Is it the past or the future? Pre-industrial and post-technolgy at the same time. The first few chapters slowly introduce the reader to the world. They tend to hold grudges." Read: 8th of October, 2022 Usually, such foresight is not necessary, unless humans are involved. Most parasites cannot think far enough ahead to maintain the well-being of their host, much less their host’s entire species. But too many are loudmouths and fools, instigating aches, diarrhea, fatigue, bleeding, or other braggadocious symptoms. Fewer, in brilliant acts of symbiosis, foster dependence in the host. Some are intelligent they avoid detection, allowing their carriers to lead healthy lives until obsolescence. "THE SUCCESS OF ANY parasite is proportional to its harmlessness. Very fitting that it will be released around the Halloween season too. Certainly check this one out because it is creepy and disturbing in all the right places and ultimately quite emotional. Definitely a wonderfully original book that took me out of my comfort zone at times but that I was so glad that I had a chance to read. ![]() They truly have a solid grasp on their craft and the uniqueness of this book cannot be undersold. But I appreciated the compelling plot and also how author Hiron Ennes took chances and didn't sugarcoat anything with regard to many of the depictions of the characters. This book is not for the squeamish as it does contain a fair amount of body horror, violence, and just plain icky scenes that left me making the squinty gross face pretty regularly. I enjoyed LEECH and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good gothic read with some truly weird elements. Speaking of the end, the climax was not what I expected and that kept right in line with my whole reading experience with this one. These can be the best types of books because the reward for paying close attention is so gratifying in the end. This is not a book for people who crave instant gratification, but rather it unfolds its secrets tantalizingly slowly. There were a few times when I put the book down in my lap, stared at the wall and thought what the heck just happened there? I'm really glad that I stuck with it though because as the story progresses, things that are merely hinted at in the beginning start to take on a sharper focus and become clearer. I have to admit that I didn't really know what was going on when I first started reading this book. So in that respect, the language definitely compliments this seemingly old school gothic horror/scifi tale. But that's also what makes the book stand out as it fits nicely with the desolate setting, which is very reminiscent of the frigid landscape scenes from Frankenstein and the dark wandering manor house halls from The Woman in White. Fair warning though, the language/dialogue is written in an older style, hearkening back to some of the works of 19th century novelists like Mary Shelley and Wilkie Collins. ![]() There are many instances where the narrative truly wraps you up and I felt myself being pulled into its tangled clutches for large stretches. Have I hooked you yet? Piqued your curiosity a bit?Īs I said before, LEECH is an incredibly unique read to be sure. ![]() Pretty cool-sounding plot, wouldn't you say? And that's just the first few chapters, the truly bizarre and intense stuff comes after that. Oh and as that investigation unfolds, something even worse is discovered below the mines outside of the chateau grounds. I mean, how do you wrap your head around a story where the main character and narrator is a parasite that has taken over a number of hosts throughout the centuries, and whose latest body is a pathologist investigating a mysterious death inside the chateau of a reclusive baron. Not in story mind you, but in total accumulation of wtf moments. The closest thing I think I can come to it in "weirdness" is The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins. I can honestly say that I've never read a book quite like LEECH by Hiron Ennes. Original review posted on my blog Out of This World SFF:
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