The Host

THE HOST: A NOVEL: Stephenie Meyer: Little, Brown and Co.: Sci-Fi: 619 pgs.

Earth has been invaded. An alien species who refer to themselves as "souls" invade the bodies of humans. They retain all of the memories of the person they have invaded, and after a short time they obtain total control of their host's mind.

Except for Wanderer. She has taken the body of Melanie Stryder, who refuses to fade away. Melanie's thoughts dwell on her love for Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. And as Wanderer discovers, possession of the body unites her with its desires: she yearns for a man she's never met. Wanderer and Melanie become unwilling allies, and they set off to search for the man they both love.

This has a little bit of everything, sci-fi, romance, suspense. Many people like this book more than Twilight because here, the romance is secondary to the main plot. The storyline is compelling, but it also has a deeper commentary on what it means to be human and how an individual is defined as much by their spirit as by their physical body. It’s hard to put down once you get going.

BHG