Peeking Between the Pages

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The Host by Stephenie Meyer Blog Tour & Giveaway

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I was really excited to be asked to participate in the Blog Tour for The Host by Miriam at Hachette Book Group. I’m a fan of Stephenie Meyer, particularly her Twilight series so when The Host came out I rushed out and picked it up. So, what I’m going to do is reprint my review for you all from June 23, 2008…

This novel is Stephenie Meyer’s first novel for an adult audience. Her Twilight series for young adults has not only captured the teen audience but the adult one as well.

The Host is about a species invading earth and taking over the minds of their hosts-the humans. What happens is these little ‘souls’ are inserted into their hosts and the humans essentially are supposed to be gone although the soul has their memories.

Thus begins the story of Melanie-the human and the Wanderer-the soul. In this case Melanie is a strong personality and her mind is still there along with the Wanderer’s. The Wanderer goes crazy at first trying to get rid of her but eventually they find they like each other and develop a bond together. We meet a lot of characters in this book but my favorites are Melanie and the Wanderer. They turned out to be really likeable characters and often the dialogue between the two was quite amusing.

What I liked best is how when the Wanderer started having more and more of Melanie’s memories and feelings and they came to a sort of understanding with each other. Melanie wanted her to feel all of the feelings and emotions she did so that she would not be destroyed. Melanie wants to know where the people she left behind are and she and the Wanderer set out to do just that. From this point the story becomes a struggle for survival and learning to live in a different world and I found the last part of the book the most riveting. It was fast paced and emotional.

While this novel is considered science fiction, I don’t think that’s its only purpose. It’s really about relationships too, maybe even the importance of being lucky enough to be human instead of alien and then the question of who really knows what the future holds? I sure can’t imagine having to share my mind with anyone else. There’s enough chaos in there as it is but this type of book always sets me off thinking about the ‘what if’. I think it brings to light that anyone trying hard enough can learn to care with true human emotion.

This novel is entertaining. It was good, I wouldn’t say great, at least for me. I did find it a bit too long and I think had it been shortened up a bit it would have been better. I still favor the Twilight series probably because I enjoy vampires more than aliens but I know that this book will appeal to many out there. That being said, I’m sure Stephenie Meyer fans will love this book.

ABOUT THE BOOK
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.

When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

One of the most compelling writers of our time, Stephenie Meyer brings us a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the very essence of what it means to be human.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephenie Meyer’s life changed dramatically on June 2, 2003. The stay-at-home mother of three young sons woke-up from a dream featuring seemingly real characters that she could not get out of her head.

“Though I had a million things to do, I stayed in bed, thinking about the dream. Unwillingly, I eventually got up and did the immediate necessities, and then put everything that I possibly could on the back burner and sat down at the computer to write-something I hadn’t done in so long that I wondered why I was bothering.”

Meyer invented the plot during the day through swim lessons and potty training, then writing it out late at night when the house was quiet. Three months later she finished her first novel, Twilight. With encouragement from her older sister (the only other person who knew she had written a book), Meyer submitted her manuscript to various literary agencies. Twilight was picked out of a slush pile at Writer’s House and eventually made its way to Little, Brown where everyone fell immediately in love with the gripping, star-crossed lovers theme.

Twilight was one of 2005’s most talked about novels and within weeks of its release the book debuted at #5 on The New York Times bestseller list. Among its many accolades, Twilight was named an “ALA Top Ten Books for Young Adults,” an Amazon.com “Best Book of the Decade … So Far”, and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year.

The highly-anticipated sequel, New Moon, was released in September 2006 and has spent more than 25 weeks at the #1 position on The New York Times bestseller list.

In 2007, Eclipse landed literally around the world and fans

Listen to the prologue here.
Listen to an excerpt here.
Download podcast here.
Listen to Chapter 4 here.

Here’s the next few stops on The Host Blog Tour that is running all month. Be sure to pop in and see what they have going on…

June 11 – Never Not Reading
June 13 – A Circle of Books
June 14 – A Journey of Books
June 15 – LoveVampires.com
June 16 – Reading with Monie

__________
GIVEAWAY

It just so happens that I have 3 copies of The Host to share with my readers courtesy of Miriam at Hachette Book Group. What do you have to do to snag one of those copies…

  • Comment here for 1 entry. Please leave me an email address!
  • For 2 entries, are you a fan of Stephenie Meyer? Have you already read the Twilight series-did you like it?
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

The giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winners on Saturday, June 27, 2009. Good luck to you all!

