The Host

by: Stephenie Meyer

Published by: Little, Brown and Company (May release)

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

Stephenie Meyer, author of the bestselling Young Adult series, Twilight, presents her first novel for adults in The Host.

Unwilling to give up, Melanie Stryder chooses death by her own hand, rather than at the hand of the alien species who has invaded the world and wish to use her body as a host. Following her death, there are days of healing before a soul can be inserted into Melanie’s body. The ”˜souls’ leave the human bodies they inhabit intact, but take over their minds.

Following Melanie’s death, the soul of Wanderer is inserted in Melanie’s body. Wanderer was warned of the challenges of living inside a human. But Wanderer has lived in nine previous hosts in other places. Living inside a human shouldn’t be an issue for Wanderer who has a reputation for strength.

But Melanie refuses to give up her mind and a Seeker is determined to force Wanderer to dig deep and examine Melanie’s memories in order to learn more about any other living humans.

Wanderer learns through Melanie’s thoughts and emotions about the man Jared and the young boy, Jamie. Wanderer is unable to completely take over Melanie’s mind, and they begin to reside together in one body. Unexpected forces turn the internal fight between Melanie and Wanderer into a truce as they become allies in the search for Jared, the man they both love.

Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse are stunning novels, but The Host is brilliant. Meyer’s characters are richly drawn and well-developed. She writes with care and builds her world and the inhabitants with confidence. The plot sizzles and you’ll be amazed at the author’s rich imagination. Meyer actually pulls off a love triangle between two bodies.

Armchair Interviews says: The Host will be a blockbuster. Do we hear Hollywood knocking at the door?

Author’s Web site: http://www.StephanieMeyer.com