Book like Leech

The terrifying nature of parasites has made them a favorite among authors in both the horror and science fiction realms. The way in which they can invade, control, and consume their hosts is both fascinating and deeply unsettling. However, some authors opt for mutualistic invaders instead of parasitic ones, which lends a different dynamic. Of course, many authors love to combine the two with seemingly mutualistic symbiotes turning parasitic when it suits them. For example, in Leech by Hiron Ennes, human practitioners of medicine have been replaced by doctors who are actually controlled by parasites. This has been going on for hundreds of years until the arrival of a new parasite with its own plans for making it to the top of the evolutionary ladder. For more novels with a heavy focus on parasitic or mutualistic elements, check out the following books like Leech.   Parasiteby Mira GrantParasite is the first novel in the Parasitology series by Mira Grant. The parasite is a genetically engineered tapeworm created by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. Once implanted in humans, this humble parasite offers protection from illness, boosts the immune system, and even secretes designer drugs. Due to the success of the SymboGen parasite almost every human being on the planet has one living within them. Unfortunately, the parasites begin to become restless and start wanting their own lives, which doesn’t bode well for humans. Infectedby Scott SiglerInfected is the first novel in the series of the same name by Scott Sigler. It is set in the wake of a mysterious disease that is ravishing America, causing ordinary people to turn into raving, paranoid murderers. Dew Phillips is a CIA operative traveling across the country trying in vain to capture a live victim, while Margaret Montoya is a CDC epidemiologist trying to analyze decomposing corpses for clues. She discovers that the one thing all the killers have in common is that a bioengineered parasite infected them, but its complexity is far beyond the limits of known science. The Puppet Mastersby Robert A. HeinleinThe Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein is set in the summer of 2007 during the invasion of Earth by slug-like parasites that arrive in flying saucers. The slugs are able to take control of humans by attaching themselves to people’s backs. Three agents from a clandestine national security agency called the Section, travel to Iowa to investigate reports of flying saucers as well as the disappearance of agents previously assigned to the case. Upon arriva,l they discover that the city is overrun by the alien parasites and while escaping attack one is taken over by a slug. Using the agents' vast skills and knowledge, the parasite continues to facilitate the invasion.The Lives of Taoby Wesley ChuThe Lives of Tao is the first novel in the series of the same name by Wesley Chu. It stars Roen, an out-of-shape IT technician who wakes up hearing voices in his head. At first, Roen thinks he is losing his mind, but then discovers that his brain is now home to a parasitic ancient alien life-form called Tao. Tao’s race crashed landed on Earth long before humans evolved, and in the meantime, the aliens have split into two opposing factions. The Prophus are peace-loving, while the Genjix are both savage and powerful. Both factions have been searching for a way to get off the planet, but the Genjix will stop at nothing to accomplish it, even if it means sacrificing the entire human race. Healerby F. Paul WilsonThe parasite in Healer by F. Paul Wilson is a benevolent one named Pard by his host, Steven Dalt. Steven should have died in a cave on the planet Kwashi when attacked by the cave-dwelling alaret, but survives and, in the process, picks up the alien intelligence he calls Pard. However, Pard uses cellular-level consciousness to keep Dalt’s body in perfect health, which means no disease and no aging. Due to his immortality and power to cure diseases of the mind, Dalt and Pard become known as The Healer, and their skills are needed when a wave of interstellar slaughter threatens all the civilizations of the LaNague Federation. The Annual Migration of Cloudsby Premee MohamedThe Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed is set in a post-climate disaster Alberta, where the continent has been left devastated. In the wake of these climate disasters came a mysterious mind-altering fungi called Cad, that invades the bodies of the now scattered citizenry. A young woman named Reid is one of the people who carries this parasite. Reid is given a chance to move to one of the last remnants of pre-disaster society but can’t bring herself to abandon her mother and the community which relies on her for survival. However, she jumps at the opportunity to undertake a dangerous yet profitable mission that could set up her family for life. The only issue she faces is how to ask people to put their trust in her when, due to the parasite, she can’t even trust her own mind. Peepsby Scott WesterfeldPeeps by Scott Westerfeld is the story of Cal Thompson, a college freshman who becomes infected by a parasite after spending a night with a girl named Morgan. Typically, people who are infected start to hate sunlight and crave human blood, effectively turning them into vampires. Cal is fortunate and remains unchanged by the parasite, but unfortunately, he has infected all the girlfriends that he’s had since Morgan. However, he does end up working for an underground bureau to try and track down the girls he infected before they can go create more of their kind.