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Leutogi: A Horror Story
May 2001. Manhattan socialite, Egret Covello, is dying to be skinny. When she hears whispers of an exotic tapeworm in the Australian Outback, Egret, accompanied by her microcephalic teenage son, Noah, sets out for the Land Down Under to get herself infected as soon as possible. As her date with a stomach parasite draws nearer, Egret is confronted by demons from her past, and a looming How much is she willing to give for the perfect body? Originally completed in 2018, Leutogi is a comedy-horror novel focused on body image and anorexia, it is the first novel by H.T. Boyd.
269 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2024
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177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 19, 2024
I thought the title was a misnomer. A genre glitch. 75% of the book is horror-free. In fact it’s a whiney rant of a bored socialite with irrational fears, phobias, and the inability to cope. It’s a “Poor Me” poem.
But I’m glad I persisted.
The horror hits, in a big way. Suspenseful, graphic, gorey, gross, and a bit shocking. The creature is fantastic, seconded only by the parasite that caused all of this to happen.
Sheila is a star and I hope we see her progeny in a follow up book.
I certainly wanted to score the book lower, as the first three-quarters of the book was dry and repetitious. But wow the final few chapters pack a wallop that makes the time invested well worth the effort. I had to give it five stars.
Can Recommend. (Caveat: Stick with it.)
But I’m glad I persisted.
The horror hits, in a big way. Suspenseful, graphic, gorey, gross, and a bit shocking. The creature is fantastic, seconded only by the parasite that caused all of this to happen.
Sheila is a star and I hope we see her progeny in a follow up book.
I certainly wanted to score the book lower, as the first three-quarters of the book was dry and repetitious. But wow the final few chapters pack a wallop that makes the time invested well worth the effort. I had to give it five stars.
Can Recommend. (Caveat: Stick with it.)
September 22, 2024
This was a really compelling book. It delves into important mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Initially, I felt that the time spent with the main character was a bit lengthy, but I came to understand its purpose. The extended focus allows us to see all aspects of her – the good and the bad. The portrayal of mental illness is particularly strong, capturing how we can sometimes lose sight of who we are, wish to be different, and struggle to recognize ourselves. Additionally, the way it examines what we really need to be "happy" gives you plenty to think about.
June 18, 2024
‼️CHECK YOUR TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNINGS‼️
I am blown away by this book!
We follow Egret, a New York socialite who is obsessed with being thin. After many years of trying extreme diet after diet, she takes a trip to the wild outback in Australia to find a well hidden tapeworm that will, in her mind, solve all her weight problems. What occurs is nothing short of horrific, but tragedy won’t stop Egret from reaching her goal weight.
This is such an important book! As someone who has struggled with disordered eating for most of her life, this was such a real look into the mind of someone who faces mental illness combined with eating disorders and an unhealthy relationship with food. While this was an extreme take in most parts, there was a very real perception of the world that some who struggle with disordered eating have. Egret, while extremely unlikeable (I actually despised her as a character), was a very real example of the horrific effects of eating disorders on the body and especially the mind. The ending was jaw dropping and left my stomach in disgusted knots. I am wowed by the writing and appreciate what this book has to offer. I can’t wait to pick up more from this author. Highly recommend to the horror community!
I am blown away by this book!
We follow Egret, a New York socialite who is obsessed with being thin. After many years of trying extreme diet after diet, she takes a trip to the wild outback in Australia to find a well hidden tapeworm that will, in her mind, solve all her weight problems. What occurs is nothing short of horrific, but tragedy won’t stop Egret from reaching her goal weight.
This is such an important book! As someone who has struggled with disordered eating for most of her life, this was such a real look into the mind of someone who faces mental illness combined with eating disorders and an unhealthy relationship with food. While this was an extreme take in most parts, there was a very real perception of the world that some who struggle with disordered eating have. Egret, while extremely unlikeable (I actually despised her as a character), was a very real example of the horrific effects of eating disorders on the body and especially the mind. The ending was jaw dropping and left my stomach in disgusted knots. I am wowed by the writing and appreciate what this book has to offer. I can’t wait to pick up more from this author. Highly recommend to the horror community!
April 26, 2024
jaw dropping, outstanding, and a fantastic debut!
we’re introduced to Egret, our main character, who from the get-go shows signs of body dysphoria, an intense eating disorder, mental illness, and the effects of beauty standards in the early 2000s.
she would do anything to be skinny, and she shows that quite a lot throughout the story, right before finding the perfect cure. her friend tells her about a tape worm, not an ordinary one, but one that lets you eat whatever and stay skinny. alongside a few effects of course.
listening to her friend, Egret takes her and her son, Noah, on a trip to Australia to acquire the tape worm. but what awaits her is horror and trials that test her mind, body, and motherhood. but what’s a few horrors to stay skinny?
the book sets up the story and foundation for the plot amazingly. we get to know Egret and her mind, her body, her illnesses, and her relationships all from her point of view. witnessing what she goes through in itself is a huge part of the horror that happens in this book, setting aside what happens in the end. the author encapsulates body dysphoria amazingly and the toxic culture of what dictates “pretty.” the end was one of the things that drove it home for me, the last page showing that Egret would never truly understand, and would do whatever it takes in her mind to fix her “imperfections” and match society’s beauty norms.
we’re introduced to Egret, our main character, who from the get-go shows signs of body dysphoria, an intense eating disorder, mental illness, and the effects of beauty standards in the early 2000s.
she would do anything to be skinny, and she shows that quite a lot throughout the story, right before finding the perfect cure. her friend tells her about a tape worm, not an ordinary one, but one that lets you eat whatever and stay skinny. alongside a few effects of course.
listening to her friend, Egret takes her and her son, Noah, on a trip to Australia to acquire the tape worm. but what awaits her is horror and trials that test her mind, body, and motherhood. but what’s a few horrors to stay skinny?
the book sets up the story and foundation for the plot amazingly. we get to know Egret and her mind, her body, her illnesses, and her relationships all from her point of view. witnessing what she goes through in itself is a huge part of the horror that happens in this book, setting aside what happens in the end. the author encapsulates body dysphoria amazingly and the toxic culture of what dictates “pretty.” the end was one of the things that drove it home for me, the last page showing that Egret would never truly understand, and would do whatever it takes in her mind to fix her “imperfections” and match society’s beauty norms.
May 10, 2025
Nope.
Who are all of y'all giving this thing 4 and 5 stars? C'mon. You read what I just read, right?! It was awful. And not in a 'omg body horror got me all cranked up' awful, either. And I was soooo hoping for some good, gross body horror. Sigh.
This was 270 pages of a disgustingly selfish woman treating everyone around her, including her disabled son, like they were all pieces of shit or just a means to an end. She was loathsome and preachy and such a spoiled bitch that I wished with all my heart that things would end horribly for her.
Don't read it. Let me spoil it for you.
My apologies to the author, who kindly offered me a review copy. I wanted to like it. I really did.
Who are all of y'all giving this thing 4 and 5 stars? C'mon. You read what I just read, right?! It was awful. And not in a 'omg body horror got me all cranked up' awful, either. And I was soooo hoping for some good, gross body horror. Sigh.
This was 270 pages of a disgustingly selfish woman treating everyone around her, including her disabled son, like they were all pieces of shit or just a means to an end. She was loathsome and preachy and such a spoiled bitch that I wished with all my heart that things would end horribly for her.
Don't read it. Let me spoil it for you.
My apologies to the author, who kindly offered me a review copy. I wanted to like it. I really did.
August 20, 2024
Going into this book, I went in with confidence that it'd be an outstanding piece of literature, and I wasn't mistaken. Between the aspect of early 2000's culture and parasites, I knew I would enjoy what was to come, but I can definitely say that Boyd exceeded my expectations.
