I would firstly like the thank Netgalley and Mira Grant for the opportunity to read this ARC. Expected release date 6th of May, 2025.

Overgrowth is a spectacular science fiction novel, following Anastasia, who has been telling everyone since the age of three that she is a plant species of Alien who was sent to Earth to prepare for an invasion.

People often laugh her off or think she's crazy; but it gets a bit complicated, when 30 odd years pass and the invasion is, in fact, on its way.

Overgrowth challenges us to consider what it means to be human; our biological make up? Our ethics? How we treat others?

I highly recommend this for fans of Little Shop of Horrors and Annihilation. Mira Grant has a phenomenal way of putting the reader into the mind of a conflicted humanoid alien, whilst also disturbing you with the internal conflict of; what essentially boils down to, "my friends smells delicious, it's a shame I can't eat them"

Read if: you like plant body horror, a loveable cast of characters facing the end of the world, or you want to finish a book and not really know what to do with yourself.

The first half of this book was really good. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and it was really interesting reading an alien horror novel from the alien's perspective. The found family aspect of this book was suprisingly heartwarming and having this connection to the main group made me truly fear for the characters. This book dwells a lot on what it means to be human and on the connections we form with those around us. The discussion of human culture from an outsider perspective was interesting and I think this book landed a few good societal critiques/thought provoking arguments but the fact that these critiques of humanity came from a colonizing, invading, alien force kind of made it feel a bit hypocritical on their part. But then I guess the humans calling them monsters also makes us hypocites. This book is a bit of a looking in the mirror and not liking what you see situation.

The body horror/scary plant sci-fi aspects of this book are really well done. The plot definitely lends itself to a 'what would you do in this situation' aspect. I don't think I would be as brave as Mandy and Graham if I found out my friend/partner was actually an alien plant person.

I think the middle section of the book was maybe a bit too long, with too many reveals that didn't end up really impacting the plot, and a lot of introspection from the main character. These sections slowed the plot down a bit and kind of made the book lose the momentum and urgency it had previously gained. Also please check the trigger warnings for this book - I don't think they are listed and there were a few I thought should be. (view spoiler)

Overall this was an interesting (not sure I can say enjoyable because of the stress it induced in me) horror read and definitely makes me want to pick up more of Mira Grant's other work.

Thank you to Netgalley and Daphne Press for the ARC. Review posted on Goodreads and rating on Storygraph. Link to review posted on Twitter.

I'm not sure how to even begin summing up my thoughts on Overgrowth - I had such a brilliant time reading it, and I'm sure I'll be mulling it over for a while to come. It had been some time since I had read any of Mira Grant's work under this pen name, and I was very glad to return to it! I was thoroughly gripped throughout the story, the tension of which grows steadily throughout, leading to a heart-pounding conclusion. Although Overgrowth is action-packed, I found the more reflective sections to be particularly resonant - the characters, be they Stasia herself, main figures in her life, or smaller supporting characters, are fully fleshed out, believable, and capable of growth. I particularly enjoyed reading the reflections on humanity and our actions (even when not facing an invasion from carnivorous alien plants!), as well as Stasia's wrestling with her human and alien selves, whilst she tries to stay true to both.

From the moment I read the blurb for Overgrowth, I was intrigued. An invasion by sentient alien plants from the point of view of an alien? Sign me up.

The story follows Anastasia (Stasia) Miller, who is not-so-secretly a vanguard of an alien species disguised as a human, and a group of rag-tag friends and reluctant acquaintances as they navigate the impending invasion. We quickly learn that Stasia doesn’t actually know what’s going on with the invasion and whether it’s in peace or not, but one thing she is certain of is that it is inevitable.

The character development has to be one of my favourite parts of this story, particularly Stasia’s conflict between choosing her species and humans, as well as the growth of her friends, specifically Graham, Mandy, and Toni (whose chaotic personality and jokes were a highlight). I did find some of the other characters to be a bit bland, and it seemed like some of them were just there to serve as a way to further the plot (i.e., Thalia, the senator, Liam, and Jeff). I also enjoyed the commentary around colonialism, immigration, identity, and belonging from an alien’s perspective and how it was contrasted with the human experiences.

