Retro Friday Book Reviews are hosted by Angieville. Basically on Fridays you review an older or underrated book.
You guys, I kind of want to make fun of myself because I read The Host by Stephanie Meyer  and actually enjoyed it. I know, I know. I am very proud of myself for keeping an open mind while reading because The Host was surprisingly good! I mean, yes there is a love triangle. And yes The Host is freakin text book huge and gets a little repetitive, but for a science fiction book, I really genuinely liked it.
The Host
Basically the plot of The Host by Stephanie Meyer is as follows:Â Wanderer – the soul who inhabits Melanie’s body has lived many previous lives on a different planet each time. Melanie is the first host who resists, yet Wanderer sees through Melanie’s walls and ends up finding the man Melanie loves, Jared, who is still human and finds herself falling for him as well. BUT then there’s another guy who Wanderer falls for and it’s like a love square with Melanie, Jared, Wanderer and the other guy.
There are so many moral issues in The Host by Stephanie Meyer. Issue that made my brain actually think and wonder. I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY THAT ABOUT A BOOK BY STEPHANIE MEYER. What is it to be human? Is it okay to just take over someone’s body — whose life is more important that of the host or that of a parasite? Can it be a mutually beneficial relationship –like those birds that live on Rhinoceros or those fish that eat barnacles or wharves off of sharks?
Plus, the conflict in The Host by Stephanie Meyer is fascinating. A small hold out of humans vs. a world of body snatchers who intend to make the world better than it was — no violence etc. What is better – a human world with all of our violence and war and passion and love or a world of body snatchers with peace and harmony and no poverty? It’s not exactly black and white here. I think there are pros and cons to both sides, obviously.
The Host by Stephanie Meyer had an amazing ending. I loved it. Seriously if you are still pissed about the ending of Breaking Dawn what the what you guys, then read The Host because it is much more satisfying. Seriously! MUCH MORE. Like, the ending is not some crap cobbled together. I actually liked it. Also, I felt that The Host could be read as a standalone. But I guess there might be sequels? Anyways, it just goes to show if you dislike a book by a certain author, that doesn’t mean you’ll dislike EVERY BOOK by an author.
Disclosure: I purchased my copy. USED. That’s what’s up.
Other Reviews of The Host by Stephanie Meyer:
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I read this a few years ago and was surprised by how much I really liked it. I remember there being some interesting conflicts and questions in it as well. I think its far superior to the terrible Twilight but most people don’t seem to know about this one or like it as much.
I mean – it’s not a great book and I don’t think it’s ‘proper’ sci-fi but then I don’t really read sci-fi so it suits me lol!
I totally loved this book too, it really is amazing how superior it is to Twilight in every way (writing, characterization, ending…)
Seriously, I think it SHOULD be a standalone. I mean, she has supposedly been writing a sequel for like 3 years now. But the book has a great ending, I think it should be left alone.
I experienced it as an audio book. I wasn’t sure at first, but was completely sucked in eventually. Stephenie Meyer can write. No doubt there.
I think this book is great, and though it definitely could stand alone, I hope we get to read more about Wanda, Ian, Melanie and the rest. I think Meyers has a great opportunity to vindicate herself and I would love to see what direction this story could take.
Humble disagreement on my part about the ending. Happily-ever-after endings that just happen~ make me headdesk.
I’m actually really hoping that those sequels never come to pass. I loved this as a standalone and I loved that it ended on such a note that you could think about it in many ways. Glad you liked it!
Most of what I’ve read about this book has not really made me want to pick it up. Now I may change my mind. Great review! Thanks.
DUDE I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK.
But I am a dork in the worst possible way and I love sci-fi like nobody’s business. I have already professed my love for it in that I loved it wayyyy more than the Twilight Saga (not hating on Twilight, I <3 Edward too).
But YAY for The Host. Also, reading this makes me remember how long it has been SINCE I've read it…which makes me want to read it again…which makes me think it MIGHT qualify for my sci-fi challenge…so YAY for The Host…and BAM! just like that I've come full circle.
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta.
I’ve actually heard that this book is a good read before, but I’ve never felt inclined to pick it up. After reading your review, however, I now want to read it too! I love reading books that provoke questions of morality.
