The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

Book Summary

Myths are full of lies. This is not one of them.

Fleeing the downfall of an empire, a mermaid and her plague doctor companion escape in the eerie shadows of a wintery forest.

Amongst the bark and snow they are drawn into ancient games for ageless children - a murderous hunt of blood and sacrifice - deep in the wood, where three who call themselves 'saints' rule over them all like gods.

Trapped in a feverish nightmare of masked monsters, stitches and surgeons, and needle teeth, the mermaid must embrace all of her cruelty and hungers to free the children.

This book was disturbing from the start. It throws you in to the middle of the story, which is a bit disconcerting at first, however you soon realise that what happened before doesn't really matter too much for this current narrative.

I'm not sure I can say I exactly enjoyed the whole thing, but I was drawn in and intrigued. I wanted to know what would happen to the mermaid and the plague doctor, and if they would save the children from those awful 'saints'. As a novella, I think it was the perfect length for me. Very vivid and sometimes grisly, a little too florid for my usual taste, but the main characters were fascinating and I couldn't help liking them despite the violence in everything they do. It was somehow relaxing to have a main character that truly doesn't care much about anything (at least at the start) and is untroubled with that without any pretence. Definitely recommend for fans of gothic, gruesome horror.

I've created a spicy, salty adaptation of a classic cocktail. For the Bloody Mermaid you need the following: 60ml vodka, 120ml tomato juice, 8 drops hot sauce, 4 dashes worcester sauce, a few grinds of fresh black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt, 1/4 teaspoon salt, flakes of roasted seaweed.

Rim a tall glass with celery salt and seaweed. Put the rest of the salt and seaweed along with everything else in a shaker with ice and shake or stir, then pour into the glass with more ice. Garnish with a celery stick.