THE HOST
Something is wrong with the President of the United States. His behavior is becoming increasingly erratic, and his decisions grow more dangerous by the day.
But what if the explanation isn't political? What if something inside him is pulling the strings?
BUY THE HOSTSOMETHING IS VERY WRONG
The President of the United States is behaving strangely. More strangely than usual. His decisions are becoming increasingly bizarre, his behavior more erratic, and the people closest to him are beginning to wonder what—or who—is really in control.
The answer may be far worse than anyone imagined. A parasite capable of altering its host's behavior has found its way into the most powerful man in the world, and removing it isn't going to be as simple as calling a doctor.
As the insanity spreads, an unlikely group of people must figure out what's happening and stop it before the consequences become catastrophic.
Part political satire, part creature horror, and part medical thriller, The Host takes a very real parasite and asks a thoroughly unreasonable question: What if it reached the White House?
WHAT READERS CAN EXPECT
“Wildly imaginative political horror… equal parts medical suspense, biting political satire, and creature horror.”
Editorial Review
THE PARASITE IS REAL.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PROBLEM IS FICTION.
The inspiration behind The Host began with a very real group of parasites called Nematomorpha, commonly known as horsehair worms.
These parasites develop inside insects and other arthropods. When the worm reaches the stage when it needs to emerge and reproduce, an infected terrestrial host can exhibit dramatically altered behavior—including movement toward water.
Once the host enters the water, the mature worm emerges to begin the next stage of its life cycle. Scientists have studied how parasite infection is associated with changes in host behavior, including the molecular mechanisms that may help produce this extraordinary manipulation.
A note about the science: Horsehair worms do not infect humans in the way depicted in The Host. The novel takes a fascinating example of parasite-associated behavior in nature and pushes the science firmly into fiction.
And that led to one irresistible question:
What if a parasite capable of manipulating its host infected the President of the United States?
READY TO MEET THE HOST?
A parasite that can manipulate its host. A president behaving more strangely by the day. And a group of people trying to save the country before anyone realizes just how bad things have become.
Some political problems can't be solved at the ballot box.
BUY THE HOST