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The Serpent Called Mercy
In this inventive and character-driven epic fantasy novel, a debt-ridden slumdog joins an illegal monster-fighting arena for some fast coin, but quickly learns the most dangerous beasts are outside the ring
Lythlet and her only friend Desil are shackled to a life of debt and poverty that she fears they will never escape. Desperate for money, they sign up as conquessors: arena combatants who fight sun-cursed beasts in the seedy underworld of the city.
Match-master Dothilos is initially enamored of Desil’s brawling reputation, but after seeing Lythlet lead the pair to triumph with her quick cunning, he takes her under his wing, scorning Desil. Ambition takes root in Lythlet’s heart as a life of fame and wealth unfolds in her imagination.
But Lythlet isn’t the only one out for coin and glory, and she soon finds herself playing an entirely different game—a game of politics and deception. As the cost of her ambition grows, she will have to decide if sacrificing her honor, and only friendship, is worth the chance to shape her own fortune.
A whirlwind of blood-pounding battles as characters grapple with their morals in the face of systemic inequality and political intrigue, The Serpent Called Mercy's heart is the underlying, steadfast friendship between its protagonists.
Lythlet and her only friend Desil are shackled to a life of debt and poverty that she fears they will never escape. Desperate for money, they sign up as conquessors: arena combatants who fight sun-cursed beasts in the seedy underworld of the city.
Match-master Dothilos is initially enamored of Desil’s brawling reputation, but after seeing Lythlet lead the pair to triumph with her quick cunning, he takes her under his wing, scorning Desil. Ambition takes root in Lythlet’s heart as a life of fame and wealth unfolds in her imagination.
But Lythlet isn’t the only one out for coin and glory, and she soon finds herself playing an entirely different game—a game of politics and deception. As the cost of her ambition grows, she will have to decide if sacrificing her honor, and only friendship, is worth the chance to shape her own fortune.
A whirlwind of blood-pounding battles as characters grapple with their morals in the face of systemic inequality and political intrigue, The Serpent Called Mercy's heart is the underlying, steadfast friendship between its protagonists.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2025
42 people are currently reading
8086 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
January 26, 2025
Of course I can't resist a book that is pitched as The Witcher meets Squid Game in a Malaysian Chinese-inspired setting. Sounds almost too good to be true and maybe it really is, because after reading I couldn't agree less with these comparisons. I guess Squid Game refers to participating in a deadly game to clear of life-destroying debt, and The Witcher is about the monster fighting, but otherwise The Serpent Called Mercy is so unlike these stories that the pitch is basically misleading. I did enjoy this book nonetheless, so I'm not too bitter about it, but keep that in mind if that's what got your attention. It's actually an action-focused novel about monster-fighting as a sport, gladiator style. A pair of so called Conquessors is thrown into an arena with some weapons, and a wild, magical beast is unleashed upon them. Spectators bet on their success or demise, and a lot of money can be earned in the process, but some participants only earn death. After losing her job (again), protagonist Lythlet and her lifelong friend Desil enter the sport out of desperation, to finally clear of their debt and take a chance at a better life.
My favorite part of this book were definitely the matches themselves. To win the big jackpot, Lythlet and Desil have to compete in twelve matches over the course of one year, always battling a different creature. Some matches were only mentioned briefly, but the ones that happened on page were thrilling to read (and not gonna lie, the last match made my jaw drop). All the beasts had different abilities, and it was important to figure out how to fight one at all. The matches felt like little riddles that needed solving and were not about pure strength. I really liked Lythlet's analytical approach to fighting, and the way Desil complimented her with fighting experience and strength. Lythlet grows more ambitious and violent with every match they win and is soon spiraling into the criminal activities of the city's underworld. The way she was getting greedier herself while also being manipulated into continuing fighting was very well done in my opinion. Her character was truly interesting, because she always tries to justify her actions with the possibility of a better future for her loved ones while she might actually be harming them. The portrayal of different relationships was great as well, especially since there is no romance to be found in this book. I love to see it.
On the negative side of things I do have to say that the worldbuilding was truly underdeveloped, with the story only taking place in one city and sparsely mentioning anything that goes beyond it's borders. The beasts were from the wilds for instance, but no further information is given about that, and there were Gods who can grant blessings through prayers, but magic was rarely ever discussed. Instead, the book spent some time on explaining the city's politics, but all of that basically went over my head without ever catching my attention. I think more worldbuilding could have elevated the story from good to great, but as an action-focused book it was still very enjoyable for me.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and DAW for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
My favorite part of this book were definitely the matches themselves. To win the big jackpot, Lythlet and Desil have to compete in twelve matches over the course of one year, always battling a different creature. Some matches were only mentioned briefly, but the ones that happened on page were thrilling to read (and not gonna lie, the last match made my jaw drop). All the beasts had different abilities, and it was important to figure out how to fight one at all. The matches felt like little riddles that needed solving and were not about pure strength. I really liked Lythlet's analytical approach to fighting, and the way Desil complimented her with fighting experience and strength. Lythlet grows more ambitious and violent with every match they win and is soon spiraling into the criminal activities of the city's underworld. The way she was getting greedier herself while also being manipulated into continuing fighting was very well done in my opinion. Her character was truly interesting, because she always tries to justify her actions with the possibility of a better future for her loved ones while she might actually be harming them. The portrayal of different relationships was great as well, especially since there is no romance to be found in this book. I love to see it.
On the negative side of things I do have to say that the worldbuilding was truly underdeveloped, with the story only taking place in one city and sparsely mentioning anything that goes beyond it's borders. The beasts were from the wilds for instance, but no further information is given about that, and there were Gods who can grant blessings through prayers, but magic was rarely ever discussed. Instead, the book spent some time on explaining the city's politics, but all of that basically went over my head without ever catching my attention. I think more worldbuilding could have elevated the story from good to great, but as an action-focused book it was still very enjoyable for me.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and DAW for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Daw for the arc! I fucking loved this. I’m struggling to put all my thoughts and feelings into coherent sentences, but I’ll try. Here are some things I adored about this book.
-Tears of the Kingdom lovers, come get your soup! There’s a location we spend a lot of time in that vividly reminds me of the depths. Speaking of which, I love the indulgent descriptions we get in this book. The author really takes me there, and I spent a lot of time happily and vividly hallucinating to a screen with letters on it. This book rocked my artistic socks.
-the world building is plentiful and fascinating and beautifully unique. As someone VERY partial to world building, this book was extremely satisfying. The religion, the history, the cultures, the divine blessings, the socioeconomic state of the city, the mythology, the everything, MOONMACHIST? COSMOSCAPE? BEES? Mwah
-I love the main character fiercely. She’s easy to love, and her arc was incredible. I rooted for her the entire way, and I love everyone she was surrounded by too. They were all fleshed out, unique, and lovely to read about. I felt sympathy for almost all of them, and I felt what I was supposed to towards each character. I also loved how almost everyone was splotched in shades of grey.
-the relationship between Lythlet and Desil was was so tender and written so beautifully. God I love platonic love. It is SO underrated, and the way it was done here made my chest squeeze and heart ache. Genuinely one of the best bonds between two characters I’ve read about this year.
-this book challenges you, and has beef. It’s full of wisdom, philosophy, metaphysical schemes, very quotable and powerful lines, and I could spend forever rambling about how well this book challenges the mythos of storytelling. It also has a good deal and depth of both socioeconomic commentary and political intrigue. Not to mention the symbolism, which was detailed and plentiful; I can think of a certain scene that is VERY ghibliesque.
-I can understand why some might think magic aspect a little muddled, but based on the lore, it seems that the gods gave blessings and left, and being that they control the comsoscape, these came in different forms. I do wish we got to see more of this magic, but this is a nitpick that does not negate at all my oversaturated love and enjoyment of this book. The magic we did see was fascinating, and combined with the lore of the world, extremely unique. So many working parts, and I enjoyed them separately and together.
All in all, this book cleansed my skin. I loved it from start to finish, it had substance, it was different, and it was chef’s fucking kiss. More books like this please -5 sun-cursed beasts
-Tears of the Kingdom lovers, come get your soup! There’s a location we spend a lot of time in that vividly reminds me of the depths. Speaking of which, I love the indulgent descriptions we get in this book. The author really takes me there, and I spent a lot of time happily and vividly hallucinating to a screen with letters on it. This book rocked my artistic socks.
-the world building is plentiful and fascinating and beautifully unique. As someone VERY partial to world building, this book was extremely satisfying. The religion, the history, the cultures, the divine blessings, the socioeconomic state of the city, the mythology, the everything, MOONMACHIST? COSMOSCAPE? BEES? Mwah
-I love the main character fiercely. She’s easy to love, and her arc was incredible. I rooted for her the entire way, and I love everyone she was surrounded by too. They were all fleshed out, unique, and lovely to read about. I felt sympathy for almost all of them, and I felt what I was supposed to towards each character. I also loved how almost everyone was splotched in shades of grey.
