Comments on: REVIEW: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

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.