Re-read: Chapter Seventeen- Visited

"Bunch of gossipmongers..."

The heat and steam coming from the river and stream hit Wanderer as she enters the room. Jeb warns her about the strong current in the hot spring, which carried someone away before. He also points out the area for bathing and the latrine, leaving her to her business. Meeting back up with Jeb, she listens as he recalls how beneficial the caves have been to the groups survival. Maggie and Sharon were doing well enough by themselves in Chicago, but it was difficult to hide two like that for long. He also apologizes for her accommodations, but he could not think of a safer place to hide her from Kyle and the others. Wanderer pats his elbow lightly at his words, conveying her understanding.

Walking back to her cave, Wanderer wondered if Jared would be there waiting for her. Sure enough, she spotted a figure and panic raced through her. On further inspection, the figure was too small to be Jared and Wanderer pieced together who it was before her. Jeb exclaims that no one can keep a secret, but Wanderer stands frozen at the sight of Jamie. Wanderer can feels Melanie coming forward, but pushes her back as she takes in the situation.

"Jeb," is the only word that comes from Jamie and the deepness of his voice surprises her and has a moment of guilt when she realizes his fourteenth birthday has passed. Jamie wonders why he was not told about his sister's return and condition and insists that he would like to talk "with her...with it" (165). Jeb agrees, sitting silently as Jamie appraises the situation.

"You're not Melanie." (166)

Take a Closer Look Behind the Scenes- Screen Caps from MTV Video

The folks over at the Twilight Lexicon labeled the final image, giving fans a rundown of who's who in the shot. Check it out here.

Stephenie Meyer on Working with Director Andrew Niccol

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Stephenie Meyer on Writing While Filming

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Stephenie Meyer on the Cave Sets

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Stephenie Meyer on Casting Saoirse Ronan

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MTV On the Set of 'The Host'

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'The Host' Featured in Best Movie Magazine

From the June 2012 issue of Best Movie. Click here for larger images.

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Re-read: Chapter Sixteen- Assigned

"My house, my rules."

Scrambling out of the cave, Wanderer puts herself between Jared and the O'Shea brothers and a stranger. Kyle moves forward and shoves her, but before she can fall to the ground, Jared catches her before pushing her back towards the cave. A fight breaks out and Ian grabs hold of Wanderer and begins to strangle her. The action stops at the click of Jeb's rifle as he orders the brothers and Brandt to stand down. They demand to know what Jeb's intentions are concerning Wanderer, but Jeb puts the decision on Jared, something he does not readily accept. Kyle begins to protest, but Jeb questions whether he would allow others to decide the fate of his Jodi if she ever returned. Jeb sends the three of them off and tasks them with spreading his new rule to the others, as well as letting them know that the area is off limits.

Jared pleads with Jeb, not wanting the decision concerning Wanderer to rest with him. Once again Melanie pleads for Wanderer to tell Jared about her still being there, but fearing his reaction, she refuses. Jeb dismisses Jared, taking over the post and sends Wanderer back into her cave to sleep. 

In the morning, the smell of food wakes Wanderer as Jeb slides a tray of food in her direction. Her stomach is more receptive of the food this time and she eats the entire tray. As she finishes, Jeb realizes she needs to attend to other needs since she has been stuck in the cave for sometime. Leading her out of the space, Jeb leads her to the washroom, which unfortunately can only be reached by passing through the main area. Panic rises in her eyes, but Jeb steadily guides her through the blackness. Silence falls over the crowd as they make their way through, but no one moves forward in a threatening manner. 

Wanderer had wondered how Jeb came across this system of caves and as they continued down their path he relates the story to her. He had discovered the caves in the seventies when he fell through the roof of the big room. Since he was the only Stryder left on the ranch, he spent his time exploring the caves, which are air bubbles caused by cooled lava, and put a lot of work into the system. Reaching the end of their walk, Wanderer hears another grouping of voices as Jeb brings her to the opening of everyone's favorite part of the caves, the washroom.

Re-read: Chapter Fifteen- Guarded

"What do you think is going to happen now?"

When Wanderer awakens she does her best to not draw attention to her conscious state. Taking in her surroundings as best she can, it is obvious she is located somewhere within the cavern system. Straining her ears, there are no noises, except those made by her aching body, and she concludes she has been left alone. Believing the others have abandoned her to die at the bottom of a shaft within the caves, panic begins to rise and Wanderer buries a scream that threatens to escape.

A sharp scraping sound startles her, causing her to throw herself against the sharp wall. A small light invades the darkness as Jared steps into the cave's opening, his face still marred with anger. Wanderer hears the grating noise again as Jared's arm stretches forward and this time she notices a plastic tray holding water and food. Going immediately for the water, Jared turns from Wanderer in disgust as she continues to eat his offerings. Though her stomach is discomforted by the food, she consumes the water, bread, soup, and vegetables. When she finishes her meal, she slides the tray away and whispers "Thank you" to Jared as he retrieves the empty tray.

