For readers who enjoyed Eat the Ones you Love, Beauty Land, and War of the Worlds - Overgrowth will not disappoint!

Grant opens with the super creepy statement that "this is just a story and it can't hurt you anymore". I'm not exaggerating when I say I felt a bit of a chill down my spine! The Narrator did a fantastic job of letting the story speak for itself- no creepy extra voice attempts, just created an immersive experience that brought the entire novel to life in my head!

Imagine you disappeared as a child, only to return claiming you were now an alien. Obviously, the folks around find this a bit hard to digest and as you appear outwardly human, everyone assumes that you're just a bit quirky. Our MC- Anastasia notes that this is exactly what happened ot her, and she does remind people that eventually- her people will return. That piece, seems far fetched, until the alien "bat signal" comes calling and things get a bit messy for aliens and humans alike.
This is a first contact narrative with teeth! There is a touch of body horror, Sci Fi, humor, suspense and a dash of romance in this rapid moving story which had me on tenterhooks wondering what was going to happen next! While the first contact idea, and the nature of the alien were not wholly new - the way that Grant's world is constructed is broadly and wildly imaginative and distinctly unique from other Sci-Fi I've read. I found the building of the alien experience to be entirely creative, engaging and fairly easy to follow despite it going from plants to quasi-Vampires, to dinosaurs at 100 MPH.
I was particularly enamored with the main character's earthly relationships and the way the FMC explored her evolving emotions and feelings regarding her human people. I especially liked Grant's portrayal of Graham, a trans man, in this book. While not the main character, and not the main story line, I nonetheless enjoyed this being a natural part of the story. I have to admit also, the deep love that all the main characters had for each other, was also masterfully illustrated through the writing. The world building- made it feel as if I was on a film set with lots of special effects and makeup! Amazing!
And the writing- well, of course... impeccable. As always with Mira Grant, I'm down for a book two. We aren't left with a drastic cliffhanger, but there's still more I'd like to know!

This book is in so many ways beyond words. I am still digesting and I think I will be for some time. I honestly had no idea what I was signing up for, this author (under any name) is an instant read for me so I signed up for this audiobook knowing nothing but being ever so sure. I definitely do not regret that so perhaps turn away from reviews and just blinding give this one a try if you like crazy horror/sci-fi mixed with fascinating new species and found family. Anastasia was three when she wandered into the woods. What wondered out looked like her, sounded like her but calmly explained she was an advance of an alien invasion. As she grew that compulsion to let people know she was an alien didn’t go away. This book is complex and so full of morally grey questions I wasn’t sure which way was right or wrong most of the time. I liked the characters and the story, but I did think that it dragged just a little in the middle and could have been pruned just a little. I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrator did a great job bringing the story, especially Stacia, to life.

5 stars, is anyone surprised? truthfully, this is more like a 4.5 but i am definitely rounding up because everyone knows i am a seanan / mira stan and this book is no exception.

Overgrowth is told from the point of view of Anastasia, who is an alien that has been raised as a human since age three. She has been telling everyone that she is an alien and the invasion is coming, and people react as you would expect - by ignoring her, at best. Turns out, she was right, oopsies, and now the armada is here, and everyone is fucked.

At it's core, this is a Body Snatchers type story that draws a lot of inspiration from War of the Worlds. It's also a cautionary tale about climate change, and like a lot of scifi it contains a certain amount of proselytizing and commentary on the subject. Neither is undeserved nor innacurate, and I appreciate the clear amount of research that Grant put into her scifi novels. i always feel like learn something whilst in the grips of ajbect horror; it's nice.

Without spoiling anything, this was such a ride, and one of the least predictable books i have had the pleasure of reading. I wasn't sure if I was rooting for humanity or the aliens until very close to the end. We also have some really excellent diversity in the supporting characters which is a breath of fresh air in a publishing landscape where generic LGBT / POC archetypes are shoehorned into every novel ever.

Warning: This book has some intense and graphic body horror. There's also a pretty rough scene, right in the beginning, involving the death of a child that was really hard to read, and i'm typically a person who pointedly ignores trigger warnings.

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Audio notes:

I was recently given access to the audio version of this, and while I will say I didn't listen to the entire book, I did listen to the first 10 minutes, and then jumped around for another 20 minutes for a total of 30 minutes listening time. I think the narrator is fine. She does not, in my opinion, add or subtract anything from this story. If your preferred method of reading is audio, this is a good one, but I woudln't go out of my way to recommend this on audio over the print version.

What if you walked into the woods one day and came out as something else? Anastasia disappeared in the woods for several days. When she came back out, she was no longer human, but part of a plant species. She never wavered in the belief. Now, about 30 years later, the aliens make contact and are about to invade. What follows is nature vs. nurture, found family adventure. For even if Anastasia isn't human, she feels a need to protect her friends. 4.5 stars.

