I Love Ian O'Shea

The Host: A Novel

Stephenie Meyer

I finished The Host and I really loved it. Ian was my favorite character. The way he interacts with Wanderer is great. The story was a slow starter but once it picked up it was really interesting. The love triangle gets a bit complicated but it's good. I didn't see the ending coming, maybe I'm dense but I just couldn't tell where she would take it. I feel like I'm jumping all over.

*takes a deep breath*

The beginning was really hard to get through. It's painfully boring for the first 100 pages. Wanderer/Wanda is so self sacrificing that there are times where you want to burn the book. BUT the interactions of the people are really interesting and you see the way a community is divided by this alien being. She illustrates the mass hysteria of fear really well and I have to say that she isn't afraid of brutality in this book.

Ian O'Shea is a real interesting character. When you first meet him he is committing the ultimate act of vengeance and fear and yet he's the first to see reason and ultimately the best character in the entire book. This man rivals Edward Cullen as being seductive and endearing.

Jamie, Jeb, Melanie, Jared and Kyle are all clearly defined and pivotal. Meyer varies the character in this book a bit more than she does in the Twilight Saga. Or atleast I think she does. Jeb is lovable and steadfast a real patriarch. Jamie is hope and love and after Ian, he's one of the most likable characters. I didn't like Jared but I got his character. I think he is the embodiment of the survival instinct. He's not very embracing or endearing but he's a great foil for Ian. Melanie is truly the spirit of willpower. She is not as compassionate as Wanderer but she is likable all the same. And Kyle is the perfect example of fear and the power of prejudice.

I think I will reread this book multiple times and I do hope that she writes a sequel.