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Comments

  1. I, too, have read and reviewed The Host. I agree that it was a good book, however needing to be condensed.

    thanks for your great review!

  2. I've not read this book yet. I have been slightly hesitant, based on mixed reviews…

  3. Please include me in your giveaway.

    "Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
    CoolCanucks.ca"

  4. I just got the first in the twilight series from a friend. I have made it through two chapters and can`t wait to keep reading it

    "Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
    CoolCanucks.ca"

  5. Please include me in the giveaway! The book sounds interesting so I would like to read it.

    I have not read any of Stephanie Meyer's books…yet. I have heard of her books especially the Twilight ones, but have not started reading any of them. So, I would like to start with The Host.

    Thank you for the review and the giveaway.

    Cindy
    Socmom213@aol.com

  6. I just read your info about the author, Stephenie Meyer, and how she came up with the idea for Twilight. It is fascinating how she had a vivid dream and got up and started writing a book that ends up on the bestseller list!

    I have not read any of her books yet, but after reading your review and author bio, this is going on my list of future reads.

    Cindy
    Socmom213@aol.com

  7. It reminds me about how JK Rowling got her idea for Harry Potter. How it just came to her on a train journey.

    I haven't read The Host as I am worried I will be disappointed as I just love the Twilight series and this one is just so different from them.

  8. This sounds like a really interesting book. I'd love a shot at it. Please count me in!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  9. I haven't had the opportunity to read any of her work yet, but I do have Twilight on my bookshelf waiting.

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  11. Don't enter me, but as always, love your review. I enjoyed it but also agree that it could be condensed some.

    ♥ Nely

  12. Lol, one look inside my head and "the Host" would hightail it out of there!

    I'll catch my aliens and vampires on the big screen so no need to enter, enjoyed the review. 🙂

  13. Please count me in.

    I think I'm the only person in the world who hasn't read any of the Twilight books!

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

  14. No, I tried to read the first Twilight book and couldn't finish, so you're not alone there MJ.

    Just posted about this on Win A Book.

  16. Great review Dar! I haven't read this book yet, although I want to. This would be the perfect opportunity.
    jennygirl73(at)gmail(dot)com

    I did read the Twilight series. Eclipse was a little slow for me, but Breaking Dawn was good. I know many people thought it was predictable or jumped the shark, but I think it ended the series nicely. I wanted them to be together. Not thrilled with Jacob and Renesme(sp) but whatever. You can't love everything. I definitely think there is sequel material there though.
    Hint, hint, Stephanie 🙂

    Thanks for the contest Dar!

  17. Great Blog Tour Post Dar… you really do a bang up job girl. I am reading the host 100 pages a day until my tour date.. and I sat down last night and read 140 pages like nothing. I am so enjoying the Host.

  18. Looks like a good read, please enter me into this drawing.

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
    jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

  19. I haven't read anything by Meyer but this book did catch my interest. Thanks for the article. I'd love to be included in the giveaway. 🙂 bibliophile at bostonbibliophile dot com. thanks!

  21. And for another entry…

    I've read Twilight but not the other books yet. I read Twilight over Christmas break and I will probably do the same with the other books as I will have a bit more time to plow through them.

  22. Please enter me in the contest
    I am a fan of stephenie meyers. My niece has the twilight series and made me read them,I'm glad she did I really liked them.

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

  27. I read Twilight and didn't like it that much, but I'm curious to give her adult lit a try!

  29. No need to enter me in the contest. I just wanted to let you know I've given you the award you deserve because you are definitely "enchanting". The new blog look is gorgeous! Stop by and pick up the logo if you don't already have it.

  30. I would love to give this book to my daughter, thanks! She loves the Twilight series!

  31. Hi,
    The Host sounds like a great book. Imagine still being there while an alien takes over your body. Brings up lots of questions.

    chey127 at hotmail dot com

  32. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of THE HOST.

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

  33. I havent' read the Twilight series yet – this book is more appealing to me.

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

  35. Awesome! I've got to win this for my best friend 🙂 I also seriously have to read this book. 😀

    lc_intocable[a]yahoo[d]com

  36. I would love to be included in the giveaway.

    vtgoat at gmail dot com

    I have only read Twilight, I'm so out of the loop! I have to get reading on some others!

