anlily said:Did anybody else find it highly convenient that Wanda knew how to remove the souls from the body when nobody else (even the healers) seemed to? Or did the healers, I'd need to reread.

All the SOULS know how to remove themselves..Wanda stated that, in case of any emergency thet all need to learn this and then proceeded to tell the story about when she was a BEAR and got into a situtation with the CLAWS???

Right you are Joanne Maria!

I think that it's amazing that Wanda actually showed them how to do it! That was a difficult decision for her, but she did it for the greater good. What an amazing character! I really enjoyed this book! I'm loving it all over again the second time around!

sorry forgot about that part. I guess I was getting confuzzled (happens pretty easily)

I loved it! It was different from Twilight but definitely SM-ish. Same writing style, but I think she has really evolved as a writer. She is getting better!

The stories are completely different and it sounds like most of us had a tough time at first really getting into it. But I think this is because we probably all went into it thinking about romantic love and expecting that same obsessive quality. But "The Host" touched on different types of love--within a community, among humanity, between surrogate mother and child. They aren't as physically compelling in the same way as romantic love, obviously, so we wouldn't be chemically (or hormonally ) charged in the same way--if that makes sense. But I loved her descriptions of these other types of love and I felt she did a great job of drawing out the depth of Wanderer's feelings as she's experiencing these various levels of love. I knew SM had done it again when I started tearing up during those first scenes between Wanderer and Jamie... ahhh. And then at the end with Ian? Holy smokes. Don't get me started. Dark hair, brilliant blue eyes, soccer player... in love with the soul and not the body. Hot. So hot. He's a close second to Edward for me. A very close second.

I liked the Host, probably more than I liked the Twilight series. When I read the Twilight books, they were exciting and dizzying. I enjoyed reading them, but they didn't strike me nearly as deeply or profoundly as the Host.

In the Host I think she did a great job exploring the mother/child bond, the themes of humanity, prejudice and fear. I felt like these weren't pounded into our heads in a look-i'm-writing-a-deep-book-about-the-themes-of-humanity sort of way, it was more subtle than that which I appreciated. It is obvious in The Host that she is attained a new level as a writter.

Anyone here a Battlestar Galactica fan? I see so many parallels between the two. There are humans, and there are robots who look like humans. There are such huge conflicts between the two; but some cross over to the others' "side." And then there is the discussion of what it "means" to be human, as well as the discussion about why humans deserve to live. They kill each other, are evil and mean to one another; why shouldn't they be wiped out, with a new, less violent entity in it's place? Do we humans deserve to live, when we dont' even take care of our own? Our own children, our fellow humans, our environment?

That's probably for another thread.

*EDITED BY CULLENFAN 5-26-08*

I still haven't decided whether I can say I loved The Host or not. It is kind of wierd. I finished reading it Saturday afternoon. However, I'm still thinking about it and the ending. Whether it was the right thing to do (don't get me wrong, I did like it). I think the fact that I'm still thinking about it and would like to see a sequel to find out how the characters continue to develop answers my question for me. I really liked what you said, lorijds
I agree. There is definitely something different in the way the books are written, and it isn't just the audience. The Host leaves you thinking about humanity, morals, right and wrong...somthing that I didn't really do with Twilight books (or at least not in the same way).

There's been quite a few negative remarks about Jared. I love Jared! The fact that he remains true to Melanie despite conflicting emotions toward Wanderer speaks of how deep and abiding his love for Melanie is. He is there to represent and defend her best interest when she can't do it. (It sort of reminds me of a hospital/medical situation when the patient can't speak for themselves and someone else is responsible for making decisions for them.) Even though he comes to really care for Wanderer in a different way, he stands firm in what is best for Melanie. To me that is true love!

Wanderer, Melanie, Jamie and Ian are all fabulous characters too! Each of their personalities is so realistic. Melanie's strength, capabilities and confidence are very admirable. She's a fighter, and I like that. Wanderer's absolute goodness is inspiring.

Kudos to Stephenie for her resolution. I had a hard time with the book initially because I couldn't see how Stephenie could craft a conclusion that would make all of the characters happy. It was so depressing and frustrating! I kept thinking that someone was going to have to lose out.