Think Little Shop of Horrors meets The Host.
The story jumps between past and future, following a girl who mysteriously vanished for three days—only to return, seemingly unharmed. But the truth is far stranger: she wasn’t the same girl. She was a replacement. An alien copy.

Now, 32 years later, the woman she’s become remembers everything. She knows she was implanted by an alien species to live undetected among humans. No one believes her, and time is running out.

As she waits for the invasion she was designed to herald, she begins encountering others—humans who’ve survived alien contact, and aliens who know exactly what she is.

The lines blur between ally and enemy. Will Earth fall to the invasion, or will humanity fight back?

The truth is coming. Read to find out who survives.

Yes Please to all Mira Grant books!

This one is about an alien invasion that begins like none I have read about before less green humanoid men or scary killer beasts and more botanical in nature.

The story begins with a little girl going into the woods and is lost for three days. When she comes out everyone is so happy to see her however she will tell everyone. She isn’t the little girl. She is an alien and the invasion is coming.

I really enjoyed it. I love the writing. It just dragged a little at times. But absolutely recommend. Audio was great.

Thanks to netgalley and Macmillan audio for an alc

Thank you to Mira Grant, Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinions.

This was actually so fun to read/listen to! I dabble in sci-fi from time to time, but I am sometimes turned off by very dry, tedious world-building in sci-fi books. This was so easy to get into. Since age 3, the main character, Stacia, has told everyone she can get to listen that she is an alien and that an invasion is coming. Naturally, no one really believed her and thought she was just a weird girl obsessed with aliens, or maybe a little crazy. Even her friends and roommates only humored her to be nice. One day, a signal from space is picked up and broadcast around the world – of course, indicating that an invasion is coming.

The majority of this story takes place on earth, so the world-building is really easy and straightforward. The FMC is a bit of an emotionally stunted character, but is well-meaning and cares about her friends and family. The alien elements of this story were really interesting and captivating. I found myself rooting for the aliens, because honestly, humans kind of suck sometimes. I really appreciated how the author highlighted the imperfections of humanity and the complexities of human bonds and friendships. While this is labeled as adult, it often felt like a young adult book. I am uncertain if this was due to the innocent and naive nature of the main character or if it was the writing style. That did not feel like a detractor from the story for me personally. All in all, this was very entertaining and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get into more sci-fi.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars for Overgrowth by Mira Grant!

Overgrowth was unlike any apocalypse story I’ve ever read (or listened to)! The first half is very character-driven, pulling you into Stasia’s life and emotions, and then the action ramps up steadily until I was completely on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t stop listening!

I have to give huge props to the audiobook narrator, Caitlin Kelly—she absolutely nailed the creepy, unsettling vibe of the story while still capturing its emotional core. Her performance really elevated the experience for me.

One thing I loved was how visual this book felt. I kept thinking... this would make an incredible movie adaptation. Mira Grant’s world-building is so vivid and descriptive, it plays like a film in your mind.

While the story started a little slow for me, it quickly picked up speed- and once it did and jumped forward to her as an adult, I was hooked. I also really appreciated how emotionally rich the story was. Apocalyptic alien invasion stories aren’t usually this heartfelt, but Grant made me deeply care about Stasia and the other characters. I even teared up at a few points, which I wasn’t expecting going in!

It also contained some really modern LGBTQ+ representation that made some scenes very authentic. It underscored the book's themes of identity and belonging, which was super refreshing to see. And in an alien book no less!

I went in bracing myself for lots of gore and jump scares, but the horror here leans more psychological and thriller-like, which is great for any horror weenies like me! It’s eerie, unsettling, and atmospheric without being over-the-top gory.

I was left with a few lingering questions by the end, but honestly, it felt intentional. I trust Mira Grant’s vision, and I think part of the magic is just letting yourself sit with that ambiguity.

This was my first book by Mira Grant, and it definitely won’t be my last and I’m already excited to check out more of her work!

Thank you to Netgalley and Mira Grant for the advanced copy of this audiobook!

Overgrowth

I had a great time with this, I want to shove it down people's throats. Mira Grant is a hell of a writer, I am never disappointed with her works, a little disturbed but never disappointed.

Annastasia / Stasia is our main character and narrator, who to no fault on her own is here on Earth to kickstart an alien invasion, she is quite honest about it though. To the rest of the human race it’s an odd compulsion, until it’s not.

I loved the science and the different fields of scientists that are in this. I loved the descriptions of the alien beings very very different from what has been pushed in today’s media.

Most of all the story does not over complicate itself. In almost every type of alien-esque medium that is targeted to a mature audience, the story, or the creature, even characters get over complicated and hard to follow.

