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The Host by Stephanie Meyer

May 30, 2012 by Jennifer

I first reviewed the Host in our weekly book review column at 5 Minutes for Books in June 2008. It was a new hardcover release, and I was drawn to it. I hadn’t read the Twilight books (and still haven’t!!), but everyone who had raved at the way the stories pulled them along. The Host is her first book written for an adult audience, and it was incredibly well-received. With a movie due out in 2013, the buzz is still going.

I was approached with a giveaway opportunity for the paperback book since it’s a perfect summer read and will help people get ready for the March 2013 The Host movie release. Since I myself read the book in a hammock while on a vacation, I definitely agreed with the summer read recommendation!

Here’s my review as it first appeared at 5 Minutes for Mom:

No, I’m not into vampires, nor did I think that I would be into alien parasitic life forms that have conquered earth and are using human bodies as their hosts. . . but I was swept off my feet by The Host. From chapter one, all I wanted to do was keep reading until the story had reached its conclusion. With over 600 pages, it’s a good thing that I was reading it on a relaxing beach vacation, because I stuck with this thing and finished it within 24 hours. I’m not sure how I would have managed childcare, housekeeping and meal preparation on top of the desire to get to the end of the story.

I marvel at writers who can create something from nothing. Creating an original story about regular people is hard enough to do well, but to create a compelling human drama in the midst of a new reality–as Meyer has–is astonishing to me.

The Host is set on a futuristic earth where a colony of silvery worm-like life form who call themselves Souls have taken over control of Earth by inserting themselves into the human bodies. Generally that wipes out the personality of the human, and the Soul takes complete control, but when the soul Wanderer is implanted into host Melanie Stryder, things are a bit different. Melanie is one of the few humans left, a part of the resistance who are fighting hard to preserve their race. When Wanderer takes hold of Melanie’s brain, she continues to hear Melanie’s thoughts and desires. Melanie is angry by being trapped in her own body, and Wanderer is frustrated by her lack of complete control. The struggle between the two souls trapped in one body is compelling in a strangely relatable way. Caring about an alien and a rebel human surprised me, but I did become deeply vested in these characters, as well as those in the resistance cell they stumble upon.

Reading my description just doesn’t do this story justice. If you like a good suspenseful story with a little romance, an imaginative setting and real-life twists and turns, give this a try, even if sci-fi and fantasy aren’t what you normally read.

Another strong selling point of this novel is the lack of profanity or sex. Think the creative genius and storytelling ability of Stephen King without the backdrop of profanity and other vulgarities. This was published as an adult novel, but because of this, it’s certainly appropriate for high school readers as well. You can read more about the author and an excerpt of the book at Stephanie Meyer’s website, which gives a tagline that sums it up for me describing her books, “Science fiction for people who don’t like science fiction.” The publisher’s website also includes an excerpt and a cool preview video.

After re-reading this review, I think that I’d like to include a re-read on my summer list. My daughter has also asked me about it, and after I reacquaint myself with the specifics, I’ll probably let her read it too. She was too young at the time, but I think when I read it 4 years ago, I thought it would be okay for high schoolers (most of whom read regular adult books anyway).

I’m happy that we have FOUR copies to give away. Please leave a comment for a chance to win. We’ll announce the winners in our giveaway column on June 13.The giveaway is closed.

  • The winner of Beyond Hope’s Valley is #2 Lori D.

We have a TON of giveaways this summer! Don’t miss our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.

Filed Under: Fiction, Jennifer, Sci Fi/Fantasy

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Comments

  1. Growing Roots.... says

    May 30, 2012 at 9:42 am

    I almost didn’t leave a comment and planned to come back since I didn’t want to be first :). I was afraid I’d forget so had to leave one.

    Fingers Crossed

  2. Stacie Gorkow says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:11 am

    I have been thinking about whether I would like to read this or not. I guess if I will, that will be my answer! Plus, I will pass it on to our high school library when I am done!

    • Stacie Gorkow says

      May 30, 2012 at 10:12 am

      If I WIN….geesh. Need more coffee!

  3. TJS says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:15 am

    Cool… Vampires! Sounds like a good one!

  4. Diane says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:30 am

    This book would be unique and special. Thanks.

  5. melissa n says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Oh I so want to read this book! Thanks for the chance!

  6. Kristin D says

    May 30, 2012 at 11:19 am

    I have this one on my wish list, it may be a little out of my usual, but I definitely want to read it!

