The Host- Stephanie Meyer

I have to begin by saying that I read the entire Twilight series in college {2007-2008} and I did loved devouring those books. I also feel the need to mention that I am aware that these were not the best books in the planet, they were not the most intelligently written novels, and it was a very shallow topic. At the end of the day, I admit I am a fan, I saw all the movies {at midnight..} and I reccommend these books often.

With that said, I just now read The Host. Post Twilight Saga, I realized that Stephanie Meyer is not the best of the best and I truly didn't feel like wasting my precious reading time on a Twilight with aliens. Hence, the delay. I had been pushed a couple of times in the past two years to read The Host to no avail. But, if you know me, the way to get me to read a book is for that movie to come out in the box office. So, as soon as The Host became a movie, good ol' Cata HAD to read it. And I did. And I am so happy I did!

The Host is nothing like Twilight. I felt it was deep, intricate, detailed, and meaningful. Maybe some people disagree, but I shall support my opinion. See this is a story about humanity above all. Humans, we are strange. With bombings like ones in Boston, I wonder "how can we do this to each other?" "why?" and these are the questions that the aliens {called souls} that invaded Earth had too. They inhabit planets that are no longer "good" and they then live within hosts, because these souls cannot live apart from a host. The souls are a highly intelligent species and also extemely honest and pure kind. This story is a long one, but it is a journey where you feel for both the host and the soul as they teach each other lessons in life. The end leaves off to where I HOPPEEEEEE there will be a second book. If there is a second book, it will defintely be REALLY juicy and I am sure I will pre-order it as soon as it hits Amazon.

Here is the publisher's summary:

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.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human

Loved:

• Hearing about the many different worlds these souls inhabit
• The descriptions, I could see it all in my head vividly
• The lessons learned by both Melanie and Wanda
• Love-- one true love, growing love, the beauty within
• Possibly and hopefully first of two or three books?
• Medicines the souls have created
• The ending!!!!

Loathed:

• Length... man this was a LONG book!
• Parts that were dragged out that could have definitely been edited out
• Wanda's searcher! Uhhh, thinking about her gives me the creeps

All in all, I truly loved reading this long long book. It was different, it was sweet, and I was able to reflect on humanity as a whole. I reccommend this book, but be aware of its length and the fact that it is extremely descriptive. If you like sci-fi and romance, this book is defintiely for you!