The Host

Meyer's first adult novel, a science fiction tale with an eye for romance, is a proverbial yet intriguing story of a woman in danger of losing her body and mind to an invading alien force. While the story treads on familiar territory, Meyer offers a fresh perspective by relating the story through the mind of the protagonist, a simple idea that Kate Reading brings to fruition perfectly. Reading's tone is inflamed with passion and desperation, both for lost love and the reality that should she give in to the invader known as Wanderer, she will cease to exist. Reading's voice is that of a troubled young woman, battling to save herself and her most personal of memories. She becomes our hero yet never fails to display how fragile she, and humanity, truly is. A Little, Brown hardcover (Reviews, Mar. 31). (May)