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piratenami 's review for:
Overgrowth
by Mira Grant
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't read a lot of horror because I'm a giant coward. But when I do, Seanan McGuire (writing as Mira Grant) is one of the few authors I trust to write horror that is smart, human, and not written purely for shock value.
Saying that, Overgrowth does begin with the death of a child, which is shown "on screen" but not gratuitous. In her place, an alien is created who looks and sounds just like her. This is our main character, Anastasia Miller, called Stasia by her friends. Ever since she replaced the real Anastasia at the age of three, she's made no secret about being a plant alien and warning people that the invasion was coming. She has a compulsion to tell the truth about what she is, even if no one believes her. Mostly, that's just gotten her bullied and ostracized. Now in her thirties, she's made a few geeky friends who accept her quirks, and even has a job and a boyfriend.
Unfortunately for the rest of humanity, when a signal arrives from the alien fleet, they learn that Stasia and the others like her were not lying. The invasion force is finally on its way. Except many of the alien vanguard, like Stasia herself, have human lives, attachments, even love.
While the invasion is certainly a focus of the story, I'd argue Overgrowth is more about what it means to be a person, even if one isn't human, while also criticizing the hatred and bigotry rampant in the world. It feels very timely in the current U.S. political climate. Stasia is an alien from an invading race. She also loves her cat and her boyfriend, works a crappy customer service job, and helps her cosplaying best friend glue sequins on her costume in her spare time.
As the invasion draws closer and the U.S. government begins to hunt down the aliens, Stasia and her friends have to choose sides. Will she stand with humanity and try to save the planet she's grown to love, but has never really made her feel like she belonged with? Or will she return the hatred and anger she received from humanity and join the alien invaders?
There weren't many ways this could end. Stasia's choices felt real and human, and the ending overall felt both final and hopeful. I almost passed on this one, thinking I didn't want to read a horror right now, but I'm very glad I didn't.
Saying that, Overgrowth does begin with the death of a child, which is shown "on screen" but not gratuitous. In her place, an alien is created who looks and sounds just like her. This is our main character, Anastasia Miller, called Stasia by her friends. Ever since she replaced the real Anastasia at the age of three, she's made no secret about being a plant alien and warning people that the invasion was coming. She has a compulsion to tell the truth about what she is, even if no one believes her. Mostly, that's just gotten her bullied and ostracized. Now in her thirties, she's made a few geeky friends who accept her quirks, and even has a job and a boyfriend.
Unfortunately for the rest of humanity, when a signal arrives from the alien fleet, they learn that Stasia and the others like her were not lying. The invasion force is finally on its way. Except many of the alien vanguard, like Stasia herself, have human lives, attachments, even love.
While the invasion is certainly a focus of the story, I'd argue Overgrowth is more about what it means to be a person, even if one isn't human, while also criticizing the hatred and bigotry rampant in the world. It feels very timely in the current U.S. political climate. Stasia is an alien from an invading race. She also loves her cat and her boyfriend, works a crappy customer service job, and helps her cosplaying best friend glue sequins on her costume in her spare time.
As the invasion draws closer and the U.S. government begins to hunt down the aliens, Stasia and her friends have to choose sides. Will she stand with humanity and try to save the planet she's grown to love, but has never really made her feel like she belonged with? Or will she return the hatred and anger she received from humanity and join the alien invaders?
There weren't many ways this could end. Stasia's choices felt real and human, and the ending overall felt both final and hopeful. I almost passed on this one, thinking I didn't want to read a horror right now, but I'm very glad I didn't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, War
Moderate: Transphobia, Medical content