Reviews tagging 'Gore'

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

327 reviews

savshelfinger's review against another edition

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

4.25

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ashley_elizabeth's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

4.0

A really interesting twist on the mermaid myth. Super gory & atmospheric, with just enough purple prose to really build the fairy tale-like quality. I was left wanting more, which I think is always a good sign! The only part of the story I think genuinely needs a bit more explanation is the connection between our two main characters.
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allyareads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I'm currently on a horror kick and this book has me obsessed. I haven't stopped thinking about it and already desperately want to reread it. I feel like it may be a story you get something different with each read.

Please I implore you, take your time when reading this. The atmosphere, characters and actually all of the writing is handled with so much deliberate care. Even the most violent or gory scenes (i.e. most of the book) are written so beautifully and delicately. No doubt heavy on the purple prose, but I found once I was in I was in (I also read an Ebook version and we love a quick hold-down thesaurus check).
I’ve always hated the story of the Little Mermaid and this does a fantastic job of exploring the dark suspicions, the various myths and the cyclical nature of storytelling. Getting to hear the story from the monster/victim in their own truth was perfect.
I’m livid it was so short, even with the original short story attached. It may be controversial but I think I might have enjoyed reading the short story before.

But as someone who works as a bookseller, I know it will be divisive. I can tell some people will love this wholeheartedly and others are going to fucking hate it. So I can't recommend this to everyone.
If you don’t like books heavy on vibes, body horror and with big pretentious words, this ain’t your book.
Recommend to fans of tv series Hannibal, the dark elves from the Magicians, dark fairy tale retellings and the people who cheer on the monsters.

If anyone has any simliar books, GIMME! I would love some suggestions please.

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ctara2123's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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knitting_sword's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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percival_wise's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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ghostingarden's review against another edition

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3.5

this book is so beautifully written and I overall enjoyed it but I did find myself confused half the time. I think with a second read my rating could go up ! 
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pryingblackbird's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

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nhnabass's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This book unexpectedly has some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read. The author’s mastery of language creates striking imagery and haunting scenes of viscera of gore. The metaphors are deeply poetic despite seeming heavy handed at first glance. I thought the plot was interesting and I enjoyed the characters, but honestly was just consistently gripped by the word choices— there was clearly intention behind each choice and it comes through with a close read. Phenomenal writing. 
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carolinamoon's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

Quite possibly the darkest, most gruesome fairy tale inspired story you'll ever read. This was sharp, potent, elite horror writing. And, a love story... there once was a plague doctor of no discernable gender traveling with a mermaid princess through the taiga...
Highly recommend to shake you awake out of your reading slump whether or not you typically read horror. This was simply a well written story with delicious vocabulary words as well as acrid sentences. A terrifying pleasure to read. 

(Content warning: harm to children)
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