Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.
When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, 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.
Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind 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 begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.
So...don't dismiss it straight away because it's by the author of twilight. Which I did for a very long time, and I really wish I hadn't. After reading 'Host' it's astounding that the 'Twilight' Series was written by the same woman.
Host is posed at a much older generation, and actually deserves the term a literary novel (as opposed to a holiday paperback) We are thrown instantly into our world...but a changed version, inhabited by alien hosts who have taken over the human worlds bodies. This book is probably classified into the Sci-Fi genre, although it is not like any other alien book I've read...there's not that feel to it. The characters in this are far from flat...they are full to the brim of depth and emotion. Even though we are seeing the world from the view of one of these 'alien hosts'. Through her eyes we not only see the trails and emotions of the human race, but also of her own conflicted views. The emotions and problems these lot face are all very realistic, and oddly relatable. It's very easy to get sucked into this alternate reality. There is an undertone of human rights and world views here to, but these are hidden within an excellent plot that will confuse the reader, and make you wonder who you really want to win this battle. Something which can create alot of thought, considering that you may end up fighting on the side against your own people. It's strange how compelling this book is because of it's possibility for the future. Meyer uses description really well in this book, there is not too much, leaving alot to your imagination, but enough to give you guidelines. In 'Host' we are allowed to feel however we want about the characters, because Meyer hasn't forced her own opinions down our throat. There actions are simply placed on the table for us to make a decision about.
Overall a really good book, I give it an 8/10! (for creativity, plot development, and pure engrossing qualitys.)
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