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The Host: A Novel (Unabridged) | 
 enlarge | Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: audible.com
Category: Book
List Price: $49.98
Buy New: $26.24
You Save: $23.74 (47%)
Rating:  559 reviews
Media: Audio Download
ASIN: B001AZT98I
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Amazon.com
Amazon Best of the Month, May 2008: Stephenie Meyer, creator of the phenomenal teen-vamp Twilight series, takes paranormal romance into alien territory in her first adult novel. Those wary of sci-fi or teen angst will be pleasantly surprised by this mature and imaginative thriller, propelled by equal parts action and emotion. A species of altruistic parasites has peacefully assumed control of the minds and bodies of most humans, but feisty Melanie Stryder won't surrender her mind to the alien soul called Wanderer. Overwhelmed by Melanie's memories of fellow resistor Jared, Wanderer yields to her body's longing and sets off into the desert to find him. Likely the first love triangle involving just two bodies, it's unabashedly romantic, and the characters (human and alien) genuinely endearing. Readers intrigued by this familiar-yet-alien world will gleefully note that the story's end leaves the door open for a sequel--or another series. --Mari Malcolm
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| Customer Reviews: Read 554 more reviews...
 The Host: My Review September 4, 2008
I enjoyed this book. Unfortunately i began reading it promptly after i finished reading the twilight series (recording breaking time of 1 week!)So i couldn't get that book out of my head and kepting wandering off track. The book itself was a great story and i enjoyed it. Although, it wasn't as good as Twilight.
 Worth Reading but starts slowly September 4, 2008
See other reviews for a synopsis. This novel starts out reading like a mediocre harlequin. The fault lies not with the author but with myself. It just takes awhile for the characters to develop. The main character goes through a very subtle but remarkable transformation throughout the book. So be patient with the beginning. It hangs together well as a whole by the end.
Typical Stephenie Meyer Book September 4, 2008
No one can deny that Stephenie Meyer has a fantastic imagination. This book, about peaceful aliens who require bodies to host them, is a great concept. The author pulls the story off quite well in fact.
I liked how the book made me ponder between a peaceful society that could be and the violent society we live in now. The characters are real and endearing, especially Ian and Jeb. I liked the adventurous bits - Melanie wandering through the desert, the raids, the seeker.
So why did I rate it only 3 stars?
1) The emotional drama throughout most of the book. Even though the alien, known as Wanderer, is in control of Melanie's body - Melanie still has a strong presence in the mind. Melanie being madly in love with Jared - who HATES the alien that took over his love - makes life so *emotionally* difficult for the alien that it's depressing to read. That's all well and good except tht it doesn't let up. It's this way through the whole book! It's this emotional drama that made New Moon difficult to read - Bella being so devastatingly heartbroken over Edward leaving her. (This is why I say it's a typical Stephenie Meyer book - drama, drama, drama).
2) The alien talks about other hosts & worlds that she lived on. No problem - but I just found it difficult to believe; ie being a bat or a flower... or someone who eats flower people. Not your typical aliens. Give the author kudos for imagination, but believability? Not really.
As iritating as the book was at times, it was still a good read.
 Different, but not for the good September 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
THE HOST is a book that I hesitated to read. First of all, because while I do find S. Meyer's TWILIGHT series an amusing read, I wasn't sure if her raw talent would get her far in the Sci-fi department.
I gave in and started reading eventually.
... And I was subjected to the biggest flaw that existed in the Twilight series as well. To put it simply, and harshly, S. Meyer is a mediocre writer. We'll get back to that later.
THE HOST is an original idea, wrapped around cliches. A rebel called Melanie Stryder is found by the 'Seekers' of the alien race (called the Souls? Original.) They insert one of their hibernating souls into her, Wanderer, expecting Wanderer, or Wanda, to completely take over the body. Essentially, Melanie would be erased. But she's not and always a constant factor in Wanda's presence.
Wanda, under the influence of Melanie's strong emotions (or the emotions of any human being), goes out to find Jamie, Melanie's brother and a man named Jared.
All of this is pretty original. Wanda's battle with Melanie at first and the friendship that forms between the two of them is a nice read, as well as the initial (and continuing) distrust of the community Wanda stumbles upon.
But as said before, Meyer writes in a mediocre fashion. Her prose is dreadful, at best, she over-repeats words, and is apparently incapable of writing a decent book without hundreds of pages where absolutely nothing happens.
Shorten the book at least 250 pages, give the woman a thesaurus and a good editor and this would have been a good read. Instead, it's a 612 page read where at the end of it, I wondered what on earth the plot was.
 Interesting read...well worth your time September 4, 2008
I was surprised this book held my interest because I do not tend to enjoy SciFi type scenarios. I believe the reason I kept reading (besides the fact that the book was well written) had to be the psychological battle the main character endured throughout the novel. The idea of literally battling between two minds was really interesting to me as a psychology major.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something new and interesting. The characters will hold your interest and the story will keep you reading late into the night if you aren't careful.
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