Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew up… as a normal girl, with her mother, father, and little brother, Jamie. Her ordinary life changed when she was about 14, however, when her Uncle Jeb warned Melanie that parasites called Souls were slowly taking over the human race. Her parents thought the idea ludicrous, but Jeb turned out to be right. When the Souls came to take their family, Melanie and Jamie escaped, going on the run to avoid being possessed.
Living… trapped in her own body. Melanie couldn’t run forever, and now a Soul called Wanderer has been implanted into her body. Melanie no longer has control over her actions – in fact, in most cases, her personality and memories would already be long gone. Somehow, though, she’s hung on.
Profession… rebel. Melanie opposed the takeover of the Souls, and even now, she berates Wanderer from inside her own head.
Interests… freedom. Melanie doesn’t really have any time for hobbies, now that she and the human race are in a struggle to preserve the last of their free will.
Relationship Status… in love with fellow rebel Jared. They met while trying to steal from the same house, and Melanie misses him terribly. In fact, it’s her love for Jared that convinces Wanderer to try and find the human’s hidden camp.
Challenge… retaining her humanity and protecting her little brother. Melanie hasn’t seen Jamie since she captured, and she desperately hopes that he’s all right and hasn’t been captured by Souls. She just has to convince Wanderer to help her, and the other humans not to kill Wanderer.
Personality… brash and determined. Melanie makes no secret of her hatred for Souls, and her anger startles and disturbs Wanderer. Melanie has plenty of rough edges, and she’s not interested in smoothing them down. But her strength and willpower enable her to survive even with a Soul implanted in her, and she is surprisingly gentle and loving when it comes to her little brother.
Get to Know her in...
-
A parasitic alien soul is injected into the body of Melanie Stryder. Instead of carrying out her race's mission of taking over the Earth, "Wanda" (as she comes to be called) forms a bond with her host and sets out to aid other free humans.
-
Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a 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 of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, 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. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love. Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.