Not only was the writing done with finesse and quality execution, the subject matter is handled in such a way that it really delved deep into the mindset of an anorexic socialite who lets the idea of her weight impact her ability to be happy. It strains her relationships with her friends, ex-husband, son, food, herself, every single part of her life. Reading just how desperate she yearns to be skinny is in a way, heartbreaking, and I sympathized with the main character for a good while. But as the book goes on, you begin to realize just how much her mental state is overtaken by her obsessive need to be underweight, that nothing could be said to change her mind. Not only is that in itself scary, but the horror that comes in the later half of the book is more terrifying.
The first half of the book has plenty of charming moments with its humorous dialogue and cultural references, and frankly, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the day-to-day life of Egret and her struggles, especially with her family and her past. But once it gets to the second half, it becomes apparent just how horrific it becomes when you reduce yourself to your worst just to get what you want. Once she does, it turns her into something else, and the way that Boyd wrote the series of events made me tense at times. Not only does she have the demons of her past and a blackhole clinging inside her, but there's even a quite literal monster that hunts her down, perpetuating the downfalls that she can't seem to let go of. It goes to show what happens when you give too much into your own mind, until you're trapped, whether you want to get out or not.
With my utmost respect, I can say that this is easily in my top 3 books of all time, unbiased opinion and all. I enjoyed it from the first to very last page. It's been a long time since I've sat down and thoroughly enjoyed a story, and Leutogi takes a special place in my heart, that's for sure.
You've done an excellent job with this, Boyd. I hope to read more of your work in the near future.
Not only was the writing done with finesse and quality execution, the subject matter is handled in such a way that it really delved deep into the mindset of an anorexic socialite who lets the idea of her weight impact her ability to be happy. It strains her relationships with her friends, ex-husband, son, food, herself, every single part of her life. Reading just how desperate she yearns to be skinny is in a way, heartbreaking, and I sympathized with the main character for a good while. But as the book goes on, you begin to realize just how much her mental state is overtaken by her obsessive need to be underweight, that nothing could be said to change her mind. Not only is that in itself scary, but the horror that comes in the later half of the book is more terrifying.
The first half of the book has plenty of charming moments with its humorous dialogue and cultural references, and frankly, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the day-to-day life of Egret and her struggles, especially with her family and her past. But once it gets to the second half, it becomes apparent just how horrific it becomes when you reduce yourself to your worst just to get what you want. Once she does, it turns her into something else, and the way that Boyd wrote the series of events made me tense at times. Not only does she have the demons of her past and a blackhole clinging inside her, but there's even a quite literal monster that hunts her down, perpetuating the downfalls that she can't seem to let go of. It goes to show what happens when you give too much into your own mind, until you're trapped, whether you want to get out or not.
With my utmost respect, I can say that this is easily in my top 3 books of all time, unbiased opinion and all. I enjoyed it from the first to very last page. It's been a long time since I've sat down and thoroughly enjoyed a story, and Leutogi takes a special place in my heart, that's for sure.
You've done an excellent job with this, Boyd. I hope to read more of your work in the near future.
March 11, 2025
This book will be living in my head for a long while. First and foremost, it deals with some really important issues like poor body image, severe depression, crippling anxiety & eating disorders. Things that were relatable but also tough to take in.
Starting off a little slow, there was quite a bit on Egret and her self loathing, while trying to also work through the complex relationship with her son. But the book builds up to an explosive ending which is definitely worth the slow pace. It made me both really despise Egret, and also feel great empathy towards her.
Leutogi reflects how desperate we can get & how trying to escape out of the downward spiral of our wants, can sometimes be impossible.
I highly recommend this book✨
Starting off a little slow, there was quite a bit on Egret and her self loathing, while trying to also work through the complex relationship with her son. But the book builds up to an explosive ending which is definitely worth the slow pace. It made me both really despise Egret, and also feel great empathy towards her.
Leutogi reflects how desperate we can get & how trying to escape out of the downward spiral of our wants, can sometimes be impossible.
I highly recommend this book✨
November 20, 2024
ITA
Egret Covello è divorziata e ha un figlio. Il marito è un famoso presentatore di programmi relativi alla natura. Il figlio è nato con una patologia per la quale il cranio non si è sviluppato in modo adeguato rispetto al corpo.
Egret è ossessionata dal suo peso. Passa momenti di profonda depressione dove ingurgita qualsiasi cosa in maniera smisurata per poi rendersi conto di aver assunto troppe calorie e, quindi, doversi liberare aggiungendo sessioni intensive in palestra.
Durante un evento di beneficenza incontra una vecchia compagna di scuola, Constance: fisico asciutto e bellissima.
La storia continua con i tentativi di Egret di perdere peso, o almeno non aumentarlo, fino ad arrivare a un punto, molto drammatico, dove riesce a ottenere dall'amica Constance il suo segreto.
Questo la porterà in Australia, con il figlio.
Penso di non aver mai letto horror, forse qualcosa di Edgar Allan Poe, ma sinceramente non ricordo nulla per cui non ho gli elementi per dire se è un romanzo geniale o meno.
Posso dire che non mi è dispiaciuto.
Ho trovato interessante la combinazione horror, cibo, aspetto esteriore e felicità.
La storia secondo me inizia un po’ pesante, poi diventa più interessante nella prima parte del viaggio in Australia: credo di aver adorato Hudson, la loro guida, con la sua filosofia spiccia e la sua genuinità. Alla fine c’è una parte horror vera… in fin dei conti è un horror.
Ho apprezzato anche come viene presentata Egret: un personaggio a mio avviso crudele, molto concentrato su sé stesso. C’è un capitolo, ad esempio, dove è insieme al figlio e visto che non sanno cosa fare lei gli dice “dai dialoghiamo insieme” ma è come se lo facesse per forma, ma senza poi davvero ascoltare quello che le dice il figlio.
In molti punti si parla di “fame” come qualcosa di molto distorto e pauroso e un po’ mi ha fatto venire in mente Hunger Games.
Ultima cosa che ho notato è che questo è uno di quei libri dove, secondo me, al personaggio succedono delle cose che però non creano una vera a propria crescita. Il finale è geniale su questo punto.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente
ENG
Egret Covello is a divorced woman with a single child. Her husband is a famous nature-related program host. The son was born with a condition where the body is smaller than the body.
Egret is obsessed with her weight. She goes through moments of deep depression where she gulps down anything only to realize that she has taken in too many calories and, therefore, needs to relieve herself (laxatives and intensive gym sessions).
During a charity event, she meets an old schoolmate, Constance, who has a lean physique and is beautiful.
The story is all about Egret's attempts to lose weight, or at least not gain it, until she reaches a very dramatic point and she manages to get Constance's secret.
This takes her to Australia with her son.
I don't think I have ever read horror—maybe something by Edgar Allan Poe, but I honestly don't remember anything—so I don't have the elements to say whether it is a brilliant novel or not.
I can say that I did not dislike it.
I found the combination of horror, food, appearance, and happiness interesting.
The story, in my opinion, starts a bit heavy, then becomes interesting in the first part of the Australia trip. I loved Hudson, their guide, with his straightforward philosophy and genuineness. There is a real horror part at the end—it is, after all, a horror novel.
I also appreciated how Egret is presented: a character, in my opinion, who is cruel and very self-centered. There is a chapter, for example, where she is together with her son, and since they don't know what to do, she tells him, “Come on, let's talk together,” but it is as if she is doing it out of form, without then really listening to what her son is telling her.
In many points, the author talks about “hunger” as something very distorted and scary; it reminded me of Hunger Games.
The last thing I noticed is that this is one of those books where, in my opinion, things happen to the character but they don't really create growth. The ending is brilliant on this point.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Egret Covello è divorziata e ha un figlio. Il marito è un famoso presentatore di programmi relativi alla natura. Il figlio è nato con una patologia per la quale il cranio non si è sviluppato in modo adeguato rispetto al corpo.
Egret è ossessionata dal suo peso. Passa momenti di profonda depressione dove ingurgita qualsiasi cosa in maniera smisurata per poi rendersi conto di aver assunto troppe calorie e, quindi, doversi liberare aggiungendo sessioni intensive in palestra.
