In the cold windswept North, a doctor has come to replace a fallen comrade. But the doctor is not alone. She is hosting a Leech, an organism living in a multitude of physicians simultaneously in this eerie future world. The organism was also within the fallen doctor. But it cannot recall what caused his death. The new physician extracts a parasite from within the deceased’s eye socket. Is there a new organism trying to control the humans? The Leech must find its source and eradicate it before it kills or controls all the humans.
This book is a merging of old-fashioned gothic horror and hard science fiction. Think of Frankenstein set in an apocalyptic future Earth. I’ve never read anything quite like it. The plot winds around your mind almost like it is a parasite itself. It does have a few problems associated with gothic fiction. It is extremely slow paced particularly in the beginning. Be prepared to have no clue what is going on for several reading hours. But when the onion starts unpeeling, you are in for a haunting treat!
Leech is an original plot submerged in an old timey writing style. If you are willing to take your time reading it, it will remain with you for a long time. 4.5 stars!
Thanks to Tordotcom and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.