You've heard about this, right?
Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.
When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
So if you haven't read this yet and are hung up because it's by the Twilight author, I highly recommend you give it a shot. The Host is its own thing with a slightly more adult feel to it (no proms or cafeteria scenes). It's got that classic emotional artistry that made Twilight famous but a much more otherworldly feel, fitting because its main character is an alien. If you've never read a benevolent invasion story (this was my first intro to the concept), you'll find this philosophically stimulating. But if you're all about car chases, near death experiences, and survival skills, there's plenty for you, as well. And, of course, if you loved the intense romantic drama in Twilight, you'll get swept up in Melanie/Jared/Wanderer's emotional upsets, too.
Why am I writing about a book that came out in 2008?
Because it's gonna be a film, baby! Yes, I'm excited! You should be, too! The director of freaking GATTACA has written the script and is currently slated to direct, too. Filming will start early 2012 and we'll have this film in local theatres by March 29, 2013. So yeah, I'm excited. It's one of those books with such cinematic style you can't help but visualize the film while you're reading. So I almost feel like I've already seen the movie because I can picture a Soul extraction down to the last glowing white tendril.
If you haven't read The Host yet, you're lucky. I'd love to be reading it for the first time with only a year and nine months to wait for the film. That's how I came to the Twilight series and it's always nice to have a shorter wait. :)
Are you a fan?
p.s. If you haven't seen Gattaca, that's what Netflix is for, and that's your assignment this weekend.
p.p.s.
Operation Awesome will have a Mystery Agent contest July 1st. It's a one-sentence pitch contest with entry limit 50. Your manuscript must be complete and our M.A. has specifically asked for these genres:
(YA and MG: southern gothic, historical fiction, magical realism, science fiction, supernatural/ paranormal, ghost stories, humor, fantasy, thriller/ suspense, edgy YA, friendship MG)
