5 Reasons I Adored “The Host”

It’s the same old thing: I’m re-reading old favorites because I’m stuck in a reading rut. The good news is that I think I’m slowly coming out of it, and maybe The Host helped? I adored this book when I read it however many years ago, and to be completely honest, I loved it just as much reading it again.

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Why I Adored The Host:

1. The concept of the story is really cool. There’s essentially an alien living inside our main character trying to take over her body/mind. Our main character resists, though, and perhaps the “alien” isn’t all that bad. You find your allegiance torn between the “alien” and the main character as you progress through the book.

2. I am all for the love triangle in this one. We know Stephanie Meyer likes love triangles, and I know I am not alone in thinking that the love triangle in Twilight was NONEXISTENT. In The Host there is an actual love triangle and a real reason to feel conflicted. It certainly kept me turning the pages.

3. The setting for a large part of The Host is quite cool. I won’t spoil it, because it’s something you learn about later into the book. Let me just say that it isn’t your typical book setting.

4. You feel a strong sense of fear for the characters, but later learn that maybe it’s not all as terrifying as you were led to believe. You feel a bit on-edge for a large part of it, and even when perhaps the threat isn’t as great, you’re still not wholly comfortable. I like the back-and-forth that you feel and it’s all subtly done, which makes it even better.

5. The ending! It definitely isn’t a cliff hanger, but it doesn’t end all neat and tidy either. The big issues still aren’t resolved, which made the book/world feel more real.

This was a 5/5 read back in the day. Since then, I’ve read books that definitely exceed this book, so I can’t give it 5/5 stars. Maybe in the realm of YA I’d give it 5? Either way, if you have considered this book but haven’t read it yet, I’d recommend it! 

Have you read The Host? What did you think of it?

A.S. Thornton

A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.