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Mercy: Ill is the Fate (The Second Volume)
Praise for Tears of the
"This is one of the most dangerously ambitious and boldly imaginative debuts I have ever read." - GRIMDARK MAGAZINE (Esmay Rosalyne)
"This is going to be something enormously special. This is a debut that demands people's attention." - John Minton, Talking Story and one of the Authors of Discovery
"This will undoubtedly go down as one of the best fantasy debuts this year; if not the best." - Zachary Shaye of Shaye's Library
"Dillon throws you into the deep end... His writing is good. Really good... He's doing something special here, bringing his fiery passion to the story in spades." - iSamwise, Book Reviewer
The First Volume's
Mercy is for the Fallen.
A world shattered by war. A relic that can rewrite destiny. And two men—one hero, one exile—
who might be the key to everything.
Alevist Lightseeker was once a legend. His reward? Betrayal and murder of all he held dear.
Erevayn drinks to forget. But no amount of ale can quell his hearts desire to drive his blade through those that stole his future.
A gifted minstrel carries a secret—a tale that binds the fallen hero and bitter exile together. A tale neither are ready to hear.
Power and vengeance have a price. And in the war for the Tears of the Fallen, death follows from Mercy.
For fans of Elden Ring, The Malazan Book of the Fallen, and Joe Abercrombie comes an epic series where blades crash, kingdoms fall, and fate is never as it seems.
"This is one of the most dangerously ambitious and boldly imaginative debuts I have ever read." - GRIMDARK MAGAZINE (Esmay Rosalyne)
"This is going to be something enormously special. This is a debut that demands people's attention." - John Minton, Talking Story and one of the Authors of Discovery
"This will undoubtedly go down as one of the best fantasy debuts this year; if not the best." - Zachary Shaye of Shaye's Library
"Dillon throws you into the deep end... His writing is good. Really good... He's doing something special here, bringing his fiery passion to the story in spades." - iSamwise, Book Reviewer
The First Volume's
Mercy is for the Fallen.
A world shattered by war. A relic that can rewrite destiny. And two men—one hero, one exile—
who might be the key to everything.
Alevist Lightseeker was once a legend. His reward? Betrayal and murder of all he held dear.
Erevayn drinks to forget. But no amount of ale can quell his hearts desire to drive his blade through those that stole his future.
A gifted minstrel carries a secret—a tale that binds the fallen hero and bitter exile together. A tale neither are ready to hear.
Power and vengeance have a price. And in the war for the Tears of the Fallen, death follows from Mercy.
For fans of Elden Ring, The Malazan Book of the Fallen, and Joe Abercrombie comes an epic series where blades crash, kingdoms fall, and fate is never as it seems.
- GenresFantasy
656 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2026
16 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 23, 2026
Firmly establishing the Mercy series as a dark fantasy epic worth investing in, Mercy: Ill Is The Fate by Chance Dillon builds on everything that made book one compelling with confidence and scale.
The world feels vast, steeped in history and complex lore, its intricate detail supported by deepening mythology, layered politics and a past that gives real weight to every conflict. Multiple interwoven storylines unfold with purpose, each carrying serious stakes, each feeding into something larger that is constantly shifting just out of reach.
The worldbuilding is mesmerising but what stands out even more is Dillon’s refusal to follow familiar paths. Heroes curdle into villains. Villains stand resolute in the belief that they are right. Alliances fracture under the weight of truth, and characters are forced to confront the rot in the causes they serve. It’s a story steeped in moral ambiguity, where every choice leaves a mark.
These characters are driven by grief, vengeance, duty and survival, and that emotional core keeps everything grounded even as the world around them expands. For all its scale — wars, politics and religious undercurrents — the heart of the story remains intensely personal and the character journeys deeply compelling.
Like the first book, this isn’t a story that eases you in. The lore is complex, the cast is vast and the allegiances ever shifting. Dillon’s no hand holding approach throws you straight into the deep end and it can take time to find your feet again especially with a slow paced start. But once fully immersed, the second half surges with momentum, delivering twists and bombshell scenes that land hard, pushing the story into darker, more brutal and more emotionally charged territory. There is no sense of safety here — no plot armour, no easy outcomes — only consequence and revelation.
Epic in every sense, this may mark the end of the first arc but it feels like only the beginning of something vast - and unforgiving.
My thanks to the author for the arc
The world feels vast, steeped in history and complex lore, its intricate detail supported by deepening mythology, layered politics and a past that gives real weight to every conflict. Multiple interwoven storylines unfold with purpose, each carrying serious stakes, each feeding into something larger that is constantly shifting just out of reach.
The worldbuilding is mesmerising but what stands out even more is Dillon’s refusal to follow familiar paths. Heroes curdle into villains. Villains stand resolute in the belief that they are right. Alliances fracture under the weight of truth, and characters are forced to confront the rot in the causes they serve. It’s a story steeped in moral ambiguity, where every choice leaves a mark.