Durante un evento di beneficenza incontra una vecchia compagna di scuola, Constance: fisico asciutto e bellissima.
La storia continua con i tentativi di Egret di perdere peso, o almeno non aumentarlo, fino ad arrivare a un punto, molto drammatico, dove riesce a ottenere dall'amica Constance il suo segreto.
Questo la porterà in Australia, con il figlio.
Penso di non aver mai letto horror, forse qualcosa di Edgar Allan Poe, ma sinceramente non ricordo nulla per cui non ho gli elementi per dire se è un romanzo geniale o meno.
Posso dire che non mi è dispiaciuto.
Ho trovato interessante la combinazione horror, cibo, aspetto esteriore e felicità.
La storia secondo me inizia un po’ pesante, poi diventa più interessante nella prima parte del viaggio in Australia: credo di aver adorato Hudson, la loro guida, con la sua filosofia spiccia e la sua genuinità. Alla fine c’è una parte horror vera… in fin dei conti è un horror.
Ho apprezzato anche come viene presentata Egret: un personaggio a mio avviso crudele, molto concentrato su sé stesso. C’è un capitolo, ad esempio, dove è insieme al figlio e visto che non sanno cosa fare lei gli dice “dai dialoghiamo insieme” ma è come se lo facesse per forma, ma senza poi davvero ascoltare quello che le dice il figlio.
In molti punti si parla di “fame” come qualcosa di molto distorto e pauroso e un po’ mi ha fatto venire in mente Hunger Games.
Ultima cosa che ho notato è che questo è uno di quei libri dove, secondo me, al personaggio succedono delle cose che però non creano una vera a propria crescita. Il finale è geniale su questo punto.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente
ENG
Egret Covello is a divorced woman with a single child. Her husband is a famous nature-related program host. The son was born with a condition where the body is smaller than the body.
Egret is obsessed with her weight. She goes through moments of deep depression where she gulps down anything only to realize that she has taken in too many calories and, therefore, needs to relieve herself (laxatives and intensive gym sessions).
During a charity event, she meets an old schoolmate, Constance, who has a lean physique and is beautiful.
The story is all about Egret's attempts to lose weight, or at least not gain it, until she reaches a very dramatic point and she manages to get Constance's secret.
This takes her to Australia with her son.
I don't think I have ever read horror—maybe something by Edgar Allan Poe, but I honestly don't remember anything—so I don't have the elements to say whether it is a brilliant novel or not.
I can say that I did not dislike it.
I found the combination of horror, food, appearance, and happiness interesting.
The story, in my opinion, starts a bit heavy, then becomes interesting in the first part of the Australia trip. I loved Hudson, their guide, with his straightforward philosophy and genuineness. There is a real horror part at the end—it is, after all, a horror novel.
I also appreciated how Egret is presented: a character, in my opinion, who is cruel and very self-centered. There is a chapter, for example, where she is together with her son, and since they don't know what to do, she tells him, “Come on, let's talk together,” but it is as if she is doing it out of form, without then really listening to what her son is telling her.
In many points, the author talks about “hunger” as something very distorted and scary; it reminded me of Hunger Games.
The last thing I noticed is that this is one of those books where, in my opinion, things happen to the character but they don't really create growth. The ending is brilliant on this point.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 12, 2025
For me, Leutogi gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story is set in 2001 and follows thirty-nine year old, New York socialite, Egret, in a modern reimagining of the Samoan legend of Leutogi
✨️Please check your triggers for this one as it mentions diet culture, ED and body dysmorphia✨️
....
....
....
Egret struggles with an ED, body dysmorphia, and other mental health struggles, which greatly affects the relationship she has with her fifteen year old son, Noah, and was also part of the downfall of her marriage to her somewhat famous ex-husband.
I will be perfectly honest...it is very likely you won't like Egret (I definitely didn't) and you probably won't be rooting for her (I definitely wasn't). Egret is a very selfish, self absorbed, rude, demanding, cynical person. She wants everything to be perfect, or at least her version of perfect. As you get to know Egret, you see how her desperate need for perfection affects how she sees others around her, how she behaves towards others, and ultimately how she sees and treats herself
What I will say is, stick with it. This is a slow burn with loads of story building, the in your face horror element doesn't come in until late in the book, but when it arrives, it arrives with a bang. The gore factor definitely hits you in the face
This book is powerfully written on the struggles with mental health (and how it affects your life and others around you), body dysmorphia, the toxicity of diet culture, loss, and grief
Also, fair warning, only maybe one character is actually likeable in this book 😂
My favourite line was "You are your father’s savagery and my insecurities all wrapped up in a bad mustache"
The story is set in 2001 and follows thirty-nine year old, New York socialite, Egret, in a modern reimagining of the Samoan legend of Leutogi
✨️Please check your triggers for this one as it mentions diet culture, ED and body dysmorphia✨️
....
....
....
Egret struggles with an ED, body dysmorphia, and other mental health struggles, which greatly affects the relationship she has with her fifteen year old son, Noah, and was also part of the downfall of her marriage to her somewhat famous ex-husband.
I will be perfectly honest...it is very likely you won't like Egret (I definitely didn't) and you probably won't be rooting for her (I definitely wasn't). Egret is a very selfish, self absorbed, rude, demanding, cynical person. She wants everything to be perfect, or at least her version of perfect. As you get to know Egret, you see how her desperate need for perfection affects how she sees others around her, how she behaves towards others, and ultimately how she sees and treats herself
What I will say is, stick with it. This is a slow burn with loads of story building, the in your face horror element doesn't come in until late in the book, but when it arrives, it arrives with a bang. The gore factor definitely hits you in the face
This book is powerfully written on the struggles with mental health (and how it affects your life and others around you), body dysmorphia, the toxicity of diet culture, loss, and grief
Also, fair warning, only maybe one character is actually likeable in this book 😂
My favourite line was "You are your father’s savagery and my insecurities all wrapped up in a bad mustache"
July 9, 2024
I will give my honest review as someone who does not always spring for books in the horror section.
What awaits you in this novel is not your typical horror frights. At its core, the most terrifying aspects lay within its characters. Their backstories, their motivations, their relationships. And because of the outstanding writing and smooth poetic prose of its writer, you fear what they fear.
That being said, the horror imagery is there. Not just psychological horrors like isolation, body dysmorphia, culture shock, and the insults moody teenagers can throw at you. REAL visceral horror, the kind a reader like myself thought was reserved for the movies, is also there too in this story. No spoilers but they’ll need a big budget for red dyed corn syrup when they inevitably make the film version of this story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a sci-fi/horror book that is character driven and psychologically thrilling, but with plenty of the bowl of blood pay off a reader would expect from a horror story.
What awaits you in this novel is not your typical horror frights. At its core, the most terrifying aspects lay within its characters. Their backstories, their motivations, their relationships. And because of the outstanding writing and smooth poetic prose of its writer, you fear what they fear.
That being said, the horror imagery is there. Not just psychological horrors like isolation, body dysmorphia, culture shock, and the insults moody teenagers can throw at you. REAL visceral horror, the kind a reader like myself thought was reserved for the movies, is also there too in this story. No spoilers but they’ll need a big budget for red dyed corn syrup when they inevitably make the film version of this story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a sci-fi/horror book that is character driven and psychologically thrilling, but with plenty of the bowl of blood pay off a reader would expect from a horror story.
April 20, 2024
Egret is obsessed with being thin and will do anything to lose weight.
This was amazing. Such a fantastic book and so well written. I ended up disliking everyone for different reasons, except maybe the tour guide. The mindset of Egret is really realistic, in my lowest times I’ve thought similar things. But the relentless obsession with her weight to the detriment of everything else was hard to watch unfold. I loved this book.
