The Salt Grows Heavy is a beautifully written dark fairy tale horror that feels like a nightmare. Khaw has a way with language that is just so vividly descriptive and haunting. In this story, a mermaid and a plague doctor went from a ruined kingdoom on a journey, only to end up in a small village filled with feral children and mysterious sadistic surgeons.

The novella is gory and bloody and so atmospheric and darkly romantic. Also a short read, so if you're searching for something in the upcoming colder months, it would be an ideal book in the freezingly dark winter days.