These characters are driven by grief, vengeance, duty and survival, and that emotional core keeps everything grounded even as the world around them expands. For all its scale — wars, politics and religious undercurrents — the heart of the story remains intensely personal and the character journeys deeply compelling.
Like the first book, this isn’t a story that eases you in. The lore is complex, the cast is vast and the allegiances ever shifting. Dillon’s no hand holding approach throws you straight into the deep end and it can take time to find your feet again especially with a slow paced start. But once fully immersed, the second half surges with momentum, delivering twists and bombshell scenes that land hard, pushing the story into darker, more brutal and more emotionally charged territory. There is no sense of safety here — no plot armour, no easy outcomes — only consequence and revelation.
Epic in every sense, this may mark the end of the first arc but it feels like only the beginning of something vast - and unforgiving.
My thanks to the author for the arc
Review of advance copy received from Author
This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine
Well, I don’t know if I finished this book or if it finished me, but I think it is safe to say that Chance Dillon just broke my brain with Mercy: Ill is the Fate. Not in a bad way, more in the “I am confused, impressed, slightly emotionally damaged, and somehow still having a fantastic time” kind of way. I mean, I excitedly called Mercy: Tears of the Fallen one of the most dangerously ambitious and boldly imaginative debuts I had ever read, but that ending made a lot of promises that had me both thrilled and slightly nervous. And honestly, he delivered, even harder than I expected. The twists were twisting, the reveals were revealing, and I kept running into answers to questions I did not even realize I had, which was both wildly satisfying and mildly alarming in the best way.
First of all, I want to personally thank Dillon for including a 'story so far' section, even if I personally still ended up rereading book one anyway, just for the fun (and pain) of it, you know? That re-read was honestly so rewarding, and I loved how Ill is the Fate kept up the momentum and stakes that the story had gained at the end of book 1 by picking up only two weeks after the diabolical events that Tears of the Fallen left off on. The break felt long enough for the characters to breathe a little, but not so long that it felt like we had skipped past important developments, and I was honestly locked in from page one.
For me, it really worked how Dillon divided Ill is the Fate into three internal 'books', and watching the escalation across those sections was half the fun. The first third is an intriguing setup where the fallout of book one settles into place, then the middle book arrives and things go properly off the rails, and by the time I hit the final section, the story had become pure chaos and emotional destruction. Coming straight off my reread, I genuinely felt like I could see Dillon gaining confidence in real time as he kept pushing himself and the story to the next level, and I loved that.
To me, Ill is the Fate lives up to its Malazan: Book of the Fallen and Elden Ring comparisons even more than book 1 did, while also introducing some Sun Eater levels of cosmic and divine drama with the way that characters start brushing up against myth and near-deification. People here can climb to terrifying levels of power and still remain painfully, frustratingly human underneath it all, and I just loved how morality in this story is so gloriously messy. There is no neat line between good and evil, and instead everyone is living somewhere in the grey, making choices that are understandable, questionable, and often catastrophic.
Now, there are a lot of named characters constantly moving all across Maetlynd in Ill is the Fate, arguably a few too many, but the core group (of both living and legendary/dead characters) mostly kept me grounded amidst all the chaos. I was especially compelled by Alevist’s struggle with his grief, depression, and the cost of his vengeance, Hayde’s underdog hero journey while separated from his twin sister, and of course Erevayn’s battle with both inner and very real demons that led to some of the boldest and most twisted moments in the book. Also, while I would have liked the women’s voices to be pushed a little further as I felt like the male perspectives overshadowed them most of the time, I did really enjoy Viyala and Ilteria’s storyline as they grappled with the aftermath of Salasmir’s ascension (what a tragic piece of work that man is) and really gained more agency here when they started their own schemes.
All that said, I can’t deny that the emotional impact and investment was lacking a bit for me, mostly because I felt like the reactions to some heavy losses and all the reality-shattering revelations and life-altering experiences just felt oddly casual when I would have liked to really spiral together with them. Also, while I respect how much Dillon trusts his readers to keep up and follow along as he brings his ambitious vision for this story fully to life in Ill is the Fate, I still felt like the delivery of it all was a bit hit or miss for me. Sometimes everything felt so vague and mysterious that I felt like I was drowning, while other times it felt like the story paused to drop a small history lecture in my lap that had me utterly overwhelmed, and I think I personally would have liked a slightly smoother balance so I could stay a bit more grounded in the moment.
And yet, even when I was confused, even when I was mildly frustrated, even when my brain was trying to keep track of all the political machinations, military manoeuvres, complex terminology (with a very unhelpful glossary), different divine power structures, and many different races/factions who apparently thought it was a great idea to give themselves multiple names, I was also just absolutely enamoured with it all. I just accepted that I had to slow down my reading to attempt to absorb everything that was happening, which worked out relatively well, until about the 65 percent mark. After that, Ill is the Fate just grabbed me by the throat and dragged me through the final stretch in one long binge because stopping was simply not an option anymore. Seriously, a Sanderlanche has nothing on a Dillondeluge.
