"THE SUCCESS OF ANY parasite is proportional to its harmlessness. Some are intelligent; they avoid detection, allowing their carriers to lead healthy lives until obsolescence. Fewer, in brilliant acts of symbiosis, foster dependence in the host. But too many are loudmouths and fools, instigating aches, diarrhea, fatigue, bleeding, or other braggadocious symptoms. Most parasites cannot think far enough ahead to maintain the well-being of their host, much less their host’s entire species. Usually, such foresight is not necessary, unless humans are involved. They tend to hold grudges."
The first few chapters slowly introduce the reader to the world.
Is it the past or the future? Pre-industrial and post-technology at the same time. Is it an alternate timeline or a post-apocalyptic future yet to come?
Just when one thinks one has gotten a hold on the trajectory, in comes another tidbit on the world-building that collapses your premise like a quantum measurement. I love it, constantly figuring it out, and the changing topography. A very intriguing start to the story.
The narrative is straightforward and to the point with no embellishments and is very immersive, a continuous stream-of-consciousness first-person perspective using multiple viewpoints.
Leech is a very eerie and somewhat unique storytelling of the beginning of an epidemic from the perspective of a symbiote [parasite...leech?].
An enjoyable read, and even though I liked this, I honestly thought I'd like it much better than I did. Three stars for the reading experience.
