Book Review and Giveaway: "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer

I'm giving away 5 brand new copies of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winners on Friday July 3. US and Canada addresses only (No PO Boxes). Good luck!

PLEASE LEAVE A WAY FOR ME TO CONTACT YOU!!!!

ENTRIES WITHOUT CONTACT INFO WILL NOT BE ENTERED.

I was more than pleasantly surprised and shocked while reading this book. I have the first three books of the Twilight series and I will admit that I am not really a fan of them. The writing in those books is not very well done, plus I have problems with the storyline and the characters in general. Plus with all the hype surrounding them, it just makes the reading seem more tedious. Therefore I approached The Host with rather low expectations and prepared myself for another Twilight except with aliens. Boy was I in for a shocker.

When I started reading, I was amazed at how I got sucked into the book. I really didn't expect to, because my experiences at reading Twilight had been more like let's get the book over with quickly. This time I found myself drawn into the story, wanting to savor every word. I didn't speed through this book like I normally would, instead I read the book in snippets every day. It's not the type of book to rush through as it pull you in and you find yourself engrossed into the story. I found the storyline very interesting and I'm not a sci-fi or fantasy fan at all. The invasion of aliens on Earth, the takeover of human bodies as hosts and the struggle for the remaining humans for survival was believable and not done in a cheesy sort of way. It's a plot that one could see actually happening and the underground network of humans very much like a bomb shelter plot line.

The relationship between Wanda and Melanie is very unique because it's like having a two headed monster, without the second head. At first Wanda is kind of unlikable because she is doing things the way her species is used to, by taking control of everything with no regard for their human hosts. However as the story progresses she soon learns more about the human species and even falls in love with one of them. The whole love triangle bit was a bit weird and took a while to comprehend, but it's written very well. It's more developed dare I say than the Bella/Edward/Jacob storyline.

There are just two qualms I have with this book. The first is that I didn't really like the way of how both Melanie's and Wanda's thoughts are in the same italicized font. It would have been better if Melanie's thoughts had just been italicized or if Wanda's had been put in a different font. As it stands, it gets confusing when the two are "talking" to each other and there's no distinction between the two voices. My other qualm was that I felt the ending to be rather disappointing. I felt that the story had built up to an intense level and then just dropped off. I'm not sure if this is because there is going to be a sequel to the book or what, but it felt like a cop out at the end of the story.

Still I will say that I really enjoyed reading this book. For a change it wasn't a fast read for me. Instead I had a savor it, a little bit at a time each day. Thus it took me longer to finish this book than I normally would. However, I felt that this was the best way to read the book as it's not one to devour in a span of a few hours. If Stephenie Meyer continues writing in this fashion, I will definitely start picking up her books now.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer is published by Little Brown and Company (2008)

Comments

  1. I would like to enter to win! PBS ID hellolacy.

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  2. LauraGiaimo8:02 AM

    Sounds great! I want to win :) lauraDOTAdaptiveBlueATgmail

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  3. Please count me in.

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

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  4. Anonymous8:41 AM

    Awesome! Thanks for the entry! :-)
    PBS ID tinyavenger

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  5. Leann8:46 AM

    Please count me in! Thank you!
    PBS ID - leann-28

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  6. Don't enter me. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book too. I thought it was a fast read even though it's a thick book.

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  7. Anonymous9:19 AM

    PBS ID is TextAddict

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  8. Julie JDobs on FR9:34 AM

    I would love to win a copy of this book for my daughter. Thanks for the opportunity! Julie -- JDobs at FR

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  9. Enter me please :) PBS shanyn !

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  10. I'd love to read this book! Glad to see a good review from someone other than a Twilight Junkie. I'm currently in The Hourglass Door, which was billed as Twilight-esque....the jury's still out for now. : )

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  11. Anonymous10:12 AM

    Thank you for the great opportunity to win a copy of this book!