This was amazing. Such a fantastic book and so well written. I ended up disliking everyone for different reasons, except maybe the tour guide. The mindset of Egret is really realistic, in my lowest times I’ve thought similar things. But the relentless obsession with her weight to the detriment of everything else was hard to watch unfold. I loved this book.
December 14, 2025
PICTURE THIS: It’s pre-9/11 New York, and you’re the high-maintenance divorcee of an Italian Steve Irwin knock-off. You live half of the year alone and depressed in your luxury Manhattan apartment, the other half getting berated by your miserable son with a shrunken head. You spend most days either taking kickboxing lessons or starving yourself in bed. Sometimes you stop by the bodega to pick up chips and ice cream for a late-night binge. That’s the life of Egret Covello, 129.2 pounds.
This was a FANTASTIC read, one I really enjoyed from beginning to end. It had a great first chapter describing the internal turmoil of a person with disordered eating, an addicting introduction to Egret’s torturous mind. I was IMMEDIATELY hooked. Was very stomach-turning but overall, just sad. As a woman I think it’s disgusting what society has groomed us to believe about our bodies, that a 5’9” woman should feel like she has to weigh any less than 129 lb in order to accept herself. Now I know beauty standards are of course more strict for the New York “elite”, the wealthy, the high-class, especially during the early 2000s... Living in that world, it’s no wonder Egret is so obsessed with her weight. But it actually goes a lot deeper than that, before her husband’s fame, before the baby. She’s always dreamed of being skeleton-thin, and had achieved it at one point too. Again, very sad. But now that poor Egret is single, lonely, and those dreaded lbs are back… We have the perfect concoction for a story I will never forget.
Egret’s anorexia and poor mental wellbeing are only worsened by her running in with Constance Sinclair, a stick-thin and flawlessly perfect old friend. During a charity dinner, Egret can’t help but wonder how in the world the woman can put down so much food and still look like a toothpick. Soon, after literally begging on her hands and knees, Egret gets her answer: the saltwater famine tapeworm, found in the bellies of fish in a small lake hidden deep in the Australian outback.
Able to survive in the acidic gastric juices, the exotic parasite clings to the stomach muscle and feeds off nearly every last calorie eaten, leaving very little to be digested by the body. It results in a pseudo hyper-metabolism, one so severe that the host has to ingest 5,000 calories daily and take countless dietary supplements to stay alive. The saltwater famine worm is literally starving its host to death, very slowly; yet, knowing the risks, Egret will do literally anything to get infected by one.
That includes taking her bitch-ass teenage son with microcephaly and bug eyes (leading him to be nicknamed “Lizard Boy” by a couple of Aussie drunks and I hate to say it but that bar fight is one of my favorite scenes, it’s so fucked up but so funny) on a 27-hour flight and even more endless hours of travel to Lake Nothing in the middle of nowhere. While disguising it as a vacation for his benefit. See, this story is fucking nuts!
Shit gets even crazier from there. At the end of the journey Egret gets what she wanted… But at an unspeakable cost. And the kicker is? After all that mess, all that suffering, all that devastation.. It’s still not enough. She loses some weight but then finds something else to dislike about herself, of course. The last line of the book: “Constance, how do you keep your skin so smooth and white?”
What a wild ride this book was. I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.
This was a FANTASTIC read, one I really enjoyed from beginning to end. It had a great first chapter describing the internal turmoil of a person with disordered eating, an addicting introduction to Egret’s torturous mind. I was IMMEDIATELY hooked. Was very stomach-turning but overall, just sad. As a woman I think it’s disgusting what society has groomed us to believe about our bodies, that a 5’9” woman should feel like she has to weigh any less than 129 lb in order to accept herself. Now I know beauty standards are of course more strict for the New York “elite”, the wealthy, the high-class, especially during the early 2000s... Living in that world, it’s no wonder Egret is so obsessed with her weight. But it actually goes a lot deeper than that, before her husband’s fame, before the baby. She’s always dreamed of being skeleton-thin, and had achieved it at one point too. Again, very sad. But now that poor Egret is single, lonely, and those dreaded lbs are back… We have the perfect concoction for a story I will never forget.
Egret’s anorexia and poor mental wellbeing are only worsened by her running in with Constance Sinclair, a stick-thin and flawlessly perfect old friend. During a charity dinner, Egret can’t help but wonder how in the world the woman can put down so much food and still look like a toothpick. Soon, after literally begging on her hands and knees, Egret gets her answer: the saltwater famine tapeworm, found in the bellies of fish in a small lake hidden deep in the Australian outback.
Able to survive in the acidic gastric juices, the exotic parasite clings to the stomach muscle and feeds off nearly every last calorie eaten, leaving very little to be digested by the body. It results in a pseudo hyper-metabolism, one so severe that the host has to ingest 5,000 calories daily and take countless dietary supplements to stay alive. The saltwater famine worm is literally starving its host to death, very slowly; yet, knowing the risks, Egret will do literally anything to get infected by one.
That includes taking her bitch-ass teenage son with microcephaly and bug eyes (leading him to be nicknamed “Lizard Boy” by a couple of Aussie drunks and I hate to say it but that bar fight is one of my favorite scenes, it’s so fucked up but so funny) on a 27-hour flight and even more endless hours of travel to Lake Nothing in the middle of nowhere. While disguising it as a vacation for his benefit. See, this story is fucking nuts!
Shit gets even crazier from there. At the end of the journey Egret gets what she wanted… But at an unspeakable cost. And the kicker is? After all that mess, all that suffering, all that devastation.. It’s still not enough. She loses some weight but then finds something else to dislike about herself, of course. The last line of the book: “Constance, how do you keep your skin so smooth and white?”
What a wild ride this book was. I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.
February 16, 2026
“Love a good tapeworm horror”…is not something I thought I’d say when I woke up this morning. Also, everything about this book is my worst nightmare.
Egret Covello is grown-ass spoiled brat of a woman, and more than anything else in the world (quite literally), Egret wants to be skinny. Not just skinny, she wants to be emaciated. Not just emaciated, she wants people to think she’s so thin that she’s ill. When she learns of a tapeworm that exists in the Australian Outback that will eat her up from the inside, she takes the opportunity (and her teenage son) to find her ideal body. What happens is nothing short of what the title promises: a horror story.
If she’s not the worst character I’ve ever read, Egret is at LEAST in the top 3. She has not one redeeming quality, even in her lowest moments. Under different circumstances, this might be to the novel’s detriment, but Boyd makes this repugnant, unsavory, vile person someone you can’t turn away from. You think she can’t get worse, and then she does 14 more things that make you shake your head in anger or disgust.
This was one of those books I dragged out reading because I didn’t want it to end. I’m honestly shocked I hadn’t read any of Boyd’s work before he reached out to me about this one because it was so right up my alley. If you’re into unapologetic gore, a deliciously abhorrent FMC, hilarious side characters, and a plot that ends up flying right off the rails (in the best way), this book is right up your alley too.
*Thanks to H.T. Boyd for a free epub copy of this one. These are my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions. And I’ve already purchased a print copy of this and another of his books to support him.*
Egret Covello is grown-ass spoiled brat of a woman, and more than anything else in the world (quite literally), Egret wants to be skinny. Not just skinny, she wants to be emaciated. Not just emaciated, she wants people to think she’s so thin that she’s ill. When she learns of a tapeworm that exists in the Australian Outback that will eat her up from the inside, she takes the opportunity (and her teenage son) to find her ideal body. What happens is nothing short of what the title promises: a horror story.
If she’s not the worst character I’ve ever read, Egret is at LEAST in the top 3. She has not one redeeming quality, even in her lowest moments. Under different circumstances, this might be to the novel’s detriment, but Boyd makes this repugnant, unsavory, vile person someone you can’t turn away from. You think she can’t get worse, and then she does 14 more things that make you shake your head in anger or disgust.
