Synopsis: "The Earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading 'Soul' who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love."
The Host follows the story of Wanderer as she tries to adapt to and survive in a world far different than the worlds she's previously inhabited as a Soul. With the initial expectant to spend more time on this world than her previous ones, Wanderer's hopes are soon dashed as she discovers she's been placed into a Host, Melanie, who is reluctant to let go. Scared of how things will turn out Wanderer tries to find a way to relinquish Melanie but soon finds herself being emotionally blackmailed by Melanie's memories which feel all too real to Wanderer. With her memories in tow and her ambition to fight against Wanderer, Melanie soon finds herself having to work with and befriend Wanderer to get what they both truly want - freedom and love.
I found the start of this novel very confusing to read and difficult to understand as the story jumps straight to the moment in which 'Wanderer' in her Soul form is inserted in to Melanie's body. As a result of this I was completely unfamiliar to the words and processes used, again adding to the level of confusion, which lead me to having to reread the first two chapters twice over. As the novel dives straight into the story, the events leading up to Melanie's capture and the implantation of Wanderer are told through flashbacks that Melanie shows her.
Due to the confusing and somewhat uneventful first few chapters, I feel as if the story should have been told in chronological order. It is the flashbacks which Melanie forces Wanderer to see throughout the story, which might I add are a nice way to build on Melanie's character development and create a greater understanding of what the world was like as the Soul invasion began, that are why I felt as if the lead-up to her capture should have been told in chronological order.
Overall the events of the story are enjoyable to read but there is an up and down movement of action packed scenes to a bleak few chapters inbetween. Saying that however, what I particularly enjoy about this novel is the uniqueness of it. It's very much something someone hasn't done before and that makes it all that more appealing. Not to the mention that the second half of the novel is far more fast paced and eventful than the latter.
As another romance novel from Meyer it's inevitable for it to draw comparisons with that of the Twilight Saga. Fortunately for this story the romance is far more bearable to read despite being a love square between Melanie, her boyfriend Jared, Wanderer's love for Jared and her romantic interest in another man named Ian. There's no love at first sight or the incapability to survive without their loves, thus making the female characters of this story far stronger than that of Bella. There's plenty more going on that doesn't involve passionate kissing, the urge to have sex every five minutes and sparkly vampires.
Overall this novel is an up and down journey of enjoyment and displeasure for the reader with a love story that redeems Meyer as a writer and provides a satisfying ending that gives way to a much needed sequel.
I give Stephenie Meyer and The Host ★★★
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