The Host was a very intriguing book. The idea of a parasitical alien race taking over Earth would be one that I might avoid in the Science Fiction section of the library. I'm glad I gave this one a chance.I liked the way this book made the main character a dual one. It was difficult as the reader to figure out whether I was rooting for Wanderer, the Soul, or Melanie, the Human trapped inside her own mind. The thought of Wanderer having almost no control over her compelling love for Jared and Jamie, no choice in loving Ian, was a little sad and at times I wanted Melanie to disappear so that Wanderer could experience life for herself. It was heartening the way the Alien assimilated so entirely as to become more Human than not and the way her friends and even her host fell in love with her, making sacrifices to keep what they most loathed alive in her. I really enjoyed the ending of this book and wouldn't mind a sequel.
As with all of Stephanie Meyer's books, this one could have been told in 200 less pages. There's a lot of nothing that comprises the story and she could definitely have made the story more complete if she had left out the pointless walking around tunnels and told more of the story.
All in all, I give this book a high mental rating and would read it again.