This was one of those books I dragged out reading because I didn’t want it to end. I’m honestly shocked I hadn’t read any of Boyd’s work before he reached out to me about this one because it was so right up my alley. If you’re into unapologetic gore, a deliciously abhorrent FMC, hilarious side characters, and a plot that ends up flying right off the rails (in the best way), this book is right up your alley too.
*Thanks to H.T. Boyd for a free epub copy of this one. These are my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions. And I’ve already purchased a print copy of this and another of his books to support him.*
July 5, 2024
Egret Covello is alone...
Struggling with her body image and mental health, Egret is willing to do the unimaginable as long as she has the perfect body.
From a 27 hour plane journey, to an exotic tape worm and demons in the outback, this book contains a horrific story of a woman and her thoughts that drive her to endure insane events.
Leutogi covers the horror of body image and anorexia. Through these pages, you can really see how much Egret wants to be skinny and what she is willing to risk.
The desperate need for a smaller number on the scales and a smaller waist is a constant throughout the book.
As the story progresses, H. T. Boyd has incorporated 'flashbacks' that hold relevance to the present but also help to understand more about Egret and her life.
I have to say, I thought the dialogue in this book was brilliant. Not only did it flow, but each character had their own distinctive way of speaking. There was even bits of dialogue where I could hear the Aussie accent as I read.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but as I got near the end my interest began to wane.
Leutogi is a 'comedy-horror' novel, but personally I thought it should just be listed as a Horror.
However, I definitely recommend Leutogi to Horror lovers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Struggling with her body image and mental health, Egret is willing to do the unimaginable as long as she has the perfect body.
From a 27 hour plane journey, to an exotic tape worm and demons in the outback, this book contains a horrific story of a woman and her thoughts that drive her to endure insane events.
Leutogi covers the horror of body image and anorexia. Through these pages, you can really see how much Egret wants to be skinny and what she is willing to risk.
The desperate need for a smaller number on the scales and a smaller waist is a constant throughout the book.
As the story progresses, H. T. Boyd has incorporated 'flashbacks' that hold relevance to the present but also help to understand more about Egret and her life.
I have to say, I thought the dialogue in this book was brilliant. Not only did it flow, but each character had their own distinctive way of speaking. There was even bits of dialogue where I could hear the Aussie accent as I read.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but as I got near the end my interest began to wane.
Leutogi is a 'comedy-horror' novel, but personally I thought it should just be listed as a Horror.
However, I definitely recommend Leutogi to Horror lovers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 26, 2026
I have never hated a main character more in my entire life. Egret is a Manhattan socialite who travels to the Australian Outback to get infected with a tapeworm to lose weight, and she is absolutely insufferable. Her privilege, her obsession with thinness, her complete lack of self-awareness, makes you sit in her head for the entire book and it’s excruciating. But that’s kind of the point.
4/5 stars - Egret’s internal monologue about body dysmorphia and societal beauty standards is as disturbing as the actual grotesque physical stuff happening to her. By the end I was actively rooting for terrible things to happen to her, which says something about how well Boyd nailed this character even if she’s completely hateable.
If you liked this, watch: Raw - The movie starts as visceral body horror about a vegetarian student developing a taste for meat, then escalates into something way more monstrous and disturbing. Same energy of uncomfortable body horror that shifts into darker territory.
4/5 stars - Egret’s internal monologue about body dysmorphia and societal beauty standards is as disturbing as the actual grotesque physical stuff happening to her. By the end I was actively rooting for terrible things to happen to her, which says something about how well Boyd nailed this character even if she’s completely hateable.
If you liked this, watch: Raw - The movie starts as visceral body horror about a vegetarian student developing a taste for meat, then escalates into something way more monstrous and disturbing. Same energy of uncomfortable body horror that shifts into darker territory.
August 14, 2024
Leutogi is body horror at its finest! 39-year-old Egret is a former fitness model and divorced stay-at-home mother who lives alone in a posh apartment. Supported by her TV personality husband's alimony, she spends her days having brunches, going to the gym, reading self-help books, and counting calories. She tries all kinds of diets though they inevitably fail. When Egret looks into a mirror, she picks on everything she thinks is wrong with her body. It's a desperately sad way of thinking, and her warped perspective carries all her neuroses, dark thoughts, and self-loathing. I found Egret to be a prickly character and how she treats other people is off-putting, yet the book somehow makes me sympathize with her. It's a testament to the writing that it made me feel for characters that on the surface seem awful.
Full review here.
Thank you to the publisher and BookSirens for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
Full review here.
Thank you to the publisher and BookSirens for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
June 11, 2025
This book popped up after seeing my friend mentioning it and rating it 4 stars. It went on my TBR fast and usually books stay on my TBR for a while, piling up. But not this one.
★★★★★
Leutogi completely pulled me in! It’s beautifully written, raw, dark and deeply emotional. The way this story explores mental health struggles and identity felt incredibly real and I can see how this may be triggering for some people (so check you trigger warnings, but if you are like me, dive in, you won’t regret it!).
What started as one kind of horror slowly turned into something even more intense and terrifying. H.T. Boyd is unafraid to explore pain, darkness and a deeper meaning. It’s these kind of stories that stick with me long after I turned the last page.
If you are not afraid to dive deep, give this one a go! I can safely say H.T. Boyd is on my radar, this may have been my first, but certainly won't be my last book by him.
★★★★★
Leutogi completely pulled me in! It’s beautifully written, raw, dark and deeply emotional. The way this story explores mental health struggles and identity felt incredibly real and I can see how this may be triggering for some people (so check you trigger warnings, but if you are like me, dive in, you won’t regret it!).
What started as one kind of horror slowly turned into something even more intense and terrifying. H.T. Boyd is unafraid to explore pain, darkness and a deeper meaning. It’s these kind of stories that stick with me long after I turned the last page.
If you are not afraid to dive deep, give this one a go! I can safely say H.T. Boyd is on my radar, this may have been my first, but certainly won't be my last book by him.
March 1, 2025
This book is a story in two parts. The first half were given a look at the life of Egret, a miserable New York socialite living in the lap of luxury under the oppressive thumb of her overwhelming body dysmorphia. We get an intimate look into her thoughts and struggles to do anything to be skinny. In the second half of the book she does just that by taking her son to the Australian outback in search of an exotic tapeworm. Things rapidly unravel the second she touches down and the entire second half of the book is a wild journey with brutal horrors that I absolutely ate up (food pun intended)
This is my second book by Boyd and the way he blends horror and surrealism with an aftertaste of dark humor is really captivating. I would definitely recommend this book.
As with any book, please check your trigger wanings
This is my second book by Boyd and the way he blends horror and surrealism with an aftertaste of dark humor is really captivating. I would definitely recommend this book.
As with any book, please check your trigger wanings
February 28, 2026
4.5⭐
That was not at ALL what I expected to happen!!!
(but, at the very same time, maybe it was...)
Consumed by vanity and personal obsessions, Egret Covello is a dreadfully unlikeable human with her wildly unhinged, self-enamored behaviors... Yet, you can't help but become morbidly fascinated by her personal delulu, total admiration for her child and the dark situations that transpired to such a hollow, superficial creature.
Truly a shocking Body Horror with the most disturbing and graphic scenes that will possibly upset your stomach, so readers beware!
Thank you H.T Boyd for this digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
That was not at ALL what I expected to happen!!!
(but, at the very same time, maybe it was...)
Consumed by vanity and personal obsessions, Egret Covello is a dreadfully unlikeable human with her wildly unhinged, self-enamored behaviors... Yet, you can't help but become morbidly fascinated by her personal delulu, total admiration for her child and the dark situations that transpired to such a hollow, superficial creature.
Truly a shocking Body Horror with the most disturbing and graphic scenes that will possibly upset your stomach, so readers beware!