-the relationship between Lythlet and Desil was was so tender and written so beautifully. God I love platonic love. It is SO underrated, and the way it was done here made my chest squeeze and heart ache. Genuinely one of the best bonds between two characters I’ve read about this year.
-this book challenges you, and has beef. It’s full of wisdom, philosophy, metaphysical schemes, very quotable and powerful lines, and I could spend forever rambling about how well this book challenges the mythos of storytelling. It also has a good deal and depth of both socioeconomic commentary and political intrigue. Not to mention the symbolism, which was detailed and plentiful; I can think of a certain scene that is VERY ghibliesque.
-I can understand why some might think magic aspect a little muddled, but based on the lore, it seems that the gods gave blessings and left, and being that they control the comsoscape, these came in different forms. I do wish we got to see more of this magic, but this is a nitpick that does not negate at all my oversaturated love and enjoyment of this book. The magic we did see was fascinating, and combined with the lore of the world, extremely unique. So many working parts, and I enjoyed them separately and together.
All in all, this book cleansed my skin. I loved it from start to finish, it had substance, it was different, and it was chef’s fucking kiss. More books like this please -5 sun-cursed beasts
March 24, 2025
I still cannot believe that this was a debut book. I loved everything about it - from the intriguing capitalistic fantasy city, to the monsters brought into the arena for fighting, to some of my new favorite characters in Lythlet and Desil - but also so many of the side characters, including Master Dothilos, because I love a character that has ambiguous morality and you never really know whose side he’s on.
“Anyone who buys into the concept of a meritocracy is someone naive to the workings of the world. What option have you ever had but poverty, Lythlet?”
The fights in the arena were definitely my favorite moments from the story because we get to see just how clever and smart Lythlet can be. These were the moments with so much tension because I was certain something tragic would have to happen in these battles. No spoilers as to if that happens or not, but every battle had me on the edge of my seat.
The mythology and religious world-building employed in this story was *chef’s kiss* - just so phenomenal. I would love to see more of this world explored and see more of the magical aspects introduced because what we got was fantastic, but I want more!
The way the characters deal with trauma and overcome their lot in life is too real and tragic. I think this is a book that a lot of people can connect with feel for these characters because of it. Even Lythlet’s reason for wanting to join the arena is rooted in this:
“I want to be happier!” she exploded. “I want what my parents never had, nor my ancestors – to survive and prosper.”
There is some commentary on capitalism woven into the story in such a satisfying way, leading me to root for the downfall of the governor even before you really know him.
“She was no more than a commodity stripped naked before a hungry market, a racehorse they would ruthlessly beat to the finish line if it meant they’d win.”
And because I feel like I never see this in this type of fantasy book much anymore, I was excited that Lythlet and Desil are not romantic interests, but are truly best friends and the platonic love that they share for each other is so beautiful. Even through their worst moments in the books, something brings them back together time and time again.
“Flowers fade quickly, but a well-bound book will last you decades.”
5 Sun-Cursed Beasts out of 5
Thank you to @dawbooks for the ARC and finished copies 🙏 All thoughts are my own.
“Anyone who buys into the concept of a meritocracy is someone naive to the workings of the world. What option have you ever had but poverty, Lythlet?”
The fights in the arena were definitely my favorite moments from the story because we get to see just how clever and smart Lythlet can be. These were the moments with so much tension because I was certain something tragic would have to happen in these battles. No spoilers as to if that happens or not, but every battle had me on the edge of my seat.
The mythology and religious world-building employed in this story was *chef’s kiss* - just so phenomenal. I would love to see more of this world explored and see more of the magical aspects introduced because what we got was fantastic, but I want more!
The way the characters deal with trauma and overcome their lot in life is too real and tragic. I think this is a book that a lot of people can connect with feel for these characters because of it. Even Lythlet’s reason for wanting to join the arena is rooted in this:
“I want to be happier!” she exploded. “I want what my parents never had, nor my ancestors – to survive and prosper.”
There is some commentary on capitalism woven into the story in such a satisfying way, leading me to root for the downfall of the governor even before you really know him.
“She was no more than a commodity stripped naked before a hungry market, a racehorse they would ruthlessly beat to the finish line if it meant they’d win.”
And because I feel like I never see this in this type of fantasy book much anymore, I was excited that Lythlet and Desil are not romantic interests, but are truly best friends and the platonic love that they share for each other is so beautiful. Even through their worst moments in the books, something brings them back together time and time again.
“Flowers fade quickly, but a well-bound book will last you decades.”
5 Sun-Cursed Beasts out of 5
Thank you to @dawbooks for the ARC and finished copies 🙏 All thoughts are my own.
February 20, 2025
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the slums of the Malaysian Chinese-inspired fantasy city of Setgad, Lythlet Tairiel and her childhood friend Desil Demothi live in poverty and debt, barely scraping enough coin together to keep the usurers off their backs. When the opportunity to claw their way out of debt presents itself, they enter the underground arena of conquessing, fighting sun-cursed beasts in dangerous battles to the death. And while Lythlet’s meterorical rise to fame seems to point towards a brighter future, she soon discovers that when the underground has its claws in you, it’s loathe to let you go.
When I started The Serpent Called Mercy, I had no expectation that I would find one of the best books I’ve read in a while among its pages. However, I was immediately blown away by the beautiful writing style, surprisingly lush and poetic for a story about debt-ridden slumdogs and their fight to survive. The city of Setgad is vibrant and rich, even the darker and poorer parts that Lythlet frequents, and the cultural elements are incredibly fascinating and feel very anchored to the world, without being bogged down with too much exposition.
I, too, found a protagonist in Lythlet who was flawed, yes, but incredibly easy to root for. Her harsh childhood and the circumstances she’d been trying to overcome could have easily led to resignation and apathy, but her wit and ambition, especially after getting a taste of coin and glory in the conquessing arena, were exciting to behold. Especially as it led to internal struggles about what to prioritise: a future of financial security at the cost of present danger in the arena and entanglements with the criminal underground, or her friendship with Desil, whose brawling days have left him scarred and conflicted about their careers as conquessors?
This book has been pitched as The Witcher meets Squid Games, but I don’t think that’s particularly accurate – the only similar aspects are fights against monsters and games where life and death are on the line, respectively. Instead, I’d recommend this to anyone who fell in love with Ketterdam in Six of Crows or whose favourite movie is Gladiator. This is a story about underdogs fighting tooth and nail for a secure future for themselves and those around them against the oppressive forces of the powerful and corrupt elites above, and while those are also present in the official comps, the aesthetic vibes are definitely more similar to my comps.
The last thing I will say is that while The Serpent Called Mercy looks to be a standalone novel, I sincerely hope that Roanne Lau will return to this world, whether it be a continuation of Lythlet and Desil’s story or something completely different. This is a world that feels full to bursting, and it would be a shame not to get to explore more of it. I will certainly be looking out for what else Lau has to offer in the future.
In the slums of the Malaysian Chinese-inspired fantasy city of Setgad, Lythlet Tairiel and her childhood friend Desil Demothi live in poverty and debt, barely scraping enough coin together to keep the usurers off their backs. When the opportunity to claw their way out of debt presents itself, they enter the underground arena of conquessing, fighting sun-cursed beasts in dangerous battles to the death. And while Lythlet’s meterorical rise to fame seems to point towards a brighter future, she soon discovers that when the underground has its claws in you, it’s loathe to let you go.
When I started The Serpent Called Mercy, I had no expectation that I would find one of the best books I’ve read in a while among its pages. However, I was immediately blown away by the beautiful writing style, surprisingly lush and poetic for a story about debt-ridden slumdogs and their fight to survive. The city of Setgad is vibrant and rich, even the darker and poorer parts that Lythlet frequents, and the cultural elements are incredibly fascinating and feel very anchored to the world, without being bogged down with too much exposition.
I, too, found a protagonist in Lythlet who was flawed, yes, but incredibly easy to root for. Her harsh childhood and the circumstances she’d been trying to overcome could have easily led to resignation and apathy, but her wit and ambition, especially after getting a taste of coin and glory in the conquessing arena, were exciting to behold. Especially as it led to internal struggles about what to prioritise: a future of financial security at the cost of present danger in the arena and entanglements with the criminal underground, or her friendship with Desil, whose brawling days have left him scarred and conflicted about their careers as conquessors?
This book has been pitched as The Witcher meets Squid Games, but I don’t think that’s particularly accurate – the only similar aspects are fights against monsters and games where life and death are on the line, respectively. Instead, I’d recommend this to anyone who fell in love with Ketterdam in Six of Crows or whose favourite movie is Gladiator. This is a story about underdogs fighting tooth and nail for a secure future for themselves and those around them against the oppressive forces of the powerful and corrupt elites above, and while those are also present in the official comps, the aesthetic vibes are definitely more similar to my comps.
