MADreads

Wandering souls

May 16th, 2008 Jane J. - Central Library

If you’ve read my reviews you know I’m a fan of urban fantasy/paranormal novels.  Vampires and werewolves?  Bring ‘em on.  Given that fact, I surprise myself (and a few of my co-workers) by the fact that I haven’t yet read Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series.  So when I was sent an advance reading copy of her new non-vampire, adult novel, The Host to review for a journal, I wasn’t sure what I’d think.  Would I like it and be sucked into Meyer fandom or would I think all the Edward/Bella adoration was just so much hype? 

Short answer: I loved it!

Longer answer: Earth has been invaded by an alien species who take over human bodies and use them as a host.  That’s the human version of events.  The aliens, called “souls”, would argue that theirs is a benign invasion. They’re taking better care of the planet then humans ever did and they’ve made it a peaceful, beautiful place to be.  Peaceful except for the few human holdouts that is. 

Wanderer is a soul who is a legend amongst her own kind.  She has inhabited a wider variety of host species then any other and is therefore considered the perfect candidate to take over the body of one of the human rebels, Melanie Stryder.  The problem is, Melanie isn’t ready to vacate the premises.  She’s not only making Wanderer’s transition painful and difficult, she’s forcing Wanderer to rethink what it means to be a soul.

Though this is called science fiction in some reviews (and I’ve had people say they won’t read it because of that fact) The Host could better be described as an exploration of human nature and what it means to love someone.  The 3-sided (sometimes 4-sided) relationship that exists for Melanie and Wanderer and the man/men in their lives is intriguing and well-done.  And if the novel could have been shortened a little bit, that’s a minor quibble.

Guess that leaves only one question.  Can I get Meyer’s Edward and Bella books read before the new one comes out in August!

Entry Filed under: Recreational Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction