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The Host
The Host
Author: Stephenie Meyer
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 emo...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780316068048
ISBN-10: 0316068047
Publication Date: 5/1/2008
Pages: 624
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1201

4 stars, based on 1201 ratings
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Allypally avatar reviewed The Host on + 15 more book reviews
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.
GeniusJen avatar reviewed The Host on + 5322 more book reviews
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.
Beck-a-book avatar reviewed The Host on + 7 more book reviews
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.
reviewed The Host on + 6 more book reviews
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!
katala97 avatar reviewed The Host on + 5 more book reviews
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!
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reviewed The Host on + 2 more book reviews
This book was one of a kind. I don't know how the author came up with this idea. It took me awhile to get into the storyline, but once I did I loved it. I read it really fast and thoroughly enjoyed it.
reviewed The Host on + 2 more book reviews
Having read the Twilight series I was looking forward to the same spirit of anticipation I experienced as I read each book in the series. For me, The Host was a little to wordy. The idea was good and eventually the tale was told. This was not as good as the Twilight series but it was still a good reading.
jillyb85 avatar reviewed The Host on + 6 more book reviews
It only took me two days to read Twilight, this book had taken me a month and half to read however, I think that The Host is a much better book than all of the Twilight books (even though I love all of Twilight books and am a total Edward freak!) While the Twilight saga focuses on a complicated and unconditional love story this book (while it does have a complicated Love Parallelogram (not Triangle) it focuses on what it means to be truly human. Is it the soul and mind of the person or does the body make a person a human?

I have never read any real science fiction and before any of the Twilight books had never read anything about Vampires but was willing to see what they were all about. I think Stephenie Meyers does have a talent for creating interesting stories, characters and worlds in the same vein of J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter universe. I know a lot of readers have criticized her word prose but hey no one is perfect and if she continues to go write I am certain that she will only get better and better.

It is completely ironic that it is the nicest of all aliens that come down are the ones to take over Earth but I thought that was a really nice change from all of the other movies and books about alien invasions. Wanderer is such a sweet and peaceful creature that you can't help but love her but at the same time she is the enemy and you find yourself rooting for Melanie, in whose body Wanderer has been implanted in. However rather than trying to destroy Melanie's thoughts she begins to work with her to help Melanie find her family whom she has grown to love but watching Melanie's memories. I kinda hated Jared sometimes but he is a good person, but always loved Ian and Jamie and was yelling why doesn't Wanderer see how perfect Ian is for her!

I do not want to give away any of the ending but I really enjoyed this book and found myself laughing and crying and rooting for Wanderer and her newly adopted human family
steph-a-nie avatar reviewed The Host on + 3 more book reviews
This book was slow to get in to - but eventually it starts to make sense. It has a good story and and pretty good ending.
Very different from the Twilight series of books...
reviewed The Host on
Great story! I've read this book twice now. Just as good the 2nd time! One of those classic books I may just keep on my bookshelf to read every 5-6 years.
reviewed The Host on
Most amazing book I've ever read.
reviewed The Host on
A new but refreshing twist into the mind of Stephanie Meyer. The characters continue to show great mental depth and the ability to change for the better. A great non vampire novel from Stephanie Meyer
witchcat avatar reviewed The Host on + 12 more book reviews
Having read her Twilight series and not being impressed, this one is alright. I enjoyed the concept, the unusual romance and the moral dilemmas. However, this was not a page turner. It really picked up in the middle, was ok in the beginning and dragged towards the end. The conclusion of the book was predictable but in a nice way, I'm glad they did not go with Wanda's wishes. I think her writing style is nice but not too captivating.
thumbedpage avatar reviewed The Host on + 10 more book reviews
Wow! Surprisingly great. Very suspenseful and interesting. Couldn't put it down.
reviewed The Host on + 2 more book reviews
I loved this book.
So much better than the movie.
At first a little hard to follow, but once I submerced myself in the story, it was a page turner. I couldn't wait each night to get back to it.
southchick-ga avatar reviewed The Host on + 4 more book reviews
I tried twice to read this book, and I just could not get into it.
reviewed The Host on + 26 more book reviews
I was looking forward to this book so I was disappointed when thru the first third of the book I was trying to stay interested. By the second third of the book I was starting to get interested and by the last third I cared how it ended. Was it great? No. Was it ok? Yes. Not like the Twilight series which I couldn't wait to finish each one. Is it possible there would be a sequel, I can see where it could go on, and the premise was at least something new in Sci Fi. So overall it was fair to good. I know I disagree with some of the critic's reviews but a good book is judged by it's readers tastes. At least it was a good long book that took more than 2 days to finish. I value that.
reviewed The Host on + 38 more book reviews
I enjoyed it.
reviewed The Host on + 4 more book reviews
I don't do science fiction or fantasy or whatever the genre is called... BUT, I love this book! OK, I admit I am a twilighter too, but in my defense, they are fun, entertaining reads. I agree that it really is a shame this book didn't get half the attention it deserves because of the Twilight phenomenon. This book is so much more in depth, suspenseful and developed than any of the Twilight books. If you are turned off by them don't even try to compare - pretend they are by different authors. Itis hard to put down - there is love - romantic and familial and drama, action and suspense. It has it all. It stll shocks me how much I liked this book - especially since I had to be forced into reading it. It has opened me up to reading a whole new genre. I only wish she had three more in 'Host' Serie - if only... ;)
katm42 avatar reviewed The Host on
This book is awesome. It kept my interest from page one and I was almost sad to be done with it. Great story line. This book is in the top ten of my all time favorite ooks
reviewed The Host on + 36 more book reviews
I had a horrible time getting into this book... After the third time of trying to read it, I gave up. I don't give up on books easily, either.

Book Wiki

Common Title
People/Characters
Melanie Stryder (Primary Character)
Wanderer (Primary Character)

Genres: