The Host

Stephenie Meyer has done it again - The Host is a great science fiction novel. For a fairly new writer she has started at the top, first with the Twilight series and now this.

Earth has been invaded by a species who call themselves
"souls." To humans they are like shiny metallic centipedes - small enough to look harmless. But when they are inserted into the human brain stem, the souls take over the human bodies - forcing the existing personality away.

Melanie Stryder is one of the humans who has hidden out and avoided getting caught by the seekers. When she sees her cousin in a news clip about Chicago, she is compelled to find out if she is alright. But once she gets to Chicago she is caught by a seeker. Seekers are the only aliens who show any aggression - their job is to find the remaining native species - humans on Earth - and uses the bodies as hosts for the souls.

Wanderer is a soul who has lived on more planets than any other soul, hence the name. Now that she has come to Earth, her request to be placed in an adult female has landed her in Melanie's body. But Melanie refuses to leave.

Can two beings exist in one body? How will the influence of Melanie and her human memories affect Wanderer? Melanie will never give up trying to find her brother Jamie and the love of her life, Jared. Wanderer will have to face a species that even she is not completely prepared for. Writen from the first persons of Melanie and Wanderer, this internal struggle within the larger human struggle for survival is a thought provoking look at what makes us human and where the soul fits in that dynamic.

The Host is the best science fiction I have read in a while. It reminds me of the genius of Nicola Griffith or Kelley Eskridge (without the lesbian parts).

Meyer, Stephenie. (2008). The Host. New York: Little, Brown and Co.

Eclipse (Twilight series #3)

Eclipse is the third book in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer.

In the third installment of the series, Bella has to choose between Edward and Jacob. They are both in love with her and she loves them both. What makes this decision more intense than some love triangles, she will be choosing between a vampire and a werewolf.

Again, I really can't say much without including spoilers, which I do not want to do. This is an exciting, well thought out series that is addicting. I cannot wait for the fourth book!

Meyer, Stephenie. (2007). Eclipse. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

New Moon (Twilight series #2)

New Moon is the second book in the Twilight trilogy by Stephenie Meyer.

Bella is just as klutzy as ever and it soon puts her in an awkward situation with Edward and his family. Although they all care about her, they are not completely immune to the lure of human blood. They are vampires after all.

The story between Bella and the Cullens continues and Bella reconnects with her friend Jacob.

I really can't say much without fear that I will accidentally add a spoiler. So just read it. If you like the first you will like this one, too.

Meyer, Stephenie. (2006). New Moon. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Twilight (Twilight #1)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is the first in the Twilight series. This is the first vampire book I have ever enjoyed.

Bella is moving to Forks, WA to live with her father. She is seventeen and moving in with him for the first time. She is not excited about moving to the darkest, rainiest place in the States.
She quickly makes new friends and starts to acclimate to everything but the weather. The weather she will never like compared to the bright hot sun of Phoenix.

Bella notices Edward and his siblings do not mix with the other students. They always sit by themselves at lunch and only talk to each other. But Bella sits next to Edward in her science class.

Soon they start to talk. Then her father's friend, a Quileute, tells of a legend of the cold ones who live off of drinking blood. Once Bella hears this, many things fall into place about Edward. But it doesn't scare her off. In fact, she is more intrigued than ever.

Meyer, Stephenie. (2005). Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Company.