  7. Pam Moore says

    May 30, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    I have to admit (blush) I just finished reading the entire Twilight Series, including the novella “The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner”. Her writing style and stories completely sucked me in – reluctant as I was. I guess I’m now a Stephanie Meyer fan, so hook me up with “The Host” please!! 🙂

  8. Renee C. says

    May 30, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    I enjoyed the Twilight series. I think the concept of The Host is intriguing as well! I would love to read this series as well.

  9. Joy says

    May 30, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    Would love to win this – my daughter loved the Twilight series of books.

  10. paige bacon says

    May 30, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    Count me in please… rendancechick at yahoo dot com

  11. debbie says

    May 30, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    I would love to read this, it sounds really good.
    [email protected]

  12. connie black says

    May 30, 2012 at 5:50 pm

    Oooo my fingers are crossed. I really want to read this!!

  13. Leilani says

    May 30, 2012 at 6:20 pm

    Awesome giveaway! Thanks!

  14. Melissa P. says

    May 30, 2012 at 7:46 pm

    I would love to win a copy. I am very interested. 😉

  15. Jen says

    May 30, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    I read the book once and loved it! Would love to own it.

  16. Tammy Gordon says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    Would love to win this!

  17. andrea says

    May 31, 2012 at 3:30 am

    I love the books I read all the twilight books and bought the Host. I haven’t read it yet but is going to this summer…

  18. Cindy Brooks says

    May 31, 2012 at 3:41 am

    I read the Twilight series and enjoyed them much more than the movies. I think this one sounds even more interesting!

  19. Linda Kish says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    I would love to win/read this book. It sounds terrific.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  20. Libby says

    June 1, 2012 at 10:54 am

    I’d be interested in reading this one.

  21. Margaret says

    June 1, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    I’ve heard that her writing in this book has really excelled so I’d love to read it.

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  22. samantha w says

    June 2, 2012 at 9:57 am

    sounds interesting, i love the kind of books that you just can’t put down.

    • Jennifer says

      June 12, 2012 at 10:49 pm

      You are one of our winners! Reply to this comment with your shipping info, and I’ll have it sent to you.

      Jennifer

  23. Barb: 1SentenceDiary says

    June 3, 2012 at 8:24 am

    I’m a big fan of sci fi.

    • Jennifer says

      June 12, 2012 at 10:50 pm

      Barb–You are one of our winners! Reply to this comment with your shipping info, and I’ll have it sent to you.

      Jennifer

    • Barb: 1SentenceDiary says

      November 29, 2012 at 12:18 pm

      Well, I waited to read this until I had a bit of extra time, and I’m glad I did! Just as youe described, Jennifer, I had a lot of trouble putting it down. I love books that just pull you along, where you are dying to know what happens next! Thanks again for the book. I’ll be passing it along to others, which is the best way to treat a good book!

  24. Lori D. says

    June 4, 2012 at 11:59 am

    Sounds very spooky.

  25. Van says

    June 4, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    Want to read this one for sure.

  26. Chuck says

    June 4, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Cant wait to read.

  27. Jeff says

    June 4, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    Love the Sci Fi

    • Jennifer says

      June 12, 2012 at 10:49 pm

      Jeff, you are one of our winners! Reply to this comment with your shipping info, and I’ll have it sent to you.

      Jennifer

  28. Kathie says

    June 5, 2012 at 7:30 am

    I have not read a SciFi in a long time, many do not seem to interest me anymore. This does sound interesting to me!

  29. Missional Mama says

    June 5, 2012 at 9:55 am

    I would like to win.

  30. June says

    June 5, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    I’ll pass this one on to my brother, whom is a huge scifi fan.

  31. Garrett says

    June 6, 2012 at 10:38 am

    This is my kind of book.

  32. Chuck says

    June 6, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Have not read a good scifi book in awhile now.

  33. Staci A says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:07 am

    I haven’t read the Twilight books yet either, but would be interested in reading this one!

  34. Don says

    June 7, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    Would really like reading this one myself.

  35. Tisha says

    June 8, 2012 at 10:07 pm

    I would love to read The Host, because I haven’t read it yet. I’ve read all of the Twilight books, but this book is the only book I haven’t read by her, so I’d love to win this. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  36. Angela E. says

    June 10, 2012 at 9:33 am

    I love these type of books.

  37. Katherine d says

    June 10, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    ahhh i hope i win!

    katherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com

  38. nannypanpan says

    June 10, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    thanks for the chance
    [email protected]

    • Jennifer says

      June 12, 2012 at 10:50 pm

      You are one of our winners. Reply to this comment with your shipping info, and I’ll have it sent to you.

      Jennifer

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