My first Stephenie Meyers was OK.

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	• The Host Stephenie Meyer Sphere, 2008 - 617 pages average customer review:based on 607 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Could Have Been Better

This is science fiction only in the loosest sense, being that it has aliens from other planets. It doesn't suffer at all from the pseudo-science speak that has come to replace plot, characterization and dialogue in much of today's sci-fi. Instead, it simply imagines a world where body snatchers can exist. The book was pretty easy reading and kept me somewhat interested through most of it.

I do have some criticisms though. The main character (Wanderer) was intentionally written as being both weak and kind-hearted, but I found her to be incredibly selfish. Suicide seems to be a common theme throughout (the book even begins with an attempted suicide), which is really annoying. Wanderer is constantly trying to figure out how to kill herself and imagining scenarios where someone else might kill her. She is way too obsessed with self pity. It may be a device that emphasizes the weakness of the character, but I think it is used too often and does not generate any sympathy. Other characters in the book seem to react to it in a way that makes me think this is what the author was trying to achieve, though.

Besides Melanie and Wanderer, the other characters seem very flat and fit into well defined gender roles. There are no other major female characters in the book to act as a contrast to the Wanda/Mel duo. The men are generally strong, protective bread-winning types and decision makers. The women mainly work in the kitchen, take care of the children and fulfill other domestic responsibilities. For the most part they are only mentioned in passing and don't contribute in any significant way to the development of the story.

Speaking of gender roles, and being a guy myself, I found some parts of the book to be just a little bit icky. I suppose this was intended more for a female audience, but I didn't like the romantic scenes very much, especially the beaten fiery-touch, lava-flowing metaphors. Romance readers might like that though. I mainly just gritted my teeth through those parts so I could get back to the main story.

Overall, I think the book is ok for bathroom reading but not great. Having said all of that, this isn't the type of book I normally read. I used to read a lot of sci-fi, but that was 20+ years ago. Most of my reading tends to be non-fiction these days.

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Great, thought-provoking story!

In a dark time where the Earth is taken over by parasitic alien "souls," love and a sense of family prevail and provide hope. Melanie Stryder is unwillingly made the host to a soul named Wanderer. However, Melanie's love for Jared and her brother Jamie is so great that she refuses to simply disappear.

The relationships in The Host are quite complex. Meyer presents another love triangle (i.e. Edward/ Bella/ Jacob). This time it involves Wanderer (and Melanie) and the two men that she loves - Jared and Ian.

As a Twilight Saga fanatic, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this novel and have it spoil my Edward and Bella high. I am so glad that I decided to read it. Meyer has proved with this novel that her talent extends past vampires and werewolves. It is a touching and thought-provoking must-read!

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My first Stephenie Meyers was OK.

I like this book ok, But it was very slow in the beginning; dreadfully so. However once it started to take off It became a very entertaining read. It is a bit too long but I was still recommend it.

A pleasant surprise

I didn't know of the author before I read this book and didn't really know much about the book itself.
I normally read things in scary/mystery /Sci-Fi category so I gave this book a shoot.
The surprise was a very good read and thought provoking book.

The Host is Interesting

"The Host" is different in some respects to the twilight series but it still has that I want to know what happens next feel to it. The book is different and adventurous and in ways has helped me with my own spirituality by the underlying factors of the relationships of the main characters, Wanderer and Mel, and unique thoughts on human perspectives on what qualifies a soul worth saving and looking deeper into discrimination issues and learning to forgive and to love deeper.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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