Did anyone else cry a ton while reading The Host? Wow, it brought out so much emotion for me!

I still favor the Twilight series (the "first love" excitement and sexual tension are just awesome!), but The Host was a great read for different reasons. It is so thought-provoking that I'm going to continue to reflect on it for a while and then re-read.

***Spoiler Alert*** I don't mind Wanda's new, less robust body. Ian is such a protector that it almost seems fitting. I do feel bad that she can't physically do all of the things that she would like to, for example like what she feels is her share of the physical work. Of course, her other abilities contribute more than enough. Just because she's "wimpy" doesn't mean she isn't a vital part of the community.

Last thought: "Wanderer" is a great name but I don't care for "Wanda" at all! (Could have something to do with a former employer of mine with the same name who was sort of crazy...) "Wanda" makes me think of someone much older than Ian and Jared, which is sort of gross in the make-out scenes!

All in all, a great book with a great storyline. Makes you wonder what Stephenie will deliver next! She is truly gifted.

It is so much fun to read everyone's opinions of the book! You guys rock!

Whenever I think of "Wanda" I think of A Fish Called Wanda, one my favorite movies of all time. But Wanderer's personality really doesn't fit that so well, pretty much exactly opposite!

Although this book is going very slow for me I do really like it. I am not at the LOVE level just yet, but I believe I will get there. Right now I am half-way through the book so I will check back in when I am finished.
I am just trying to put it all together and gather my thoughts and feelings on the characters and the story itself. This will definately require a 2nd read!

For me things really started to change at page 210.

I just finish reading it last night well actually this morning at 1 am, I absolutely love this book. I've heard of ppl having a hard time with the firsts chapters so I expected to also have hard time getting into the story but not that wasn't an issue with me I was hooked from the first page it took me 7 hours to finish this book from cover to cover. Even after finishing it I was left pondering alot of things from the book mostly Ian and Wanda's love and if something like that were to happen for reals what side I would be on. In all honesty at the beginning of the book I hated wanda's guts and all the souls hated them I wanted them all annihilated but the more I read the more I fell in love with wanda the more I cared about her, by the end I bawl my eyes out when they were going to extract her. I loved the end.

I finished reading this book a couple weeks ago and have re-read parts of it. I thought is was a very good book; however, I agree with those of you who say it's no Twilight.

I had reconciled myself to the fact that Wanderer would cease to exist, so I was happily suprised when the humans saved her. The only problem I had is that they took another soul who seemed happy with her life and had loved ones on earth and shipped her off. I thought that was cruel.

I also agree that they should have given Wanderer a sturdier body. After all she's been through, she is obviously quite a tough personality when she needs to be.

I agree with whomever said that they wish Melanie was older. I was hoping this book would be about an adult, as in over 25 at least.

Other than that, I thought it was a creative book that gave me a lot of food for thought.

Today I had several conversations with a variety of women who have read both TW series and now the Host. I discovered something really interesting in their responses:
In every case, the women who thought Twilight was 'OK' were the women that LOVED the Host! (one has read it 7 times already)
...The women who found Bella to be weak, found the characteristics of Wanderer/Melanie to be completely entrancing.
...Those who felt Edward is too possessive/stalkerish are enamoured with Ian.
... The women who are "Team Jacob" seemed to like the Host more than the "Team Edward" women
... They have already read the Host more than once

Conversely, the women that are Twilight fanatics, and especially those that dream of Edward, responded more like SouthernBella quoted above.
. . . Really liked the book, but were able to put it down (unlike TW)
. . . Never felt really 'hooked' or romanticized by the characters
. . . Found it more difficult a read, but were very satisfied in the end.
. . . Read the Host once and enjoy SM's writing style

Anyone else found this to be so?

I'm only on chapter 7 of the Host. I have had it for a few weeks, but I keep finding I put it down and move back into Edward world <sigh>

I have heard that once you hit Chatpter 8(ish) then the plot picks up an disn't so confusing? Is that correct?