The Host by Stephenie Meyer

I read this book with high expectations – not only because I am a fan of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga, but also because I was interested to see what she could do with an interesting topic like alien invasion.

Our world has been taken over by “Souls,” aliens who inhabit human bodies. While the Souls believe they are ridding the world of human violence, the surviving humans think differently. To be controlled by someone (something) else is not a pleasant experience, which is why Melanie Stryder resists the soul which has taken residence in her body. However, along the way, Melanie and Wanderer form an unlikely bond. Wanda shares Melanie’s memories and emotions, and marvels at what it is like to be human.

The emotion of this book often brought tears to my eyes. Wanda’s discovery of jealousy, anger, joy, and most importantly, love, is extremely moving. The book poses a question which has not left my mind since I put it down: Perfection, or passion? To be honest, I liked the souls, because they were honest, loyal, kind, gentle, and peaceful. But the souls have taken away the freedoms which humans hold in such high esteem.

This quote says it all: “This place was truly the highest and the lowest of all worlds – the most beautiful senses, the most exquisite emotions…the most malevolent desires, the darkest deeds. Perhaps it was meant to be so. Perhaps without the lows, the highs could not be reached.”

This book is different. It is by no means your typical romance – Melanie and Wanda are two different personalities who *SPOILER* fall in love with two different people.

Well done, Stephenie Meyer.

– Brooke Harrison

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THE HOST MOVIE REVIEW – To be posted soon. 🙂