If you really love sci-fi or horror with a sprinkle of comedy, this is a fantastic combination.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced audio (really good) in exchange for an honest review

Alluring, fascinating, brutal, thought-provoking.

Ana went missing at 3 for a few days. When she was found, she told everyone she was an alien, that she was there first but that the armada, one day, was coming back for her. Ana never understood her compulsion to say this, only that she knew it was true. Therapists, counselors, doctors had all said it was her trauma response (until she became an adult and then they said she needed to stop).

But what if Ana isn't wrong.

When a chance recording grabs some sounds that Ana recognizes, she tells her friends that it looks like its time - her alien armada has almost arrived.

This one was so good. The audio was absolutely stunning - it sucked me in and it was honestly hard to stop listening. What would you do if you met someone that told you they were an alien? I loved the characters. I loved the grapple with humanity - the struggle to figure out who was right and wrong and to weigh every action and reaction. I loved Graham and his amazing heart and bravery and I loved Tony and all her snark. The nicknames had me cracking up the ending made me tear up. So. Freaking. Good.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

When I started this book, I never expected to cheer on the aliens. At face value this is a wonderfully addictive science fiction novel. On a deeper level, this is a stunning look at the callousness of mankind. I can safely say this is my favorite science fiction novel. 10/10

Overgrowth is my favorite kind of sci fi horror. Mira Grant has drawn interesting and sometimes challenging characters, complex conflict, and the highest stakes. I initially strongly identified with Stasia, but found myself resonating with each central character as they all wrestled with virtually undefeatable colonizers.

In a book rife with death, dismay, and resignation, there are still whimsical moments and references, contrasts mirrored in the anger and love that tightly bind the central players together. I predict that I will recommend this book warmly and frequently.

A strange fungus, a creeping sense of dread, and a world slowly unraveling - this sci-fi horror totally rattled me in the best (and grossest) way. I haven’t read a ton of sci-fi, but this one got under my skin with how unsettling and thought-provoking it was. The first and second halves felt totally different in tone, but it weirdly worked considering how the threat evolved. I think this is one of those books that’s going to stick with me for a long time… even if I’m not sure I’m ready for more sci-fi this wild anytime soon.

This is such an unique take on an alien invasion. I love the story, the visuals, the characters, and the uniqueness of the aliens. I really loved how the story points out how certain things are ignored in society and how humans seem to greet every situation with violence first. This book said a lot about humanity and the choices we make.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

When she was three years old, Anastasia went into the woods... and never came home. In her place was an alien... who ate her and took her shape, becoming her. She has never once lied about the fact that she was an alien and that her people were coming. Now, a signal has been detected coming from space, one that she can understand. Along with her boyfriend, the two of them will soon discover what exactly that signal means, and in the end she'll have to make a choice between the alien that she is and the planet that she has lived on her entire life.

This book was absolutely WILD. If I can describe it in any way that made some sort of sense, it would be if the Reapers from Mass Effect got to tell their side of the story. And were also carnivorous plants versus hybrid machines. It's like Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets the Host meets Little Shop of Horrors. AND IT WAS SO DAMN GOOD.

I absolutely fell in love with everything about this book, from the gorgeous writing which I've come to expect from Mira Grant to the descriptions of the aliens. Character-wise, there's quite a few people to keep track of after a while, but I never once felt lost as to who was who. The character development of Anastasia as she goes from human to alien is fantastic, especially since as we know she does retain bits of her humanity because she is technically a a hybridization of human and plant and therefore a lot of the tethers that keep her from going full invader are the connections that she has with people in her life. Which of course brings us to the question -- what happens when those people are gone? One of the things that I really loved about this was the moment that we learn the whole invasion could have been avoided, and knowing that people kind of suck I'm not surprised that humanity didn't get that free pass from being invaded. It's because of moments like that where the reality of what it would be like if this was real really kind of hits home. It was a little horrifying to see the treatment Anastasia goes through throughout the book, horrifying and extremely heartbreaking, and so like I said the descent from human to invader is just excellently done.

The plot was pretty consistently fast paced, but instead of feeling like it was constantly rushing it felt more like a sped up blooming of a flower with the way things unfurled. I loved the spaceship, I loved the explanations as to everything that's going on, and I loved seeing into the mind of the alien versus another book where we just get to see into the mind of a human during yet another alien invasion. Overall, this is probably my new favorite Mira Grant book and I will 100% be listening to this again and again. Highly recommend the audio as she does a fantastic job with bringing this book to life. 10 out of 10 I would recommend this book to everybody and anybody because there is a lesson in there about kindness that really hit home.

