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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I picked up this book for the same reason most did: it is by the author of twilight. I didn't expect to like it as much as I liked twilight, but I did. This book is not Twilight though...although I can see similar personalities between the two books' characters. The host, unlike twilight, has a deeper meaning!
Can we all just collectively agree to stop writing underage girls falling in love with men in their mid twenties at first glance??
I wanted to enjoy this book a lot more than I did but was so distracted by how much I HATE Jared. He’s literally described as an “honourable” man because he waited until the clock struck 12 on Mel’s 18th birthday to be intimate with her?? As a 26 year old myself, it made me feel sick. I don’t understand why Stephanie Myers couldn’t have aged her up a few years? It still would’ve been a bit of a strange age gap but it wouldn’t have been vile.
I will say that I enjoyed the themes of community and the confusion between the emotions of Mel and the emotions of Wanda. That family can be forged and humans prevail in the hardest of times. The world building was also pretty delightful, I really enjoyed hearing about Wandas other lives and seeing her character learn how to form true bonds and love in the human way. Also big fan of Jamie.
But dear god WHY DID THEY PUT WANDA IN A 16 YEAR OLDS BODY?? I don’t care that Wanda is an ancient alien or that they said they needed to pick someone younger to make sure the body’s owner was gone. They gave Ian a child’s body to kiss and it’s weird.
Also where are the female characters? The only female characters that had any impact on the story other than Wanda/Mel herself was the evil seeker lady and I guess the therapist who was present for a few chapters? From that point, all the human female characters were just there to be loved by a more important male character.
It pains me to give a book that I saw a lot of potential in such a low rating. The writing style itself was so lovely and I felt the energy of the story shift throughout in a really natural way. The themes themselves were complex and really had me thinking about the nuances of feelings after putting it down. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get past all the underage romances, it was bugging me the whole book and really cast a shadow over the experience. That was a choice Stephanie Myers made, and I still don’t understand what it added.
I wanted to enjoy this book a lot more than I did but was so distracted by how much I HATE Jared. He’s literally described as an “honourable” man because he waited until the clock struck 12 on Mel’s 18th birthday to be intimate with her?? As a 26 year old myself, it made me feel sick. I don’t understand why Stephanie Myers couldn’t have aged her up a few years? It still would’ve been a bit of a strange age gap but it wouldn’t have been vile.
I will say that I enjoyed the themes of community and the confusion between the emotions of Mel and the emotions of Wanda. That family can be forged and humans prevail in the hardest of times. The world building was also pretty delightful, I really enjoyed hearing about Wandas other lives and seeing her character learn how to form true bonds and love in the human way. Also big fan of Jamie.
But dear god WHY DID THEY PUT WANDA IN A 16 YEAR OLDS BODY?? I don’t care that Wanda is an ancient alien or that they said they needed to pick someone younger to make sure the body’s owner was gone. They gave Ian a child’s body to kiss and it’s weird.
Also where are the female characters? The only female characters that had any impact on the story other than Wanda/Mel herself was the evil seeker lady and I guess the therapist who was present for a few chapters? From that point, all the human female characters were just there to be loved by a more important male character.
It pains me to give a book that I saw a lot of potential in such a low rating. The writing style itself was so lovely and I felt the energy of the story shift throughout in a really natural way. The themes themselves were complex and really had me thinking about the nuances of feelings after putting it down. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get past all the underage romances, it was bugging me the whole book and really cast a shadow over the experience. That was a choice Stephanie Myers made, and I still don’t understand what it added.
Stephenie Meyer has earned my respect after this story. I am a Twilight fan. But I am a fan of the story, not the writing. However, The Host has proven to me that Ms. Meyer has talent. The story was good, just like Twilight. I was surprised as to how much conflict she could create while avoiding having her little group discovered. I was also happy about this. Their discovery would have been the obvious route. It was nice to have a story where bad stuff doesn't happen that I was expecting to happen.
One thing about Meyer is that she has this thing for weak main characters. While many would argue this, I consider Bella to be this easily manipulated weak character. But Wanderer was a different. Wanderer - whose name I loved BTW - may have been extremely bothered by violence to the point where she seemed weak, but in reality she was a stronger person than any of the humans she lived with. I loved Wanderer.
It was also interesting to have a love triangle that wasn't really a love triangle. Its very unique to have the two male interests interested in either the body or the person in control of it. At first I expected a typical triangle, but this was a pleasant alternative. Be warned, there was a lot of unnecessary contact in this book. I don't mean sexually, but there was a lot of cheesy hugging and hand-holding that you wouldn't expect from a bunch of grown people. It made me cringe quite a bit.
