Title: The Host
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Review:
It was after reading 126 pages that I began to warm up to Stephenie Meyer’s The Host. And when I did, it was very difficult to put it down. I literally suffered two sleepless nights trying to finish the book. I was absolutely entertained. Hands down, I am a fan of this writer! It is to be expected after all her Twilight series got me back into the reading bandwagon. Now, I could not think of a time when I did not have a book on my hand, my purse, by my bedside table, and anywhere else I would be. I have re-captured this passion for reading novels and found absolute entertainment in fantasy fiction.
The Host is not your typical science fiction. While it is from that genre, it does not contain too much technical details that most science fiction readers crave. Rather, it is a science fiction book for non-science fiction readers, such as me. Therefore, I enjoyed the focus of a love story that reveals itself with every adventure the protoganists (Yes, there’s two of them sharing the same body!) have.
In the beginning it was difficult to grasp the concept of ‘souls’, ‘hosts’, and the state of our planet years after the alien invasion. But once I understood, I was quite fascinated with how Ms. Meyers was able to conjure up such an interesting story. Twilight is easier to phantom because vampires have long been fictional characters. But to have a soul as the lead character, who is an alien using a human body as its host, and complicate it with a believable love triangle between the soul, the human host, and the man whom the human host left behind seems impossible. However, Ms. Meyers accomplished telling this story rather exceptionally! Towards the end I was craving for a sequel. Certainly she has one in the wings. There are a few more interesting characters whose stories I would love to know!
Sometimes when I critique a book I do wonder what other reviews say. Not that I care so much if my candid thoughts are in line with theirs, but when I heard The Host would be adapted into a movie, I was quite elated. It feels good to know that my opinion mirrors those who are willing to invest in bringing this story into the big screen. And when it does, I’ll be one of those first in line.
