Product Description

The author of the Twilight series of # 1 bestsellers delivers her brilliant first novel for adults: a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake.

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take 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.

Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #73 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-06
• Released on: 2008-05-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 624 pages

Amazon.com Review
Amazon Best of the Month, May 2008: Stephenie Meyer, creator of the phenomenal teen-vamp Twilight series, takes paranormal romance into alien territory in her first adult novel. Those wary of sci-fi or teen angst will be pleasantly surprised by this mature and imaginative thriller, propelled by equal parts action and emotion. A species of altruistic parasites has peacefully assumed control of the minds and bodies of most humans, but feisty Melanie Stryder won't surrender her mind to the alien soul called Wanderer. Overwhelmed by Melanie's memories of fellow resistor Jared, Wanderer yields to her body's longing and sets off into the desert to find him. Likely the first love triangle involving just two bodies, it's unabashedly romantic, and the characters (human and alien) genuinely endearing. Readers intrigued by this familiar-yet-alien world will gleefully note that the story's end leaves the door open for a sequel--or another series. --Mari Malcolm

From Publishers Weekly
In this tantalizing SF thriller, planet-hopping parasites are inserting their silvery centipede selves into human brains, curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. But some people want Earth back, warts and all, especially Melanie Stryder, who refuses to surrender, even after being captured in Chicago and becoming a host for a soul called Wanderer. Melanie uses her surviving brain cells to persuade Wanderer to help search for her loved ones in the Arizona desert. When the pair find Melanie's brother and her boyfriend in a hidden rebel cell led by her uncle, Wanderer is at first hated. Once the rebels accept Wanderer, whom they dub Wanda, Wanda's whole perspective on humanity changes. While the straightforward narrative is short on detail about the invasion and its stunning aftermath, it shines with romantic intrigue, especially when a love triangle (or quadrangle?!) develops for Wanda/Melanie. 10-city author tour. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author
Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English literature. After the publication of her debut novel, Twilight, booksellers chose her as one of the "most promising new authors of 2005" (Publishers Weekly). She lives with her husband and three young sons in Arizona.

Customer Reviews

Even better than the Twilight Saga
I couldn't stop reading the Twilight Saga--read all 4 books in less than 3 weeks. I must say that The Host is better than the entire story arc of the Twilight Saga. I am looking forward to the sequels. I read on Stephenie's website that she already had 2 sequals in mind for The Host. Sadly, I will have to WAIT till she writes them!

Extraordinary!
When I began reading "The Host" I was very surprised to realize that this book was not anything like Stephenie Meyers: Twilight Series. I did love her other series but I do think that "The Host" is more unique and exciting. So if you were not disappointed by Stephie Meyer's other work then you will definetly be happy with this novel.

"The Host" takes place in the near future where creatures called 'souls' come to earth and take over human bodies, using them as 'hosts'. 'Souls' have traveled to dozens of other planets and can live as long as they want if they do not choose to stay in the same body for too long of a time.

The Wanderer is one of these souls who is quite popular in her civilization for being in over seven different planets with at least seven different hosts.

Melanie is Wanderer's host but she is different than any other host that Wanderer has had. Melanie can communicate, fill Wanderer's mind with dreams and occasionally take over the body for short periods of time.

With this unique occurance the two of them end up going on a journey to find Melanie's younger brother and lover. This starts the trail of finding and getting past those who cannot understand and realizing who really is the monster.

I highly recommend "The Host" and hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

stephenie does it again
after reading the twilight series i had very high hopes for the host and it delevired. this book is amazing and i recomoned it to anyone and everyone.