A review by sharron_joy_reads
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

The mermaid and the plague Doctor escape into the wilderness following the fall of an empire and her murdering her husband. Whilst travelling they meet a pack of feral children who kill each other for sport, they are pieced back together again by three saints. To save the children the mermaid faces her true terrifying nature and the plague Doctor confronts his past. 

This is the little mermaid/lord of the flies crossover that we all needed. Stunningly beautiful prose drenched in violence and gore. This mermaid has teeth, lots of them, she is powerful after captivity, vicious and brutal. Cassandra has the most beautiful way with words, they transport you into a fairytale dark as hell, her turn of phrase is salve for the soul, the language is sensual, exquisite and savagely macabre, loved it! 
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