As for the aliens and the other worlds, I find their story hard to believe. However, by suspending by disbelief it didn't bother me as much. It must be admitted that the idea of Singing Worlds and Dolphin/Dragonflies are really to accept.
The writing was a huge improvement. Wanderer had a great voice. The emotions were well portrayed, and the scenes were well described. After reading the first chapter I was extremely excited about the writing improvement, almost too excited.
The Host made me think. This means a lot when talking about a the writer whose other tale preyed on fantasies instead of having any real meaning (why am I being so mean, I really don't mean to). The Host had be thinking about what it really means to be human, what it really means to love someone, and what it really means to be self-sacrificing.
I highly recommend this book. Even if you aren't a fan of Twilight, even if you aren't a fan of aliens, even if you aren't a fan of cheesy love with a lot of awkward hand-holding. Give this book a try. It might surprise you.
One thing about Meyer is that she has this thing for weak main characters. While many would argue this, I consider Bella to be this easily manipulated weak character. But Wanderer was a different. Wanderer - whose name I loved BTW - may have been extremely bothered by violence to the point where she seemed weak, but in reality she was a stronger person than any of the humans she lived with. I loved Wanderer.
It was also interesting to have a love triangle that wasn't really a love triangle. Its very unique to have the two male interests interested in either the body or the person in control of it. At first I expected a typical triangle, but this was a pleasant alternative. Be warned, there was a lot of unnecessary contact in this book. I don't mean sexually, but there was a lot of cheesy hugging and hand-holding that you wouldn't expect from a bunch of grown people. It made me cringe quite a bit.
As for the aliens and the other worlds, I find their story hard to believe. However, by suspending by disbelief it didn't bother me as much. It must be admitted that the idea of Singing Worlds and Dolphin/Dragonflies are really to accept.
The writing was a huge improvement. Wanderer had a great voice. The emotions were well portrayed, and the scenes were well described. After reading the first chapter I was extremely excited about the writing improvement, almost too excited.
The Host made me think. This means a lot when talking about a the writer whose other tale preyed on fantasies instead of having any real meaning (why am I being so mean, I really don't mean to). The Host had be thinking about what it really means to be human, what it really means to love someone, and what it really means to be self-sacrificing.
I highly recommend this book. Even if you aren't a fan of Twilight, even if you aren't a fan of aliens, even if you aren't a fan of cheesy love with a lot of awkward hand-holding. Give this book a try. It might surprise you.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5*
Invasion of the Body Snatchers - with a difference. The concept is actually really good. What if the invading parasites were a race of non-violent creatures, who liked peace and quiet? The narrative is told from the point of view of one of them, a Soul named Wanderer. She is given the body of Melanie, who refuses to vacate the ‘premises’. What ensues is a ‘virtual’ kind of battle of wills, which leaves both parties changed.
This is definitely not a horror story, although it has a horrific side. No, Meyer focuses instead on the personal, on Wanderer’s experience and infatuation with what it means to be a human being. Reliving Melanie’s memories, she comes to care for the same people, have the same feelings. There is a naivety to the voice, to what she thinks and does, which could make all us cynics roll their eyes, but you know what - I liked it. I just told my cynic self to go have a long nap, and I was left to enjoy the story :0)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers - with a difference. The concept is actually really good. What if the invading parasites were a race of non-violent creatures, who liked peace and quiet? The narrative is told from the point of view of one of them, a Soul named Wanderer. She is given the body of Melanie, who refuses to vacate the ‘premises’. What ensues is a ‘virtual’ kind of battle of wills, which leaves both parties changed.
This is definitely not a horror story, although it has a horrific side. No, Meyer focuses instead on the personal, on Wanderer’s experience and infatuation with what it means to be a human being. Reliving Melanie’s memories, she comes to care for the same people, have the same feelings. There is a naivety to the voice, to what she thinks and does, which could make all us cynics roll their eyes, but you know what - I liked it. I just told my cynic self to go have a long nap, and I was left to enjoy the story :0)
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Linda recommended this book to me. I had heard about Stephanie Meyer at school since several others read her twilight(?) series, but didn't really have an interest. I did enjoy this book though. It is kind of like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, if it was written by a girl. I'd have to put this in the "Chick book" category.
WARNING: Rant ahead. I really disliked this story, but I understand that there are plenty of Stephenie Meyer fans, and I won't hold that against you if you won't hold this negative review against me. :)
How is Stephenie Meyer a published author? I ask you, how? She cannot write. She blathers on and on for 600+ pages, and still doesn't manage to tell a compelling story.
