DIKSIA.COM - If you are looking for a novel that combines science fiction, romance, and dystopia, you might want to check out The Host by Stephenie Meyer. The author of the bestselling Twilight series delivers a captivating story of love, survival, and identity in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are under threat by an alien invasion.
In this article, I will give you an overview of the novel, its plot, characters, themes, and writing style. I will also share some of the pros and cons of the book, as well as compare it to other works in the same genre. Finally, I will tell you where you can read the book online or buy a copy for yourself.
Introduction
The Host is a 2008 science fiction romance novel by Stephenie Meyer. The book is about Earth, in a post-apocalyptic time, being invaded by a parasitic alien race known as “Souls”, and follows one Soul's predicament when the consciousness of her human host refuses to give up her body.
The novel explores the complex relationship between Wanderer, the Soul who inhabits the body of Melanie Stryder, and Melanie herself, who remains alive in Wanderer's mind. As Wanderer starts to access Melanie's memories and emotions, she develops feelings for Jared Howe, Melanie's boyfriend, and Jamie Stryder, Melanie's brother. Together, they embark on a journey to find other surviving humans and to discover their true selves.
The Host is Meyer's first adult novel and her first work of science fiction. It was released on May 6, 2008, with an initial print run of 750,000 copies. It received mixed reviews from critics and readers, but it was a commercial success, selling over six million copies worldwide. It was also adapted into a film in 2013, directed by Andrew Niccol and starring Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, Jake Abel, and William Hurt.
Book Details
- Title: The Host
- Author: Stephenie Meyer
- Genres: Science fiction, Romance novel, Thriller, Dystopian
- Chapters: 61
- Language: English
- Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
- Publication date: May 6, 2008
- Rating: 4.2 out of 5 on Goodreads
- Awards: Nominated for the Locus Award for Best First Novel, SFX Award for Best Novel (2009), Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (2008)
Recommended Audience
The Host is suitable for readers who enjoy science fiction, romance, and dystopian novels. It is also recommended for fans of Meyer's Twilight series, as it shares some of the themes and elements of her vampire saga. However, The Host is more mature and complex than Twilight, and it deals with issues such as identity, morality, loyalty, and free will.
The Host is classified as an adult novel, but it can also be read by young adults who are interested in the genre. The book contains some violence, sexual references, and mild language, but nothing too graphic or explicit. The book is also relatively long (over 600 pages), so it might not be suitable for readers who prefer shorter or faster-paced stories.
Overview
The Host is set in a near-future world where Earth has been invaded by an alien race called Souls. These beings take over the bodies and minds of humans while leaving their physical appearance intact. The Souls are peaceful and harmonious creatures who believe they are doing humanity a favor by eradicating their violence and selfishness.
However, not all humans are willing to surrender their bodies and souls to the invaders. Some of them resist the implantation process or manage to escape from the Soul facilities. They form hidden communities in remote places where they try to survive and fight back against the occupation.
The story follows Wanderer (or Wanda), a Soul who has lived on eight different planets before coming to Earth. She is assigned to the body of Melanie Stryder (or Mel), a young woman who was captured by the Seekers (the Souls' agents) while trying to protect her brother Jamie and her boyfriend Jared from them.
Wanderer expects to erase Melanie's consciousness and access her memories in order to locate other human rebels. However, Melanie proves to be stronger than most hosts and refuses to fade away. She starts to communicate with Wanderer in her mind, sharing her thoughts and feelings with her.
Wanderer soon finds herself conflicted between her loyalty to her own kind and her growing sympathy for Melanie and her loved ones. She decides to follow Melanie's directions and search for Jared and Jamie in the Arizona desert, where they might have found refuge with Melanie's uncle Jeb.
Along the way, Wanderer and Melanie encounter dangers and challenges, both from the Seekers who are hunting them down and from the humans who distrust and resent them. They also develop a complicated love triangle with Jared and Ian, another human who falls in love with Wanderer. They have to face questions of identity, morality, and belonging, as well as the possibility of coexistence between the two species.
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