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First Look at Stephenie Meyer’s “The Host”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stephenie Meyer’s new novel “The Host” is due to hit bookstores next week, and I know from experience there are some serious Meyer fans out there who sometimes stop by this blog. I got an advance review copy of the novel, and my review will run in our Sunday Arts & Book section on May 11.
But I wanted to give her fans the advance work - it was more than I had hoped for. I’m not as big a fan as some of her “Twilight” series of young adult novels — a swoony saga of forbidden love between a handsome, noble vampire and a high-school girl — but I get why they appeal to so many women.
“The Host” is Meyer’s first novel aimed at adults, but really, it’s a lot like “Twilight.” It’s very emotional, well-told but not all that sophisticated stylistically, and creates a few great characters who carry the narrative. In this case it’s Wanderer, an alien who is part of an invading force taking over the earth. It’s like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” from the point of view of the Body Snatchers. And of course, because it’s by Meyer, it’s a romance.
At more than 600 pages, there were times when I thought the story was treading water and wanted it to get to it. But the last 100 pages were a blast, and made me forget my earlier impatience.
“The Host” straddles two genres of fiction that don’t always get a lot of respect: science fiction and romance. Fans of both genres know, though, that the better examples of each deal with what even the highest reaches of literature always aspire to: Exploring what it means to be human.
I could go on, but since no else has read it, I don’t want to risk too many spoilers.
Are there any Meyer fans out there who are approaching the release of “The Host” next week like Harry Potter fans used to anticipate those books? Making plans to buy an early copy, maybe take off work or unplug the phone?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Books
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By Books-A-Million
July 3, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Books-A-Million is hosting THE party of the Summer for all Twilight fans. Celebrate the midnight release of Breaking Dawn with Twilight trivia contests, costume contests, prizes, and much more! Party starts at 10pm on Friday, August 1st. Visit you local Books-A-Million to pre-purchase the book today and be the first in line to get Breaking Dawn at midnight, you won’t get it anywhere else faster!
By Books-A-Million
July 3, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Books-A-Million is hosting THE party of the Summer for all Twilight fans. Celebrate the midnight release of Breaking Dawn with Twilight trivia contests, costume contests, prizes, and much more! Party starts at 10pm on Friday, August 1st. Visit you local Books-A-Million to pre-purchase the book today and be the first in line to get Breaking Dawn at midnight, you won’t get it anywhere else faster!