This is an incredible book. There isn’t a single emotion that isn’t elicited from this book. Starting with a nightmarish prologue, this book is remarkable. Anastasia who can’t help but tell anyone and everyone she meets that she’s a member of an alien race that will be invading soon, she’s also one of the best characters I’ve come across in a long time. This book takes its time with events and relationships and that makes the second half of the book, where it gets really wild, pay off so well. This is one to be savored and enjoyed.

🌿Overgrowth by Mira Grant🌳

I just finished listening to this book today! I was excited about this one because I really enjoyed Into the Drowning Deep.

This had a really strong start to it and a pretty strong finish. The middle felt pretty long to me and some portions of Anastasia’s (aka Stasia) narration felt a bit repetitive. Other than that, this book was definitely a ride. The characters were very much a varied group and each one had their own very different reactions and ways of working through each situation. I really do love Mira Grant’s characters. I don’t want to say too much because I love going into books without too much being given away.

This ending was a banger. I recommend if you’re interested to definitely give it a try. Pacing and repetition aside, I did enjoy it. The narrator, Caitlin Kelly, did a good job!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - 3.5/5 stars (rounding up to 4 for GR)

Thank you to Netgalley, Tor Nightfire, and Macmillan audio for providing a copy of this to me in exchange for an honest review.

🌏

I highly recommend the audiobook version of Overgrowth. The narrator does an excellent job of bringing Mira Grant’s unsettling world to life.

The story itself was, unfortunately, far less impressive. The opening chapter of Overgrowth is eerie and tense, but then the story shifts gears hard. What starts as dark, atmospheric sci-fi horror quickly turns into a much cozier, YA-feeling, fantasy-esque narrative focused on Anastasia and her ensemble of friends. The tonal whiplash is real, and the rest of the book never quite recovers from it.

There were some really thoughtful, introspective conversation throughout about inclusion and belonging, but there’s so much of it that it starts to drag. The same themes and ideas are rehashed again and again, and by the time the actual invasion begins, well over halfway through the novel, it was too little, too late, with most of the real action is packed into the last 50 pages.

There was some body horror, but it’s very light and tamed. This read is a good entry point for readers who are new to horror, but if you’re looking for something intense and terrifying (and in the same vein of Into the Drowning Deep) this one probably won’t hit the mark.

Being that I love Mira Grant, I love gardening, and I love horror... this book was a must-read as soon as I possibly could. Even better, I was able to listen to the audio version.

The first half of the story is devoted to character development, with a little bit of world-building. The second half of the story, is more driven by events that unfold on Earth. This is truly a story that takes time to read or listen to. For some, it could take a bit to get really pulled in and keep your attention. If you can make it to about 40%, you'll be glad you did.

Thank you #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for this lovely ARC of #Overgrowth

Alien carnivorous plants with a touch of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this horror sci-fi follows Anastasia, an alien plant/pod person raised on earth. While she has always known about her alien status, she has grown emotionally attached to her loyal human friends. An armada carrying her alien relatives arrives, and Stasia must choose between her true origins and the home she has always known.

Even though she is an alien plant, and all the readers of this book will presumably be human earthlings, you will find Anastasia easy to sympathize with. She is kind, honest, and forthright — perhaps to her own detriment. She is truthful about her alien status from the moment she is "born," but nobody takes her seriously. The cast of characters are similarly likable: humans who are unwavering in their support of Stasia, a couple who take some convincing, and a mishmash of monstrous alien plant relatives that are creatively drawn.

I am predominantly a horror and sci-fi reader, so I especially enjoyed the interaction between the armada aliens and the humans, as well as the physical and emotional metamorphosis of our alien protagonist. There was not an easy answer for her dilemma: would she save her friends? Would she succumb to her alien desires? Would there be a terrifying plant/human war?

As is often the case, a story of an alien invasion becomes more a story about humans than the invaders, about existing as a stranger in society and the "othering" of various groups of people. This introduces some powerful and salient points, but the social commentary is quite thick in this book, and the approach very direct. While I agree with the author's point of view, I think a more subtle presentation of the concepts would have gotten the point across sufficiently, perhaps even more effectively.

Overall, the story is artfully told, with the fanciful flourish of a fantasy writer. This also means that there is a long lead up to action with character development and world-building. I think fantasy and "journey" sci-fi readers will love this detailed world-building component, but it may be a mixed bag for horror readers. The horror itself is fairly light, and despite all expectations I don’t know that body horror is the right category — this feels more like a dark fantasy or dark speculative fiction in nature. That said, it is well done and thought provoking; fans of Brom and dark fantasy will especially appreciate the style.

I was sent the audiobook version of this book, so I would also like to say that the narrator did a laudable job representing the various roles of the book and keeping the content engaging.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mira Grant, and Macmillan Audio for sending me this audiobook. All opinions are my own.