Helpful Score: 28
Has Stephenie Meyer done it again? I don't know! The relationship between Wanderer/Melanie and Jared was less immediately compelling than Bella/Edward, but I still read the whole book in one sitting and could not put it down. This is billed as her first book for adults, but honestly, it reads just like her YA stuff. The ending was obvious from a mile away, to the point that it was frustrating to me that the characters couldn't see what needed to be done, when it was so clear. (They do catch on eventually!)
However, flaws aside, one thing is for sure. Stephenie Meyer can tell a story. There is something about the pace of her writing that draws you in and compels you to finish. She takes an impossible situation (three people, two bodies) and keeps you wondering for a very long time how it can possibly be resolved.
A classic? No. Worth reading? Yes.
However, flaws aside, one thing is for sure. Stephenie Meyer can tell a story. There is something about the pace of her writing that draws you in and compels you to finish. She takes an impossible situation (three people, two bodies) and keeps you wondering for a very long time how it can possibly be resolved.
A classic? No. Worth reading? Yes.
Helpful Score: 26
I am one of only a few people on the planet who can't stand Stephenie Meyer's TWILIGHT series. So I was a little leery of picking up THE HOST, afraid that I would dislike it as much as I did the first book in her other series. Thankfully, I gave it a chance, and now I'm very glad I did.
THE HOST is science fiction, but it's so much more than that. And it's also a love story, but, again, it goes far beyond the normal romance of many books out there today. I don't want to give away the entire story (to read what it's about, just check out the blurb), but I will say that THE HOST covers just about everything, from the invasion of Earth by a different species of being, to the ethics of mind control and morality of killing, to how far one person will go to be with the one they love.
My only complaint about the book, and the one that kept it from being a 5 Star read, is that the story drags on FOREVER. THE HOST could have been told, just as wonderfully, in about 150 less pages.
Overall, though, this was definitely worth my time, and I'll be happy now to at least give a chance to anything else the author publishes.
THE HOST is science fiction, but it's so much more than that. And it's also a love story, but, again, it goes far beyond the normal romance of many books out there today. I don't want to give away the entire story (to read what it's about, just check out the blurb), but I will say that THE HOST covers just about everything, from the invasion of Earth by a different species of being, to the ethics of mind control and morality of killing, to how far one person will go to be with the one they love.
My only complaint about the book, and the one that kept it from being a 5 Star read, is that the story drags on FOREVER. THE HOST could have been told, just as wonderfully, in about 150 less pages.
Overall, though, this was definitely worth my time, and I'll be happy now to at least give a chance to anything else the author publishes.
Helpful Score: 20
I stretched outside of my normal genre to read this sci-fi book. I find Stephenie Meyer's writing addicting! I really couldn't put the book down no matter how many dishes piled up. :-) This is an intriguing story about what it means to be human, to love in all ways, and to be a part of a family.
Helpful Score: 15
I am NOT a science fiction reader, but I read this because I love, love, LOVE her Twilight series. It took about 3 chapters to get into this book, but once I did I couldn't put the thing down! Stephenie Meyer has a way of making her characters so real, you become emotionally conntected with them personally and sit on the edge of your couch, reading as fast as you can to find out what happens to them.
She's one of the best authors I've read in a long time and look forward to her future works!
She's one of the best authors I've read in a long time and look forward to her future works!
Helpful Score: 13
This book was so different from the Twilight series (which I loved) that I had a hard time getting into it at first. However, if you find yourself in a similar situation, all I can say is STICK WITH IT. This is an AMAZING book...as it got closer to the end, I literally could not put it down, staying up WAY too late several nights in a row since I could only read when my kids were in bed! :)
Stephenie Meyer has created a fascinating world that will challenge your notions of what's right, what's moral, what's human long after you finish the last page. The book truly stands on its own, with no sequel necessary. I'll be the first in line should Ms. Meyer choose to revisit these characters, though! 5 stars!
Stephenie Meyer has created a fascinating world that will challenge your notions of what's right, what's moral, what's human long after you finish the last page. The book truly stands on its own, with no sequel necessary. I'll be the first in line should Ms. Meyer choose to revisit these characters, though! 5 stars!