I inhale books. I devour them at a startling (and expensive) rate. However, I bought The Host on the day it came out and within a chapter of starting, I forced myself to slow down, to savor. I finally finished it Sunday afternoon. I admit, I'm a fan of Stephenie Meyer's YA Twilight series, and so I expected to like this new science fiction novel for adults...but I never expected to like it quite this much. Wow. I've already gone back and re-read particular sections of it, meaning I've nearly read the darn thing twice already!
Looking at it objectively, it hits a lot of my interest points. It's set after the demise of most of the human race (in a fashion). It's earth-based science. Two compelling personalities are caught in a conflicting situation they can't escape (two "people" in one body--long story, ha!) And the most interesting love triangle (of sorts--kind of a love quadrangle, really) I've read about in years.
It's good. Really, really good.
Some of the best earth-based science fiction romance I've ever read.
Has anyone else read it yet? What are your thoughts?
7 comments:
Stacey, I really loved it, for many of the same reasons as you, it seems! :) I loved the questions it raised about what truly makes someone human, I loved the apocalyptic aspect of it (underground and such), even though everything above ground, was eerily wonderful. It was just told so well!
Still, it had very much the same quality as the Twilight series in the way it made me feel. Both remind me so much of the series Roswell. Weren't you a fan? I believe I read that you were. I think it has that same kind of universal theme, outsider finding love in the most unexpected place. :)
Hi Isabelle!
I was and still am a HUGE fan of Roswell, yep!
I was actually thinking about something similar today. (As a side note: Stephenie Meyer books ALWAYS make me think about the characters long after I've finished reading the book--love that.) I think these books and even Roswell are about finding your place in the world, finding a family or making your own with the people you least expect. You know what I mean? It's about acceptance and belonging. Not just love in the romantic sense, but the familial sense.
In the Host, one of the memorable moments for me was when one of the women, Trudy, I think, finally addressed Wanda directly, asking her for the soap. That was so huge, and the emotional impact...wow.
Also, while we're on the topic, I know Jared was kind of mean to her in the beginning but the descriptions of his touch...well, let's just say I've already read those parts more than once. : )
Did you have any thoughts on how she resolved things romantically? I'm trying to be careful here just in case others have not finished reading yet. : )
I came across your blog randomly, so I hope it's okay I leave a message.
I had never listened to an audio book, and it just so happens the one I bought to try the other day is The Host. After reading your post and the comments, I am anxious to get started.
Thanks.
SS
Hi Shane!
Of course it's okay to leave a message. I love it when we get a conversation going around here! : )
I hope you enjoy The Host as much I/we did. I'd be interested in your thoughts and perspectives if you'd care to come back and share!
I wonder how it will be handled in an audio book. There are some...unique situations in this book, what with two people sharing one body and one physical voice but two very distinct personalities and "voices" if you know what I mean.
Also, I hope the voice chosen for Wanderer isn't annoying. That killed my one recent attempt to try an audio book!
Very curious, indeed!
:)
I think these books and even Roswell are about finding your place in the world, finding a family or making your own with the people you least expect.
I absolutely agree with you. I think that's what makes them so memorable. They strike that nerve. Who hasn't wanted to be part of something, to know their place in this world?
The romantic resolution was surprisingly refreshing! I LOVED how gradual it was, and how genuine it became. It was so much more than just the physical onslaught of emotions that she felt with Jared. Although, those physical scenes WERE beautifully written between the three of them (Wanda, Mel, and Jared). But the one I loved more than anything else was the one near the end, as she's headed to see Doc... and meets Jared in the cave. Still gets me all emotional! :)
Ok, enough of that. I feel all fangirl-y again. Ha ha.
She's talked about making it part of a series. But has also said that she's afraid to continue it because someone would have to die. What do you think of that? Think the story can just stand as is?
Hi Isabelle,
Yeah, that's tricky. I like it the way it is, and I do think it can stand alone. At the same time, I'd enjoy seeing more of these characters.
But...I know from experience, the second you open the door to the sequel, all those relationships get all tangled up and messy again. I don't know if my emotions can take it! : ) This book put me through the wringer.
I will confess, I'd like to see more Jared scenes! I enjoyed the subtlety and slow build of the other relationship, but man...I loved the heat, too! : ) And yeah, that scene with Jared, right before she sees Doc. Oh, boy.
I'm also intrigued by the conflict of the four of them. In that some of them have trouble sorting out their feelings, even still at the end. That would be interesting, and probably heart-breaking, to an extent, to explore.
Also, I'm curious about what the effect of Wanderer's seeming immortality will be. She knows that the person she loves is mortal. She will live on after him, unless she chooses to die.
I don't know...
Of course, I didn't read the second and third books in the Twilight series until recently. I was afraid they would not live up to the first book, and I didn't want to spoil that experience. Ha! I cried SO much during the second book, and I'm on pins and needles now waiting for Breaking Dawn.
: )
Even though Twilight has that magic touch that can't quite be duplicated, I'm a huge New Moon fan. It's my very favorite of the series so far. It was just so raw. I loved it. I cried too! :)
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