The last thing I will say is that while The Serpent Called Mercy looks to be a standalone novel, I sincerely hope that Roanne Lau will return to this world, whether it be a continuation of Lythlet and Desil’s story or something completely different. This is a world that feels full to bursting, and it would be a shame not to get to explore more of it. I will certainly be looking out for what else Lau has to offer in the future.
April 7, 2025
This book already had me at the bees.
As I am sitting here, writing this review, I am still in awe that this is a debut story. Ever since I finished it, 2 days ago, I caught myself going back to The Serpent Called Mercy and its clever quotes, amazing action scenes, and thought-provoking characters. Because those are the best books, the ones that stick with you, that permanently carve a place for themselves in your brain and refuse to ever leave your memory again.
"The serpent you call mercy is nothing more than a fairytale notion that sinks its venomous fangs into the young, weakening them to the brutality of the world."
I was 10% into the story when I decided “Yes, this is it, this is gonna be the book”, and I was right. Was it a perfect book? No books ever are, and that’s what makes them all the more lovable. But instead of wasting time on criticisms, I am going to tell you all the reasons why you should read this:
I’m gonna start with an easy one, worldbuilding. When it comes to fantasy, I adore books with intricate worldbuilding, and Serpent Called Mercy didn’t disappoint in that regard. The real magic of the story comes, however, from the masterful layering of said worldbuilding: we have the sun-cursed beasts our heroes fight in the arena, a magical system strongly tied to religion, the social tensions of the political parties in the city-state of Setgad; and then, more, a mysterious Phantom that stalks the city at night and steals from the rich, an underground city below the city proper, the origins of the Aderi people, fuzzy bees that serve as the city’s illumination system, teahouse dogs. I could go on and on. All these carefully crafted details, both big and small, combine to create a vast world that extends beyond our protagonist’s limited point of view.
Lythlet is a compelling main character,and her battling the creatures in the arena as well as her own inner demons is the backbone on which the story is built. I also felt that the lack of romance (besides setting the book apart from most fantasy these days) left room for more developed relationships between characters. The friendship between Desil and Lythlet is, of course, central to the story, but all the other characters' stories interweave to create a complex narrative. Forget morally gray, all the characters felt real, raw, and their needs and ambitions made them all the more intriguing. I also need to mention the found family, a trope I dearly love, that is marvellously done in this book.
Lastly, I have only words of praise for the beautiful writing. It’s rare I find a book so quotable, a book where I underlined and marked entire paragraphs to reread and love again. The social commentary is perfectly interwoven in the plot and doesn’t feel forced, and the entire book has an almost philosophical feel to it, with a strangely poetic quality. It is safe to say that this is one book I will be rereading for years to come.
"It struck her hard then, that emblems of her hardships could be easily reduced into tokens of amusement for the highborn."
5 stars. 10 stars. All the stars
PS. If you can, do try the audiobook. The narrator is simply amazing.
As I am sitting here, writing this review, I am still in awe that this is a debut story. Ever since I finished it, 2 days ago, I caught myself going back to The Serpent Called Mercy and its clever quotes, amazing action scenes, and thought-provoking characters. Because those are the best books, the ones that stick with you, that permanently carve a place for themselves in your brain and refuse to ever leave your memory again.
"The serpent you call mercy is nothing more than a fairytale notion that sinks its venomous fangs into the young, weakening them to the brutality of the world."
I was 10% into the story when I decided “Yes, this is it, this is gonna be the book”, and I was right. Was it a perfect book? No books ever are, and that’s what makes them all the more lovable. But instead of wasting time on criticisms, I am going to tell you all the reasons why you should read this:
I’m gonna start with an easy one, worldbuilding. When it comes to fantasy, I adore books with intricate worldbuilding, and Serpent Called Mercy didn’t disappoint in that regard. The real magic of the story comes, however, from the masterful layering of said worldbuilding: we have the sun-cursed beasts our heroes fight in the arena, a magical system strongly tied to religion, the social tensions of the political parties in the city-state of Setgad; and then, more, a mysterious Phantom that stalks the city at night and steals from the rich, an underground city below the city proper, the origins of the Aderi people, fuzzy bees that serve as the city’s illumination system, teahouse dogs. I could go on and on. All these carefully crafted details, both big and small, combine to create a vast world that extends beyond our protagonist’s limited point of view.
Lythlet is a compelling main character,and her battling the creatures in the arena as well as her own inner demons is the backbone on which the story is built. I also felt that the lack of romance (besides setting the book apart from most fantasy these days) left room for more developed relationships between characters. The friendship between Desil and Lythlet is, of course, central to the story, but all the other characters' stories interweave to create a complex narrative. Forget morally gray, all the characters felt real, raw, and their needs and ambitions made them all the more intriguing. I also need to mention the found family, a trope I dearly love, that is marvellously done in this book.
Lastly, I have only words of praise for the beautiful writing. It’s rare I find a book so quotable, a book where I underlined and marked entire paragraphs to reread and love again. The social commentary is perfectly interwoven in the plot and doesn’t feel forced, and the entire book has an almost philosophical feel to it, with a strangely poetic quality. It is safe to say that this is one book I will be rereading for years to come.
"It struck her hard then, that emblems of her hardships could be easily reduced into tokens of amusement for the highborn."
5 stars. 10 stars. All the stars
PS. If you can, do try the audiobook. The narrator is simply amazing.
January 21, 2025
4.0 Stars
This was an enjoyable piece of fantasy. In the ocean of epic fantasy, this metropolitan fantasy novel felt fresh. I am a sucker for an underdog story so I was immediately engrossed in this one. I liked the scrappy characters and the close quarters fighting in this one.
I would recommend this one looking for a fantasy story with a good balance of action and character development.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This was an enjoyable piece of fantasy. In the ocean of epic fantasy, this metropolitan fantasy novel felt fresh. I am a sucker for an underdog story so I was immediately engrossed in this one. I liked the scrappy characters and the close quarters fighting in this one.
I would recommend this one looking for a fantasy story with a good balance of action and character development.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
March 14, 2025
If you see this book - READ IT!
Imagine if the Hunger Games was a team of two against legendary beasts instead of other people, and one of the team members was low-key Sherlock Holmes. Sprinkle in some essence of The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon and some Malaysian/Chinese mythology, and you have one awesome story.
This debut novel is delightfully descriptive, with humour sprinkled throughout. I laughed out loud and cried multiple times while devouring this story. Only two chapters in, this book had its claws in me!
The scenery had me vividly imagining this new world. The trials and combat scenes had me on the edge of my proverbial seat. The friendships had me laughing and crying.
We follow the story of Lythlet, who isn’t pretty or rich. The change and growth of our main character was a joy to see. Her moral compass is such a key part of this journey and was beautifully written.
I found many powerful quotes of thought-provoking wisdom to the philosophy that will keep me returning to reference this book. I can’t recommend this book enough, even if I can only think of so many words to do so!
Clever, brilliant, unique, and a joy to read!
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau.
Imagine if the Hunger Games was a team of two against legendary beasts instead of other people, and one of the team members was low-key Sherlock Holmes. Sprinkle in some essence of The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon and some Malaysian/Chinese mythology, and you have one awesome story.
This debut novel is delightfully descriptive, with humour sprinkled throughout. I laughed out loud and cried multiple times while devouring this story. Only two chapters in, this book had its claws in me!
The scenery had me vividly imagining this new world. The trials and combat scenes had me on the edge of my proverbial seat. The friendships had me laughing and crying.
We follow the story of Lythlet, who isn’t pretty or rich. The change and growth of our main character was a joy to see. Her moral compass is such a key part of this journey and was beautifully written.
I found many powerful quotes of thought-provoking wisdom to the philosophy that will keep me returning to reference this book. I can’t recommend this book enough, even if I can only think of so many words to do so!
Clever, brilliant, unique, and a joy to read!
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau.
June 28, 2025
Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of The Serpent Called Mercy!
This is the story of Lythlet who just lost her job and has to steal money to pay her monthly debt. She lives with her childhood friend Desil and when they receive a handbill promising riches beyond measure, it is an opportunity they cannot let go. This novel involves fighting beasts and trying to make as much money as possible to survive.
Wow. This book was utterly amazing. I devoured it! The concept and the writing made the story flow so easily that I did not see time passing by.
Lythlet was such an amazing main character with a difficult past and a great personality- she is honest, kind, but can also stand up for herself and super smart.
Everytime she would do something, I would be in awe thinking she was the smartest person ever. Be it when she was fighting or outside of these fights.
