover, and a review:
I've always steered away from science fiction, because it seemed too weird, too nerdy, or too far-fetched for my taste. Plus this cover with the big shiny eyeball staring at you didn't help either. But after my sister-in-law approved of and loved The Host, and I enjoyed the Twilight series (also written by Stephenie Meyer,) I decided to give it a shot.
In my mind, Twilight targets a younger crowd- young adults and adolescents. The Host seems to be a little more mature... There were times during Twilight when the main character would do or say something and I'd think, "Seriously? Why in the world did you do that?" But I don't remember thinking that once during The Host.
If you haven't read this book, and are interested, but still need more convincing like I did at first, then here's the excerpt from the front cover, and a review:
Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.
Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.
When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there is one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind 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 begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.
Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.
When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there is one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind 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 begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.
A review given by the Library Journal says:
"Meyer's YA vampire novels have been touted in the Wall Street Journal as successors to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. And with the fan base that has grown exponentially with each new release, they may not be far off. All of which makes the publication of Meyer's first adult novel even more noteworthy. It lives up to the hype, blending science fiction and romance in a way that has never worked so well. In this page-turner, Meyer explores what happens to relationships when two beings inhabit the same physical body. Earth has been overrun by an alien species called Souls, which invade human bodies and erase personalities. As the novel opens, Melanie Stryder, one of the few human holdouts, has been captured by the aliens and is implanted with a Soul named Wanderer, who is something of a legend among her own kind because of the many hosts and planets she has experienced. Inhabiting a human mind and body is unlike anything Wanderer has ever known, and soon she finds that Melanie isn't quite willing to give up to this invader. Overwhelmed by Melanie's memories and feelings, Wanderer finds herself driven to reconnect with Melanie's old life. As with her vampire novels, Meyer will make new fans of readers "who don't read books with aliens." -Jane Jorgenson
"Meyer's YA vampire novels have been touted in the Wall Street Journal as successors to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. And with the fan base that has grown exponentially with each new release, they may not be far off. All of which makes the publication of Meyer's first adult novel even more noteworthy. It lives up to the hype, blending science fiction and romance in a way that has never worked so well. In this page-turner, Meyer explores what happens to relationships when two beings inhabit the same physical body. Earth has been overrun by an alien species called Souls, which invade human bodies and erase personalities. As the novel opens, Melanie Stryder, one of the few human holdouts, has been captured by the aliens and is implanted with a Soul named Wanderer, who is something of a legend among her own kind because of the many hosts and planets she has experienced. Inhabiting a human mind and body is unlike anything Wanderer has ever known, and soon she finds that Melanie isn't quite willing to give up to this invader. Overwhelmed by Melanie's memories and feelings, Wanderer finds herself driven to reconnect with Melanie's old life. As with her vampire novels, Meyer will make new fans of readers "who don't read books with aliens." -Jane Jorgenson
I couldn't agree with this statement more. As I said above, I've always steered away from science fiction, but Stephenie Meyer makes it seem like second nature. When the excerpt above said, "our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy... their minds taken over... most of humanity has succumbed..." I was pretty skeptical. But Meyer has a way of making it seem natural, in a way that completely makes sense. It doesn't seem weird or odd while you're reading it.
Incorporating danger and a little romance make it my kind of book!
Read it!
And if you have read it, tell me what you thought!
Incorporating danger and a little romance make it my kind of book!
Read it!
And if you have read it, tell me what you thought!
6 comments:
Well said! Stephenie Meyer is a GREAT storyteller! I've LOVED LOVED LOVED all her books! The Host is totally worth reading again... in fact, I've already started. :)
Hmmm, maybe a certain cousin, who happens to be my favorite cousin, could let me borrow the book so I can be convinced :p
I agree. I tend to stray from alien novels...but I loved this book. Great page-turner.
LOVED IT!! So glad you broke down and read it!
I really enjoyed it too! It was something I wasn't use to reading and the story totally captured me.
I really enjoyed it too! It was something I wasn't use to reading and the story totally captured me.
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