Re-read: Chapter Four- Dreamed

"One sound and you die..."

Melanie lays low in the bushes as she waits for a couple to vacate their home for the evening. When the "monsters" (32) finally leave, she hurries into the house, collecting food for her and her brother Jamie. As she leaves, a dark figure on the patio catches her attention. Though she tries to make a run for it, the figure tackles her and the two scuffle to the ground.

"Feisty for a peace-loving body snatcher, aren't you?" (33).

Both mistakenly take each other for occupied hosts, but as the man feels around Melanie's neck, he realizes she is still human. Before she knows it, he crashes his lips to hers and she knees him in retaliation. As she takes off running, the man follows her until he tackles her once more. He urges her to look at his eyes as he shines a light at them to prove he has not been invaded by a soul. The man, who introduces himself as Jared Howe, apologizes for his reaction since he has not had contact with another human for more than two years. Before Melanie can take off again, Jared offers her a ride back to her brother and kisses her once more.

Wanderer wakes from her sleep, unsure if what she just experienced was another restless dream, or a memory. Getting off the bed, she goes to her computer and sends the Seeker a message:

"There was another human with my host, Melanie Stryder. His name is Jamie Stryder; he is her brother." (38)

As Wanderer sends off her message, Melanie's voice pierces the silence: "Not Jamie!" (39) Once more, she feels Melanie's presence and fights against her. Disappointment seeps through Wanderer as she realizes this short exchange with the host means another meeting with her Comforter.

"There was no doubt that she was getting stronger." (39) 

Questions? Comments? Sound off below!

From Stephenie Meyer's playlist:
"Papercut"- Linkin Park (Chapter 4, page 39)

First Behind the Scenes Look with Extras

*Photo removed

Source

Actor Stephen Rider Tweets About His Role as Seeker Reed

Rider is currently starring in Safe House.

Re-read: Chapter Three- Resisted

"Her name was Melanie Stryder."

As Wanderer awakens, she immediately addresses her concern for the state of the host and the Seeker's unbridled need for information. She also finds it challenging to restrain her emotions, letting anger seep through her words as she converses with the Seeker. Though it is preferable to bind a soul to an immature host, but because of Wanderer's preference and the information they seek, it was imperative that she be placed in an adult host. 

Wanderer also learns of a fellow soul who experienced a similar resistance concerning its host. Earth was only the soul's second life and he was inserted into a man named Kevin. Unbeknownst to the soul, Kevin did not simply fade away, even showing himself in the soul's preference for the human's mechanical work over his musical performance Calling. Kevin eventually overtook the soul and attacked a Healer while trying to extract the soul from his body. The soul was relocated to a younger body and with the host in "poor repair...it was decided there wasn't much point in saving him" (27). 

Though Wanderer expresses anger over Kevin's hidden story, she begins to relay information about the host to the Seeker. Wanderer's host is one Melanie Stryder from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Wanderer is also able to recount Melanie's journey to Chicago and her motive for the risky journey. Melanie was meant to rendezvous with..., but Wanderer is momentarily blocked from the information. 

"Did they find Sharon?" (29) 

It is Wanderer who asks this question, but the curiosity is not hers. Once again, memories flood through her mind and she is able to move past the previous block towards the information the Seeker desires. As Wanderer discovers more about the rendezvous' timetable, the host becomes "almost...smug" (30) as it dawns on both of them that the waiting party is momentarily out of danger. 

"Jared is safe." (30)

In the novel, the Seeker is described as being "a darkness in a bright room" (24). She is small in stature, olive toned, and covered in black from her hair to her feet...and in walks actress Diane Kruger. What are your thoughts on this character's casting? Are matching looks from page to screen important to you (in general/ in this instance) or do you put your faith in the actor's ability to channel the character in their own way?

Addition questions and comments? Leave them below. 

Anyone else REALLY excited for the next chapter? Until then...

Open Road Films Includes 'The Host' Among Their 'Coming Soon' Projects

The Host is now featured in the 'Coming Soon' section of Open Road Films' site. Filming dates/locations and cast members are included, but no new information is revealed. The page also includes the movie's synopsis:

THE HOST, published in 2008, was Stephenie Meyer’s highly anticipated follow-up to the wildly popular and acclaimed Twilight series. The book was #1 on The New York Times Bestseller List for 26 weeks and continues to be an international phenomenon.

THE HOST is a riveting story about the survival of love and the human spirit in a time of war. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact. Most of humanity has succumbed. When Melanie (Saoirse Ronan), 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.

When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

Source via The Host Movie News

'The Host' is Now on Facebook- Along with the First Title Treatment

The Host has arrived on Facebook in a big way by offering fans the opportunity to be part of the movie's first trailer.

Fans are also privy to the first title treatment for the upcoming movie.

Head on over to Facebook and "like" The Host (MOVIE) for contest rules and to keep up on all the latest news.

'The Host' Trailer Contest

Want to be part of The Host? Well, here's your chance. Open Roads Films is holding a contest for fans to be featured in the movie's first trailer!

Head on over to Facebook and "like" The Host (MOVIE) for all the details, rules, and regulations. The contest runs from now till February 22nd.

