Overgrowth

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)