The Host (A "Review")

So, Stephenie Meyer, that lovely woman which brought us the Twilight series, has written a new book.

Now first, on Twilight, I have read all of the books and will continue to read them. When discussing them, I tend to smile. I wouldn't miss the upcoming movie for the world. Well, maybe for the world. But still, it would take some pretty major forces of temptation to keep me away.

Do not mistake this for me thinking the story is any good. Horribly dramatic and cliched forbidden vampire/mortal teenlust with the overuse of words like "smolder". I think the books are, basically, terrible. I don't like them at all. I love them, yes. But for all of the wrong reasons. I can't stop reading them, when I have my hands on them, but that is more of a morbid fascination than a appreciation of skill. The Twilight series and I have a very bizarre relationship.

And so, as a continuation of this morbid fascination, and because today I found out that I have more scheduled freelance stagehand work, and so I can afford it (especially because as a new release it's on sale), I bought Meyer's new book, The Host.

The Host: A Novel

Stephenie Meyer

The Host is being advertised as Meyer's first novel for adults, but considering that she's Mormon, I doubt there will be any actual sex (though that would be AWESOMELY HILARIOUS). I think the whole "adult" thing is supposed to be a "you don't have to be embarrassed if you're not a preteen and you're reading this!" form of advertising - added to the fact that main character is 22 or something like that.

I picked up the book earlier today, and am 80 pages and 8 chapters in. Basic plot: an alien race known as "souls" have taken over Earth by installing themselves into human brains and overriding (essentially killing) the human inside and then using the human memories and knowledge for themselves. Humans aren't the first race they've done this to, and every time they inhabit a species they acquire that species' language and knowledge and live by their patterns. They see themselves and improving and saving these creatures. The creatures they kill to do this see it, understandably, as genocide.

The story follows a soul named Wanderer who takes the host body of a rebel woman named Melanie Stryder. But Melanie resists having her mind controlled, and in their (now shared) memories, they both see the man Melanie loved, a man named Jared. What is slowly developing from this is a love triangle between the soul and the host for the same guy.

Here's the thing, aside from the love triangle, the story is actually kind of interesting. And I was surprised how much I was enjoying it. A little too descriptive, yes, but the whole sci-fi aliens battling for control of the brain thing? The processes and life cycles of these aliens? Their made up culture and rules? I thought it was awesome.

See, but then whenever the plot weaves away from the fate of the human race and that nature of the alien species who has conquered it into the memories of Jared?

"The hair was just a few shades darker than the skin, except for the flaxen streaks that lightened it."

"His lips are softer than his hands, and hot, even in the warm desert night. A flock of butterflies riots in my stomach and steals my breath."

"My skin burns where it meets his. It feels better than good, but it sets off a strange aching in my chest."

"It feels like a flat sun is pressed between us - pressed like flower between the pages of a thick book, burning the paper."

"His hands are in my hair and my heart is about to combust. I can't breathe. I don't want to breathe."

It's good to know that Stephenie Meyer isn't going to let me down, smoldering eyes and all. She gets 10 points for actually using the word flaxen (*snort*) and another 10 for that terrible sun/flower/book/fire mixed metaphor. Oh, and using the word "combust". That also gets 10 points.

Heeeeeee! *gigglesnort*

Look for updates as I read on!