Comments on: REVIEW: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

By: The Host by Stephenie Meyer - The Busy Bibliophile

The Host by Stephenie Meyer - The Busy Bibliophile — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:03:00 +0000

[...] opinions: The Housework Can Wait Maryse’s Book Blog Dear Author SharePrintEmailDigg Filed Under: 5 owls, adult, body snatchers, desert, horror, must read, [...]

By: The Host Stephanie Meyer Book Review

The Host Stephanie Meyer Book Review — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:02:36 +0000

[...] purchased my copy. USED. That’s what’s up.Other Reviews of The Host by Stephanie Meyer:Dear Author MAW Books All About {N}//LinkWithinCodeStart var linkwithin_site_id = 778903; var [...]

By: Betty Moore

Betty Moore — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:29:11 +0000

Hmmm…interesting review but not really compelling. Perhaps I just don’t fit the reviewer’s opinion of a sophisticated reader – I am voracious when it comes to reading. After filling my walk-in closet with books, as well as half of my dresser and a multitude of bags and boxes, I finally purchased an IPad and I’m now working on filling it as well.
I am definitely an adult (55 yrs old) but I devoured Ms. Meyer’s Twilight series while on vacation a few years back. Were the books young? Yes. Idealistic in the author’s vision of paranormal romance? Yes. Sophisticated, edgy, deep, erotic? No. I loved them! I loved the simple enjoyment of a romantic fantasy complete with vampires, werewolves and teenage angst. And I loved “The Host” as well. I read the book in 2 days. (Again, on vacation.) To MW – I believe that the aliens call themselves “souls” much as many Native American tribes refer to themselves as “the people.” A simple statement of identity, nothing more…or less. I don’t believe that the choice of that word was due to a lack of creativity on the author’s part – I found it particularly apt as this particular “people group” (the aliens) quite simply see themselves as apart and above other “tribes” in the universe…as noted by their unrepentant view of themselves as saviors of others, helping other races to become better than they were before being inhabited by “souls.”
As to the book in general…yes, it is unpretentious and unapologetically idealistic in it’s unique approach to a love story, an alien invasion story, a split-personality story. Like Ms. Meyer’s former writings it didn’t wallow in pages and pages of erotica, which I find to be refreshing and delightful. I do love me a good vampire, werewolf, fey, shaman, etc. story, and it’s a shame that so many books written in the genres are filled with foul language and unnecessary physical descriptions of heaving, swollen, enormous and sweaty this, that and the other thing. I LOVED “The Host” and don’t feel bad about recommending it to others. The story is creative and unique and once I picked it up it was very hard to put down. It entertained me thoroughly and I didn’t feel the need to delve into the whys and wherefores of the story’s construction…I simply revelled in the story itself, especially the ‘too happy’ ending. C’mon, think about the premise of the story in the first place…you really feel like you need realism in the ending? Talk about split-personality. Try to just enjoy!

By: Anonymous-Reader

Anonymous-Reader — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:54:58 +0000

As a reply to the review above me, MW- The love-triangle in The Host is actually very different from Twilight, and is difficult to explain. You can’t understand until you’ve read the book. Also, remember that the “Souls” aren’t native to Earth or any of it’s languages, so Stephenie probably named them Souls to stay true to the plot and/or not confuse the reader. Wanda’s opinion on the name “Soul” is written very early in the book (first chapter, I believe) so that could also clear up some confusion you had.

By: Anonymous-Reader

Anonymous-Reader — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:45:55 +0000

The Host is a wonderful book, but I can see how some readers would have trouble relating to Wanda in the last parts of the book. What I’d like to say is that Wanda IS the innocent alien, with very little experience with selfishness and anger. So it’s only natural for her to be self-sacrificing when she fears her “family” may be in trouble. So if those of you that were confused go back and reread some of the end with this perspective, maybe you’ll understand it better? All in all, The Host is the best science-fiction/romance novel I’ve read, and I highly recommend it.

By: MW

MW — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:24:13 +0000

I admit I haven’t read the book and now probably won’t having read the reveiw and comments. I don’t know what to say……humans being invaded by souls???? That’s not a very original premise as apparently we have souls and have no need to be invaded by them. Or maybe a more original name could have been chosen for the aliens that are invading human bodies. Like lets say the aliens could be called something like the Lanos – stealers of bodies. This is just the word salon with the letters switched around. It takes very little creativity to think up a word a little more exotic than souls. Plus with the romance thing sounding like leftovers from Twilight….I just can’t….. But whatever….. she is the bestselling author so there ya go.

I dunno…..all I can do is wonder how these things come to be.

By: ani

ani — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:34:20 +0000

This story is very similar to Octavia E. ButlerÂ´s SEED TO HARVEST

By: Evidence of Flow » Science fiction

Evidence of Flow » Science fiction — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:19:18 +0000

[...] Tonight my wife picked up the latest Iain M. Banks Culture novel, Matter, for me. I sometimes find flaws in those novels but the sheer enthusiasm, thoughtful details and character with which the author has shaped that universe just keep me coming back for more. After all where else can you find a galaxy spanning near-utopia held together by A.I. inhabited starships with names like Not Invented Here, Subtle Shift In Emphasis or Hand Me The Gun And Ask Me Again? Here’s a hint: probably not in a Stephanie Meyer novel. [...]