I would highly highly recommend it! 5 stars from me
This is the story of Lythlet who just lost her job and has to steal money to pay her monthly debt. She lives with her childhood friend Desil and when they receive a handbill promising riches beyond measure, it is an opportunity they cannot let go. This novel involves fighting beasts and trying to make as much money as possible to survive.
Wow. This book was utterly amazing. I devoured it! The concept and the writing made the story flow so easily that I did not see time passing by.
Lythlet was such an amazing main character with a difficult past and a great personality- she is honest, kind, but can also stand up for herself and super smart.
Everytime she would do something, I would be in awe thinking she was the smartest person ever. Be it when she was fighting or outside of these fights.
I would highly highly recommend it! 5 stars from me
April 20, 2025
Gladiator meets The Witcher in this high stakes and utterly compulsive, epic fantasy from debut author Roanne Lau.
Masterfully weaving a pacy and emotionally raw narrative that had me on the edge of my seat. We follow a pair of loveable, underdog-esque protagonists who take up fighting monsters (in a colosseum type arena)— in an effort to pay back their debts and rise out of the slums they’ve barely survived in.
Lythlet, (our sole POV character) was a fascinating if unconventional protagonist; morally ambiguous and unapologetically calculating —she’s willing to do whatever it takes to survive (including lie, cheat, manipulate or steal.) Yet in spite of this, she still holds firm in her moral convictions when it involves the city’s most vulnerable. And as such, brought a sense of relatability and realness to her character that I feel will resonate with a lot of readers.
The pacing was heart poundingly swift too, yet it never diminished the emotional depth (or growth) that our characters undertake—particularly when it came to the horrifying events in the arena and the slow, brutal demise of Lythlet’s closest relationships.
I also adored the nuance and multilayered elements of the prose (which was beautifully crafted) and loved that we could experience such an incredible Malaysian Chinese-fantasy setting. (I also really need an illustrated bestiary as the sun-cursed beasts all sound soo fascinating!)
The focus on corruption in the pursuit of power (and exploitation) was also handled extremely well. It’s unsettling how relevant some of the thematic elements (gentrification, oppression, displacement of the lower classes and the corporate-fuelled greed of the ruling classes) are in relation to current world events.
And (in my opinion) served as a stark reminder at how easily societal structures can be taken for granted, or even dismantled, when the people in power choose profits over the lives of their citizens —or only see empathy as a weakness.
If you haven’t added this to your TBRs yet, then I highly recommend you do so as it’s action packed, thought provoking, and soo very detailed—I was fully immersed! Just be sure to check the TWs first.
Also, a huge thanks to Shalini and Solaris Books for the finished copy.
Masterfully weaving a pacy and emotionally raw narrative that had me on the edge of my seat. We follow a pair of loveable, underdog-esque protagonists who take up fighting monsters (in a colosseum type arena)— in an effort to pay back their debts and rise out of the slums they’ve barely survived in.
Lythlet, (our sole POV character) was a fascinating if unconventional protagonist; morally ambiguous and unapologetically calculating —she’s willing to do whatever it takes to survive (including lie, cheat, manipulate or steal.) Yet in spite of this, she still holds firm in her moral convictions when it involves the city’s most vulnerable. And as such, brought a sense of relatability and realness to her character that I feel will resonate with a lot of readers.
The pacing was heart poundingly swift too, yet it never diminished the emotional depth (or growth) that our characters undertake—particularly when it came to the horrifying events in the arena and the slow, brutal demise of Lythlet’s closest relationships.
I also adored the nuance and multilayered elements of the prose (which was beautifully crafted) and loved that we could experience such an incredible Malaysian Chinese-fantasy setting. (I also really need an illustrated bestiary as the sun-cursed beasts all sound soo fascinating!)
The focus on corruption in the pursuit of power (and exploitation) was also handled extremely well. It’s unsettling how relevant some of the thematic elements (gentrification, oppression, displacement of the lower classes and the corporate-fuelled greed of the ruling classes) are in relation to current world events.
And (in my opinion) served as a stark reminder at how easily societal structures can be taken for granted, or even dismantled, when the people in power choose profits over the lives of their citizens —or only see empathy as a weakness.
If you haven’t added this to your TBRs yet, then I highly recommend you do so as it’s action packed, thought provoking, and soo very detailed—I was fully immersed! Just be sure to check the TWs first.
Also, a huge thanks to Shalini and Solaris Books for the finished copy.
December 29, 2024
This a stunning debut, one that reads as if the author has been writing for a very long time! I absolutely loved the characters, the world-building, and the plot was at the perfect pace for me.
'The Serpent called mercy', features a girl called Lythlet and her best friend Desil. Both are in debt, and so decide to enter a tournament where they are pitted to fights against deadly monsters. I've never read a book without romance in it, and I was pleasently surprised to find that I absolutely adored the sweet friendship moments between these two characters.
I believe it has Chinese and Malaysian influences, and I loved feeling immersed in another culture whilst reading. In particular, the family dynamics between Lythlet and her parents was really touching, and I absolutely loved her relationship and personal development as the story progressed.
There are numerous beautiful moments, where you feel the urge to take down a quote because the writing is just so heart-warming and poignant. I loved following a herorine who relied on her booksmarts, and was a bit emotionally stunted - perhaps the introvert in me found a kindred spirit in her.
I enjoyed how over the top the matchmaster was with his dialogue, it suited him perfectly in my opinion, and I liked how even a side character had a important backstory relevant to the plot. I wish that there was more focus on the fights, because deadly tournaments are my go to trope, but the plot was still exciting without them being the complete key focus.
If you enjoy - found families, the underdog, surviving despite the odds, deadly monsters and platanoic relationships - then seriously consider adding this one to your 2025 TBR. I think I might need to get this one as a physical copy when it comes out!
'The Serpent called mercy', features a girl called Lythlet and her best friend Desil. Both are in debt, and so decide to enter a tournament where they are pitted to fights against deadly monsters. I've never read a book without romance in it, and I was pleasently surprised to find that I absolutely adored the sweet friendship moments between these two characters.
I believe it has Chinese and Malaysian influences, and I loved feeling immersed in another culture whilst reading. In particular, the family dynamics between Lythlet and her parents was really touching, and I absolutely loved her relationship and personal development as the story progressed.
There are numerous beautiful moments, where you feel the urge to take down a quote because the writing is just so heart-warming and poignant. I loved following a herorine who relied on her booksmarts, and was a bit emotionally stunted - perhaps the introvert in me found a kindred spirit in her.
I enjoyed how over the top the matchmaster was with his dialogue, it suited him perfectly in my opinion, and I liked how even a side character had a important backstory relevant to the plot. I wish that there was more focus on the fights, because deadly tournaments are my go to trope, but the plot was still exciting without them being the complete key focus.
If you enjoy - found families, the underdog, surviving despite the odds, deadly monsters and platanoic relationships - then seriously consider adding this one to your 2025 TBR. I think I might need to get this one as a physical copy when it comes out!
March 10, 2025
I had a good time in general, but I really wish this had been a duology so everything could've been fleshed out a lot more.
It is what it is.
It's also neither Squid Games nor The Witcher, so I don't understand the comps. It's like whoever wrote the summary never even watched any of those shows, or even bothered to watch a trailer, or even looked at the memes. (I haven't watched Squid Games, but I've seen so many reels/tiktoks/memes that I understand what it's about.)
Anyway.
I'll start with the good.
I absolutely LOVED the deep friendship between Lythlet and Desil. This is the definition of ride or die. And I really, really appreciated that it never developed into a romance. (Personally, I'm sick and tired of romantasies.) And to have a world where ride or die friendships is just as important as like, say marriages in the real world, is something really rare in the fiction world. I really wish we saw more of this!
I also liked Lythlet's relationship with her parents. It was very multifaceted, and you could feel the guilt, shame, and love that Lythlet felt as a daughter who failed her parents. I liked that her parents were actual characters with real feelings, and not just there to be used as props for Lythlet's character growth. Very well done.
And here's the meh...
The gladiator/conquessor stuff was fine. The monsters were cool and I liked that Lythlet and Desil had to use their wits instead of just brute strength. It was a good twist to the usual humans vs. monsters genre.
But after a while, it became really repetitive that I started tuning out. Then again, this might be a me thing because gladiator/arena style fantasy novels bore me after a few fights.
The little rebellion/class warfare plotline was... lacking. Like I said, I wish this was a duology so that entire plotline could actually be fleshed out and given a lot more detail. It pretty much read like Lythlet was supposed to do x, y, z, and then deus ex machina, the situation was resolved. Also, Desil was out of the picture for a while there, and I actually missed him.
One last thing. The dialogue between Lythlet and Dothilos was weirdly excessive. It was one of those infodumping through dialogue situations and had me tuned out. This also goes for some of the other character dialogue. You'd think two characters were having a conversation and then suddenly one person is giving an entire speech. It was weird.
