The Host

June 30, 2008
Meyer's first adult novel, a science fiction tale with an eye for romance, is a proverbial yet intriguing story of a woman in danger of losing her body and mind to an invading alien force. While the story treads on familiar territory, Meyer offers a fresh perspective by relating the story through the mind of the protagonist, a simple idea that Kate Reading brings to fruition perfectly. Reading's tone is inflamed with passion and desperation, both for lost love and the reality that should she give in to the invader known as Wanderer, she will cease to exist. Reading's voice is that of a troubled young woman, battling to save herself and her most personal of memories. She becomes our hero yet never fails to display how fragile she, and humanity, truly is. A Little, Brown hardcover (Reviews, Mar. 31).

March 31, 2008
Stephenie Meyer, author of the bestselling Twilight YA series (Eclipse
, etc.), makes her adult debut.
The Host
Stephenie Meyer
. Little, Brown
, $25.99 (640p) ISBN 978-0-316-06804-8

In this tantalizing SF thriller, planet-hopping parasites are inserting their silvery centipede selves into human brains, curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. But some people want Earth back, warts and all, especially Melanie Stryder, who refuses to surrender, even after being captured in Chicago and becoming a host for a “soul” called Wanderer. Melanie uses her surviving brain cells to persuade Wanderer to help search for her loved ones in the Arizona desert. When the pair find Melanie's brother and her boyfriend in a hidden rebel cell led by her uncle, Wanderer is at first hated. Once the rebels accept Wanderer, whom they dub Wanda, Wanda's whole perspective on humanity changes. While the straightforward narrative is short on detail about the invasion and its stunning aftermath, it shines with romantic intrigue, especially when a love triangle (or quadrangle?!) develops for Wanda/Melanie. 10-city author tour.

The bestselling author of the Twilight series eschews vampires for aliens in this poignant sci-fi romance. The alien "souls" have conquered Earth by inserting themselves into human brains. Kate Reading voices Wanderer, an alien who has never encountered resistance from previous hosts on other planets. She's shocked, therefore, to discover that the former inhabitant of her new body, Melanie, is still there and refuses to leave. Reading beautifully expresses the confusion of a creature who is accustomed to a certain compassionate detachment and who becomes quickly overwhelmed by the strong passions of her human encounter. These emotions drive Wanderer to seek out the loved ones whom Melanie left behind. While the story is a bit melodramatic and slightly too long, it delivers both emotional satisfaction and a somewhat morally ambiguous ending. A.B.G. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine