The Host by Stephenie Meyer

I have to be honest here. When I heard about this book, I was already heavily into the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I was not interested in reading anything remotely classified as "science fiction". I couldn't bring myself to read this book until it was at the suggestion of a book club I belong to. Even going into it, I was sure I wasn't going to like it very much. I could not have been more wrong.

First of all, even though I've never read science fiction, I wouldn't say that this book falls within that genre. I've watched enough Star Trek and Star Wars...and this is nothing like that. Yes, The Host is about Earth being taken over by aliens. The romance element of the story outweighs any Sci-Fi in my opinion. I wouldn't say that many men would be interested in reading this novel. However, it's written in such a way that it is almost believable. Meyer's style of writing is simple, easy to read and contains uncomplicated plots. This book is no different. It was predictable for the most part with very few surprises. Maybe that is why I enjoyed it so much!

As with her Twilight series, Meyer intended to bring over the young adult crowd and the adult crowd to this book. Although it is not classified as young adult fiction, it very well could be. The romance elements remain very G-rated, even more than the Twilight series for that matter. Any real romantic scenes are completely left up to your own imagination. If you have a really dirty mind like me, you might be left disappointed! However the love story is still very romantic and dreamy. There are a few love triangle-twists that will really leave you wondering.

Wanderer is a drifter in the universe. She's never found a home planet, one that she felt that she belonged to. Her world changes when she is inserted into the body of Melanie Stryder, one of the few remaining humans on the planet Earth. She's left not only with Mel's physical attributes, but her personality as well. She's even in love with Jared, Melanie's boyfriend. Wanderer struggles when she realizes her human host is not willing to disappear in the mind. Then, she decides to join her in finding her family. She makes many friends along her journey and she just might even help save the world...or will she?

I enjoyed this book for it's uncomplicated plot, real and lovable characters, and fast read. Meyer has way of keeping her audience interested by keeping the plot moving at a just-right pace. I give this book a rating of a B.