AND I can’t wait for the movie!
I really enjoyed The Host as well. I thought Meyer transitioned into adult lit very well. Had more depth than her YA fare. I heard tell of sequels when the book debuted but I have yet to see a release date for the next. I think it stands alone pretty well though…apparently Meyer did as well.
So funny that you posted your review of this today.. Although I’m annoyed my email notification never came this morning with it.. I could have missed this and I have been waiting to see your review since seeing that your ready it!
but the reason it’s funny, is because I lent this to Aubreys daycare teacher a month ago, and she just returned it to me this morning. 🙂
I agree about this book making you think. I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I started it.. I had just finished the twilight series, and was told this was good, but they are nothing alike.. I dont think I expected them to be similar, but this was so much more then twilight. I love twilight, but I didn’t find myself pondering about vamps after setting it down.
My fav scene is watching the fam in the park.. I wont say more, b/c I don’t want to spoil, but that was such a touching scene. Thats when this book became so much more for me.. I could comment and ramble my love for the whole afternoon. I think it will be fine staying as a stand alone, but if she does write sequels, I will for sure be reading them. I’m curious to see how the movie will be.. I haven’t seen much on it lately, but I guess there is suppose to be one. 🙂
I don’t know why people hate so much on Stephenie Meyer’s stuff?? I really liked the ending of Breaking Dawn 😛
I’m a bit dubious about reading this one, simply because of the page length. I CANNOT handle textbook huge, it’ll make me crazy. And I’m not digging the idea of a love square BUT I do like that this one stimulates the mind and makes one think big and insightful questions about the world. That is a turn on. But, thing is, I’m not much into sci-fi either. I don’t know.
it’s obvious I am conflicted. But, if this crosses my path again, I’ll take it as a sign to try it out.
– Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)
I read this forever ago and I loved it! I feel like I need a reread since I barely remember anything besides the fact that I liked it. 😛
It’s a shame that this won’t be the book that Meyer is remembered for as it is such a wonderful piece of work. The audio version is superb! I’ve listened to it far too many times.
Love the ‘Retro Review’. I read this when it first came out, it took a while to grab me, but once it had… there were tears. Real, freaking tears. And thank god it had a happy ending, or it might have ruined my year! Gosh, an amazing book. Great choice for a retro review! 🙂
Confession. I’ve heard this was good, but I didn’t believe it.
Until now.
I read this ages ago and really enjoyed it as well! I was actually thinking about rereading at some point this year.
I read this as soon as it came out. I was so excited about it and then so surprised by it. I loved it but it was nothing like I was expecting. I really wish SM would write more because this book proves that she’s more than Twilight. Great review and I’m happy you enjoyed it!
I really, really like this book. SO much better than the Twilight series (which I enjoyed, but only on an entertainment level). It upsets me that they’re going to make this into a movie, though. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ll still go see it, but I just wonder how they’re going to pull off the conversations that Melanie and Wanderer have inside of their head… It could end up being really cheesy. And I’m not sure if I want there to be sequels. I don’t know how definite the sequels are, and I guess I’ll read them if they do happen, but I like the book as it is. Great review!
I really REALLY liked this book when I read it too!! It’s way better than the Twilight saga. I really like it as a standalone, but then again I want to continue reading Wanda’s story and hope there’s a sequel. Above all though I really can’t wait for the movie!! Hopefully they don’t suck as bad as the Twilight saga though!
In my opinion Host is a great book, much more sophisticated and believable than the silly, rather mushy Twilight saga. While the issue of saving humanity stands throughout the book, the aspect of what it is to be human, to love and to cherish the very value of how short life is, shines over that. Wanderer learns and changes, indeed, so much of what is already put down in history, befriending the humans and beconing one of their very beloved allies, as well as assissting the them by doing good for the humans including the souls with the importing and exporting of souls. Once one soul was sent away, a new human, was brought back to life. Indeed, Wanda (nickname for Wanderer) brought so much new knowledge to Doc and the others.
Overall I enjoyed this book very much. I am very much looking forward to the movie that is based upon it (The Host, released next year in March).
I LOVE this book with all my heart! and I don’t think there really is a love triangle. I mean, there are two male love interests but in a way also two female love interests and you could tell who belong with whom