Melanie reenters the conversation and is still shocked by Jared's earlier actions. His violent actions took her by surprise, never believing him capable of hurting her, even in her current condition. Because of humans' violent natures, Wanderer is not as shocked by his actions, but agrees that Melanie could never harm her brother, even if her was overcome by a Soul. Jared's violence also brought to light something Melanie had never noticed before about Wanderer; she too was in love with Jared. Melanie was under the assumption that Wanderer's feelings were simply an extension of her own love for Jared, but when they came face to face with him, she realized it was something more.

Just Chillaxing- New Behind the Scenes Photo of the Cast

Cast members in the photo include: Raeden Greer, Max Irons, Jake Abel, Boyd Holbrook, Frances Fisher, and Shawn Carter are among those in the photo.

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'The Host' Novel Giveaways

UPDATE: All giveaways have ended.

Want to win a copy of The Host? A few blogs/fan sites recently posted giveaways for copies of The Host and I've collected several below along with final dates for entries. Most of the giveaways have five copies up for grabs and some are even giving away copies autographed by author/producer Stephenie Meyer. I will be updating this post with any additional giveaways over the next few days.

Saorise Ronan Talks 'The Host' and 'Twilight' Fame

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Saoirse Ronan Talks Costars and Celebrating Her Birthday on the Set

On The Host being more than romantic cliches:

It's a give at this stage that romantic stories are going to be offered to me but I'm more interested in the story and characters. It's just not important if there are love scenes in it. 

On her costars, Max Irons (Jared Howe) and Jake Abel (Ian O'Shea):

I have two different characters who are in love with different men.

The good thing was that I got on so well with Max and Jake. I knew them both before we started filming and we were very comfortable working together.  

Celebrating her 18th birthday on the set of The Host:

It was my third birthday on the set of a film. I usually never minded being away filming for a birthday but because this was 18th and special, I kind of wanted to be at home. 

But it tired out to be one of the best birthdays ever because I got to watch this amazing car stunt being filmed, and they hired this local band and gave me a special birthday cake.    

Source 

Re-read: Chapter Fourteen- Disputed

"Jared's here, Jared's alive, Jared's here."

As their eyes land on Jared's face, Wanderer simply stares, but Melanie cries out, and taking control of her body, moves forward towards him. As they move closer, Wanderer cries for Melanie to stop, seeing danger before them. Before they can reach him, he reaches out and slaps them across the face with so much force, they fall to the ground. 


Jeb comes to their side, lifting them from the ground while in a silent standoff with a rage-filled Jared. Melanie tries to reach out for him again, but Wanderer has regained control and keeps them in place. Whispers among the group continue as another man makes his way through the crowd and inquires about the girl before him. Maggie answers, acknowledging that she was their niece, as a young woman appears at his side. Melanie recognizes the woman as her cousin, Sharon, but Wanderer pushes Melanie back in her mind. 


The man moves to examine them and as he comes to the insertion scar, their eyes move to Jared, who has lost some of the anger he once held in his eyes. Wanderer also comes to realize this man is a doctor and with this realization, she does not take the hand her offers to her. Kyle and Ian, the brothers from the group in the desert, move forward to grab her, but they are stopped when a "No" comes from the crowd. 


Surprisingly, it is Jared who spoke out, wondering the difference between allowing the doctor to examine "it" or allowing Jeb to simply kill them. Sharon steps forward this time, expressing how difficult this is for Jared, but noting that there is no reason to waste an opportunity to learn more about the creature inside the body. With another "No" from Jared, arguments break out amongst the group, but their voices begin to fade as Wanderer and Melanie begin to be lost in the darkness. As they drift, they ask about Jamie and Jeb tells them that made it here with Jared. They whisper a "thank you" before completely succumbing to the darkness. 

Finders Keepers- Can You Find the Copy of 'The Host' Jake Abel Signed?

The hunt is on. Earlier tonight Jake Abel (Ian O'Shea) tweeted a picture of a copy of The Host he signed at a California bookstore along with this message:

Guerrilla Book Signing: 731 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank CA. Sci-fi/Fantasy. Bottom Row. Finders Keepers....

If u find the book, twitpic that jam 

If I didn't live clear across the country, I would probably be racing there at this moment instead of typing up this post. Best of luck to anyone on their way to battle for this one of a kind Host item.

You can follow Jake Abel @mrjakeabel on Twitter.

Frances Fisher Discusses Developing Her Role in 'The Host'

Discussion of The Host begins around 3:00.
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Re-read: Chapter Thirteen- Sentenced

"Are they here?"