Anyway, I had a good time reading this, and I'll read more of Roanne Lau's work in the future.
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for this arc.
It is what it is.
It's also neither Squid Games nor The Witcher, so I don't understand the comps. It's like whoever wrote the summary never even watched any of those shows, or even bothered to watch a trailer, or even looked at the memes. (I haven't watched Squid Games, but I've seen so many reels/tiktoks/memes that I understand what it's about.)
Anyway.
I'll start with the good.
I absolutely LOVED the deep friendship between Lythlet and Desil. This is the definition of ride or die. And I really, really appreciated that it never developed into a romance. (Personally, I'm sick and tired of romantasies.) And to have a world where ride or die friendships is just as important as like, say marriages in the real world, is something really rare in the fiction world. I really wish we saw more of this!
I also liked Lythlet's relationship with her parents. It was very multifaceted, and you could feel the guilt, shame, and love that Lythlet felt as a daughter who failed her parents. I liked that her parents were actual characters with real feelings, and not just there to be used as props for Lythlet's character growth. Very well done.
And here's the meh...
The gladiator/conquessor stuff was fine. The monsters were cool and I liked that Lythlet and Desil had to use their wits instead of just brute strength. It was a good twist to the usual humans vs. monsters genre.
But after a while, it became really repetitive that I started tuning out. Then again, this might be a me thing because gladiator/arena style fantasy novels bore me after a few fights.
The little rebellion/class warfare plotline was... lacking. Like I said, I wish this was a duology so that entire plotline could actually be fleshed out and given a lot more detail. It pretty much read like Lythlet was supposed to do x, y, z, and then deus ex machina, the situation was resolved. Also, Desil was out of the picture for a while there, and I actually missed him.
One last thing. The dialogue between Lythlet and Dothilos was weirdly excessive. It was one of those infodumping through dialogue situations and had me tuned out. This also goes for some of the other character dialogue. You'd think two characters were having a conversation and then suddenly one person is giving an entire speech. It was weird.
Anyway, I had a good time reading this, and I'll read more of Roanne Lau's work in the future.
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for this arc.
March 9, 2025
I cannot believe this is a debut. I am stunned. More thoughts later
*****
Lythlet is down on her luck. Recently fired, living in debt and poverty, she has nowhere to turn and no one but her best friend Desil. Until the chance comes her way: if they swear themselves to the arena, they can compete as conquessors, facing lurid mythical beasts from beyond their city in the hope of winning a cash prize large enough to liberate them both…
Lythlet is quick-witted, Desil brawny, and perhaps together they’ll make it through. But the criminal underworld is a murky place to enter, and threats beyond the monsters they face begin to materialise.
The worldbuilding in this is incredibly rich. My only possible criticism is that there isn’t MORE: more lore behind each of the beasts, greater detail on the clear political depth of the city; the mythology of their ancestors that brought them here; the history behind the religion. There’s is so much going on, I would have read three times as much content from Lau. But what she does with what she has!
The commentary on capitalism, morality, humanity is razor sharp without becoming didactic, because it’s all told through the lens of the characters - particularly Lythlet, whose growth in this is stunning, a rollercoaster arc that is nevertheless believable. The emotional impact has real gut punches here, from helplessness to hopefulness, and all told through prose that is very readable whilst being incisively crafted. wow this got me really hard? especially the parts with a duty to family whom you love but your relationship is difficult for reasons you can’t really change
Featuring:
- Gladiatorial combat with a whole bestiary of monsters
- Detective story vibes as our heroine works out what’s going on behind the scenes
- A really strong platonic friendship with no romance but a beautifully told bond. this is the new Locke/Jean, y’all
- Adorable dog/s
- Adorable bees
- Criminal masterminds, underworlds, politics and plotting
- Family trauma
- Found family
*****
Lythlet is down on her luck. Recently fired, living in debt and poverty, she has nowhere to turn and no one but her best friend Desil. Until the chance comes her way: if they swear themselves to the arena, they can compete as conquessors, facing lurid mythical beasts from beyond their city in the hope of winning a cash prize large enough to liberate them both…
Lythlet is quick-witted, Desil brawny, and perhaps together they’ll make it through. But the criminal underworld is a murky place to enter, and threats beyond the monsters they face begin to materialise.
The worldbuilding in this is incredibly rich. My only possible criticism is that there isn’t MORE: more lore behind each of the beasts, greater detail on the clear political depth of the city; the mythology of their ancestors that brought them here; the history behind the religion. There’s is so much going on, I would have read three times as much content from Lau. But what she does with what she has!
The commentary on capitalism, morality, humanity is razor sharp without becoming didactic, because it’s all told through the lens of the characters - particularly Lythlet, whose growth in this is stunning, a rollercoaster arc that is nevertheless believable. The emotional impact has real gut punches here, from helplessness to hopefulness, and all told through prose that is very readable whilst being incisively crafted. wow this got me really hard? especially the parts with a duty to family whom you love but your relationship is difficult for reasons you can’t really change
Featuring:
- Gladiatorial combat with a whole bestiary of monsters
- Detective story vibes as our heroine works out what’s going on behind the scenes
- A really strong platonic friendship with no romance but a beautifully told bond. this is the new Locke/Jean, y’all
- Adorable dog/s
- Adorable bees
- Criminal masterminds, underworlds, politics and plotting
- Family trauma
- Found family
April 5, 2025
Roanne Lau’s “The Serpent Called Mercy” is an extraordinary fantasy novel that weaves intricate world-building, compelling character arcs, and a perfectly paced plot into a story that keeps readers utterly enthralled. From the very first chapter, Lau draws you into a richly imagined world, balancing lush details with a sense of foreboding that leaves you eager to uncover its secrets.
The pacing is masterfully executed, every scene feels purposeful, building tension and intrigue without ever losing momentum. Lau strikes a delicate balance between quieter, introspective moments and high-stakes action, ensuring that the story’s emotional beats hit just as hard as its thrilling twists.
The characters are a standout element of the novel. Lau crafts complex, multi-dimensional protagonists whose growth is as compelling as the plot itself. The central figure’s journey, both internal and external, is deeply resonant, while the supporting cast adds layers of nuance and richness to the narrative. Relationships feel authentic and evolve organically, enhancing the emotional stakes of the story.
The world-building is nothing short of breathtaking. Lau has created a setting teeming with mythology, culture, and history that feels both immersive and believable. Every detail, from the vivid landscapes to the intricate societal structures, enhances the story and makes the reader feel fully transported into this fantastical realm.
The Serpent Called Mercy is a masterclass in storytelling, blending heart, suspense, and imagination into a tale that lingers long after the final page. Roanne Lau has crafted a truly unforgettable novel, perfect for fans of deeply layered fantasy. I highly recommend this book for fantasy fans!
The pacing is masterfully executed, every scene feels purposeful, building tension and intrigue without ever losing momentum. Lau strikes a delicate balance between quieter, introspective moments and high-stakes action, ensuring that the story’s emotional beats hit just as hard as its thrilling twists.
The characters are a standout element of the novel. Lau crafts complex, multi-dimensional protagonists whose growth is as compelling as the plot itself. The central figure’s journey, both internal and external, is deeply resonant, while the supporting cast adds layers of nuance and richness to the narrative. Relationships feel authentic and evolve organically, enhancing the emotional stakes of the story.
The world-building is nothing short of breathtaking. Lau has created a setting teeming with mythology, culture, and history that feels both immersive and believable. Every detail, from the vivid landscapes to the intricate societal structures, enhances the story and makes the reader feel fully transported into this fantastical realm.
The Serpent Called Mercy is a masterclass in storytelling, blending heart, suspense, and imagination into a tale that lingers long after the final page. Roanne Lau has crafted a truly unforgettable novel, perfect for fans of deeply layered fantasy. I highly recommend this book for fantasy fans!
October 28, 2024
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.
This slapped.
This so easily could’ve been a typical fantasy romance; we follow Lythlet and her best friend Desil as they sign up to fight terrifying mythical beasts in an arena, to pay off their debts.
Such a simply premise, yet such a layered story! Lythlet isn’t especially skilled in fighting, but she’s clever and puzzles her way through the fights. Desil has been her best friend since childhood, they love each other dearly, and it never becomes romantic. I see that so rarely in books now, and it really worked here.
There’s layers of political corruption and magical world building; but the main backbone of the story is Lythlet and her trying to fight her way out of her debts. the heart of the story is her creating a support system, reconnecting with people she thought lost to her, and finding out secrets about the one person she’s always implicitly trusted.
I loved this and will definitely be picking up a copy of this fantastic standalone!
This slapped.
This so easily could’ve been a typical fantasy romance; we follow Lythlet and her best friend Desil as they sign up to fight terrifying mythical beasts in an arena, to pay off their debts.
