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4 Burnside Science Fiction and Fantasy- A to Z

The Host

by

The Host Cover

ISBN13: 9780316068048
ISBN10: 0316068047
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
All Product Details

 

Staff Pick

You may know Stephenie Meyer's name due to her wildly successful young adult vampire series, The Twilight Saga. She takes a break from that with her latest, The Host; touted as her first book for "adults," it's a fun science fiction novel, with just a bit of romance peppered in to keep things interesting. The title refers to alien parasites who invade earth and take over the minds of their human hosts. Meyer should win many new fans with this effort, as well as thrill her current ones.
Recommended by Danielle, Powells.com

The Host, Stephenie Meyer's first book for an adult audience, is a fascinating story of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of an alien invasion. In this thought-provoking and captivating novel, in which alien parasites take over human bodies, the reader is privy to the thoughts and emotions of one alien soul, Wanderer, and her human host, Melanie, who fights for control of their shared mind. Though Meyer borrows somewhat from other science fiction works, she creates a unique and believable world and explores the nature of love and the human spirit, all while delivering a darn good yarn.
Recommended by Lynn, Powells.com

You may know Stephenie Meyer's name due to her wildly successful young adult vampire series, The Twilight Saga. She takes a break from that with her latest, The Host; touted as her first book for "adults," it's a fun science fiction novel, with just a bit of romance peppered in to keep things interesting. The title refers to alien parasites who invade earth and take over the minds of their human hosts. Meyer should win many new fans with this effort, as well as thrill her current ones.
Recommended by Lynn, Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

Review:

"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) Editors blend speculative fiction with other genres to create anthologies with broad appeal." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"[The Host] lives up to the hype, blending science fiction and romance in a way that has never worked so well....[A] page-turner....As with her vampire novels, Meyer will make new fans of readers 'who don't read books with aliens.' Highly recommended." Library Journal (Starred Review)

Review:

"Meyer's ingenious adult-market debut....[P]ropulsive reading, laden with unforgettable, unsettling scenes....[T]his entertaining, somewhat soft-focus sf saga will only serve to broaden the penumbra of Meyer's fame." Booklist

Review:

"A clever premise and competent writing keep this from turning into a pastiche, though after a couple of hundred pages, readers may wish that just one artery would get punctured." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"The Host is The X-Files meets Days of Our Lives. Despite some sticky-sweet dialogue, Meyer's story and characters will stoke fans of both sci fi and romance." USA Today

Review:

"As in her Twilight series, Meyer is more interested in relationships than in flashy genre conventions....The Host starts rolling again in its last hundred pages and Meyer's affirmative life lesson is disarming. If only the rest of the book had as much soul. (Grade: B)" Entertainment Weekly

Review:

"As a work of science fiction, The Host is a disappointment....This science fiction survivalist romance novel may not be rich enough to satisfy hardcore readers of any of these genres, but its mix of adventure and new love on a new Earth is just right to get lost in this summer." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Review:

"Host has a few good ideas to play with, but Meyer never gives much weight to the horror of the invasion or the philosophical problems of Wanderer's situation....Host is finally undone by its author's inability to write a single believable human character. (Grade: C)" The Onion A.V. Club

Review:

"[A] smooth, highly readable piece of pop-fiction storytelling....[L]arge numbers of grown-ups may well join in with their teenage daughters in becoming immersed in this intelligent summertime page-turner." The Portland Oregonian

Synopsis:

The author of the #1 bestselling Twilight series delivers her brilliant first novel for adults: a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake. This may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies.
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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.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 29 comments:
jandycox, January 25, 2013 (view all comments by jandycox)
The Host was a journey for me. Every step was amazing. I found my self not thinking about the real world anymore. It is a absolute page turner I couldn't put it down. Every action scene and love scene left me wanting more. This is truly a fantastic book. It is a must read. You will find your self constantly thinking about this complex world Stephenie Meyer has created.
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naru2, August 6, 2012 (view all comments by naru2)
Another page turner from the author of the Twilight series. I read the entire Twilight series, and then this book. I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed it as much as I did Twilight series.
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Britny, September 2, 2011 (view all comments by Britny)
This book is amazing...I've got to admit when I read the back I thought it was going to be lame. A lot of my friends recommended it to me so I gave in, I am so glad I did. This book keeps your interest from the beginning...it's a bit slow but it's confusing at the same time, so you just HAVE to read on to understand.
I like all the twists and turns and so happy about the ending. This book has love, fear, change, the unknown, acceptance...it's everything!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780316068048
Author:
Meyer, Stephenie
Publisher:
Little Brown and Company
Author:
Stephenie Meyer
Subject:
Spirit possession
Subject:
Science Fiction - General
Subject:
Biological invasions
Subject:
Science fiction
Subject:
Love stories
Subject:
Science Fiction and Fantasy-A to Z
Copyright:
2008
Edition Number:
1st
Publication Date:
May 6, 2008
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Pages:
619
Dimensions:
9.52x6.34x1.92 in. 1.91 lbs.
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Related Subjects