  39. I've never read a Stephanie Meyers so I can't comment on liking or disliking Twilight. 🙂

    BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

  41. I do like Stephenie Meyer, and I am in the middle of the Twilight saga right now! It's awesome and I also can't wait for the second movie 🙂

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

  42. Love your new look.

    I have been debating about this book as SF is not something I usually like, but am willing to give it a chance because of the author.

    I read the Twlight series last fall to see what had my two sons (17 & 21) devouring the books and enjoyed them!

    Thank you for the opportunity to win this book.

    nisethusfarATyahooDOTcom

  45. I've this book in my pile, but just haven't got around to reading it yet. I need to move the book up after reading this post! 😉

  47. I'm not certain about this book yet – I'd like to read it, but I'm afraid that the writing may be too much like Twilight. I'm hoping that Stephanie Meyer will have amped up the writing for this one.

    danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

  48. I'm trying to break out of my traditional reading rut and think this book sounds like the one I should do it with.

    melacan at hotmail dto com

  49. I've never read any of the Twilight books nor any other books by Stephenie Meyer. I've been avoiding them as they aren't my typical genre of choice but I'd like to try to expand my horizons and I've heard such good things about the books so…

    melacan at hotmail dot com

  51. for another entry,

    i really enjoyed the Twilight series! Although sometimes Bella seemed a bit whiny and melodramatic, I couldn't put the book down. And then would reach for the next in the series soon after. And would reread…

    thanks for the chance – would love to win!

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

  52. Thanks Dar for stetting me straight about this book, LOL! I corrected it on my blog.

  53. Please include me.

    I have read the Twilight series and loved it.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

  54. I was looking at this one just yesterday at Sam's Club! It looks really really good!

    I have started Twilight – but just haven't had time to read it. (I have seen the movie 3 times though…) I have bought 2 sets of the books – 1 set for each daughter as they each had to have their own. Now my sister is buying them too!

    kherbrand at comcast dot net

  56. I am definitely a fan and have read the Twilight books!

    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

  59. I haven't read anything by Stephanie Meyer yet, so I would love to win this one.

    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  61. I loved the Twilight series. I read all 4 of them in a week.

    bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

  63. I love to read but I'm a bit nervous about the idea of vampires so I hadn't really thought about reading the Twilight series. Then my sister came to visit and brought me the first two. It was perfect timing because I had just finished a book so I read the two in less than a week and had to borrow the other two from a girl in my knitting group because the third book was sold out at the store AND all checked out at the library and I didn't want to wait!

    Loved them!

    So please enter me to win her "adult" book!
    filmgirlie at comcast dot net

  64. Please enter me ont the contest.

    I have not read anything by this author.

    beachlover[at]yahoo[dot]com

  65. I'd love to have a chance to read this. It may take me longer than planned as I understand it's pretty long but so be it.

    espressogurl at hotmail dot com

  66. I borrowed this from the library to review it. I'd actually re-read it, so please enter me. I can't say I'd re-read the Twilight series. For the most part, I thought this one had the depth that the Twilight books lacked. I enjoyed how she explored the idea of a person's spirit and how an individual is defined as much by that spirit as by their physical body.

  70. Would love to read this. SD realy enjoyed Twilight & so did I.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

  78. The Host is a great book and I would love to win a copy of it! :0) I'm hoping she writes more books in this world.

    Thanks!
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com

  79. I'm a hugh fan of Stephenie Meyer and Twilight. I loved all her books. She just has a way of making you care about the characters and sucking you right into the story. I can't wait to see what she writes next. :0)

    Thanks!
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com

  81. My cousin is reading this and loves it. I really liked Twilight (of course) so I'd like to give this a chance!
    Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

  91. Too good to pass up. I'd like to throw my name in the hat to win.

    e-mail:rabidfox(at)ymail.com

  92. For a second entry, I'll be honest and say that I not a fan of Meyer … yet. I keep hearing so much about her, I'm on the hunt for "Twilight". I'm avoiding the movie until I can read the book.

