Oh! I know!
The Host by Stephenie Meyer!
So, two days ago I finished reading this amazing book for the second time. The first time is hard for many people, I know, as it was that for me to. BUT if you manage to stick with it for the first 100 pages or so, you will not be able to stop reading it, I promise you.
The host is described as "Science fiction for people who don't like science fiction"
Here's the description on the back of the book:
"Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.
Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.
When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves—Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love."
When I learned that Ms. Meyer had written another book, I decided I wanted to read it, no matter the subject. I waited (not very patiently, I must admit) for it to come in pocket-format. Easier to carry around and cheaper ;) I didn't know anything about the book at the time, but when I picked it up and read on the back of it, the first line instantly captured my interest, and I knew right away that I had to by it.
The Twilight-saga is a young adult series, whereas The Host is an adult novel, and hopefully the first in a series. Two days ago, The Variety announced that The Host will be made into a movie, and SMeyer confirmed this on her website.
From SMeyer website:
"September 23, 2009
Hey guys, great news! The Host is on its way to the big screen:
http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmemo/2009/09/twilights-meyer-tackles-adult-pic-fare-with-niccol.html?ref=ssp
I'm so excited to be working with Nick Weschler, and Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz to bring The Host to a visual format. They've all been a dream to work with, so lovely and collaborative, and I feel like we're in a really good place to make a great movie together. And then to have Andrew Niccol writing and directing? Truly awesome. If you've never seen Gattaca, go watch it now. One of my favorite movies of all time. It's such a great example of character driven science fiction, which is ideal for The Host, no? I'm having an absolute blast imagining different dream casts, which I would post if people didn't take my silly blogs so seriously these days. I'm looking forward to seeing the cast lists you come up with in the fansite forums, and if any of them match mine.
So, very exciting. Yay Host!
XO
Steph"
The Host is an intriguing novel. It has what is probably the only threesome involving two bodies. Also, it is a very emotional book. I have never cried so much reading a book as I've done reading The Host.
Melanie/Wanderer (Wanda) have really different personalities.
Melanie is human, though, used to hardships and is willing to fight to stay as she is. She's also a good liar.
Wanderer is like every other Soul. She is kind, would rather flee then stay and fight, shrinks away from the sight of a gun, and would never do anything to harm others, even her enemies. And she is totally selfless, not doing anything for herself, always looking out for those she cares about.
Mel has spent years of her life hiding from the Souls/parasites. After their father was taken, she and her brother Jamie ran away, as it wasn't safe for them anymore. Mel had to take care of her brother. Then, when he was 11 and she 17, she met Jared Howe. For the next three years, they lived together like a family, and Mel and Jared fell in love. He was reluctant, seeing as he was over 20 years old, but he loved her nevertheless.
Wanda is a Soul, over a thousand years old. Her name, Wanderer, came from the fact that she has been to almost every planet, including The Origin. Her Call s storytelling, so she is hired as a professor, telling the other Souls about life at other planets. Earth is her 9th lifespan, and her 9th planet, as she has never been on a planet longer then one single lifespan. In a way, she is like a child, never having experienced emotions like the human-kind have.
Normally, when a Soul is inserted to its Host, the Host looses control of the body and disappears. Then the Soul get access to all the memories from its Host
Melanie however, refuses to fade. She is blocking her memories, at first not letting Wanda know that there are others out there, still human.
Mel was caught in an abandoned building, trying to escape the Seekers chasing her. She came there to look for her cousin Sharon, but was discovered entering the building. She hurriedly scribbled a note, letting Jared know she'd failed.
Then, when she realized there was no way out, she ran through the building, jumping into an empty elevator-shaft. She did not die, but was severely hurt. The Seekers brought her to a healing facility, restoring her body so Wanderer can be inserted.
When Wanda has successfully inserted herself into the body, controlling everything, her firs memory is the one of Mel in the building. And she notices she's not alone in the body; Mel is still there.
Over the next week, Melanie shows Wanderer memories of her first meeting with Jared and days spent on the run. Slowly, Wanda grows to love Jared and Jamie the same way Mel does, and they set out to find them, hoping they are still human.
If you loved it the first time, you're gonna love it even more the second time. As I said, the first chapters might be difficult. When you read it the second time, you will understand so much more, especially why different things happen and it is much easier to read the first chapters.
And I can promise you, this is a book you will read many times, and you will be as intrigued the second, third and 10th time as you were the first. And you will cry just as much every time, even though you know what will happen.
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