Featured Titles » Genre
Fiction and Poetry » Romance » Paranormal
Fiction and Poetry » Science Fiction and Fantasy » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Science Fiction and Fantasy » Locked Case
Young Adult » Fiction » Horror
Young Adult » Fiction » Paranormal
Young Adult » General

The Host Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$7.95 In Stock
Product details 619 pages Little Brown and Company - English 9780316068048 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

You may know Stephenie Meyer's name due to her wildly successful young adult vampire series, The Twilight Saga. She takes a break from that with her latest, The Host; touted as her first book for "adults," it's a fun science fiction novel, with just a bit of romance peppered in to keep things interesting. The title refers to alien parasites who invade earth and take over the minds of their human hosts. Meyer should win many new fans with this effort, as well as thrill her current ones.

by Danielle
"Staff Pick" by ,

The Host, Stephenie Meyer's first book for an adult audience, is a fascinating story of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of an alien invasion. In this thought-provoking and captivating novel, in which alien parasites take over human bodies, the reader is privy to the thoughts and emotions of one alien soul, Wanderer, and her human host, Melanie, who fights for control of their shared mind. Though Meyer borrows somewhat from other science fiction works, she creates a unique and believable world and explores the nature of love and the human spirit, all while delivering a darn good yarn.

by Lynn
"Staff Pick" by ,

You may know Stephenie Meyer's name due to her wildly successful young adult vampire series, The Twilight Saga. She takes a break from that with her latest, The Host; touted as her first book for "adults," it's a fun science fiction novel, with just a bit of romance peppered in to keep things interesting. The title refers to alien parasites who invade earth and take over the minds of their human hosts. Meyer should win many new fans with this effort, as well as thrill her current ones.

by Lynn
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "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) Editors blend speculative fiction with other genres to create anthologies with broad appeal." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "[The Host] lives up to the hype, blending science fiction and romance in a way that has never worked so well....[A] page-turner....As with her vampire novels, Meyer will make new fans of readers 'who don't read books with aliens.' Highly recommended."
"Review" by , "Meyer's ingenious adult-market debut....[P]ropulsive reading, laden with unforgettable, unsettling scenes....[T]his entertaining, somewhat soft-focus sf saga will only serve to broaden the penumbra of Meyer's fame."
"Review" by , "A clever premise and competent writing keep this from turning into a pastiche, though after a couple of hundred pages, readers may wish that just one artery would get punctured."
"Review" by , "The Host is The X-Files meets Days of Our Lives. Despite some sticky-sweet dialogue, Meyer's story and characters will stoke fans of both sci fi and romance."
"Review" by , "As in her Twilight series, Meyer is more interested in relationships than in flashy genre conventions....The Host starts rolling again in its last hundred pages and Meyer's affirmative life lesson is disarming. If only the rest of the book had as much soul. (Grade: B)"
"Review" by , "As a work of science fiction, The Host is a disappointment....This science fiction survivalist romance novel may not be rich enough to satisfy hardcore readers of any of these genres, but its mix of adventure and new love on a new Earth is just right to get lost in this summer."
"Review" by , "Host has a few good ideas to play with, but Meyer never gives much weight to the horror of the invasion or the philosophical problems of Wanderer's situation....Host is finally undone by its author's inability to write a single believable human character. (Grade: C)"
"Review" by , "[A] smooth, highly readable piece of pop-fiction storytelling....[L]arge numbers of grown-ups may well join in with their teenage daughters in becoming immersed in this intelligent summertime page-turner."
"Synopsis" by , The author of the #1 bestselling Twilight series delivers her brilliant first novel for adults: a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake. This may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies.
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