I liked story telling aspect of the epilogue chapter and thought it was the perfect way to set the scene. However, I didn’t love how the pacing slowed down after the first third of the book; it got painfully slow and mundane in parts, and the repetition of Stasia's inner monologue started to get to me, to the point where I was considering taking a break. Luckily, it picked back up for the final third and didn’t stop until the end.

While Overgrowth is both Sci-Fi and Horror, it errs more towards sci-fi than horror for the majority of the book, but there are some horrifying parts peppered throughout, especially towards the end.

Thank you to Mira Grant, NetGalley, and Daphne Press for gifting me an eARC!

The book starts off good with an interesting premise: an alien plantlike lifeform planting seeds on planet earth that swallow up human children and turn them into exact replicas of them. With the only difference that they know they're aliens and will openly tell everyone.

While I loved the premise, I very much missed the horror aspect. It doesn't really start until the last third of the book.
The book also has a YA feel to it. I usually read books very quickly if I'm hooked, but with this one, I had to take a few breaks, which is not a good sign.

I'm not sure if I would recommend it. Maybe if it was marketed more as a YA/Sci-Fi book, but it doesn't work as a horror book.
I do think fans of YA Sci-Fi who would enjoy reading a book about an alien invasion from the perspective of an alien might enjoy it, so if that's your type of thing, then don't let me deter you.

Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me. I really wish it did because I loved the premise.

Arc review ✨

Look away if you must, this is a story, it can’t hurt you anymore..

I was hooked from the very first page in this book. It ripped my heart out and set the mood right away. I will say it got a bit slow and tedious towards the middle chunk for some reason and that’s why I’m not able to give it a 5. But it picked up once everything started going.

Our characters were very relatable, just typical millennials trying to survive this crappy world and all the shit that comes with it. Typical of our generation, there was a lot of comic relief and sarcastic commentary during super serious moments and I kind of loved that. Like of course our world would get invaded by aliens lol. Cause of course. That type of mood. It can be hit or miss when movies/books shove funny bits in our faces when it’s really supposed to be serious but I enjoyed it here and all the little creature feature references were so fun.

I enjoyed it and would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early ebook in exchange for an honest review.

“I never asked to lie through the shape of my bones, when my voice only told the truth”
Ever since she was young, Anastasia has claimed to be the vanguard of an alien species planning to invade Earth. But when a signal from space confirms the existence of extraterrestrial life, she begins to question whether she’s been telling the truth all along.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It strikes a great balance between character-driven development and just the right amount of action to keep the story engaging. If you're looking for a gruesome sci-fi thriller, this might not be for you—though there were definitely moments that made my stomach turn. This book explores the theme of nature vs. nurture and what happens when one is forced to choose a side.
I loved watching Anastasia’s perspective shift as she grew closer to her own kind. Some of her thoughts as the book progressed were downright startling—especially her growing appetite for her partner, Graham. If you enjoy stories about plant-like aliens with a taste for humankind, this is definitely one to pick up!
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Overgrowth by Mira Grant releases 6th May 2025.

Overgrowth by Mira Grant is a tense and immersive blend of horror and science fiction, delivering a gripping story packed with unsettling atmosphere and sharp storytelling. Grant’s world-building is vivid and eerie, drawing readers into a setting where nature has turned deadly in ways both beautiful and terrifying. The suspense builds steadily, making it impossible to look away.

The characters are compelling, particularly the protagonist, whose struggle for survival is both gripping and emotionally engaging. Grant balances action with thought-provoking themes, exploring the consequences of unchecked science and the fragility of human control. While some plot points follow familiar genre beats, the execution is strong, and the tension never wavers.

The pacing is tight, with a few slower moments that allow the horror to sink in before the story reaches its thrilling climax. Overgrowth is an unsettling and well-crafted sci-fi horror novel—an easy 4-star read for fans of smart, atmospheric thrillers with a chilling edge.

this was really good. i've read some of mira grant's books before, notably her Feed series so i knew i was getting into some character-driven stuff! it's rather light on the sci-fi elements, but the characters are well written. there's great representation, too. as another reviewer said, this is more a character study using an 'apocalypse' plot as a background, but i think it's done very well.

