Yesterday, I’ve finally finished reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Well, if you don’t know her, don’t tell me that you don’t know the Twilight Saga. It’s an incredibly popular saga that fascinates readers from around the globe, especially the teenage girls (especially in USA).
I haven’t read the saga since it’s a saga. There are four volumes, and each of them are THICK. No doubt they are expensives and take much time. And it’s a saga so that you can’t just read one of them—you have to read ALL of them. So even though I really love Buffy the Vampire Slayer (it was a very popular TV show in the USA—makes me wonder if they really adore vampires that much), I’m not eager to read the saga. There are too many factors to be considered.
Then I saw this new title—The Host. The synopsys in the back cover tickled me.
Melanie Stryder refused to fade away.
Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy that takes over the minds of human hosts. Most of humanity has succumbed. When Melanie—one of the last remaining humans—is captured, she is certain it is her end.
An alien invasion? That is cool. Takes over the minds of human hosts? That is awesome. It reminded me of my favourite serial when I was young—Animorphs by K.A. Applegate. It’s about five teenagers fighting against a similar alien invasion. It’s full of action and the characters are so lively. I was hoping to taste it again in The Host. That’s why I decided to dig in my purse and bought it.
As I told you, I haven’t read the Twilight Saga at all. I didn’t know that Meyer is very melancholic. She explores her characters’ emotions deeply. It’s good. Really. But in the end, that’s what it’s all about. No hunting. No shooting. No fighting. NO ACTION. The aliens are souls and they are mild. They’re even afraid of any kind of violence. They are honest and kindhearted.
In the middle of reading, I felt like Man, it’s boring. No hearbeating. No adrenaline rushing. The story flowed so slowly. The characters moved only in very small scope. When will you guys save this world? When will you send those aliens back to their home? There was no clue. I was heartbroken. I stopped reading it for a few days, but then I continued reading it. I’ve bought it after all.
As I read it, I realized that Meyer’s strenght is not action. It’s the way she told us about universal values of life. The story is not black and white. Meyer guided us to see from the eyes of both humans and aliens. She also showed us that among them there are friendship, trust, approval, even love.
Yes, love. That’s why the Twilight Saga drives people crazy, isn’t it? The Host will not disappoint you if this is what you’re looking for. There were complicated loves—beyond your expectations. This love grew unexpectedly, craved upon your heart, and there is no way you can explain it. But if you’re looking for some actions, forget it.
My conclusion is, it’s not that bad. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel—if there will be any. But I hope there will be more action in it. Cheers =)
