The creator of the mega-hit teen series "Twilight," Stephenie Meyer, has written a new alien romance novel titled "The Host" that hits bookstores today. The BYU Bookstore has copies in stock for $25.99.

"The Host" tells the story of Melanie Stryder, a human whose body has been invaded by Wanderer, an alien "soul." Wanderer is amazed by the challenges that accompany having a body, such as feelings, senses and memories. Melanie refuses to give up her mind to its newfound inhabitant. The story continues with Melanie and Wanderer loving the same man - Jared, a human who lives in hiding.

"The Host" promises new readership because it is an attempt to reach audiences beyond the "Twilight" cult following. Meyer's Web site, www.stepheniemeyer.com, describes "The Host" as "science fiction for people who don't like science fiction."

Much of Meyer's support has been from readers who would not ordinarily read science fiction, but who view the books as being different from that genre because of the strong character development and plot.

Anita Charles, a buyer of adult fiction books and floor supervisor for the BYU Bookstore said there have been many online orders for "The Host" but not as many as for the "Twilight" series.

Charles read "The Host" and enjoyed it. She said she thinks BYU students will respond well to the book because it is a "romance and fantasy with a strong heroine." Charles said she would not be surprised if the book turned into a series because of its great storyline and potential for new readers.

Meyer graduated from BYU with a degree in English. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and currently resides in Phoenix, Az., with her husband and three sons. Her previous books, "Twilight," "New Moon" and "Eclipse" have been bestsellers, with Eclipse selling 400 copies in the first two hours at the BYU Bookstore. Because of Meyer's aversion to things usually popular in teen and young adult fiction, such as drug and alcohol use and promiscuous behavior, she has been very popular with the BYU and LDS community.

Bethanie Rogers, a BYU student familiar with the "Twilight" series, is very excited for the release of "The Host." Rogers admitted skepticism at first to the alien-based plot, but said Meyer "does a fantastic job putting unrealistic ideas into reality."

"Anything Stephenie Meyer wrote I will read and love," Rogers said.

Meyer's popularity has not been limited to LDS people. There are 466 Facebook groups devoted to Stephenie Meyer and her books, and many other online discussion groups and blogs about the "Twilight" phenomenon.

Some sources have named her the next J.K. Rowling because of her cult-like following and staggering book sales. Shortly after its release, "Eclipse" unseated Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" on Barnes & Noble's fiction best-seller list according to a Deseret News article.

alysongiles@gmail.com