By: Amber

Amber — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:01:36 +0000

I am currently reading “The Host” and am finding it very redundant with regards to the vernacular that Meyer uses. She constantly repeats about how Wanda forgets to breathe, is terrified, can’t believe she wasn’t killed “this time,” and so many others. I feel that the idea behind the story is really fascinating, but I get irritated every time she mentions emotions or actions that have already been expressed multiple times. Although there are interesting facets of “The Host”, this book is definitely not striking me as a huge literary feat. Also, I feel that she is really trying to set up Jared almost like another Edward for people and it’s not working. So far, he has been a fairly uninteresting character. Even Wanda’s character is set up with an altruism that seems phony, even though the objective is for the reader to being taken aback by her disinterest in her own safety over that of others she cares for. I think I will continue trying to read with an open mind since I have thus far invested time into this novel, but am truly not impressed.

By: DS

DS — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:34:17 +0000

I almost bought this book. Then Breaking Dawn happened and I wonder if she is as committed to her world building/canon as I like authors to be. I think I’ll wait and see if the sequel causes screams of anguish from people who read the first book.

By: Joy

Joy — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:26:59 +0000

…it’s a more interesting book than many others I’ve read, but interesting doesn’t mean it was as successful for me as it could have been. I had a review copy but I’m not sure I would have felt I’d gotten my money’s worth had I purchased it in hardcover.

Janine – Valid points. I am a big nerd so sometimes get caught up in interesting concepts and I got it from the library. I think my perspective would have been different if I’d pay hardcover prices for it.

Also, it was one of only 2 books I took on my July 4th vacation and ever since I was a child I always feel compelled to finish books (although JR Ward is making me break my rule – I’ve been reading the last one for over a month). I think if I’d had other options, I may not have made it past the slow beginning. I handle slow middles better (Life of Pi being my perfect example of why to finish all books you start)

By: Janine

Janine — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:08:33 +0000

Lesley and SonomaLass, thanks for your perspectives. I’m glad you enjoyed the book, Lesley.

Serena — Is there definitely going to be a sequel then? And do you know if it will follow Wanda or another character?

SonomaLass, I don’t dislike first person, when it’s well-executed, as it was here. It wasn’t the first person voice that was the issue for me, but rather the fact that there was only one POV for upwards of 600 pages. I think that a single POV might have gotten a little monotonous for me in third person just as it did in first.

By: SonomaLass

SonomaLass — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:02:45 +0000

I agree with your grade here, and with a lot of your reaction. I did enjoy the book, and in particular the basic narrative (Wanderer/Melanie) perspective. I do like longer books, and I do like first person POV, so those things didn’t bother me. But I agree that the ending felt contrived, and that the “everybody’s peaceful” characterization of the aliens was a bit much to take. The quality of the writing was better than I expected, but the male-female dynamic wasn’t to my taste, anymore than in her other books.

By: Serena

Serena — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:40:44 +0000

Janine, I believe “The Soul” is the title of the sequel.

By: LesleyW

LesleyW — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:25:57 +0000

I really liked this.

Perhaps the only thing I disagreed with was it being marketed as Meyer’s first adult book. I always imagined the end of the world would involve more swearing and sex. So I think it definitely had a young adult feel.

I’m not saying that as a negative – other than the publisher marketing it as adult. I loved the story and would be happy to read more set in that universe.

By: Janine

Janine — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:07:56 +0000

It is interesting that you mention the title, Robin, because as I read I kept thinking that the book should have been titled “The Soul” or (though I don’t think anyone in the marketing department would go for it) “The Parasite,” since it was far more focused on Wanda than on Melanie.

And yes, a lot these themes are in the book, especially good vs. evil and what makes one human.

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:54:33 +0000

The title is fascinating, especially as a double entendre. Was that intentional, I wonder? Because I’m reading the Twilight series right now, and I keep joking to myself that I can no longer say I don’t read inspy Romance, lol. Anyway, there are so many issues related to the nature of good and evil, to sin, to fate v. free will (which I think is the central theme of the series), and to what makes one human. It sounds like maybe some of those issues are in play in this book, too.

By: Janine

Janine — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:07:48 +0000

rebyj — I see what you mean but I actually felt that the two love interests were pretty different in personality. One was very competent but also more violent and tough/ruthless, the other was more compassionate and empathetic. That was how I saw it anyway.

Jia — I had a few of those “Wait, that doesn’t make any sense!” moments too. Where I felt the worldbuilding was stronger was in giving the aliens an interesting past and in the names they used for the things they’d brought to earth. Those things didn’t come up until further into the book so I don’t know if you got that far. But yeah, there were definitley holes in the set up.

By: Jia

Jia — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:55:35 +0000

See, I thought the worldbuilding aspects were weak. There were parts where I actually started laughing out loud, and there were other parts where I thought to myself, “Wait, that doesn’t make any sense!” That combined with the slow start were what prevented me from being able to get into the book.

Of course, i also think the worldbuilding in her Twilight series leaves much to be desired, so take the above opinion as you will.

By: rebyj

rebyj — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:53:32 +0000

Its been awhile since I read it. The uncle’s character was well written but then it seemed as if he was somewhat forgotten later on in the book.
I’ve lent the book out so I can’t refresh my memory of the two main male characters names. Anyway, in reading fiction especially “romantic” fiction I want to know more about the men. All the men in this book to my recollection could have been interchangable. None stood out as far as character is concerned. Melanie loves this one, Wanda loves that one, it could have been either/or . The fact that I can’t remember their names tells me that yeah, they’re characters could have been fleshed out a bit more.