Thank you H.T Boyd for this digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2024
There is nothing more terrifying than a well crafted slow burn horror and that is EXACTLY what H.T. Boyd has achieved in Leutogi. We follow the painstaking journey of Egret a socialite in Manhattan who will stop at no lengths to be the Thin Lady. “She imagines being reintroduced to the world as a ninety-pound woman, a skeletal debutant with newfound heart and soul. The Thin Lady.” “The Thin Lady was perfect. The Thin Lady was a towering spire of human perfection. Fatless. Shameless. A friend to mirrors and cameras.”
Boyd takes the reader so deeply into the mind of someone suffering from ED and Mental Illness it is almost unnerving. This slow burn novel will leave you shocked, if not grossed out and gasping as it kicks into overdrive in the last few chapters.
I can’t wait to read more from this incredible writer! Thank you for sharing with us!
Boyd takes the reader so deeply into the mind of someone suffering from ED and Mental Illness it is almost unnerving. This slow burn novel will leave you shocked, if not grossed out and gasping as it kicks into overdrive in the last few chapters.
I can’t wait to read more from this incredible writer! Thank you for sharing with us!
April 22, 2024
It would have been 5 stars but I hated every single character. This was a wonderfully written novel about a woman trying to have it all and learning the hard way that everything comes with a price. Some steeper than others. While I definitely didn't agree with the way it ended, it made sense why it ended the way it did and I would absolutely read more by this author.
March 19, 2025
Imagine American Psycho (trophy wife edition) with a supernatural twist.
May 15, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed my read through of Leutogi. The story is captivating. Boyd’s writing is some of my favorite. Each sentence is special. Every metaphor, simile, and description is unique and crafted specifically for you to be immersed in Egret’s life.
I would say that the dialogue went on for too long in some scenes, but it was SO. GOOD. The dialogue in this book is fantastic. It doesn’t drag. Each character has a distinct way of speaking you can almost hear it.
Now, if you’re looking for hair-standing-up-on-your-arm-checking-the-closet-for-demons horror, this may not be the book for you. The end is definitely more of the classic horror story, but the beginning isn’t. We glimpse at Egret’s seemingly boring life for a good 50% of the book as she desperately tries to figure out how to become the “Thin Lady.” However, I found the beginning to be scarier than the end. The lead up to her searching for the tapeworm is suspenseful. Egret is so blinded by this need to be skinny she doesn’t even consider the consequences of her actions. To me, Egret is the real monster. She’s the scariest part of this book!
While I don’t think this book is suited for everyone, I think it’s a great read! If you love body horror, you’ll probably like Leutogi. It takes a minute to get there, but it’s worth it! The back story is great, and the lead up is necessary.
Leutogi is scary because it’s real. It shows real life consequences of real life problems.
I would say that the dialogue went on for too long in some scenes, but it was SO. GOOD. The dialogue in this book is fantastic. It doesn’t drag. Each character has a distinct way of speaking you can almost hear it.
Now, if you’re looking for hair-standing-up-on-your-arm-checking-the-closet-for-demons horror, this may not be the book for you. The end is definitely more of the classic horror story, but the beginning isn’t. We glimpse at Egret’s seemingly boring life for a good 50% of the book as she desperately tries to figure out how to become the “Thin Lady.” However, I found the beginning to be scarier than the end. The lead up to her searching for the tapeworm is suspenseful. Egret is so blinded by this need to be skinny she doesn’t even consider the consequences of her actions. To me, Egret is the real monster. She’s the scariest part of this book!
While I don’t think this book is suited for everyone, I think it’s a great read! If you love body horror, you’ll probably like Leutogi. It takes a minute to get there, but it’s worth it! The back story is great, and the lead up is necessary.
Leutogi is scary because it’s real. It shows real life consequences of real life problems.
July 10, 2024
Characters that are fun to hate with several unexpected twists. Lots of fun trying to guess how it's all going to end!
September 2, 2024
Leutogi – by H. T. Boyd
**Trigger Warning**
This book focuses very heavily on weight loss, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, body image, and anorexia and bulimia.
When we think of horror, our mind usually goes to dark, scary haunted houses, psycho killers, and murder mysteries.
But what happens when you are the haunted house? Egret is a rich woman, in a high-class penthouse in New York. Her ex-husband is a famous Steve Irwin-type animal TV host who still finances her entire life, even while he has custody of their moody teenage son. That would be a dream setup for most people.
Except Egret is so haunted by social pressure and her inner demons that nothing makes her happy. Every minute in her mind is a reminder of how much weight she needs to lose, or how to reverse the signs of aging.
Magazines, slim Park Avenue princesses, and Manhattan socialites, with the heroin chic style of the 90s, plus every fad diet and exercise trend haunt her days. Diets are as familiar to her as her own body. Neither of which is working for her.
Conveniently, she reconnects with an old friend who looks smaller than ever. But as Egret watches her friend Constance eat, she notices her putting away enough food for two football players at least, yet she never gains a pound.
After weeks of pestering, kickboxing, binging, and purging, Egret finally gets Constance to give up the secret. There’s a new kind of tapeworm, found only in one fish, in one place, deep in the middle of nowhere Australia that will fix everything.
But you have to eat this fish raw, and immediately after it is caught so the tapeworm can transfer hosts. Egret decides this will be the perfect way to reconnect with her teenage son and decides to bring him along - without telling anyone the real motivation, of course.
Up until now, we’ve only been privy to the inner horror of Egret’s unpleasant disposition and her poor body image. She’s felt the pain of constant preoccupation with size and never feeling good enough. But the last 25% of the book is the outback horror. Because now there’s a wild animal hungry for them and it’s a fight for survival.
The action is contained in the last portion of the book. My only complaint is the first half did seem to drag on, but I think that has more to do with the anticipation to turn into a more traditional-style horror. However, that’s a minor complaint. I found the book compelling enough I constantly wanted to get back to reading. That to me is the sign of a well-written book. I will be looking for more from this author in the future because I found their creativity outstanding.
**Trigger Warning**
This book focuses very heavily on weight loss, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, body image, and anorexia and bulimia.
When we think of horror, our mind usually goes to dark, scary haunted houses, psycho killers, and murder mysteries.
But what happens when you are the haunted house? Egret is a rich woman, in a high-class penthouse in New York. Her ex-husband is a famous Steve Irwin-type animal TV host who still finances her entire life, even while he has custody of their moody teenage son. That would be a dream setup for most people.
Except Egret is so haunted by social pressure and her inner demons that nothing makes her happy. Every minute in her mind is a reminder of how much weight she needs to lose, or how to reverse the signs of aging.
Magazines, slim Park Avenue princesses, and Manhattan socialites, with the heroin chic style of the 90s, plus every fad diet and exercise trend haunt her days. Diets are as familiar to her as her own body. Neither of which is working for her.
Conveniently, she reconnects with an old friend who looks smaller than ever. But as Egret watches her friend Constance eat, she notices her putting away enough food for two football players at least, yet she never gains a pound.
After weeks of pestering, kickboxing, binging, and purging, Egret finally gets Constance to give up the secret. There’s a new kind of tapeworm, found only in one fish, in one place, deep in the middle of nowhere Australia that will fix everything.
But you have to eat this fish raw, and immediately after it is caught so the tapeworm can transfer hosts. Egret decides this will be the perfect way to reconnect with her teenage son and decides to bring him along - without telling anyone the real motivation, of course.
Up until now, we’ve only been privy to the inner horror of Egret’s unpleasant disposition and her poor body image. She’s felt the pain of constant preoccupation with size and never feeling good enough. But the last 25% of the book is the outback horror. Because now there’s a wild animal hungry for them and it’s a fight for survival.
The action is contained in the last portion of the book. My only complaint is the first half did seem to drag on, but I think that has more to do with the anticipation to turn into a more traditional-style horror. However, that’s a minor complaint. I found the book compelling enough I constantly wanted to get back to reading. That to me is the sign of a well-written book. I will be looking for more from this author in the future because I found their creativity outstanding.
February 6, 2025
What would it take for you to get the body of your dreams?