I hated the main character. Hated! I have never read a more hypocritical, self-righteous character than Wanda/Wanderer. Of course, I blame the author for inconsistency. How does it make any sense for a supposedly peace-loving, good, kind alien species to conquer world after world, murdering entire species? And this is the kind of character I'm supposed to root for and fall in love with? One that over and over calls humans monsters, and talks about how horrible they are, all the while living in a body that is not her own, that she stole. While her species is systematically murdering the human race? And the humans are monsters? Is this supposed to be entertainment?
Let's suppose that someone who is stronger than you moves themselves into your house. Not only do you not want them there, but you're expected to just leave. In fact, the person who moved into your house is annoyed that you're still there. Why are you still there? It's their house now. But, because you refuse to leave, you're stuck living in a tiny closet, with no way to communicate with the outside world. But see, the person who moved into your house is really nice. Really, really nice (except for the fact that she stole your house). So all your neighbors and family start to love her. And they start to think that she has as much right to live in your house as you do. Even though as long as she's there, you'll only ever be able to live in the tiny closet with no outside contact. But heck, you might as well love her too. Cause she's so nice and she's such a good person (except for the fact that she stole your house, and also she thinks that murdering entire species over and over on various worlds is perfectly acceptable, but besides that she totally hates violence--killing is okay, as long as you do it nicely).
I could even take all that if the story wasn't so mind-numblingly boring. There is just not much going on, but we get to read every detail of it. Every single detail. The characters are flat--there's no one to root for or even care about, because all we get to hear about is what Wanda thinks, and whether or not everybody likes Wanda. That's how we could determine who the good guys and bad guys were, of course. Whether or not you love Wanda. If you distrust or dislike the alien parasite who has taken over and suppressed a human body and mind, well, you're obviously a bad guy in this story.
I don't think I'll be reading anything else that Meyer writes. Sorry, fans, but she's just not for me. The only reason this is rated 2 stars instead of 1 is because I reserve 1 star reviews for books I couldn't finish, and I finished this one--it was like a train wreck I couldn't look away from.
How is Stephenie Meyer a published author? I ask you, how? She cannot write. She blathers on and on for 600+ pages, and still doesn't manage to tell a compelling story.
I hated the main character. Hated! I have never read a more hypocritical, self-righteous character than Wanda/Wanderer. Of course, I blame the author for inconsistency. How does it make any sense for a supposedly peace-loving, good, kind alien species to conquer world after world, murdering entire species? And this is the kind of character I'm supposed to root for and fall in love with? One that over and over calls humans monsters, and talks about how horrible they are, all the while living in a body that is not her own, that she stole. While her species is systematically murdering the human race? And the humans are monsters? Is this supposed to be entertainment?
Let's suppose that someone who is stronger than you moves themselves into your house. Not only do you not want them there, but you're expected to just leave. In fact, the person who moved into your house is annoyed that you're still there. Why are you still there? It's their house now. But, because you refuse to leave, you're stuck living in a tiny closet, with no way to communicate with the outside world. But see, the person who moved into your house is really nice. Really, really nice (except for the fact that she stole your house). So all your neighbors and family start to love her. And they start to think that she has as much right to live in your house as you do. Even though as long as she's there, you'll only ever be able to live in the tiny closet with no outside contact. But heck, you might as well love her too. Cause she's so nice and she's such a good person (except for the fact that she stole your house, and also she thinks that murdering entire species over and over on various worlds is perfectly acceptable, but besides that she totally hates violence--killing is okay, as long as you do it nicely).
I could even take all that if the story wasn't so mind-numblingly boring. There is just not much going on, but we get to read every detail of it. Every single detail. The characters are flat--there's no one to root for or even care about, because all we get to hear about is what Wanda thinks, and whether or not everybody likes Wanda. That's how we could determine who the good guys and bad guys were, of course. Whether or not you love Wanda. If you distrust or dislike the alien parasite who has taken over and suppressed a human body and mind, well, you're obviously a bad guy in this story.
I don't think I'll be reading anything else that Meyer writes. Sorry, fans, but she's just not for me. The only reason this is rated 2 stars instead of 1 is because I reserve 1 star reviews for books I couldn't finish, and I finished this one--it was like a train wreck I couldn't look away from.
Although slow in parts I found the matters addressed in the book were more grown up and hard hitting compared to Stephanie Meyers other books. The plot was a lot more in-depth and refreshing compared to your average “alien invasion plot line”. Spice this all up with the worlds most complicated love triangle and there you have it, an enjoyable read.
