|
The Host: A Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Category: Book
List Price: $25.99
Buy New: $15.59
You Save: $10.40 (40%)
New (43) Used (20) Collectible (6) from $14.85
Avg. Customer Rating:  762 reviews
Sales Rank: 28
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 624
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 5.6 x 2.1
ISBN: 0316068047
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780316068048
Publication Date: May 6, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
Amazon Best of the Month, May 2008: Stephenie Meyer, creator of the phenomenal teen-vamp Twilight series, takes paranormal romance into alien territory in her first adult novel. Those wary of sci-fi or teen angst will be pleasantly surprised by this mature and imaginative thriller, propelled by equal parts action and emotion. A species of altruistic parasites has peacefully assumed control of the minds and bodies of most humans, but feisty Melanie Stryder won't surrender her mind to the alien soul called Wanderer. Overwhelmed by Melanie's memories of fellow resistor Jared, Wanderer yields to her body's longing and sets off into the desert to find him. Likely the first love triangle involving just two bodies, it's unabashedly romantic, and the characters (human and alien) genuinely endearing. Readers intrigued by this familiar-yet-alien world will gleefully note that the story's end leaves the door open for a sequel--or another series. --Mari Malcolm
Product Description
The author of the Twilight series of # 1 bestsellers delivers her brilliant first novel for adults: a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake.
Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.
Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, 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.
Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts 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 yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.
Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 757 more reviews...
 A surprise January 5, 2009
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In October I finished the Twilight Saga, and found it hard to pick up another book. I didn't want to be disappointed. I had picked up Stephenie Meyer's book "The Host" in the books store a couple of times but I didn't think it would interest me. Then I read a book review. It said that "The Host" was for those people that say they they don't read alien books, just like "Twilight" was for those people that say they don't read books about vampires. So, I decided to give it a shot.
I was surprised. I really liked it. There is danger, love, and you just can't put the book down. I just wonder how Stephenie comes up with these ideas. Eventhough it is an adult novel, the story line is mild enough that young adults could read it too. Just like I fell in love with the characters from "Twilight", I can't get the characters in this book out of my mind. You'll fall in love with them too.
So, if you liked "Twilight", I am pretty certain you'll like this book too.
More great writing, more mature characters... January 5, 2009
She really does pull you into her stories. Twilight Series books were as great as everyone said they were, so this was a no brainer. You do have to be able to untangle yourself from the Edward Bella obsession and accept this novel on its own. She is great because she pulls you in so deeply, becoming emotionally invested in the characters. I am not a sci-fi reader, but I really did enjoy this. Same great writing, older characters. This would appeal more to adults since we rarely seek out teenage characters. Young adult may not relate as much, but you should give it a try anyway. OPEN MIND... She is allowed to write something different. The main characters are mid-twenties instead along with other smaller characters ranging from kids to older adults. Dripping with the sexual tension she builds so well. Not graphically sexual, but leaving the same breathlessness as the Twilight books. THis is such an interesting approach to sci-fi and alien invasion. Not unlike her fresh approach to the overdone vampire genre, she took sci-fi and made it a great story for those who would not normally grab a sci-fi book. Enjoy.
very good read January 5, 2009
i loved this book a lot it was very hard to put down and i cant wait for stephanie to write her next exciting adventure
Good Read January 4, 2009
Currently going through my 2nd read and its much easier to follow...the first time through it was difficult to separate Wanderer and Melanie, but the 2nd time its much easier
Take Your Life January 3, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Stephenie Meyer made herself a household name with her wildly popular "Twilight" series - books supposedly written for young adults - but with "The Host", Meyer is trying to establish herself as a writer of fiction for adults. The novel is a unique blend of sci-fi and the quasi-literary, her style and description not far removed from her first three works. "The Host" is an enjoyable read, fast-paced and with Meyer's uncanny ability to hook readers into vividly spun stories. It is a book definitely hard to put down.
The story begins when Wanderer, a "soul", has been inserted into a human host body that once belonged to Melanie Stryder. Once a soul has been inserted into a human, the human will disappear and the soul will have taken over the host. At least that's the way it's supposed to work, but Melanie won't give up without a fight. She bombards Wanderer with memories of her past life, while desperately trying to keep her loved ones safe. For if Melanie lets Wanderer know that there are other humans out there resisting the invasion, Wanderer will have to tell her kind where they are hiding. But Wanderer begins to feel sympathy for Melanie, and even love for the two men she left behind, her brother and her soulmate. Wanderer, working in a strange tandem with Melanie, sets out to find them, and encounters an entire community of humans hiding from those who have invaded their planet and ruined their lives. Initially afraid of Wanderer, seeing her as a parasite in Melanie's body, the community soon learns some acceptance for her, especially when they learn that Melanie's spirit is still alive and well, just trapped in her body.
As Wanderer and Melanie adapt to their new life, they slowly realize that things can not go on forever. There will be no peace as long as Wanderer has a certain Seeker on her tail, causing her almost constant fear that she will bring harm to the community. For even though she is alien, she is starting to feel at home and even loved. What a complicated thing it is to be human.
In many ways, "The Host" is riveting, not necessarily due to the writing, but more to Meyer's gifted storytelling. The situations and characters she creates seem entirely plausible, once again crafting new twists out of old sci-fi standards. However, as with her other works, "The Host" seems a little long, even though it flies by quickly. Meyer devotes lots of time to some plot details that seem inconsequential, and some developments are too predictable. Love is at the heart of this story, but sometimes the romance seems to overwhelm the greater story at hand. Yet just when you think that you know where the story is going to go and how things will end, Meyer throws in a unique, fitting, and satisfying finale.
|
| Pet Bird Articles and News from About.com | About Pet Birds
Pet Birds
5 Jan 2009 at 2:23am
In recent years, it's become more and more apparent that the title of "service animal" is not just for the dogs anymore. These days, more and more people are opting...
2 Jan 2009 at 1:49am
Have you ever wondered what a gizzard is for? Ever pondered what exactly a bird's beak is made out of? If so, look here for a quick lesson in the...
29 Dec 2008 at 3:32am
If you are planning on hosting a New Year's Eve celebration this year, then you've got a lot more to worry about than just refreshments and decorations! As a pet...
27 Dec 2008 at 3:49am
If you are a parrot owner, then chances are that you want to maximize your pet's talking ability. After all, a parrot's gift of speech is one thing that sets...
25 Dec 2008 at 3:34am
It's Christmas, and I can't think of any better way to mark the occasion than by showcasing the festive reds and greens of the beautiful Eclectus Parrots. Charming, eye-catching, and...
23 Dec 2008 at 3:31am
Exotic bird theft is a global problem that has only increased in recent years. Not only is this a problem for bird owners, who must take precautions to protect their...
20 Dec 2008 at 5:19am
Most bird owners know that it's important to keep their pets nice and warm, but many don't realize how important it is to pay attention to the humidity levels in...
18 Dec 2008 at 4:55am
We all know that birds can be messy -- sometimes to the point that it seems impossible to keep up with them! Luckily for us, there are plenty of products...
|
|
|
|
|
| |