Such a simply premise, yet such a layered story! Lythlet isn’t especially skilled in fighting, but she’s clever and puzzles her way through the fights. Desil has been her best friend since childhood, they love each other dearly, and it never becomes romantic. I see that so rarely in books now, and it really worked here.
There’s layers of political corruption and magical world building; but the main backbone of the story is Lythlet and her trying to fight her way out of her debts. the heart of the story is her creating a support system, reconnecting with people she thought lost to her, and finding out secrets about the one person she’s always implicitly trusted.
I loved this and will definitely be picking up a copy of this fantastic standalone!
January 13, 2025
I can imagine this book won’t be everyone’s favourite, but for me it was a breath of fresh air.
Forget rushed instalove romances, forget straight forward worlds, simple writing, beautiful and charismatic Mary Janes - The Serpent Called Mercy has gorgeous prose, no romance to be found (hell yeah), a stubborn, socially awkward protagonist, and lore so deep that we barely scratch the surface in this brilliant debut.
Granted, it’s not a perfect book, but it sparked that thrill in me, you know the one when you just instantly and deeply click with a piece of art and you know you’re going to love it? I sincerely hope Roanne Lau plans to write more books in this universe, I need to know so much more about the cosmosphere and the Wardens and other Sun-blest races across the sea.
Many thanks to NetGalley and DAW for the ARC!
Forget rushed instalove romances, forget straight forward worlds, simple writing, beautiful and charismatic Mary Janes - The Serpent Called Mercy has gorgeous prose, no romance to be found (hell yeah), a stubborn, socially awkward protagonist, and lore so deep that we barely scratch the surface in this brilliant debut.
Granted, it’s not a perfect book, but it sparked that thrill in me, you know the one when you just instantly and deeply click with a piece of art and you know you’re going to love it? I sincerely hope Roanne Lau plans to write more books in this universe, I need to know so much more about the cosmosphere and the Wardens and other Sun-blest races across the sea.
Many thanks to NetGalley and DAW for the ARC!
June 10, 2025
An exhilarating fantasy with monsters so horrifying I actually put down my book to escape them. I love the dynamic between the main two characters and how they possess a purely platonic friendship. The similarities and differences between Lythlet and the primary antagonist were well fleshed out and fascinating to follow. My own critique is now I want a monstrously sized hound named Rut to welcome me when I get home.
July 17, 2025
I thought this book was phenomenal!! Excellent writing, loved the details and the lessons in the book. The writing style was beautiful, very eloquent words.
Thank you for this read!
Thank you for this read!
April 1, 2025
An exciting and enjoyable read. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This is an action-packed fantasy centred around a gladiatorial style arena where paired fighters do battle with horrific beasts and monsters. Expect epic fight scenes, curious and unusual monsters with terrifying powers and fighting styles. The author built something really interesting here and one of the best parts of the book is the creativity and deduction the main character Lythlet has to use to overcome these challenges. Brute strength will not be enough to defeat them but cunning and adaptability are essential.
While the book centres around this tournament, it’s also about social division. The characters are risking their lives in this horrific battle because they have no other politics. They live in a society rife with corruption where they are exploited through unscrupulous lenders, excessive health centre fees, cruel and unfair employers and a rich elite that barely considers them as human. The book explores the society that has created the situation that forces young people to risk their lives for the entertainment of the rich.
I found this book thrilling and fascinating. I was drawn into the world, the author’s creativity with the beasts imagined for the arena, the desire of the main character for a better life while balancing her desire to help her loved ones. This was a fantastic read.
This is an action-packed fantasy centred around a gladiatorial style arena where paired fighters do battle with horrific beasts and monsters. Expect epic fight scenes, curious and unusual monsters with terrifying powers and fighting styles. The author built something really interesting here and one of the best parts of the book is the creativity and deduction the main character Lythlet has to use to overcome these challenges. Brute strength will not be enough to defeat them but cunning and adaptability are essential.
While the book centres around this tournament, it’s also about social division. The characters are risking their lives in this horrific battle because they have no other politics. They live in a society rife with corruption where they are exploited through unscrupulous lenders, excessive health centre fees, cruel and unfair employers and a rich elite that barely considers them as human. The book explores the society that has created the situation that forces young people to risk their lives for the entertainment of the rich.
I found this book thrilling and fascinating. I was drawn into the world, the author’s creativity with the beasts imagined for the arena, the desire of the main character for a better life while balancing her desire to help her loved ones. This was a fantastic read.
June 26, 2025
Truly, this was incredible. Set in the gritty, Malaysian Chinese–inspired city-state of Setgad, this debut epic fantasy follows Lythlet and her childhood friend Desil, two impoverished “slumdogs” buried under crushing debt. In a desperate bid to escape their circumstances, they become conquessors—illegal arena fighters—pitted against brutal, sun‑cursed beasts for the bloodthirsty betting masses.
The Serpent Called Mercy is a fast-paced, emotionally charged fantasy that blends brutal arena action with sharp social commentary. At its heart, it's a story about how far you'll go to free yourself—and what you're willing to lose in the process and I loved every second of it!
✅ betrayal and loyalty
✅ class oppressions and economic exploding
✅ friendships and found family
✅ political intrigue
✅ ethics in violence
✅ magical realism
✅ complex characters
✅ strong FMC
The Serpent Called Mercy is a fast-paced, emotionally charged fantasy that blends brutal arena action with sharp social commentary. At its heart, it's a story about how far you'll go to free yourself—and what you're willing to lose in the process and I loved every second of it!
✅ betrayal and loyalty
✅ class oppressions and economic exploding
✅ friendships and found family
✅ political intrigue
✅ ethics in violence
✅ magical realism
✅ complex characters
✅ strong FMC
January 16, 2025
Lythlet and Desil, two slumdogs drowning in debt to a local loan shark, think they’ve found the solution to all their money problems and the key to a better life.
‘…but the serpent you call mercy is nothing more than a fairytale notion that sinks its venomous fangs into the young…’
I absolutely fell in love with this book; such a fabulous debut! If this book remains a standalone, I do at least hope more stories are written from this same world!
Kudos to the lack of a romance subplot, with the current ‘spicy’ saturated market, this book is breath of fresh air.
Thank you NetGalley and Solaris for the opportunity to read and review this title.
4.5/5
‘…but the serpent you call mercy is nothing more than a fairytale notion that sinks its venomous fangs into the young…’
I absolutely fell in love with this book; such a fabulous debut! If this book remains a standalone, I do at least hope more stories are written from this same world!
Kudos to the lack of a romance subplot, with the current ‘spicy’ saturated market, this book is breath of fresh air.
Thank you NetGalley and Solaris for the opportunity to read and review this title.
4.5/5
April 14, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
From one heist to another, when will it ever end? Sometimes we just are scraping by and we ask ourselves why. Why do we keep toiling to chip away a debt we are only barely scratching the surface on? Is there not a better way? For Desil and Lythlet, their chance to get above it all might be here, but nothing comes for free. The Serpent Called Mercy is a book full of adventure and action. It's for fans of those who love reading about this game of survival. And asking ourselves when we fight between ambition and mercy, who wins?
From one heist to another, when will it ever end? Sometimes we just are scraping by and we ask ourselves why. Why do we keep toiling to chip away a debt we are only barely scratching the surface on? Is there not a better way? For Desil and Lythlet, their chance to get above it all might be here, but nothing comes for free. The Serpent Called Mercy is a book full of adventure and action. It's for fans of those who love reading about this game of survival. And asking ourselves when we fight between ambition and mercy, who wins?
December 9, 2024
This book won't be for everyone, likely because of some of the issues I had with it, but I really loved this overall. Lau is a fresh voice in fantasy with some good ideas in this strong debut. I already can't wait to read her sophomore effort. I also immediately preordered this because I fell in love with that cover, so I was thrilled to get access to an early viewing.
I never expected a book about arena fighting with Chinese and Malaysian influences to be cozy, but this book was very cozy and charming, full of platonic love, the triumph of street justice and found family. I loved seeing epic fantasy featuring slumdogs as protagonists instead of royalty, a story that focused its tableau on the lowest of the societal hierarchy and their struggles.
I found it refreshing in this age of Booktok-pushed spicy romantasy to see an endearing story about friendship that had not an ounce of romance, sex or even kissing. I would love to see more friendship stories.
Lythlet is a slumdog who knows her place as someone who's forced to work for abusive bosses and meager wages to earn her keep. But she has always dreamed of better; she just always thought she was alone other than her best friend Desil, and she had to do it all alone. But she yearns to be the protagonist of her story instead of the ugly supporting character, despite the pathetic origin of her given name - it means candle-flame. A very small beacon of hope. She also knows she doesn't have pretty privilege to rely on and turns to her wits to get by, stealing books to supplement her meager education. I loved seeing a plain-looking heroine who was clever and worked as a bookkeeper for lowlifes.
