Stephanie Meyer has done it again! (The Host - Stephenie Meyer)

Member Name: renniechew

Product:	The Host - Stephenie Meyer
Date:	25/08/09 (149 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Never wanted to put it down!

Disadvantages: Sometimes quite comfusing

Its not often that an author can create a master piece and make another work of art with just the same amount of flair as the first time. But the host is perfect proof that it can be done. Famous for the twilight saga, Stephanie Meyer took a break from her vampire love story and went in a different direction with an alien invasion. Not my everyday book but it was certainly a memorable one.

It begins with a confusing introduction to the main character wanderer. An alien soul that has been inserted into its host. With the whole earth being invaded by these creatures, wanderer is one of millions that has been inserted, however she is not part of the majority who has done so without the consequences. Melanie, the host, is still conscious and wanderer is finding it difficult to separate her own emotions from Melanie's.

The human emotions are too much for wanderer to cope with. Unable to fight them off and feeling herself weaken to the love she feels for Melanie's partner and brother, she betrays her own family to find them. Using Melanie's guidance, they reluctantly work together in there search.

After crawling across the desert for days they are finally found by Melanie's family. However with the scars from the insertion it is clear to them that she is no longer human and they face another challenge. Not to be killed. Trapped inside their cave as the enemy with no way of explaining Melanie's existence, wanderer has the impossible task of getting the hosts family to trust her.

Rapidly losing all hope, Wanderer suffers through her isolation with the aching thought of her inevitable death. Her short visit to earth has taught her all about the human kinds history of revenge and violence so she cannot see any other end. The only thing that keeps her going it Jared, Melanie's partner. Seeing him is her only hope of surviving but is his love for Melanie strong enough to let her body stay?

The book shows her struggle through making the decision between her own family to the human family. A heart breaking story with an ending that I wouldn't have ever guessed. Something which every book that I have read recently has lacked.

Although an alien invasion doesn't seem to really sound that original, Stephanie Meyer gives the originality by not only showing the story in the aliens point of view but to show how the strange relationship between the enemies can form and progress. This was what saved the book from being the same as all the other science fiction stories. It filled you with unexpected emotions and allowed you to sympathise with those you wouldn't normally think about.

Seeing it in the aliens point of view made it very unusual to read. It helped you understand how our violent world would be perceived by others and almost dragged you over to their side. The only downside to this was it was rather confusing try to understand which words were Melanie's and which were wanderers. It was difficult to keep reading when I had no idea what was going on!

Overall its certainly a book that a lot of you should consider reading. Stephanie Meyer has definitely continue her streak in success and wouldn't be at all surprised if the host follows in twilights footsteps and becomes another excellent film.

Thanks for reading!

Summary: A very memorable book you shouldn't miss out on!