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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1656001.The_Host_A_Novel?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Host: A Novel" border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1188413807m/1656001.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1656001.The_Host_A_Novel?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">The Host: A Novel</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/941441.Stephenie_Meyer">Stephenie Meyer</a> 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/20699617?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a>
 rating: 4 of 5 stars Wow, this book was pretty incredible.
 I loved it.
 
 My review is very much religious, and I think that it's safe to say, as Stephenie Meyer shares my beliefs, and even if she didn't, what I remembered of principles of Mormon doctrine & the plan of salvation as I read, make this book so much greater than the story itself, superficially. I love books that cause me to contemplate things of an eternal nature, this was one of them.
 I think what makes this book so relate-able is that it's about humanity.
 
 It helped me to think about so many incredible things, one of which stood out among all. The great power and blessing of love; and what it means to be human, the blessing that it is, and the not so beautiful truth of limitations and shortcomings during our time here on earth.
 
 Things, principles really, that I kept thinking about were:
 opposition in all things
 the love of the Savior, how we can emulate it
 the types and ways love is gained
 the struggle with our natural appetites and what we want to become
 the love and relationship of a mother(figure/motherhood) and child
 
 The relationship between Wanderer and Melanie was interesting, it was obvious that they were total opposites of a spectrum and that they both had admirable qualities. Melanie's strength and love and Wanderer's gracious compassion, which emulated someone I will always strive to be like. It was fitting that they were one person, I think everyone can be on either spectrum at times.
 
 It was intriguing because I saw it as our own relationship/struggle between the natural man and our spirits, specifically what we may become as we learn to swallow our inherently worldly and selfish will in the Savior's, ever trying to be more like Him in charity, compassion and obedience.
 
 The greatest sacrifice any of us can give is our own lives. Wanderer's willingness to give that up because of her love for her "sister" was a powerful example of sacrifice.
 
 I loved the character of Jamie, the love of a child is so pure and unconditional. I liked how the need to mother was explained as a physical yearning, it hit home.
 
 There's so much more about this book that I loved, this really is only a smidgen with bits and pieces. I don't usually write reviews of books, and I feel if I did it would just be a bunch of ramblings with little sense anyway, like this!
 
 It was fun with the love story and suspense, so many mini-climaxes and intense happenings! Like with Stephenie's other books, she's meticulous in detail, which I love. It makes the book that much more real and sound. Even if it does take a bit to get going, which I really thought it was engaging from the beginning (no matter how confused I was for the first few chapters, all that alien jargin!) 
 A few ppl I talked to thought it was slow going at the start, but it was necessary, lots of background info needed I guess. I love the quality of phrasing, or rather, the small details that may at first be something insignificant, but then later become something important. It makes you want to remember every detail in case later you realize you missed something! It's like creating a tapestry of sorts.
 
 Compared to her Twilight series, I liked The Host better. Twilight was fun and I loved it, don't get me wrong. I'm excited for Breaking Dawn - go Edward! But The Host was more fulfilling in that it left me with a will to change something about myself and really got me thinking about eternal principles, like I said before.
 
 Of course there were some parts where I laughed because it was a little corny, but doesn't everyone enjoy corn once in a while? :) Unless of course, you're allergic.
 I did think that the Seeker thing was going to be a bigger deal, and that the secret she "kept" was much more climactic, but it was still great.
 
 One more thing, I'm happy Ian and Wanderer ended up together, they were perfect for one another and the body they got for her fit well too. Such an outward representation of her personality, except for the shyness, giddiness and youth. 
 I was a little scared that the book would end like those "human stories" with a sad ending, even if it would have been poetic(Boo). But I liked how it ended, without a definitive "end", and hope.
 
 It was a great book.
 I may not get AJ to read the Twilight series, but I think I could get him to read this one, especially since Glenn Beck read it and gave SM and The Host such high regard! Look it up on youtube. :)
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/828540?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>

Jen's review
rating:
recommended for: everyone

** spoiler alert ** Wow, this book was pretty incredible.
I loved it.

My review is very much religious, and I think that it's safe to say, as Stephenie Meyer shares my beliefs, and even if she didn't, what I remembered of principles of Mormon doctrine & the plan of salvation as I read, make this book so much greater than the story itself, superficially. I love books that cause me to contemplate things of an eternal nature, this was one of them.
I think what makes this book so relate-able is that it's about humanity.

It helped me to think about so many incredible things, one of which stood out among all. The great power and blessing of love; and what it means to be human, the blessing that it is, and the not so beautiful truth of limitations and shortcomings during our time here on earth.

Things, principles really, that I kept thinking about were:
opposition in all things
the love of the Savior, how we can emulate it
the types and ways love is gained
the struggle with our natural appeti...more

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message 1: by Jaycee

05/24/2008 10:35PM

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