    Joann from PBS & JoanneR from FR

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  12. Anonymous10:22 AM

    Count me in! :)

    Pix from PBS

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  13. Great giveaway! I've been anxious to read this but it's always checked out at the library.

    saz AT chainreader DOT com

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  14. Hi Deborah! I'd like to enter to win a copy of the Host by Stephanie Meyer. While I am a Twilight fan, I have to admit that it's not the actual story that captured me but the actions of Edward ~ I love the way she describes how he looks at Bella and the things he says to her. I think it's very romantic. So anyway, I'd like to give another of her books a chance as well. Thanks for this opportunity!! Kathy (PBS ID 2pooped2party)

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  15. I'd like to enter the contest.. I've been anxious to read this. I liked the Twilight series, but also found them poorly written. (PBS ID: nellarmonia)

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  16. this is PBS wingspawsnmagick.... of course i would love to win... and i love to look at your site... yvone

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  17. Anonymous12:07 PM

    Hi! You give out such great books!!! I would love to read this book. :)

    ConnieJ at FR

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  18. Anonymous12:07 PM

    Great, detailed review. I will give this book a read, even if I don't win.

    carlene_m@sbcglobal.net

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  19. This is wonderful, I'd love to enter (PBS ID, Geneve, also gmingl@gmail.com)
    I found it to be nervewracking more often than not, but it was worth it!

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  20. Please count me in!

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

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  21. Sianeka12:46 PM

    I've read Twilight and have New Moon next on my reading list. I'd like to have a chance to read The Host. Thanks for the opportunity!

    I'm Sianeka on PBS, and I'll PM you there with my email.

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  22. Anonymous12:47 PM

    I felt the same way you did about the Twilgiht series. Willing to give this one a try. Kids at my school will want to read it in September. Thanks.
    Pam PBS name I-NO-BOOKS
    pamr@cox.net

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  23. Don't enter me, but I thought your review was terrific. You had many of the same reactions that I did to the book!

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  24. Anonymous1:35 PM

    This book sounds better than I expected! Please enter me, PBS Jonesingforbooks. :)

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  25. Anonymous1:38 PM

    I'd love to be entered for this book!
    Plainjane8160 at PBS

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  26. would love to win~!'

    cnhand84@yahoo.com

    Cindy84 on pbs

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  27. Anonymous3:58 PM

    please pick me!!
    Dayna
    DMBuffy from FR

    Thanks

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  28. Tammy5:46 PM

    I'd like to enter to win a copy of the host. PBS username is CrystalRose

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  29. I'd love to win a copy!

    celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. I am doing this for my sister, so if you feel pity on her, that's life.

    larsen(dot)joey(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. Anonymous9:55 PM

    Please enter me, I would love to receive her adult novel.

    runningmatey at hotmail dot com

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  32. I would love to read this! :)

    misusedinnocence@aol.com

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  33. Please include me.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  34. thanks for the chance to win a copy! i LOVED this book, and would love to have my students be able to pick it up... i'd put it on my shelf at school :D

    larsenvt AT gmail DOT com

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  35. I loved this book, and would love to own my own copy. Please enter me. My email is in my profile, so you should have it with this comment.

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  36. Anonymous8:28 AM

    I would love to be entered!

    pam dot stennett at gmail dot com

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  37. Oh I need to read this book, The suspense you have given me. I am going to have to buy this book if I don't win now.


    SamantharaeM at gmail dot com

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  38. I'd like to be included, thanks!
    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  39. I'd love to win this book - please count me in!

    Thanks,
    megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  40. Please include me! PBS cylis9

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  41. Regina9:49 PM

    I wasn't drawn to the Twilight series, but The Host sounds great--I'd love a copy, so enter my name into the drawing please. PBD ID virgosun or virgosun915@hotmail.com

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  42. Sherry H11:00 PM

    This is a wonderful book and I'd love a copy. I'm also going to check this sight out good while here. I love learning about new authors. I hope I win !!!

    Sherry h. (sherryladan) at PBS.com
    sherryladan@yahoo.com

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  43. Paige8:14 AM

    Thanks for your thoughts on 'The Host'. You got me interested in reading it!! I wasn't sure I would after reading the Twilight series, but I want to now!! (crossing fingers) PBS ducky28 radar23@roadrunner.com

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  44. Anonymous9:14 AM

    My daughter is a big Twilight fan, so I knew I had to enter this contest. Thanks for the opportunity. I'm chwriter at PBS--heard about this in the forums.