  94. I loved the Twilight books so I am really curious about this book.

    budletsmom(at)yahoo.com

  96. I would love to read this book being it is her first adult novel. So I guess you could say I'm intrigued!

    espressogurl at hotmail dot com

  97. I read book 1 and 2 in the twilight series and saw the movie. I did like the book a lot so ofcourse this new adult novel has caught my interest.

    espressogurl at hotmail dot com

  98. This book looks interesting – please count me in!

    Thanks,
    megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

  99. I was not a fan of Stephenie Meyer – until last night! I haven't read any of her books yet, but my husband & I watched "Twilight" last night. Wow! It was easy to see the fascination with the Twilight series.

    megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

  101. I haven't read the Twilight series, that is a series that is on my list to read.
    But I enjoyed the movie. So I am a fan:)

  103. 1) Hi I'm a follower! My hotmail is fierce_angel_6000

    2) I LOVE Stephenie Meyer's novels. I am a BIG twilight fan!

  104. I read the twilight series and loved it, in the 2nd – 4th books I found there was way too much repetition though.
    I would love to be entered Khal5671 AT mwcc DOT edu
    I follow your blog and I have you on my blog roll.
    I posted about your giveaways at Bloody Bad Book Blog, and will each week.

  105. This is such an awesome giveaway! I'd love to read The Host!

    I have read Meyer's Twilight series, and I really enjoyed it. She doesn't have the most amazing style of writing, but there's something about it that makes you want to keep reading until you finish the book.

    melanies–musings@live.com

  115. I loved this book and include it on my top sci-fi reads of all time. Unfortunately I read a library book. I would love to win this book and add it to my collectiont to reread through the years. I am a huge Meyer fan and have read all of her novels. I follow her blog and am a fan on facebook. I'm introducing my book club to Meyer by picking Twilight as our August read. Thank-you for entering me in your contest!

  116. I forgot to add my email on my comment. It is laarlt78 at hotmail dot com. Thanks again!

  117. I'm anxious to read this book. I work in a college library with a small budget, so fiction is generally out of our price range. And getting to the top of the public library's waiting list could take years! 🙂 Well, it seems that way . . .

    lahlstedt (at) gmail.com

    (Forgot my email on the first attempt at commenting!

  119. I really did love this one. I am a Stephenie Meyer fan and have read all her Twilight series as well. TWILIGHT is my favorite, then NEW MOON, then ECLIPSE. Unfortunately, BREAKING DAWN did not go over well for me. But she wrote the book she wanted to write and that's what's important. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    angiegirl(at)gmail(dot)com

  120. Please include me in your giveaway.

    I read the Twilight series over spring break while sitting on the beaches of Cayman Islands. I wasn't as enthralled in the stories as I wanted to be, but I did like Eclipse the best because of all the old Indian legends.
    sardonic28@aol.com

  122. I read all of the Twilight books AND saw the movie. Loved all of them!
    digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

  128. I have read the Twilight series but I wasn't blown away. I hear The Host is much better.
    fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail(dot)com

  130. I would love to read this, thanks for hosting the giveaway=)

    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

  131. my daughter really wants this book! She hasn't read it yet, but that doesn't matter… she fell in love with Stephenie's style…

  132. I haven't actually read the Twilight books because of difficulties with my eyes but listening to my daughter (who has read each book numerous times and is VERY protective of them…) she would never give them up… Yeah, I guess that means they are good… lol

  134. I'm a huge fan of Stephanie Meyer! I have read and loved the Twilight series! I would really love to read this!

  138. Please enter me. I have been wanting to read this book for a long time.
    HobartsMama at Aol.com

  139. I read all of the Twilight Series and loved them. The movie was ok, but the books rocked!
    HobartsMama at Aol.com

  141. I haven't read the Twilight series yet, but have heard a lot about it. I hope to read them soon.

  143. I am giving this away but want to win a copy for my sister and she doesn't blog…can't enter my own contest..thanks!

  144. I have not read the Twilight series but every middle school girl I taught reading to the past two years did and reported on it so feel like I have.

  146. I have not read any books by Stephenie Meyer, but my daughter has and loves the Twilight series.

  147. I would love to read this because I like the Sci Fi aspect of it!

    micaela6955 at msn dot com

  149. Kind of a ripoff. This book is mainly like the animorphs series except the animorphs is longer and in more detail. Stephenie Meyer is starting to sound like a playjurist