The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer

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Description

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by an alien species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges... read more

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis

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Summary

Melanie Stryder is one of few "wild" humans - rebels who have evaded the alien souls that have taken over the Earth. With her younger brother Jamie and the man she loves, Jared Howe, Mel is on the run from souls who hunt down host bodies for use. Souls are creatures that rely... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Cast of Characters

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Wanderer (aka Wanda): The main character. She soul who takes over Melanie's body.
Melanie Stryder (aka Mel): The voice back in Wanderer's head..Jamie's sister and Jared's lover
Ian O'Shea: Brother to Kyle and in love with Wanda
Kyle O'Shea: Who hates Souls and tries to kill Wanda.
Jared Howe: Melanie's lover
Jamie Stryder: Melanie's little precious brother
Uncle Jebediah: the 'mayor' of the community and melanie's uncle
Doc: who helps Wanda to save the other human's body and sharon's lover
The Seeker: hunts humans
Magnolia (aka Maggie): melanie's aunt that resents souls
Sharon: melanie's cousin and magnolia's daughter and doc's lover

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Memorable Quotes

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“That's not true at all. It's not the face, but the expressions on it. It's not the voice, but what they say. It's not how you look like in that body, it's what you do with it. You are beautiful.”
Ian
“You never know how much time you'll have.”
Melanie
“I held you in my hand, Wanderer. And you were so beautiful.”
Ian O'Shea
“"The best four letter word in the world is Hope."”
“"'Wanda?' Kyle said. 'Yes?' 'I'm sorry.' 'Um . . . why?' 'For trying to kill you,' he said casually. 'Guess I was wrong.' Ian gasped. 'Please tell me you have some kind of recording device available, Doc.' 'Nope. Sorry, Ian.' Ian shook his head. 'This moment should be preserved. I never thought I'd live to see the day that Kyle O'Shea would admit to being wrong. C'mon, Jodi. That ought to shock you awake.'"”
Ian and Kyle
“" you.will.not.leave.me"”
Ian
“"Ian looked at me for a long minute, then turned to scowl at Jared. He barked out each sentence like an order."Her name is Wanda, not it. You will not touch her. Any mark you leave on her, I will double on your worthless hide.”
Ian
“"Jared lunged forward, away from me. With a loud smacking sound, his fist hit Kyle's face...."Um," Doc said in a mild voice, "medically speaking, I'm not sure that was the most helpful thing for his condition."”
Jared
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Setting & Important Places

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Organizations

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First Sentence

I knew it would begin with the end, and the end would look like death to these eyes.

Prologue-Inserted
1-Remembered
2-Overheard
3-Resisted
4-Dreamed
5-Uncomforted
6-Followed
7-Confronted
8-Loved
9-Discovered
10-Turned
11-Dehydrated
12-Failed
13-Sentenced
14-Disputed
15-Guarded
16-Assigned
17-Visited
18-Bored
19-Abandoned
20-Freed
21-Named
22-Cracked
23-Confessed
24-Tolerated
25-Compelled
26-Returned
27-Undecided
28-Unenlightened
29-Betrayed
30-Abbreviated
31-Needed
32-Ambushed
33-Doubted
34-Buried
35-Tried
36-Believed
37-Wanted
38-Touched
39-Worried
40-Horrified
41-Vanished
42-Forced
43-Frenzied
44-Healed
45-Succeeded
46-Encircled
47-Employed
48-Detained
49-Interrogated
50-Sacrificed
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