I love the premise of Overgrowth: it’s a plant-based alien invasion story from the POV of one of the aliens. However, the execution didn’t quite work for me.

I initially really liked Stasia’s introversion and misanthropy, but as the story went on I felt that the plot was getting bogged down by her internal monologue. Her entire sense of identity is thrown into question when it turns out that the alien invasion that she has been warning people she’s a part of—but never totally believed in herself—turns out to be real. Does she side with her own kind or with the planet that raised her? Important questions for sure, but it was incredibly repetitive reading the exact same thought process page after page.

I was hoping for an action-packed and gruesome alien invasion story, but Overgrowth is really more of an introspective coming-of-age tale (though Stasia is in her 30s) set against the backdrop of an invasion. I think this will really work for those looking for a character study with a little sci-fi flair, but it missed the mark for me.

Desde que era niña, Anastasia Miller ha afirmado ser una extraterrestre disfrazada de humana, convencida de que la armada alienígena que la dejó en la Tierra está por llegar. Durante años fue marginada y rechazada, pero cuando la NASA confirma la existencia de vida extraterrestre, Anastasia descubre que su predicción era cierta: la invasión está por comenzar. Ahora, mientras la humanidad enfrenta la inminente llegada de los invasores, Anastasia se enfrenta a su propia dualidad: ¿es más humana que alienígena, o su destino está ligado a los de sus verdaderos semejantes?
Es una novela que explora la identidad, la pertenencia y la lucha interna de una mujer atrapada entre dos mundos, mientras la sociedad enfrenta el miedo a lo desconocido.



Me sorprendió el actuar de los amigos y novio de Anastasia, en un punto dijo “tienen que estar actuando”, pero no.





Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Stasia is a….Stasia is a toddler.
Stasia is not a toddler.
It is 2030s. We have an alien invasion in sight.
Extremely enjoyable narrator-MC, a satisfactory ending, and many witty instances.
There is a scene in the beginning chapter which is sad, but not for any shock value. It is the inciting incident and a natural outcome of the themes in this book.
Plot 4
Characterisation 4
Craft 3.5
Mood 4.5
Themes 4
Overall, a solid 4-star, enjoyable, quirky and outrageous plant and alien invasion horror with a subtle social commentary.

Fantastic, one of my favourites of 2025 so far. Well written, twisty plot, aliens, humour, strong female lead. It has it all. I am going straight to the back catalogue of this author. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

My thanks to Net Galley and Daphne Press for the free DRC for “Overgrowth” by Mira Grant.
A fascinating standalone that harmoniously blends SF, Horror and Literary Fiction.
“Overgrowth” had the perfect hook to captivate me immediately with a delicious alien plant, horror filed first chapter .
The novel has six parts: Seed, Root, Sprout, Stem, Flower and Harvest.
Each part begins with a quote from “The War of the Worlds” by H.G. Well, then an academic report from one of our characters and a report about or main character Anastasia Miller. She has been adamant since age three that she is a member of an armada of invading plant aliens.
She also finds it hard to fit into society’s demands, or to relate to peculiar human behavior, things that we humans struggle sometimes on the day to day basis.
To be honest I was a bit disappointed when we moved from the both fascinating and disturbing plant imagery into what I would call the contemporary part of the novel, but our main protagonist slowly won me over by having much more empathy and humanity than a lot of her human peers.
As a reader I came into for my speculative plant fascination, but I left with much more thoughts.
A lot of important social issues were touched upon in “Overgrowth”. Some of them maybe needed a bit more exploration, but I could sense the author has given much consideration to them and I really appreciated that.
I am glad I got to experience this story in its full circle and its memorable imagery will stay with me for a long time.

I loved Into The Drowning Deep SO dearly that I was delighted to get to read this book.

This book defied what I expected it to be and kept me interested but I will say that it felt far too long. I feel like this book could definitely have been condensed a bit more. Even though the book was interesting I was really struggling with it making me sleepy. I had a LOT of unplanned naps because of this book! Again, though, I want to emphasise that this is a good book. But that's the reason it dropped a star for me.

