The Host

[tju_tju_tju_tju]

Okay, so I just finished reading The Host, and I have to say -- I'm actually quite impressed with it!



I went into this book with a very clear prejudice, but honestly? This book was just GOOD. It doesn't even matter that Stephenie Meyer was the one who wrote it; it's just a good, enjoyable, fascinating science fiction/dystopian novel that has so much emotion in it, and also a great message about humanity. The concept itself is fascinating as well, and the different worlds were very imaginative and interesting. And the characters felt so REAL. It's long, but I think the length is necessary. Lots of development was necessary to get the humans and Wanda to the point where they needed to be.

But, that's not to say I didn't have my problems with it.

I think Meyer likes writing these heroines that are just so self-sacrificing that it's basically a major character flaw. It got really annoying sometimes, although you knew that it would all ultimately be beneficial and get the humans to trust her.

But after all of that build-up of self-sacrifice and Wanda's absolute love for Melanie and the human race in general -- the end fucking SUCKED. Another thing Meyer seems to feel the need to do is make sure absolutely everyone is happy and everything fits all in place together nicely, when this book would've had so much more meaning and depth to it if Wanda had just been able to "kill herself" rather than having the humans stick her inside another body (and a fragile one at that, too, which ticked me off considerably, especially the way everyone was treating her like a breakable doll). It would've been sad, yes, but it was the best ending. And I'm not one of those people who always need tragic endings; Wanda being buried in the earth would've just been so heartbreaking and moving and it would've made such a bigger impact than the deux ex machina happy ending that the book actually had. Ugh. Pissed me OFF.

But despite the problems I had with it, I definitely recommend this book. Meyer's writing has improved in this, I'd say, and since the romance isn't the focal point of the story it makes it much better than it would have been if it had. I think Meyer should try writing novels that have no romance in them at all -- even though Wanda/Ian pwns everything EVER.

Comments

[dinos-cowboy.livejournal.com]

Since I also just finished this a few hours ago, I figured I'd add my 2 cents to yours, because hey, 4 cents is better than 2, right? Anyway, I completely agree that Meyer's writing is much improved in the Host compared to the Twilight series. (Hopefully this bodes well for BD!) It may have had something to do with the intended audience being older, but I don't think that's all of it. The entire book was just more coherent and had more plot twists than Twilight.

I also agree about her protagonists being so selfless it makes you want to shoot them, but it bothered me less with Wanda than with Bella, I think because that's how the entire soul species is, not just Wanda. I can't really elaborate on that any more because alas, it's nearly 2 in the morning.

I have mixed feelings about the ending. On one hand, I totally get what you're saying about how it would have been so moving and right for her to have sacrificed herself and been buried next to Walter and Wes. But on the other, I feel like that wouldn't have been so surprising, since all Wanda EVER did was sacrifice herself and her well-being for the others. Also, I was totally rooting for Wanda/Ian the whole way. What DID bother me was the body Meyer put her in. I mean, UGH. I don't think I need to go into that; you said it all. But again, I think it was to help prove the point that the people in the community accepted her for just being Wanda, and were actually WILLING to help her out with things. However I think there were many better ways to show that, so I'm not cutting her any slack there.

Alright I've rambled enough; I'm going to bed.

[tju-tju-tju-tju.livejournal.com]

If I hadn't already read the first chapter of BD, my hopes would be higher as well -- I mean, I'm still holding onto a shred of hope, but I'm still very scared that the entire book will be about how beautiful Edward is and how much Bella luurrvess him and how cool it is being a vampire. Ugh. *crosses fingers* And yeah, The Host was more tightly plotted and interesting than Twilight, I think.

Yeah, it didn't bother me as much with Wanda either, although a couple times I was just like, "Jesus, will someone slap this girl?!"

Yeah, I get what you mean about the ending. It wouldn't have been a surprising one, but the scene after just felt WAY too deuz ex machina for my taste. And dude, Wanda/Ian is the BEST. \o/ And argh, the new body! It pissed me off so much -- and it just seemed more to me like the community was just treating her better because she's OMGSOADORABLE now and so fragile-looking. Just -- bvjefeu!

[everworld2662.livejournal.com]

I...like Ian. I especially like Ian went form being Scary Guy Who Is Possibly A Torturer to you know...Ian. That said...I am in utter love with Wanda/Jared, or lack thereof. Like woah.

Why do I fixate on this utterly doomed ships?! Always?!

[tju-tju-tju-tju.livejournal.com]

Ian's awesome. And Wanda/Jared was pretty hot for a while there, I gotta admit. Especially that one scene... XD

[everworld2662.livejournal.com]

Right. That one scene. O.o. <3

[damedbx.livejournal.com]

hmmm. Now I want to read it. I was interested. but not enough. Now i'll just give it a try. Stephanie Meyer should some Anita Blake Novels. LOL

[tju-tju-tju-tju.livejournal.com]

Yeah, definitely read it! :DD

[damedbx.livejournal.com]

All right! XD SHall try to find it! :D

[split-kegan.livejournal.com]

I tried not to read too much of that because I want to read the book, but I'm glad it was actually good.
I'll still find a way to only buy it if it's heavily discounted though.

[tju-tju-tju-tju.livejournal.com]

I think it's still being sold for 30% off at Barnes and Noble... and I think it's pretty cheap on Amazon right now.