Producer Nick Wechsler Tweets About the First Day of Production

Producer Nick Wechsler took to twitter to announce the commencement of filming on The Host.

First day of production on #TheHost...Complete! Here's to lots more movie magic to come.

You can follow @nwprods for more updates. Author/Producer Stephenie Meyer also provided fans with a few updates over the weekend.

Now that filming has officially begun, what are you looking forward to the most? A look at the caves, soundtrack listing, or Ian's famous line?

Re-read: Chapter Two- Overheard

“I’m afraid it’s too much for her…”

As the Soul rests, adjusting to the new body, she overhears the Healer and Seeker engrossed in a verbal battle. They argue over the means by which the Seeker sought out the Host and question if she is part of a larger rebel group. The pair also discusses the turmoil and tremendous amount of pain the Soul, called Wanderer, must suffer as a means to acquire the desired information. The Healer, by his very nature, is focused on Wanderer’s comfort, while the Seeker is anxious to begin the next phase of her mission.

Within their conversation, the Healer and Seeker lay out the current state of the world and its once human population. The Souls, as they are called on Earth, outnumber the humans by more than a million to one. Though there are remaining pockets of evading humans, Wanderer recalls what she has been told of the once tumultuous planet: “As was the way of the soul, harmony was universal now” (18).

Souls, as is their nature, can only speak the truth. Though some, such as the Seekers, may need to bend this truth as required by their Calling, there is rarely a reason for Souls to lie to one another. Among the Souls, stories of a new planet, Earth, spread, including those of human Hosts possessing enough strength to overcome the invading Soul. 

Wanderer admires the Healer for allowing her the time to adjust to her new body, but, in spite of her slight recoil from the Seeker, she is willing to aid her mission. Though she wishes to fulfill her duty, she pauses a moment, afraid the violent memories she must encounter and of the voice she heard in her head. With a breath, Wanderer delves into the memories: a stolen car, the Chicago streets, her cousin Sharon…

“I hit a wall.” (20)

In an uncharacteristic fashion, the Soul feels anger at the mental block. The machines in the room register her awakening and as the Seeker approaches she welcomes Wanderer to Earth. 

Stephenie Meyer Updates Her Site with Exciting 'Host' Updates- Including Casting News

After a long period of radio silence, Host author Stephenie Meyer brings exciting news for all us fans on her site.

Meyer on the start of production:

The Host begins filming this coming Monday the thirteenth, and I am so excited. It's somewhat of a dream to have the creator and director of my favorite sci-fi film (Gattaca) helming this movie. I love the script he's written, I love his beautiful vision, and I love working with him.

On William Hurt's Jeb beard:

Just the other day I got to meet William Hurt (!!) in full Jeb beard and hair, and it kind of choked me up. He looks amazing—they all look amazing!—and I can't wait to see them in action next week.

Titanic star Frances Fisher joins the cast:

Welcome, Frances, I couldn't be happier that you've chosen to join us!

Meyer on the sets:

It's massive and beautiful, and walking around inside is like walking around inside my imagination.

A little tease for fans:

Check back to this page soonish, as I will have some very exciting news to share about upcoming chance for you to get involved with The Host. Stay tuned!

Read the entire update here.

Can I get a collective "OMG!!"?

Re-read: Chapter One- Remembered

"Not the body, my body."

The Soul awakens, already aware of the onslaught of memories to come. Though she knew "the end would look like death" (9) to the Host's eyes, she was not prepared for the barbarity of these final moments.

"I've failed" (10). Shocked to hear a voice that is not her own, the Soul is quick to realize she may not have complete control over this new body. The Host's memories come rolling through: the shouts of the Seekers, the possibility of failure, and the determination to not let them win.

As the memories appear, the Soul also catches a glimpse of a young man. She responds to this one pleasant memory: "I knew nothing of what passed for beauty among these strangers, and yet I knew that this face was beautiful" (13). As soon as the Soul confesses this, the Host squelches the train of thought with a possessive, "Mine" (13).

  
Though one could assume the Soul and Host have similar sounding voices, as I read the novel, their voices were individual and distinct. Did anyone else experience this throughout the novel? It will be interesting to see how they handle these internal conversations and memories in the movie.

Questions? Comments? Just leave them below. You can find previous re-read posts here.

From Stephenie Meyer's playlist:
"Soul Meets Body"- Death Cab for Cutie (Chapter 1, page 9)

Max Irons Talks 'Host' Workout Regime

T.T.: Now you’re about to star in your second movie, “The Host.” How are you getting in shape for your role?

M.I.: The most effective part of my workout has been interval runs. That is where you power-up the treadmill and run as fast as you can for about six to ten seconds. Then you slow down for about 24 seconds, still keeping your heart rate up. You do this for a total of 10–15 minutes, depending on how conditioned you are. If you do it with the proper form, you’ll get a great overall workout, strengthen your heart and burn some calories. It’s intense.

T.T.: Have you been watching your diet?

M.I.: Right now I am eating mostly protein and vegetables. It’s so hard giving up carbs. I love all of them — bread, pasta and especially pizza!

Read the entire interview here.
Photo: Tina Turnbow