Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Finish the book before reading on.
- Given Wanderer's reputation as a very experienced, brave, and strong soul, was it surprising to you how easily she gave in to Melanie?
- As the story was unfolding, did you have any guesses as to why Wanderer's Seeker was so persistent, or what Wanderer's big secret was?
- Were the humans' initial reactions to Wanderer/Melanie believable to you? Jeb's kindness? Jared's animosity? Jamie's quick love?
- Mel insists that she would have loved Jared back when she first met him even if he were the hard, cynical person she and Wanda re-encounters in the cave. Do you agree?
- From a soul's perspective, was it selfish of Wanda to not consider Motherhood? Why doesn't she consider it?
- What are your thoughts on the relationship between Ian and Wanda? Did it feel natural or strange to you?
- What did you think about the happy ending? If the story had continued on, how would you like it to play out? Would the souls eventually realize they had done something wrong in taking over the human race and leave? Would life go back to normal on planet Earth? Would some stay? Could souls and humans co-exist, intermarry, and have children? Would some humans not be able to forgive the souls and would it cause racial tension? Could souls deal with that?
- The souls are kind, considerate, and peaceful but they lack the range of emotion felt by humans. Does a world inhabited by the souls appeal to you? Why or why not?
- Are the Souls morally culpable for what they do to so many species in the universe? What reason do they give for taking over others' minds, and is that justifiable -- or does it essentially amount to genocide?