I absolutely loved Lythlet as a character and found her to be strongly developed. I was really rooting for her to succeed, even when she became obsessed with vanity and greed and could have become insufferable.
In this society the thing that most dooms the poor to a life of unregistered servitude is outrageous medical costs, a timely social commentary. Lythlet and Desil are no exception; Desil owes a debt to an unscrupulous userer to cover Lythlet's medical care.
To cover his debts, Desil, a former brawler who gave it up for a life of quiet religious contemplation, and Lythlet team up to fight sun-blest beasts, the supernatural monsters of this world. They become heroes of the arena and fall into a world far seedier and more ethically malicious than they could have imagined. But all they have to hold onto is their sense of mercy, their friendship and the fellowship of their found family of misfits.
But my gripes: I found the worldbuilding to be very sparse; I had a hard time picturing the universe and their place in it at times. I wanted a lot more backstory on the sun-blest monsters and how they came to be. I think the plot in this was so light that it would not have benefited from duology treatment. There was not a lot of story between the fights, which were also rushed through. I did like how Lythlet used her cleverness to win fights and her dexterity with solving puzzles became the strength that rocketed her to bloodsport stardom.
I also found the dialogue very cumbersome to read. They frequently gave long speeches, especially the match-master whom I found myself frequently rolling my eyes at when he started talking. There was just too much info-dumping in dialogue and it slowed down the pace even more for me.
But I loved how it all came together in the end and the platonic love between Lythlet and Desil was the stongest part of this story. I also loved Lythlet's overall transformation as a character.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I never expected a book about arena fighting with Chinese and Malaysian influences to be cozy, but this book was very cozy and charming, full of platonic love, the triumph of street justice and found family. I loved seeing epic fantasy featuring slumdogs as protagonists instead of royalty, a story that focused its tableau on the lowest of the societal hierarchy and their struggles.
I found it refreshing in this age of Booktok-pushed spicy romantasy to see an endearing story about friendship that had not an ounce of romance, sex or even kissing. I would love to see more friendship stories.
Lythlet is a slumdog who knows her place as someone who's forced to work for abusive bosses and meager wages to earn her keep. But she has always dreamed of better; she just always thought she was alone other than her best friend Desil, and she had to do it all alone. But she yearns to be the protagonist of her story instead of the ugly supporting character, despite the pathetic origin of her given name - it means candle-flame. A very small beacon of hope. She also knows she doesn't have pretty privilege to rely on and turns to her wits to get by, stealing books to supplement her meager education. I loved seeing a plain-looking heroine who was clever and worked as a bookkeeper for lowlifes.
I absolutely loved Lythlet as a character and found her to be strongly developed. I was really rooting for her to succeed, even when she became obsessed with vanity and greed and could have become insufferable.
In this society the thing that most dooms the poor to a life of unregistered servitude is outrageous medical costs, a timely social commentary. Lythlet and Desil are no exception; Desil owes a debt to an unscrupulous userer to cover Lythlet's medical care.
To cover his debts, Desil, a former brawler who gave it up for a life of quiet religious contemplation, and Lythlet team up to fight sun-blest beasts, the supernatural monsters of this world. They become heroes of the arena and fall into a world far seedier and more ethically malicious than they could have imagined. But all they have to hold onto is their sense of mercy, their friendship and the fellowship of their found family of misfits.
But my gripes: I found the worldbuilding to be very sparse; I had a hard time picturing the universe and their place in it at times. I wanted a lot more backstory on the sun-blest monsters and how they came to be. I think the plot in this was so light that it would not have benefited from duology treatment. There was not a lot of story between the fights, which were also rushed through. I did like how Lythlet used her cleverness to win fights and her dexterity with solving puzzles became the strength that rocketed her to bloodsport stardom.
I also found the dialogue very cumbersome to read. They frequently gave long speeches, especially the match-master whom I found myself frequently rolling my eyes at when he started talking. There was just too much info-dumping in dialogue and it slowed down the pace even more for me.
But I loved how it all came together in the end and the platonic love between Lythlet and Desil was the stongest part of this story. I also loved Lythlet's overall transformation as a character.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 8, 2025
Action mixed with simple thoughts to live by
I liked the pacing of the story. Action to keep the readers engaged. Simple thoughts about our lifetime pathways, a good read with a satisfying conclusion.
I liked the pacing of the story. Action to keep the readers engaged. Simple thoughts about our lifetime pathways, a good read with a satisfying conclusion.
2025
September 19, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and DAW
March 16, 2025
thank you to netgalley and DAW for providing me with this eARC! review is all my own opinions.
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this book had a very interesting premise: a society in which the unregistered and the poor struggle to make ends meet everyday whilst the highborn enjoy luxury and comfort. where i feel it fails most is in part due to not showing this contrast enough. we have the spectators of the fighting matches versus those who are fighting, which lets us see it for a while. we see some previous fighters who have gotten further up in the hierarchy which was an interesting pov to explore, but those characters are painfully underdeveloped and the story suffers for it. the story felt far too dragged out and the second half in particular was often boring.
most of the characters we see are underdeveloped, or one-note. i wasn't able to form a connection with any of them, and following the FMC around for 400 pages got very grating as she erred on the side of annoying oftentimes. the match-master was the most interesting by far, and his dialogue and backstory was genuinely very good.
the plot involving fighting beasts could have been quite compelling, but the world-building could be confusing or absent altogether. they are sun-cursed but we never dive into what that really means, and we don't see the wealthier parts of the city at all. it all felt very compressed, and if the characters had been compelling at all I would have found it easier to forgive some of this.
the beasts themselves were inventive and imaginative, but we don't see too much of them.
overall, a bit of a letdown, and i found myself skimming from about 60% onwards.
______
this book had a very interesting premise: a society in which the unregistered and the poor struggle to make ends meet everyday whilst the highborn enjoy luxury and comfort. where i feel it fails most is in part due to not showing this contrast enough. we have the spectators of the fighting matches versus those who are fighting, which lets us see it for a while. we see some previous fighters who have gotten further up in the hierarchy which was an interesting pov to explore, but those characters are painfully underdeveloped and the story suffers for it. the story felt far too dragged out and the second half in particular was often boring.
most of the characters we see are underdeveloped, or one-note. i wasn't able to form a connection with any of them, and following the FMC around for 400 pages got very grating as she erred on the side of annoying oftentimes. the match-master was the most interesting by far, and his dialogue and backstory was genuinely very good.
the plot involving fighting beasts could have been quite compelling, but the world-building could be confusing or absent altogether. they are sun-cursed but we never dive into what that really means, and we don't see the wealthier parts of the city at all. it all felt very compressed, and if the characters had been compelling at all I would have found it easier to forgive some of this.
the beasts themselves were inventive and imaginative, but we don't see too much of them.
overall, a bit of a letdown, and i found myself skimming from about 60% onwards.
March 26, 2025
BOOK: THE SERPENT CALLED MERCY
AUTHOR: ROANNE LAU
PUB DATE: MARCH 2025
🥷🏼🏹
REVIEW- 4.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🏹🥷🏼
When I finished this book, i read the author's info and girl was I surprised that this book is her debut! This book had an amazing storyline, word building and characters rhat were beautifully done and you could see that there was a lot of work put into the world building. An anazing work by the author.
🥷🏼🏹
This book was set in the fictional corrupt classist town of Setgad where the rich and powerful have the best lives and trod on the poorest of the poor. Anyway, I liked the author's different approach to this genre. Our FMC, Lythlet was a poor,malnourished, abused, debt ridden young woman whose only thought is how to escape her dreary life. She didnt really have the opportunity to care for the whole of Setgad nor did she set out to entangle herself in the governance. I like that she was able to achieve all she did with her ingenuity and talent, no discovery of hidden powers or family. She was admirable.
🏹🥷🏼
The FMC and her best friend, Desil got involved in Conquessors challenges to fight sun-cursed beasts and get lots and lots of money. From there she met Master Dosthilos who got her involved in unsavory acts and she met amazing friends too along the way. I totally understood why she made the decision she made, she found a way to change her life and she grabbed it
🥷🏼🏹
Another thing i liked about this book, was how imperfect the characters were, they made peace with their mistakes and made efforts to become a better person.
🏹🥷🏼
The book went on for a year with a challenge in each month, we see huge character development in our characters especially the FMC and the situation in Setgad was also intertwined with her. I don't want to say much, but this book exolored important themes and I loved reading it. The only thing I didn't like was that there was no index for the fictional world and its elements. It was kinda confusing at some point and I would have appreciated it.
🥷🏼🏹
I would totally recommend it though. I can't wait to read more from this author!