Meet Manhattan socialite, estranged mother and ex wife Egret Covello. Egret, like most women, has always been unhappy with her body, but more specifically her weight. She's tried every diet, self-help book and workout routine that you can think of but still just can't lose those pounds. Egret's beginning to think she'll never shed the weight until she meets up with an old friend who is unbelievably skinny. After some coaxing from Egret herself, her friend reveals her diet secret is an exotic tapeworm found in the Australian Outback. Equipped with her moody teenage son, Egret goes on a journey to acquire her perfect body.
The story in and of itself is good. The majority of women I know can relate to Egret in their expressions of being unhappy in their skin. The writing really transports into that feeling of inadequacy that Egret feels every day of her life. The writing in and of itself is great. The author is a spectacular writer and it makes you feel like you are right there in the story, hearing, seeing and smelling all the things that are surrounding Egret herself.
For this being just shy of 300 pages, this book feels long and drawn out. It's described as a horror novel, but that isn't obtained until 75% of the way through the book. There are scenes in the beginning that make you uncomfortable, but not in a horror sense, more of an embarrassment for Egret's actions and thoughts. For a majority of the book we are stuck in a "poor me" loop of Egret's socialistic behavior that to be honest dragged on and I wasn't interested in. By the time we got to her miscarriage story and the hardships she's faced, I was kind of tired of hearing her complain so it didn't feel like the gut punch that it was to be intended.
The book is the definition of a slow burn, but once we actually get to the action it does hit you all at once. Like I stated above, the writing and body horror depicted in the last half of the book really and truly saved this book for me. The author writes the body horror in a way that you yourself feel like you are standing in the pool of blood with our protagonist. The twist of Sheila was not something I saw coming either, which was a good surprise. The ending was really thought out and I enjoyed the message that Egret will just never truly be happy with her body.
If you love slow burn horror stories, I highly recommend.
Meet Manhattan socialite, estranged mother and ex wife Egret Covello. Egret, like most women, has always been unhappy with her body, but more specifically her weight. She's tried every diet, self-help book and workout routine that you can think of but still just can't lose those pounds. Egret's beginning to think she'll never shed the weight until she meets up with an old friend who is unbelievably skinny. After some coaxing from Egret herself, her friend reveals her diet secret is an exotic tapeworm found in the Australian Outback. Equipped with her moody teenage son, Egret goes on a journey to acquire her perfect body.
The story in and of itself is good. The majority of women I know can relate to Egret in their expressions of being unhappy in their skin. The writing really transports into that feeling of inadequacy that Egret feels every day of her life. The writing in and of itself is great. The author is a spectacular writer and it makes you feel like you are right there in the story, hearing, seeing and smelling all the things that are surrounding Egret herself.
For this being just shy of 300 pages, this book feels long and drawn out. It's described as a horror novel, but that isn't obtained until 75% of the way through the book. There are scenes in the beginning that make you uncomfortable, but not in a horror sense, more of an embarrassment for Egret's actions and thoughts. For a majority of the book we are stuck in a "poor me" loop of Egret's socialistic behavior that to be honest dragged on and I wasn't interested in. By the time we got to her miscarriage story and the hardships she's faced, I was kind of tired of hearing her complain so it didn't feel like the gut punch that it was to be intended.
The book is the definition of a slow burn, but once we actually get to the action it does hit you all at once. Like I stated above, the writing and body horror depicted in the last half of the book really and truly saved this book for me. The author writes the body horror in a way that you yourself feel like you are standing in the pool of blood with our protagonist. The twist of Sheila was not something I saw coming either, which was a good surprise. The ending was really thought out and I enjoyed the message that Egret will just never truly be happy with her body.
If you love slow burn horror stories, I highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2024
Huge thank you to H.T. Boyd and Booksirens for this copy of Leutogi for my honest review!
Leutogi is a book I knew I was excited to read, but as the days approached to picking it up I grew almost worried. With as serious of a topic as eating disorders, it can very easily be handled in an inappropriate or even cruel way. As a person who struggled with eating disorders in the past, I had a moment of “oh man, I really hope I didn’t just screw myself.” God I’m so glad I didn’t let the fears get the better of me. I’m not going to pretend it’s not a tough read for everyone, I definitely think there’s certain audiences that this book isn’t targeted for and that’s absolutely okay. But it was so silly of me to consider even for a moment that maybe I wasn’t the appropriate audience.
Leutogi follows Egret, a divorced mother who spends most of her free time comparing herself to other women, worrying about her weight, and really not much else. She sports a very healthy weight and even takes up kickboxing, but nothing can bring her to that unattainable goal of 90 pounds. That is, until, she prods her friend into giving up the parasitic secret behind her high metabolism. When you believe only one thing on the planet can make you happy, what are you willing to give up to get it?
I really enjoyed this book. It actually went places I never expected it to. All of the characters in this book feel like extreme takes on what a person in their place can be, which is something I really appreciated. Of course Egret goes to outrageous lengths no real human would go to, but I can absolutely picture a real person who would fantasize about it. Noah, Egret’s son, will yell in her face about her faults, something not many real teenagers in his place would/could do, but who of us haven’t imagined playing out that exact scenario? It’s really enjoyable seeing these characters that are so rooted in extreme human fantasies. They’re not likable, but that’s great. The places this story takes the characters, I think it would be even harder to swallow (pun a little intended) if they felt likable. This feels like a true cautionary tale of why we need to keep ourselves from embracing or enacting on these extreme, unrealistic fantasies, but with a fun horror twist. I adored this book so much, it’s really worth the read if you think you have the stomach(!!!) for it!
Thank you again for this free copy of Leutogi for my honest review! It was much appreciated and enjoyed!
Leutogi is a book I knew I was excited to read, but as the days approached to picking it up I grew almost worried. With as serious of a topic as eating disorders, it can very easily be handled in an inappropriate or even cruel way. As a person who struggled with eating disorders in the past, I had a moment of “oh man, I really hope I didn’t just screw myself.” God I’m so glad I didn’t let the fears get the better of me. I’m not going to pretend it’s not a tough read for everyone, I definitely think there’s certain audiences that this book isn’t targeted for and that’s absolutely okay. But it was so silly of me to consider even for a moment that maybe I wasn’t the appropriate audience.
Leutogi follows Egret, a divorced mother who spends most of her free time comparing herself to other women, worrying about her weight, and really not much else. She sports a very healthy weight and even takes up kickboxing, but nothing can bring her to that unattainable goal of 90 pounds. That is, until, she prods her friend into giving up the parasitic secret behind her high metabolism. When you believe only one thing on the planet can make you happy, what are you willing to give up to get it?
I really enjoyed this book. It actually went places I never expected it to. All of the characters in this book feel like extreme takes on what a person in their place can be, which is something I really appreciated. Of course Egret goes to outrageous lengths no real human would go to, but I can absolutely picture a real person who would fantasize about it. Noah, Egret’s son, will yell in her face about her faults, something not many real teenagers in his place would/could do, but who of us haven’t imagined playing out that exact scenario? It’s really enjoyable seeing these characters that are so rooted in extreme human fantasies. They’re not likable, but that’s great. The places this story takes the characters, I think it would be even harder to swallow (pun a little intended) if they felt likable. This feels like a true cautionary tale of why we need to keep ourselves from embracing or enacting on these extreme, unrealistic fantasies, but with a fun horror twist. I adored this book so much, it’s really worth the read if you think you have the stomach(!!!) for it!
Thank you again for this free copy of Leutogi for my honest review! It was much appreciated and enjoyed!
September 30, 2024
"A feeling that she wasn't born into a body, that she was born into a trap. Into this pit of shame and dysfunction and regret and panic, a trap that took her here, this red hell, to lose her motherhood, her dignity."
As many of the reviews have mentioned, this book is billed under the horror genre. At first, I did not agree with that assessment- it takes quite some time to get into anything remotely resembling what I'd consider classic horror tropes. However- there is clearly some folk horror, some body horror, and I'm sure other subgenres that I am not even aware of- I never claimed to be a professional.
