Book Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Book Synopsis
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.
Trish's Rating
Trish's Review
The Host is definitely worth a read from any science-fiction or romance genre lover. It's Stephenie Meyer's enthralling tale of an unwanted soul's survival of love and life, confined within the human body of Melanie Stryder who refuses to fade away. This book kept me up at night, reading through every page with the passage of time as the only reminder of how good of a read it was. I hope those who decide to read it will have a somewhat similar experience.
The Wanderer, also referred to as Wanda, is the protagonist throughout the book and the story mainly centers on the relationship she forms with Melanie Stryder, the human girl that once possessed the body that Wanda now controls. The Souls that invaded the Earth took over the humans, erasing them. But Melanie refuses to fade away and her memories overwhelm Wanda, forming a deep connection between the two as both go in search of the man they love.
The Host is unique in the way that Stephenie Meyer forms a special love triangle involving only two bodies; one that is shared between two people. Though the story mostly focuses on Wanda's struggle of love as she's torn between two different people, it also shows human emotions and ethics in the way an outsider might question it.
The story mixes science fiction with love in an interesting way that will keep the reader going. Though the story may be a little slow-moving, the excitement it builds up onto is worth the experience.
I've never been much of a science-fiction reader, but this story includes around concepts that drew me in. It's a good science-fiction read, even for those who don't have experience around that genre. Her style of writing kept me captivated throughout the read, as she explores not only the human world but other alternate ones too.
Overall, a great character-driven love story that is both entertaining and emotionally riveting.
Disclaimer: May not be appropriate for children due to violence, language and sex.