My favourite character was Toni, practically everything she said was hillarious and I was always looking forward to the next time she popped up in the book.

Maybe a little metaphor also for how we treat each other on earth and also how we treat the environment? I liked that.

I wish there was some closure on what happened with her cat though... I hope she went and saved Seymour. I would think they would, but there was no mention.

I wouldn't say it's the kind of horror that makes you feel scared, but it's certainly a horrific thing for the characters to be going through, so it fits. There is plenty of gore, one scene I couldn't properly read because I feel dizzy when things get too graphic surrounding veins.

Honestly more of a bummer than I anticipated, even with the book opening on a plant devouring a toddler. Grant does a good job of being unflinching about the world Stasia has been raised in- after all, it’s only five to ten years ahead of us- and the stakes and emotions feel very real even with the sentient plant monster alien of it all.

Less hopeful, somehow, than Feed, but still worth a read. Also I love Stasia’s boyfriend Graham.

I'm so gutted to only rate this as 3 stars but this book just did not grip me. I've loved Mira Grant's previous work (Drownkng Deep is an all time horror favourite of mine), but the pace of Overgrowth was lacking for me. I feel like this novel could have been a lot shorter and snappier, and had a lot of repetition.

I loved the trans inclusivity and the parallels made about identity were beautifully crafted and Stasia and Graham's relationship was probably my favourite part about this.

A five stars science fiction recommendation which gives Rocky Horror Show vibes.

Stasia has been telling everyone since she was three years old that she is an alien disguised as a human being having been abducted a human girl and replaced by a sprouting seed. Now the armada that left her as part of the vanguard on Earth is coming for her.

<b>“The aliens came and took your real baby. They left me. I’m sorry.”</b>

It’s now 2031 and Stasia is 35 years old, violently anti-social, and she lives with two people who tolerate her weirdness - both nerds and outcasts themselves.

This was such a deep character study whilst also being fast-paced and thrilling. Counting down from 25 days pre-invasion we follow a delightful cast of chaotic characters as they try and work out what is going on and what they want to do.

<b>“I call you crazy because you think you’re allowed to eat my cinnamon toast,” said Mandy easily. “You’re not crazy. Your people will be here any day, and they’re going to eat us all. I only ask that you let me watch when they chow down on Roxanna.”</b>

Human-devoring plant aliens, human friends and lovers, crazy and paranoid self-proclaimed saboteurs, sketchy government organisations.

What Grant gets down to - it all comes down to drawing sides. This is human nature. But how do we decide what family means?

<b>Family is where you keep the pieces of yourself that need to be shared with someone else if they’re going to have meaning, the memories that must be seen from three or four different angles at the same time before they find their context.
</b>
Grant manages to pack so much in this standalone book. Identity, neurodivergence, choice, agency, transgender politics, birthright citizenship and rights, propaganda, language, found family and family, acceptance, fear mongering….

As you can tell, I cannot sing my praises enough.
The pacing does get a bit uneven for me towards the end, but this was pulled off great for such an ambitious standalone.

Arc gifted by Daphne Press.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. This was a very good read. A very original concept, and I loved the little bits of war of the worlds scattered throughout. I was a bit dubious about the blend of sci-fi and horror, but it works well. The only thing I will say is that the pacing was a little slow at some points. I loved the bittersweet ending. A very thought provoking book and one I am happy to recommend.

Dopo un inizio straordinariamente intrigante, mi sono trovata a trascinare il romanzo - cosa mai capitata con Mira Grant, una delle mie autrici horror preferite. Sarà che l'idea delle piante aliene carnivore mi inquieta decisamente meno delle incantevoli sirene di Into the Drowning deep, sarà che non c'era un personaggio uno della cui sorte mi importasse (eccetto Seymour - il gatto), sarà che da metà inizia ad accumulare scene, cambi di scena, personaggi e tutti i tropi della fantascienza a tema alieno e di conquista aliena, sarà che Anastasia è singolarmente ripetitiva con pensieri, reazioni e sentimenti, ma l'ultimo centinaio di pagine mi è pesato.
Ma comunque non vedo l'ora di mettere le mie avide manine sul prossimo, sia chiaro. ;)