It’s been a hot minute since I posted a review, but I figured I would wrap January up with a review of a book I read in December – Leech by Hiron Ennes! Check out my Leech review down below!
{You might also like – Most Anticipated Books of 2023}
Quick Review
I really enjoyed Leech, despite the fact that it’s a little weird and creepy. There’s a lot of gore and body horror, but the worldbuilding and the sci-fi elements are amazing. I would definitely recommend!
About Leech
Title: Leech
Author: Hiron Ennes
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror
Content Warnings: Death, gore, body horror.
Format: Paperback/Audiobook
Publisher: PanMacmillan SA
Date Published: 27 September 2022
Goodreads Description: In an isolated chateau, as far north as north goes, the baron’s doctor has died. The doctor’s replacement has a mystery to solve: discovering how the Institute lost track of one of its many bodies.
For hundreds of years, the Interprovincial Medical Institute has grown by taking root in young minds and shaping them into doctors, replacing every human practitioner of medicine. The Institute is here to help humanity, to cure and to cut, to cradle and protect the species from the apocalyptic horrors their ancestors unleashed.
In the frozen north, the Institute’s body will discover a competitor for its rung at the top of the evolutionary ladder. A parasite is spreading through the baron’s castle, already a dark pit of secrets, lies, violence, and fear. The two will make war on the battlefield of the body. Whichever wins, humanity will lose again.
I received a review copy from PanMacmillan SA. All opinions are my own.
Purchase Links
Purchase Leech here!
Leech Review
I don’t even actually know where to start with this review. I enjoy books that are on the weirder side, and since Tamsyn Muir blurbed this, I thought I would give it a go. I was definitely not prepared for what I found.
Leech is a story about, you guessed it, a parasite. One that has taken over a multitude of bodies over the centuries and is currently inside every single medical professional in the world. It’s both intense and creepy, and I loved it. Think The Host, but with more body horror.
The writing was truly hypnotic, and I definitely recommend the audiobook. The narrator is excellent, and I believe it’s easier to follow the conflict between the parasite and the human host that way. It’s available on Scribd, and if you use my link you get a 60-day free trial!
There’s honestly just so much going on in this book, you’ll need more than two brain cells but it’s also so intriguing you won’t be able to put it down. It’s kinda like reading the Locked Tomb series. You have no idea what’s going on, you feel like a mad scientist trying to piece things together, and you’ll have a roaring good time. It’s a rollercoaster ride if the rollercoaster was alive and insane and trying to eat you.
There are ghosts, ghouls, leeches, parasites, and strange deer-like monsters that will tear you apart. The worldbuilding is also absolutely phenomenal. I guess you could class this as dystopian, but the setting is both a backdrop to the horror and also the reason for the horror. It’s just so creative and well done.
My only complaint is the end, which was a bit too long and strange for me. There really are a lot of stories to keep track of, so it can be confusing. Overall, I had fun, was grossed out more than once, and enjoyed it.
Chat with me about Leech
Have you read Leech? What did you think of it?
If you enjoy my content, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee!
Pin This!
Great review!
What a great review! My sister loves to read horror so I’ll recommend this to her
This sounds kinda totally terrifying haha. I’m not a horror fan at all, but you caught my attention by comparing it to The Host, which I loved as a teen. Sooo who knows. Maybe I’d enjoy this after all?
HELLO THIS BOOK SOUNDS LIKE THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO THE UNIVERSE SINCE SIX OF CROWS?? i’m very much fascinated AND NEED MORE. also your reviews?? THEYRE INCREDIBLE STUFF. i love this.
oh and you saying “There’s honestly just so much going on in this book, you’ll need more than two brain cells but it’s also so intriguing you won’t be able to put it down” DEFINITELY CHANGES MATTERS. SOMEONE DROP THIS IN MY HANDS RIGHT NOW AND TAKE AWAY ALL THE COURSEWORK I HAVE PENDING PLEASE. look it sounds criminally interesting AND I CANT WAIT. thank you so so much for putting it on my radar!!!!!!