Melanie Stryder

Melanie is the human girl who serves as Wanderer’s 9th host. Initially Melanie managed to escape capture by the invading souls by hiding in the wilderness with her kid brother Jamie, but when she goes on a lone mission to find her cousin Sharon, she is caught by a group of Seekers. Fearing that the Seekers will turn her into a host body and use her memories to capture Jared and Jamie, Melanie jumped down an elevator shaft to her death. Her efforts are in vain, however, as Melanie does not die from the jump, though her body is severely injured. The souls are able to restore Melanie’s body to perfect condition and the well-traveled Soul named “Wanderer” is inserted into her body, with hopes that she will be able to retrieve Melanie’s memories.

Despite Wanderer’s expertise at honing host bodies, Melanie is able to shield many of her memories that are vital to keeping Jared and Jamie hidden. Eventually Wanderer is able to break down the walls that Melanie puts up, but in turn she also absorbs Melanie’s love for Jared. Although Melanie’s is resentful to the soul occupying her body, after Wanderer goes rogue, Melanie slowly begins to trust her and the two form a friendship. The two serve as an interesting pair as Melanie likes the feeling of being physically strong and berates Wanderer for neglecting to keep her that way. She has a temper and may be considered volatile compared to docile Wanderer.

One of the first memories that Wanderer is able to recall is the first time Melanie meets Jared, which occurred about three years after Melanie went into hiding. At first she thought he Jared was a host and she was reluctant to speak to him, but after realizing that he is a surviving human like herself, the two of them became instant companions. It is this love for Jared, and her devotion to her younger brother Jamie, that keeps Melanie’s spirit alive even after her body has been invaded.

Although Melanie is strong-willed, there occurs a brief period of time when Wanderer finds her to be non responsive. Wanderer instructs Ian, who then instructs Jared to kiss her passionately as to “wake Melanie up”. Eventually, Jared’s kiss is able to do so, and Melanie is stirred so intensely that she is actually able to control her body’s movements and speak for herself.

When Wanderer teaches Doc how to extract a Soul from a host, Melanie is given back her body and she is fully reunited with her family.

Melanie is described as an attractive girl who is tanned with an athletic build, mahogany hair that is usually kept long, but throughout the novel is short. Melanie is 20 years old at the time of the novel’s events.

In addition to Summer Glau, the following are some popular choices of actresses that fans have cast for the role of Melanie:

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