Ever since I discovered, Twilight, I’m in awe of Stephenie Meyer’s talent. Each book has originality stamped all over it. In her novel, The Host, an invasion of our world by unknown invaders sweeps across the population. Most of humanity has succumbed. With bodies intact, humans have become hosts for these mind-controlling entities. Life goes on as normal for the controlled population, while a few remaining wild humans are fighting for their souls.
Melanie Stryder is one such human and when captured, Wanderer becomes the invading entity. The invaders are warned about the challenges of human bodies, the emotions, the senses, the vivid memories they carry. Melanie refuses to give her mind to Wanderer, as her precious memories are probed and examined. Visions of the man Melanie loves haunts Wanderer, and she’s unable to sever the connection. And most disturbing, Melanie’s presence is very much evident as both share this one body.
A journey that takes them in search of Jared, the man they both love, leads them to one of the most exciting endings I’ve ever read. A novel of survival at its core, this story magnifies human endurance, and the undeniable refusal to give up what matters most…our soul. The Host takes the reader across the dessert, and into caves where a small pocket of humanity is determined to survive. This novel is thrilling, it’s raw, and it stays with a reader. This gal was born to write!
hmmm. I didn’t think Twilight was all that original. But maybe that’s because I’ve read a lot of vampire fiction. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED Twilight. I love her voice, and how she wrote it. I just didn’t find it groundbreaking/super original.
Every element in that book has been done many times over. It was her skill in telling the story that made it rise above the others, IMO.
LaD, I wasn’t planning to read The Host, but you make me want to.
Wow! I had no intention of reading this, either, but now I really want to!
Zoe, what left an lastly impact about Twilight is that vampire stories were always difficult for me to get into. Hey, I get queasy just thinking of a drop of blood.
I connected with Twilight, so she helped expand my reading. That’s always a good thing. And you’re right about her skills, top notch!
Hey Edie, my daughter passed it my way and I’m so glad she did. I can definitely see another movie in the works one day. It’d be great, if they follow the book.
Hey Spy, I loved it.
Hope you enjoy too. Her writing really is lovely.
I’m a big fan of Stephanie Meyers since Twilight, and will read anything she writes. Her writing is very clean, crisp and emotional…I read this one, and loved it. But it is a thick one, that requires time, it’s not a quick read by any stretch of the imagination.
Lee, I’m with ya!
And I was afraid I wouldn’t get it read in time for this review. She writes big books, and that’s another thing I love. “Clean, crisp, and emotional” are perfect adjectives for her talent.
LaDonna, I have been so curious about this book! Thanks for the review–now I will definitely put it on my buy list.
Hey Cindy, you won’t be disappointed!