The Host by Stephanie Meyer 4 Stars!!!

I had first started out reading this book with about a few pages into it and I ended up putting it down to read another book that I had been waiting for eagerly. There was a couple of months in between before I finally picked it up again, and I've got to say, I have regretted putting it down the first time. After Stephenie Meyer's breakout success from the Twilight Saga, I thought to myself, "What could be better than this? Nothing could top it." I was wrong...

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.
When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

Using thought provoking, thrilling, and romantic characteristics, Meyer has created a stunning piece of art. She delves into the recesses of both their minds, literally and figuratively. Melanie and her incessant resistance to subconciously leave the remains of what has become of her is very fierce and strong of mind, though quite annoying with her unexpected remarks here and there. Towards the end of the novel it really starts to pick up on how both Mel and Wanda will have to find a way to be with the ones they love.

There were a few lows to this book but very insignificant to account on a major level. It does start off a bit sluggish, even towards the middle. The parts most intriguing to me were actually not the primary lovers but the supporting characters. Also, the life styles and "culture" of the Invaders and how they migrate from place to place to seek hosts to survive and sustain themselves.  Ian was my favorite character in my opinion... but that is all I'll say for those interested in reading the book.

Overall, it was worth the read. A job well done!

To view Stephanie Meyer's website click here!

 

Teaser Tuesday's!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.  The idea is to give everyone a look inside the book you’re reading.
Play along: Grab your current read; Open to a random page; Share two teaser sentences from that page; Share the title and author so other participants know what you’re reading.

Today's teaser comes from A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin:

"Three," he squeaked to Chett, "that was three, I heard three. They never blow three. Not for hundreds and thousands of years. Three means-"

     "-Others." Chett made a sound that was half a laugh and half a sob, and suddenly his small clothes were wet, and he could feel the piss running down his leg, see steam rising off the front of his breeches."