Cover of The Host

Science fiction · Romance · Young adult

The Host

3.6 out of 5, from 848 ratings from Hardcover readers

Earth has been taken over by gentle alien souls who live inside human bodies. Wanderer is placed in the body of Melanie, a rebel who refuses to fade, and the two women's shared love for the same man complicates everything.

Facts last checked 2026-10-17

First published
2008
Pace
Medium
Length
Long
Pages
619
Format
Standalone

Read this if you like romance-heavy science fiction with a moral question at its heart.

Skip this if you want hard science fiction or a quick pace, since the book is long and slow in places.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Violence

Quick answers about The Host

What is The Host about?
Earth has been taken over by gentle alien souls who live inside human bodies. Wanderer is placed in the body of Melanie, a rebel who refuses to fade, and the two women's shared love for the same man complicates everything.
Who should read The Host?
Read it if you like romance-heavy science fiction with a moral question at its heart. Skip it if you want hard science fiction or a quick pace, since the book is long and slow in places.
How long and how fast is The Host?
It is a medium-paced, long read of about 619 pages, first published in 2008.
Does The Host have content warnings?
Content we flag: Violence.
Can I borrow The Host for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Host; the borrow button above searches it for you.

Where to get it

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