Choking out the words, Wanderer asks Uncle Jeb about Jared and Jamie, but he tells her they are not with him. Uncle Jeb asks they to rest for a bit before taking off into the night and the two resign themselves to the pain of the news. Waking some time later, their memory of Jeb seems to be a dream, but finding a canteen of water beside them assures them that their encounter was real. 

"Why did you give it water, Jeb?"

Hearing the harsh voice, Wanderer and Melanie turned around to find eight humans, two women and six men, circled around them. In each of their hands were weapons, including Uncle Jeb who now carries a rifle. Melanie urges Wanderer to tell Uncle Jeb about her presence, but Wanderer insists that they will not believe their story. 

One of the men carrying a machete takes a menacing step towards them, but is stopped as Jeb calls for him to stop. When Kyle asks why, Jeb reveals that the girl in front of them is also his niece. Kyle moves on them again, but this time, Jeb points his rifle at his back. A man, who Wanderer and Melanie believe to be Kyle's brother, steps in an questions Jeb's intentions. A woman in the crowd believes that their doctor might be able to learn something, which causes Wanderer to cringe at its implications. Looking at the woman who had spoken, Melanie makes the connection between the person before her and her memories. 

"Aunt Maggie? You're here? How? Is Sharon-"

At their words, the woman moves towards them, slapping them twice across the face. Jeb tries to soothe the situation and, in spite of others' thoughts, believes Wanderer and Melanie to be acting on their own. Despite the protests of the others in the group, Jeb reaches out and pulls them to their feet, deciding to take them back with him. The man they believe to be Kyle's brother stops Jeb, telling him that they cannot simply show her where they live. Resigning to this, Jeb pulls the bandana from around his neck and covers Wanderer and Melanie's eyes. 

Happy (Belated) Anniversary to 'The Host'!

March 2013 may seem far off in the distance, but there is a little something for Host fans to celebrate. Four years ago (on Sunday) The Host hit bookstore shelves.

The Host debuted at #1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. The novel was also named one of Amazon's "Best Books of May" and was well received by Publisher's Weekly and School Library Journal among others. 

I will admit that I was one of those fans who rushed out to get The Host the moment the bookstore opened and spent the day devouring all 600+ pages. The blog's re-read is only my third time reading the novel and I am enjoying taking it slowly, chapter by chapter. 

Were you lined up out side the bookstore or eagerly waiting for an Amazon package four years ago? What made you decide to pick up The Host? How many times have you read it over the years?

'The Host' Wraps Principal Photography

Producer Nick Wechsler took to Twitter to announce the end of principal photography on The Host. The movie shot in Louisiana before moving to New Mexico earlier this month for the remainder of the production.

Fans have already been treated to a few official images, a poster, and teaser trailer. Entertainment Weekly let fans in on their revealing set visit with the promise of more to come. MTV's Josh Horowitz also headed to the New Mexico set with fan questions in hand. Horowitz's interviews are always fun, so I look forward to seeing his visit.

With a little less than a year to go, I'm sure we are all eagerly awaiting any glimpse we can of our favorite characters. What are you looking forward to seeing as we approach March 29, 2013?

Re-read: Chapter Twelve- Failed

"We're going to die."

Wanderer begins to weaken as the last of the food and water is consumed. Looking out across the distance, the last marker is further than any other distance they had traveled to this point. Continuing on, Wanderer begins to believe there was nothing to find in the desert, but Melanie insists that the mistake was hers. Melanie is also worried Jared and Jamie would have attempted the same ill-fated trek through the desert, but she is quick to reassure herself that they would not have gone out unprepared. 

Forging ahead, Wanderer voices her realization that death was imminent and Melanie calmly agrees. Melanie is comforted by the fact that she was able to keep Jared and Jared safe from the Seeker, but Wanderer questions what she is dying for, to which Melanie responds:

"After all the planets and all the hosts you've left behind, you've finally found the place and the body you'd die for. I think you've found your home, Wanderer." (113)

Wanderer struggles to keep going, but she presses on as long as possible. After a few hours, she is unable to go any further and seeks refuge under a dead tree. Unable to carry on any further conversations, Wanderer and Melanie fall into silence as the pain overtakes them. For a time, memories of Jamie flicker through their mind as they hum a lullaby for comfort.


In the night, a sound rouses them, but it is quickly forgotten. A tugging causes them to stir, though it is not from an animal as expected, and they are further brought back by the cool water poured over their face. The water is then poured into their mouth and they drink it down till it causes their stomach to ache. Slowly, their eyes open and as they examine the face before them, they know the identity of their savior...Uncle Jeb. 


"Well, now, here's a pickle." (117)

Back in February, Stephenie Meyer had this to say about William Hurt (Uncle Jeb):

After Saoirse joined us, amazing actor after amazing actor signed on until none of us could believe our good fortune. 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.

How do you feel about Hurt stepping into Jeb's beard? Check out the first glimpse of Uncle Jeb we got earlier this month.