ktxx22's review against another edition
4.0
This is a debut novel??!! Blown away. It’s rich with descriptions and luscious with language. It’s a little long for my taste, but that’s really my only complaint. It’s gross and twisty and would we call this sci-fi or would we call this gothic fantasy?! I dunno but I do know that I had a great time in this world and it was fitting for an Ohio spring cold front of 40° weather. If you like Gothic literature you’ve got to read this. It might just wriggle into your eye socket and take up residency.
robynbookends's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
meetyouineveryplace's review against another edition
Simply didn't grab me. Really great premise and strong start but it struggled to keep my interest as it developed.
storyonlystory's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ghostmomxoxo's review against another edition
4.0
TW: sexual assault, body horror
Leech was probably the most unique book I’ve read in a long time. I really struggled with the first 100 or so pages; I even thought at one point I might DNF it, but I’m super happy I pushed through.
This story was gross, creepy, and unsettling in all the best ways. The cast of characters felt like something out of a Gothic fairy tale, and I genuinely never had any idea what was going to happen next.
By far the strongest part of this book was the world building, and I could honestly read an entire series of books set in this universe. I’m left with so many questions. Who started the Institute? What apocalyptic event(s) sent the world as we know it into darkness, only for history to repeat itself completely? Is Satgarden even remotely as Simone remembers it, or will she return to find an entirely different landscape? What about the Naturalist compound? I legit want a book for each land that this book mentioned, for each side character.
I think Ennes’ did a really fantastic job of crafting a spooky gothic horror/sci-fi story, while also managing really exceptional commentary on colonialism, agency, classism, and humanity in general.
This book is definitely not going to be everyone’s vibe, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Leech was probably the most unique book I’ve read in a long time. I really struggled with the first 100 or so pages; I even thought at one point I might DNF it, but I’m super happy I pushed through.
This story was gross, creepy, and unsettling in all the best ways. The cast of characters felt like something out of a Gothic fairy tale, and I genuinely never had any idea what was going to happen next.
By far the strongest part of this book was the world building, and I could honestly read an entire series of books set in this universe. I’m left with so many questions. Who started the Institute? What apocalyptic event(s) sent the world as we know it into darkness, only for history to repeat itself completely? Is Satgarden even remotely as Simone remembers it, or will she return to find an entirely different landscape? What about the Naturalist compound? I legit want a book for each land that this book mentioned, for each side character.
I think Ennes’ did a really fantastic job of crafting a spooky gothic horror/sci-fi story, while also managing really exceptional commentary on colonialism, agency, classism, and humanity in general.
This book is definitely not going to be everyone’s vibe, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
books_andprobablysome_wine's review against another edition
4.0
Still not sure if I truly understood this book.
Loved it tough!
Loved it tough!
exulya's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
eclownizzy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
fullyfoley's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 Stars rounding down. I liked the like setting, the constant dread/misery, and the idea of the main character but overall the story felt stretched, boring, had story threads that came and went, and had abrupt ending. I will probably try to reread this in the future and see if I was not in the right mindset.