"The Host" is actually a good book, and, after reading the book for a second time, I stand by that statement. Stephenie Meyer is not the best writer that the world has seen, but she's improved from "Twilight." The plot is interesting; while romance does play a huge factor, the world she develops is detailed and explored instead of being shoved to the side for romance. Most of the characters are well-rounded: Wanda and Melanie are not Mary Sues, and Ian O'Shea is a much better romantic interest than Edward Cullen or Jacob Black will ever be. Jared Howe is the largest red flag for me; he still comes off as a jerk even when he realizes Wanderer's worth and treats her as more than just an alien. Otherwise, some of the prose is quite nice, and at times Meyer does shine as a writer. There are a few hiccups, but nothing too blaring to disrupt the flow or make a reader question what's happening.
I'm sad that the stigma of "Twilight" casts a negative shadow on this book, and that it received a poor film adaptation. The acting is, for the most part, pretty good. Jake Abel as Ian is incredible, another statement I will defend. Saoirse Ronan, whom I have been a fan of since "Atonement," does make a great Wanderer, except her Melanie was lacking (I chalk this up more to Max Irons as Jared and their lack of chemistry, though). It's the screenplay that really hinders the movie: it focuses too much on the Seeker, and makes significant changes to important events that made the book all the more fascinating.
Excellent Book, Dud of a Movie
"The Host" is actually a good book, and, after reading the book for a second time, I stand by that statement. Stephenie Meyer is not the best writer that the world has seen, but she's improved from "Twilight." The plot is interesting; while romance does play a huge factor, the world she develops is detailed and explored instead of being shoved to the side for romance. Most of the characters are well-rounded: Wanda and Melanie are not Mary Sues, and Ian O'Shea is a much better romantic interest than Edward Cullen or Jacob Black will ever be. Jared Howe is the largest red flag for me; he still comes off as a jerk even when he realizes Wanderer's worth and treats her as more than just an alien. Otherwise, some of the prose is quite nice, and at times Meyer does shine as a writer. There are a few hiccups, but nothing too blaring to disrupt the flow or make a reader question what's happening.
I'm sad that the stigma of "Twilight" casts a negative shadow on this book, and that it received a poor film adaptation. The acting is, for the most part, pretty good. Jake Abel as Ian is incredible, another statement I will defend. Saoirse Ronan, whom I have been a fan of since "Atonement," does make a great Wanderer, except her Melanie was lacking (I chalk this up more to Max Irons as Jared and their lack of chemistry, though). It's the screenplay that really hinders the movie: it focuses too much on the Seeker, and makes significant changes to important events that made the book all the more fascinating.