Egret Covello is our main character, and she lives in New York City in 2001. Is it any wonder, then, she is deeply unimpressed with life, disordered in her eating, and anxious/ depressed? The late 90's and early 2000s did NOT let up on women and their constant examination of weight and how small your thigh gap was. The word "wretched" is used countless times in Leutogi, and it was truly so indicative of this book and this main character's mindset and many of these characters- in the best possible way. I loved the minutiae that verged on disgusting ("the skull cracks like a walnut, spilling out salty brains with a flavor that reminds her of giving Alton head" is not likely to leave the forefront of my brain anytime soon).
I am not giving it a perfect rating despite how much I did enjoy the feeling of social commentary, reality, and also men writing women in a GOOD way because of the pacing. The plot feeling stilted at times was my only complaint really, and it did take me a second to get into and discover the plethora of metaphors. However, Boyd absolutely delivered a claustrophobic, thoughtful, and memorable standout novel nestled in the horror genre to me!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As many of the reviews have mentioned, this book is billed under the horror genre. At first, I did not agree with that assessment- it takes quite some time to get into anything remotely resembling what I'd consider classic horror tropes. However- there is clearly some folk horror, some body horror, and I'm sure other subgenres that I am not even aware of- I never claimed to be a professional.
Egret Covello is our main character, and she lives in New York City in 2001. Is it any wonder, then, she is deeply unimpressed with life, disordered in her eating, and anxious/ depressed? The late 90's and early 2000s did NOT let up on women and their constant examination of weight and how small your thigh gap was. The word "wretched" is used countless times in Leutogi, and it was truly so indicative of this book and this main character's mindset and many of these characters- in the best possible way. I loved the minutiae that verged on disgusting ("the skull cracks like a walnut, spilling out salty brains with a flavor that reminds her of giving Alton head" is not likely to leave the forefront of my brain anytime soon).
I am not giving it a perfect rating despite how much I did enjoy the feeling of social commentary, reality, and also men writing women in a GOOD way because of the pacing. The plot feeling stilted at times was my only complaint really, and it did take me a second to get into and discover the plethora of metaphors. However, Boyd absolutely delivered a claustrophobic, thoughtful, and memorable standout novel nestled in the horror genre to me!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 1, 2026
Every once in a while, a book comes along that is so visceral, so hauntingly realistic, and so expertly paced that it leaves you completely stunned. H.T. Boyd’s Leutogi is that book for me. Originally completed in 2018, this debut novel is a dark, comedy-horror exploration of the lengths a person will go to satisfy the demands of body dysmorphia. Set in May 2001, the story follows Egret Covello, a Manhattan socialite whose desperation to be thin leads her, and her teenage son, Noah, on a journey to the Australian Outback in search of an exotic tapeworm.
What makes Leutogi so effective is its incredible character depth. While the premise may sound like a classic horror hook, the story is anchored by characters who feel startlingly real. I found myself deeply invested in their lives, particularly Hudson Howdyshell, who was easily the most likable and grounding presence in the narrative. Boyd’s ability to explore the complexities of family dynamics and romantic relationships amidst such a macabre plot is nothing short of brilliant. The exploration of the relationship between oneself and one's body image is handled with a raw honesty that is both heartbreaking and illuminating.
From a technical standpoint, Boyd’s writing is immersive. A significant portion of the book takes place in Australia, and the author wrote some of the Australian dialogue phonetically. This allowed me to "hear" the accents in my head as I read, adding a layer of atmosphere that most authors struggle to achieve. While the book is certainly gory, the gore is never unnecessary; it serves as a physical manifestation of the internal struggle with comparison and dissatisfaction. It is a graphic, honest, and ultimately brilliant look at the human condition.
I loved this book so much that I already bought another book by this author, and I can't wait to read it.
Trigger Warnings: This book contains heavy themes of disordered eating, body dysmorphia, anorexia, and bulimia.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What makes Leutogi so effective is its incredible character depth. While the premise may sound like a classic horror hook, the story is anchored by characters who feel startlingly real. I found myself deeply invested in their lives, particularly Hudson Howdyshell, who was easily the most likable and grounding presence in the narrative. Boyd’s ability to explore the complexities of family dynamics and romantic relationships amidst such a macabre plot is nothing short of brilliant. The exploration of the relationship between oneself and one's body image is handled with a raw honesty that is both heartbreaking and illuminating.
From a technical standpoint, Boyd’s writing is immersive. A significant portion of the book takes place in Australia, and the author wrote some of the Australian dialogue phonetically. This allowed me to "hear" the accents in my head as I read, adding a layer of atmosphere that most authors struggle to achieve. While the book is certainly gory, the gore is never unnecessary; it serves as a physical manifestation of the internal struggle with comparison and dissatisfaction. It is a graphic, honest, and ultimately brilliant look at the human condition.
I loved this book so much that I already bought another book by this author, and I can't wait to read it.
Trigger Warnings: This book contains heavy themes of disordered eating, body dysmorphia, anorexia, and bulimia.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2024
Book Review 📚🪱 Leutogi by H.T. Boyd
This novel is a horror-comedy unlike anything I've read before.
Egret Covello is a New York socialite living off her ex-husband's alimony. From the opening lines, we witness her mental instability. She's a healthy weight of 129lbs but wants to be 90lbs as quickly as possible. In her eyes, she's miserably fat and develops agoraphobia. When she learns how her friend, Constance, achieved her envious boney figure, she stops at nothing to get the same parasite.
The only problem is that this rare tapeworm can only be found in the remote Australian Outback. To make things more complicated, she is abruptly stuck with her teenage son, who sees through her self-loathing and cannot stand being around her.
It is best to go in knowing as little as possible because there are many aspects to the tale that I'm purposely leaving out. At times, a harrowing depiction of body dismorphia, and at other times a mother & son adventure/drama that escalates without warning. Boyd delivers a fresh story that had me audibly gasping throughout. It's beautiful, gross, and bloody. I will never look at peanut butter the same way again.
Boyd's writing elevates moments of melancholic contemplation, disturbing bouts of bulimia, and horrific scenes that feel excruciatingly raw. This book was the first to make me cry this year in a viserally upsetting sene, which reframed my entire view of Egret. The fragility of life is one aspect that Boyd adheres to throughout, and that level of realism combined with the actions of the characters made every moment feel consequential. This is a novel is an experience. Boyd's full control over the story and shifts in genre are anchored by his beautiful prose. I cannot wait to see what else he has in store.
This novel is a horror-comedy unlike anything I've read before.
Egret Covello is a New York socialite living off her ex-husband's alimony. From the opening lines, we witness her mental instability. She's a healthy weight of 129lbs but wants to be 90lbs as quickly as possible. In her eyes, she's miserably fat and develops agoraphobia. When she learns how her friend, Constance, achieved her envious boney figure, she stops at nothing to get the same parasite.
The only problem is that this rare tapeworm can only be found in the remote Australian Outback. To make things more complicated, she is abruptly stuck with her teenage son, who sees through her self-loathing and cannot stand being around her.
It is best to go in knowing as little as possible because there are many aspects to the tale that I'm purposely leaving out. At times, a harrowing depiction of body dismorphia, and at other times a mother & son adventure/drama that escalates without warning. Boyd delivers a fresh story that had me audibly gasping throughout. It's beautiful, gross, and bloody. I will never look at peanut butter the same way again.
Boyd's writing elevates moments of melancholic contemplation, disturbing bouts of bulimia, and horrific scenes that feel excruciatingly raw. This book was the first to make me cry this year in a viserally upsetting sene, which reframed my entire view of Egret. The fragility of life is one aspect that Boyd adheres to throughout, and that level of realism combined with the actions of the characters made every moment feel consequential. This is a novel is an experience. Boyd's full control over the story and shifts in genre are anchored by his beautiful prose. I cannot wait to see what else he has in store.
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