Review of The Host (2013) by Rachel S — 15 Nov 2013

This book was so amazing, I was quite sure they wouldn't be able to screw up the movie. Unfortunately, they did. There is such a rich and detailed story in the book. The Melanie/Wanda relationship is completely ignored in the movie.

They grow very close, and Wanda soon loses track of the border between her own personality and Melanie's. Wanda also begins to deeply love both Jared and Jaime, which greatly angers Melanie. And all the characters go straight from hating and not trusting Wanda to immediately just trusting her fully.

In the book, it takes weeks for ANY of the characters to try to really trust and understand her, and months for everyone else to begin to get on board with it. If I had never read the book, I would still feel cheated from this movie.

It is anemic. Everything is so superficial. I remember the book well, as I've read it many times, and knowing the book was the only thing keeping me from losing all interest completely. I also feel that there are a few points that might really confuse anyone who doesn't know the book.

They also completely alter the character of seekers as a whole. In the book, Wanda comes to find that the seekers seem to be much more capable of violence in the name of their cause and not so kindly and gentle as the rest of their kind.

I was really disappointed, because the book was so amazing.