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  45. Anonymous9:50 AM

    Deb....I too have the same issues with the Twillight saga. I have tried really hard to get through or even get started with book 3. I have had this book on my PBS wishlist for some time. Thanks for the heads up!

    Great blog!
    auntietilly2

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  46. Anonymous10:33 AM

    I'd love to enter this contest and read this book! My PBS ID is iamstephanie.

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  47. Anonymous11:51 PM

    Enter me too! PBS ID-NET I live in Indiana. read about the giveaway in the forums!

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  48. Anonymous7:11 AM

    I'd love to enter. PBS id is davesmsperfect

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  49. Count me in I would love to read!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  50. What a wonderful giveaway!
    PBS id - orosky17

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  51. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I'm glad you enjoyed THE HOST. I thought it was extremely well done. Will definitely be rereading it again soon.

    angiegirl(at)gmail(dot)com

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  52. Anonymous3:00 PM

    I'd like to enter, too! My PBS id is jennybee

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  53. Anonymous8:44 PM

    I would love to be entered,my PBS id is renee27837

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  54. Diane Higgins2:36 AM

    Hi! Please count me in! I would love a copy of "The Host". I am probably the only person in the world who has yet to read the Twilight Books and I could be one of the "cool kids" if I read "The Host" now! :-) I am Diane H. (njoybeing) on pbs and my email is oronodiane@yahoo.com

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  55. I have to admit that this isn't typical reading for me, but I'd like to expand my repertoire and give it a try. I've never read the Twilight books either but I've heard such great things about both of these series.

    melacan at hotmail dot com

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  56. I'll enter! PBS ID: altimas

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  57. Anonymous12:55 PM

    Count me in on entering!!! :)
    PBS ID: bellaluce

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  58. Anonymous4:15 PM

    I haven't read any Stephanie Meyer but would love to give it a try! Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

    PBS: alleygirl

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  59. Anonymous7:19 PM

    Love to have a chance.

    PBS: readersmuse

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  60. I would like to enter win please. My e-mail is: kalynnick@yahoo.com

    Thanks!
    -Kaly

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  61. Anonymous1:37 AM

    I would love to win this.
    Dianemcpher@verizon.net

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  62. The Host looks like a great read! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I would love to read it as well.

    melanies--musings@live.com

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  63. Annie Phan10:33 PM

    You've sparked my interest, and now I would most certainly enjoy reading this. :)

    -p.s. I'm thirteen.

    phanniebabie AT gmail DOT com

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  64. Anonymous7:39 AM

    Please enter me.
    I would love to read this book.
    RJR
    loki304[at]tds[dot]net

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  65. Awesome contest! I found out about it from your post on PBS forum . . . Good luck everyone! IF I win you can PM me at PBS or email me . .. LOL IF I win a copy. :)

    PBS id: Farscapegirl
    email: cluvaughn28 at dejazzd dot com

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  66. KrisAnn B.6:13 PM

    Please enter me: PBS ID- cmukitcat

    I was surprised that I ended up liking the Twilight series. But after that I'm really interested to see what she will write next. :)

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  67. Anonymous8:03 PM

    I'm in! And thank you for doing this. PBS nickname is treefinder. :)

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  68. Sheri M.8:06 PM

    Thank you for the excellent review. Please enter me in your contest! PBS nickname is Sheri19. Thanks!

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  69. I would love to win this book to share with my sister. Thanks for the chance!

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  70. Sheena11:28 PM

    I would like to enter the contest. I'm dazeerae on PBS. Thanks for mentioning it on the club members forum.

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  71. Anonymous11:07 AM

    Sounds like an interesting book. PBS disneymagic. Thanks for the heads up!

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  72. entering for cassandra/darkraven (PBS)

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  73. Great review. I've had this on the to read list for a while, but haven't had a chance to pick it up. Please enter me!

    JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Thanks!

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  74. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. Twilight didn't do much for me. I liked it, but I never felt compelled to move on. Please enter me!

    bookfoolery at yahoo dot com

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  75. Anonymous3:59 AM

    Please enter me. I do not have The Host yet and would love to read it.

    GreenFairyLV@yahoo.com

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