Day of the Triffids meets Little Shop of Horrors in this smart, charming, harrowing alien invasion story about being human, by a Hugo-award winning author.

Since she was three years old, Anastasia Miller has been telling anyone who would listen that she’s an alien disguised as a human being, and that the armada that left her on Earth is coming for her. Since she was three years old, no one has believed her.

Now, with an alien signal from the stars being broadcast around the world, humanity is finally starting to realize that it’s already been warned, and it may be too late. The invasion is coming, Stasia’s biological family is on the way to bring her home, and very few family reunions are willing to cross the gulf of space for just one misplaced child.

What happens when you know what’s coming, and just refuse to listen?

Every October I focus on horror and thriller books. This year I tried to mix it up a bit by looking for different types of books (normally I focus on slashers, or hauntings) and I picked this one because it’s a sci-fi horror (a genre I don’t read a lot of). I went in expecting to be mildly entertained and ended up completely hooked. By the time I finished, I was mostly convinced I’d be perfectly fine with joining an alien plant collective. Honestly? If the state of our world keeps spiraling, sign me up. Let the invasion happen. I want to be a plant person, please!

The premise is both eerie and wildly creative. Anastasia Miller wandered into the woods when she was three years old and went missing. When she was found hours later, she claimed that she’s not really Anastasia. She’s an alien disguised as a human. Nobody believes her, of course—until the day many years later when the signal goes out that aliens are on the move, and they intend to take over earth. By the time it’s too late, it’s clear she wasn’t making things up. Her “real” family is on their way to take over the planet, and humanity doesn’t stand much of a chance. What follows is part invasion tale, part character study, and part existential horror, with enough heart and adventure to keep it from sinking into utter despair.

The vibe reminded me of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which terrified me as a kid, but here the horror is blended with something more empathetic. Grant makes the story her own by focusing on identity, belonging, and the uncomfortable question of what it means to be human, or to give that up.

What makes this book stand out is its perspective. We experience the invasion from the point of view of the alien herself. Instead of rooting for humanity to survive against the odds, I found myself sympathizing with the invader. She’s intelligent, conflicted, and strangely likable. By the halfway point, I was actively cheering for her more than I was for the human race.

The character work is another highlight. Everyone feels layered, and even when I didn’t agree with their choices, I understood them. The writing is spot-on and action-packed, balancing tension with moments of genuine reflection. The horror beats land, but the story doesn’t lean so heavily on gore or science jargon that it becomes inaccessible. This is the kind of sci-fi horror that welcomes readers, like me, who might usually shy away from the genre.

There were moments that gave me chills, but not in a “close the curtains and sleep with the lights on” way. It’s more the creeping sense of inevitability, that dread of watching something you can’t stop take root and spread whether you like it or not. That slow-burn horror, paired with adventure and thoughtful character arcs, made the book impossible to put down.

This is one of those rare books that I’d recommend across the board. Horror fans will love the atmosphere. Sci-fi readers will appreciate the premise. And anyone just looking for a sharp, creepy story to tuck into a Halloween stack will be more than satisfied. If you’re hesitant about heavy science fiction but still want that eerie, otherworldly vibe, this one fits the bill perfectly. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did, but I was all in. It’s a fantastic, creepy ride that earns a spot on any Halloween TBR.