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 enlarge | Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Category: Book
List Price: $25.99
Buy New: $13.40
You Save: $12.59 (48%)
New (71) Used (29) Collectible (10) from $12.06
Rating:  684 reviews
Sales Rank: 50
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 624
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 5.6 x 2.1
ISBN: 0316068047
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780316068048
ASIN: 0316068047
Publication Date: May 6, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW - EXCEPTIONAL VALUE - EXCELLENT BUY
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 541-545 of 684
 KUDOS TO MEYER May 25, 2008
R. J. Walrath (Columbia, SC)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I purchased this book three days ago. Though I may be too adult to be reading YA novels like the Twilight saga, I enjoy them immensely. When I picked up THE HOST, I found it difficult to understand at first. The first thing you must understand is how long it is. I read ECLIPSE in 6 hours; this book took me a whole weekend. The first two days I struggled with the complexity of the concept and the long scenes. I was almost ready to shelf it and forget it, but I remembered that Meyer is an amazing author who churned out one of my favorite series, and I was obligated to give her a chance.
I stayed up until 3 AM last night reading till the end of the book. To say that is is "slow" until halfway through is an overstatement; it's more complicated than slow. But when you get the drift, it takes off and won't leave you a chance to catch your breath. If you get into this book it will become amazing for you. There is so much insight in this book that Meyer cannot be blamed for making it long. Truth be told, if it were any shorter I'd be begging for more.
As for those who say that it's a sorry attempt at adult fiction and that Meyer should stick to vampire novels, I can only point out the debut novels of other accomplished authors, whose works were far less stunning than this piece of literature. If Rowling publishes an adult fiction novel, I guarantee every one of us will be comparing it to the Harry Potter Series. Meyer has produced a story that is compelling and revolutionary; she's created a completely separate genre. This book is far better than what anyone can expect from an author debuting in adult fiction. And with Meyer's track record, I am assured that her writing will only improve in time.
This book is definately worth reading, worth the effort of the first few chapters, and worth every penny. It's not just a story; it's philosophy. It will teach you something.
Societal Impact/ Relationships May 25, 2008
Colvin (Florida)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I find the negative reviews of this book somewhat unfair. Readers love SM's Twilight Series, and because the novel contains different characters some are not willing to provide a fair review. In my opinion, no one describes the ranges of human emotion or fully explores each facet of relationships quite like Stephenie Meyer. This novel provides an "outsider's" perspective of our emotions and actions. I suppose the phrase "Hindsight's 20/20" has survived the test of time because inevitably, however we dislike the outcome, it depicts a part of our society that is somewhat less pleasant. This book encompasses all that and more. Some may not like to see the vile behaviors that all species expose when they feel threatened, but no one can deny that they are present. No matter how uncomfortable this book may make you at certain points, the true meanings contained here are something less describable. My vote is to give this book a fair chance. I doubt you will be disappointed (and if you are, imagine Edward, Bella and Jacob's personalities trapped in one body- you may then understand the extraordinariness of this novel.)
 A new twist May 25, 2008
Paul McCutcheon (Mississauga, Ontario Canada)
An interesting flip on the "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (or Heinlein's "Puppet Masters") premise, told (mostly) from the alien parasite's point of view, and AFTER the invasion has (mostly) suceeded.
My teenage daughter purchased this book, but I found it quite enjoyable, couldn't put it down (to my daughter's chagrin).
Stays nicely away from fantasy. While it doesn't dwell overlong on the science, what it does cover seems plausible. I hope the author doesn't mind me tagging it as SF.
A first person narrative where the "I" of the narrator is a bit ambiguous, for the alien's memories and thought processes differ when different hosts are inhabited. Rather clever.
Also has the "two minds in one body" premise.
The book is perhaps a bit "chatty" in a "girlish" fashion, but not to excess. I'd have to say relationships seem much more realistically protrayed than many classic "hard" SF novels I've read. (head and shoulders above Heinlein's "I Will Fear No Evil" for example.)
Couldn't Put it Down! May 25, 2008
Richard E. Cole (Las Vegas, NV 89138)
I had never heard of Stephenie Meyer or the Twilight Series. I am 69 and an avid reader. I happened to see this book, The Host" prominently displayed in a book store so I bought it after reading the cover. I think the author is one of the best writers around. She held my interest from the first page and I then went on to lose a lot of sleep over the next few days. The characters are very strong and you don't forget who is who like in some books. I am going to try one of her Vampire books. Don't know if I will like it or not.
 So disappointed May 25, 2008
Janet M. Foltz (Richmond, TX United States)
26 out of 44 found this review helpful
I wanted to like this book - I really did. I had looked forward to its release and preordered it from Amazon. I love the Twilight series. The books are written perfectly for the young adult reader. When The Host was promoted as an adult book that Ms. Meyers would be able to write to her target audience. Didn't happen.
Sadly, I thought the book was slow and the characters weren't particularly engaging. The humans were cruel. The Wanderer was self sacrificing and she spent her time cringing and flinching and hiding. I saw the ending coming from a mile away. I read the entire thing but it was a struggle. I was tempted to put it down several times, and only a determined effort kept me going.
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