Book Review: Leech by Hiron Ennes
The audiobook of this is narrated by Philosophy Tube's Abigail Thorn. She did not have to go as hard as she did. I would have listened to this book just fine with a merely competent narrator and yet she put her entire self into narrating this thing, so if you have the option between the two, I definitely advise going audio for this one.
I first heard of this book ages ago in a tent in Caprock Canyons SP during a sandstorm. I was reading some collection of short stories and first chapters I got for free from like Tor or something. I remember thinking "Oh, I need to read this, it sounds like it will be very good." I remember nothing about the rest of the collection.
Fast forward like two or three or four years, what is time, and I have just now finished it.
Leech is very good modern gothic body horror. It knows what it is, and if the first chapter makes you uncomfortable in a bad way, it's not going to get better. If it makes you uncomfortable in a good way, strap in.
The obvious comparison is with The Thing. There's a writhing mass of tentacles, body horror, the paralyzing dread of Whomst Is Infected, and also sled dogs and isolation. The theme of bodily autonomy is a strong thread, as is isolation. Gender is fucked with often and well. The world, well, there are interesting hints at a wider world, and it's nicely done.
The book itself twists and turns through several interesting variations. It begins with the "what is this infection?" plot, then starts to make general The Thing motions, and then takes some entirely different turns. This is where the book will either shine or fall flat. For myself, it fell flat. I'm a horror fiend, and I wanted an extended and delightful The Thing: Gothic Horror Edition. I did not get this. I'm not mad, and I think the book was well worth the read and I do recommend it, but I do mourn my beloved hope.
It also, contrary to my expectations, did not have the Gothic horror ending I was expecting. There was a setup that I felt was not paid off in the end. I'm not sure if there's to be a sequel or not, but I felt like I was told to expect a thing that did not ultimately...
Nevermind. I am an idiot.
Well, this review is over. I need to go lay down and have a think about this.