🏹🥷🏼
AUTHOR: ROANNE LAU
PUB DATE: MARCH 2025
🥷🏼🏹
REVIEW- 4.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🏹🥷🏼
When I finished this book, i read the author's info and girl was I surprised that this book is her debut! This book had an amazing storyline, word building and characters rhat were beautifully done and you could see that there was a lot of work put into the world building. An anazing work by the author.
🥷🏼🏹
This book was set in the fictional corrupt classist town of Setgad where the rich and powerful have the best lives and trod on the poorest of the poor. Anyway, I liked the author's different approach to this genre. Our FMC, Lythlet was a poor,malnourished, abused, debt ridden young woman whose only thought is how to escape her dreary life. She didnt really have the opportunity to care for the whole of Setgad nor did she set out to entangle herself in the governance. I like that she was able to achieve all she did with her ingenuity and talent, no discovery of hidden powers or family. She was admirable.
🏹🥷🏼
The FMC and her best friend, Desil got involved in Conquessors challenges to fight sun-cursed beasts and get lots and lots of money. From there she met Master Dosthilos who got her involved in unsavory acts and she met amazing friends too along the way. I totally understood why she made the decision she made, she found a way to change her life and she grabbed it
🥷🏼🏹
Another thing i liked about this book, was how imperfect the characters were, they made peace with their mistakes and made efforts to become a better person.
🏹🥷🏼
The book went on for a year with a challenge in each month, we see huge character development in our characters especially the FMC and the situation in Setgad was also intertwined with her. I don't want to say much, but this book exolored important themes and I loved reading it. The only thing I didn't like was that there was no index for the fictional world and its elements. It was kinda confusing at some point and I would have appreciated it.
🥷🏼🏹
I would totally recommend it though. I can't wait to read more from this author!
🏹🥷🏼
March 3, 2025
*The Serpent Called Mercy* is a gripping and exhilarating epic fantasy that effortlessly blends the dark, gritty world of *The Witcher* with the high-stakes tension of *Squid Game*. Set in a Malaysian Chinese-inspired universe, the novel thrusts readers into a cutthroat arena where beasts are fought and lives are risked in the pursuit of fast riches. The stakes are raised as Lythlet and Desil, two debt-ridden friends, become conquessors—fighting both literal monsters and the more insidious beasts of politics and betrayal.
The heart of this story is Lythlet’s transformation, from a desperate fighter to a calculating player in a dangerous game. Her cunning and ambition make for an unforgettable journey as she navigates not only the bloody battles in the arena but the treacherous world outside it. The intricate world-building is both vivid and immersive, drawing readers into its brutal underbelly, while the plot keeps them on the edge of their seats with twists, intrigue, and moral dilemmas that feel all too real.
What truly elevates this story, however, is the unwavering bond between Lythlet and Desil. Their friendship is the backbone of the narrative, a powerful reminder that even in the most perilous situations, loyalty and trust are invaluable. The personal stakes, both in terms of honor and ambition, make every decision feel monumental, and the emotional depth brings the characters to life in a way that makes the reader deeply invested in their fates.
Fast-paced and deeply compelling, *The Serpent Called Mercy* is a thrilling ride through a world where loyalty is tested, monsters lurk in every shadow, and the true price of ambition is yet to be fully revealed. It's a must-read for fans of high-stakes fantasy that doesn't shy away from exploring the complexities of friendship, ambition, and survival.
The heart of this story is Lythlet’s transformation, from a desperate fighter to a calculating player in a dangerous game. Her cunning and ambition make for an unforgettable journey as she navigates not only the bloody battles in the arena but the treacherous world outside it. The intricate world-building is both vivid and immersive, drawing readers into its brutal underbelly, while the plot keeps them on the edge of their seats with twists, intrigue, and moral dilemmas that feel all too real.
What truly elevates this story, however, is the unwavering bond between Lythlet and Desil. Their friendship is the backbone of the narrative, a powerful reminder that even in the most perilous situations, loyalty and trust are invaluable. The personal stakes, both in terms of honor and ambition, make every decision feel monumental, and the emotional depth brings the characters to life in a way that makes the reader deeply invested in their fates.
Fast-paced and deeply compelling, *The Serpent Called Mercy* is a thrilling ride through a world where loyalty is tested, monsters lurk in every shadow, and the true price of ambition is yet to be fully revealed. It's a must-read for fans of high-stakes fantasy that doesn't shy away from exploring the complexities of friendship, ambition, and survival.
March 10, 2025
4.5⭐
Lythlet was the best FMC protagonist I have read in a while - she's not pretty, she's ruthless and a bit selfish, and her motivations are totally understandabl in the face of abject poverty and debt. She was a great character to introduce us to this really unique fantasy world inspired by Malaysian mythology. The world building was crafted just to the level I like - a good overview of the city structure, political system, class system (Lythlet living in poverty and brushing shoulders with the wealthy during the trial was the perfect way to show this), religious system (Desil's faith journey, Lythlet and the yutrella pole during the trial) and some of the technology - lightning bees!! I want some.
The side characters were great, some I liked and some I liked to hate!
My favourite were the beasts in the matches - these were creatures I have never heard of before but I can picture them so clearly thanks to Lau's writing.
If you like unique world building, that doesn't info dump or over explain, mythological creatures and complex characters, this book is for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion /Solaris for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lythlet was the best FMC protagonist I have read in a while - she's not pretty, she's ruthless and a bit selfish, and her motivations are totally understandabl in the face of abject poverty and debt. She was a great character to introduce us to this really unique fantasy world inspired by Malaysian mythology. The world building was crafted just to the level I like - a good overview of the city structure, political system, class system (Lythlet living in poverty and brushing shoulders with the wealthy during the trial was the perfect way to show this), religious system (Desil's faith journey, Lythlet and the yutrella pole during the trial) and some of the technology - lightning bees!! I want some.
The side characters were great, some I liked and some I liked to hate!
My favourite were the beasts in the matches - these were creatures I have never heard of before but I can picture them so clearly thanks to Lau's writing.
If you like unique world building, that doesn't info dump or over explain, mythological creatures and complex characters, this book is for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion /Solaris for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2024
While this book is definitely not perfect, it had me caught in it's grip. The main character was written so well, I loved how real all the relationships felt and how real the conflicts were.
All the character development was soooo good.
I love a protagonist who's socially weird and funny looking, but her plot isn't to become pretty or socially adept, she learns to be confident the way she is, and that's so beautiful to me.
I wish we would've gotten more on the worldbuilding aspect though. The pantheon seemed so interesting to me, but we barely touched the surface on that. Also, the magic system hardly made sense and seemed more of an afterthought. The beasts weren't as spectacular as I thought, but I still loved them and I loved how Lythlet could use her wit, time and time again.
Overall, while it feels like the author may have wanted to do too much in just one book, the writing and the characters are so good it's a 10/10 for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for this e-ARC.
All the character development was soooo good.
I love a protagonist who's socially weird and funny looking, but her plot isn't to become pretty or socially adept, she learns to be confident the way she is, and that's so beautiful to me.
I wish we would've gotten more on the worldbuilding aspect though. The pantheon seemed so interesting to me, but we barely touched the surface on that. Also, the magic system hardly made sense and seemed more of an afterthought. The beasts weren't as spectacular as I thought, but I still loved them and I loved how Lythlet could use her wit, time and time again.
Overall, while it feels like the author may have wanted to do too much in just one book, the writing and the characters are so good it's a 10/10 for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for this e-ARC.
May 2, 2025
What a blessing it is that there remain children more scared of ghosts than the world around them.
This book is pitched as The Witcher meets Squid Games but I think it has a more Hunger games vibe with a tinge of Slumdog Millionaire energy.
The main character, Lythlet is done with living in poverty and is quite willing to do anything to get herself and her friend Desil out of debts, hence they decide to fight as conquessors, who are basically people who fight beasts while an audience bet on their wins and loses.
It takes a couple of chapters to understand the world and the system but once I did I was sucked in and couldn't keep this book down.
The main characters are best friends (and remain so throughout in the book, so if you expect romance you would be disappointed) and I loved it. They had the perfect platonic soulmate's energy and we need more books with this vibe.
This book is pitched as The Witcher meets Squid Games but I think it has a more Hunger games vibe with a tinge of Slumdog Millionaire energy.
The main character, Lythlet is done with living in poverty and is quite willing to do anything to get herself and her friend Desil out of debts, hence they decide to fight as conquessors, who are basically people who fight beasts while an audience bet on their wins and loses.
It takes a couple of chapters to understand the world and the system but once I did I was sucked in and couldn't keep this book down.
The main characters are best friends (and remain so throughout in the book, so if you expect romance you would be disappointed) and I loved it. They had the perfect platonic soulmate's energy and we need more books with this vibe.
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