Review by Booklist Review
This epic, apocalyptic body horror features an alien invasion told from the point of view of a reluctant infiltrator. For most of Anastasia "Stasia" Miller's life, she not only believes herself to be part of an alien plant species that plans on invading Earth but has consistently told everyone she meets this rather off-putting information. She does get some validation when a scientist discovers strange signals from outer space that mean her progenitors are on their way. Now, Stasia must decide between her small circle of human friends (along with all of humanity) and the aliens who want to "harvest" Earth. At nearly 500 pages, the book offers plenty of opportunities for Grant (In the Shadow of Spindrift House, 2019) to lose the plot, but the story briskly slithers along thanks to narrator-infiltrator Stasia, who is both awkwardly charming and ultimately relatable thanks to the loyalty she shows her friends during the invasion and her unique quandary of whether to side with her home planet or her true nature. Add in the aliens, carnivorous and intelligent plants who mimic animals, and Grant has created a humorously horrifying apocalypse that shows off the best aspects of emotional (and human) storytelling.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this uneven sci-fi horror mash-up, Hugo and Nebula Award winner Grant (Unbreakable), a pen name for Seanan McGuire, builds a lush world full of cannibalistic plants but struggles to bring the plot home. As a child, Anastasia Miller encountered an alien flower that entombed her body in a strange cocoon, leaving her forever altered. Into adulthood, Anastasia's obsession with the aliens and frequent warnings about a coming invasion derail her life, but she's still unable to let it go. Then a Portland observatory intercepts a mysterious signal from intelligent life in outer space. The aliens are on their way back to pick up Anastasia, but what does that mean for the rest of humanity? Unfortunately, after a suspenseful buildup, the momentum flags once the invasion begins and, despite dishing out copious one-liners, Anastasia proves a disappointingly inert protagonist. The supporting characters, meanwhile, serve as an interchangeable series of foils for her to argue with. Most disappointing is Grant's portrayal of Anastasia's transgender boyfriend, Graham, whose characterization invokes stereotypes about the dangers of testosterone and chest binding. This is a rare miss from Grant. (May)
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