Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

TLDR Recap:

Earth is no longer our own; the souls rolled in and took it right out from under us, leaving few survivors. Melanie, one of the few remaining “wild” humans, refuses to fade away when a parasitic soul is forced into her body. Warned about the difficulties of possessing a human, Wanderer is unprepared to deal with Melanie’s spirit and independence, and their struggle against each other leads to a grueling journey about life, love, and humanity. The Host is a GraveTells Recommended Read!

• Title: The Host
• Series: n/a
• Author: Stephenie Meyer
• Prominent Characters: Melanie, Wanderer, Jared, Ian, and Jamie
• Recommended Reader Age: 16+
• Sexual Content Level: Light

*** This review is SPOILER-FREE! Read on with confidence! ***

Thoughts:

Now I know you’re thinking “wtf is this? I’m a romance fan, not sci-fi!” and I can sympathize. I debated over reading it until the decision was made for me and the book gifted to me. So, I ventured in, and I have to admit the first 10 chapters or so are really (seriously) slow, because it’s all world building. I decided to keep trudging through though. Best. Decision. Ever.

We start off with Wanderer being inserted and finding out Melanie remains a consciousness with her in her head. Wanderer struggles with this predicament as Melanie works her hardest to protect her memories and loved ones left behind. However, as time goes on, Wanderer learns about Melanie and her life as her walls start slipping, resulting in an uncomfortable alliance. This is where all the fun begins.

I can’t really tell you more because you should find out for yourself, but I will say that while I would have liked to see Wanderer fight a little harder when shit got critical, the author stayed true to her character which I really appreciate. Wanderer learns what it really means to be human, and Melanie learns that the souls may not all deserve to be hated and feared. This story contains the unconditional love of family, friendship, and a very complicated love triangle. It also contains some really neat ideas of other alien worlds.

Memorable Quotes:

Is there something you’ve neglected to share?

“They called me Lives in the Stars, then. Wanderer, here.”
“Lives in the Stars,” she whispered, her eyes somehow, impossibly, getting wider. “Rides the Beast.”
I suppressed a groan. “You lived in the second crystal city, I guess.”
“Yes. I heard the story so many times…”

If you liked The Host…

If you enjoyed The Host and are looking for more romantic sci-fi adventures and survival stories, check out Shelly Crane’s Collide. It is a paranormal romance between a “visitor” and a human with mild sexual content and is a sweet story that also involves the bonds of family and friendship as a group of people struggle through an invasion.

Final Thoughts:

Rating: The Host