The Host

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

I read and wasn't terribly impressed by the Twilight series (see post; I hated book 4, Breaking Dawn, so much that I didn't want to post about it¹). Because of that while I was intrigued by the premise of The Host, I didn't bother to seek it out before it was released in paperback.

I picked up a copy of The Host in an airport bookstore last week after I finished the only book I'd packed (A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cossé) sooner than expected. I have to say that I really enjoyed it.

Meyer's take on the aliens was interesting (the species colonizing the Earth as well as the others described by Wanderer). The story was compelling despite focusing a bit too much on the romance. And I found both protagonists sympathetic (Wanderer a bit more than Melanie, at least to me). I think Meyer took the easy way out with the ending. That being said, I have to admit that the ending was satisfying.

The Host is the library book club's March 2011 selection, but I think I'd hang onto my copy of the novel anyway. I may even decide to reread it between now and March anyway.

1. what I would have written would have been full of spoilers and I try to avoid that as much as possible because I don't think it's fair to other readers