Much like its predecessor, this sequel was not always an easy read for me, but I am glad that these characters and their journeys inspired me to endure, because the pay-off was so worth it. Mercy: Ill is the Fate closes the first arc of the Mercy series in a way that left me very satisfied but also desperate for more, because… bring on the dragons, baby!! That is all I will say. If you like your epic fantasy dark, ambitious, emotionally vicious, and stuffed with heavy lore, the Mercy series is absolutely worth your time. Just be warned that Chance Dillon shows very little mercy for his characters or for your feelings, he clearly thought he was being funny naming his series this way.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Mercy: Ill is the Fate is scheduled for release on 31 March, 2026.
Well, I don’t know if I finished this book or if it finished me, but I think it is safe to say that Chance Dillon just broke my brain with Mercy: Ill is the Fate. Not in a bad way, more in the “I am confused, impressed, slightly emotionally damaged, and somehow still having a fantastic time” kind of way. I mean, I excitedly called Mercy: Tears of the Fallen one of the most dangerously ambitious and boldly imaginative debuts I had ever read, but that ending made a lot of promises that had me both thrilled and slightly nervous. And honestly, he delivered, even harder than I expected. The twists were twisting, the reveals were revealing, and I kept running into answers to questions I did not even realize I had, which was both wildly satisfying and mildly alarming in the best way.
First of all, I want to personally thank Dillon for including a 'story so far' section, even if I personally still ended up rereading book one anyway, just for the fun (and pain) of it, you know? That re-read was honestly so rewarding, and I loved how Ill is the Fate kept up the momentum and stakes that the story had gained at the end of book 1 by picking up only two weeks after the diabolical events that Tears of the Fallen left off on. The break felt long enough for the characters to breathe a little, but not so long that it felt like we had skipped past important developments, and I was honestly locked in from page one.
For me, it really worked how Dillon divided Ill is the Fate into three internal 'books', and watching the escalation across those sections was half the fun. The first third is an intriguing setup where the fallout of book one settles into place, then the middle book arrives and things go properly off the rails, and by the time I hit the final section, the story had become pure chaos and emotional destruction. Coming straight off my reread, I genuinely felt like I could see Dillon gaining confidence in real time as he kept pushing himself and the story to the next level, and I loved that.
To me, Ill is the Fate lives up to its Malazan: Book of the Fallen and Elden Ring comparisons even more than book 1 did, while also introducing some Sun Eater levels of cosmic and divine drama with the way that characters start brushing up against myth and near-deification. People here can climb to terrifying levels of power and still remain painfully, frustratingly human underneath it all, and I just loved how morality in this story is so gloriously messy. There is no neat line between good and evil, and instead everyone is living somewhere in the grey, making choices that are understandable, questionable, and often catastrophic.
Now, there are a lot of named characters constantly moving all across Maetlynd in Ill is the Fate, arguably a few too many, but the core group (of both living and legendary/dead characters) mostly kept me grounded amidst all the chaos. I was especially compelled by Alevist’s struggle with his grief, depression, and the cost of his vengeance, Hayde’s underdog hero journey while separated from his twin sister, and of course Erevayn’s battle with both inner and very real demons that led to some of the boldest and most twisted moments in the book. Also, while I would have liked the women’s voices to be pushed a little further as I felt like the male perspectives overshadowed them most of the time, I did really enjoy Viyala and Ilteria’s storyline as they grappled with the aftermath of Salasmir’s ascension (what a tragic piece of work that man is) and really gained more agency here when they started their own schemes.
All that said, I can’t deny that the emotional impact and investment was lacking a bit for me, mostly because I felt like the reactions to some heavy losses and all the reality-shattering revelations and life-altering experiences just felt oddly casual when I would have liked to really spiral together with them. Also, while I respect how much Dillon trusts his readers to keep up and follow along as he brings his ambitious vision for this story fully to life in Ill is the Fate, I still felt like the delivery of it all was a bit hit or miss for me. Sometimes everything felt so vague and mysterious that I felt like I was drowning, while other times it felt like the story paused to drop a small history lecture in my lap that had me utterly overwhelmed, and I think I personally would have liked a slightly smoother balance so I could stay a bit more grounded in the moment.
And yet, even when I was confused, even when I was mildly frustrated, even when my brain was trying to keep track of all the political machinations, military manoeuvres, complex terminology (with a very unhelpful glossary), different divine power structures, and many different races/factions who apparently thought it was a great idea to give themselves multiple names, I was also just absolutely enamoured with it all. I just accepted that I had to slow down my reading to attempt to absorb everything that was happening, which worked out relatively well, until about the 65 percent mark. After that, Ill is the Fate just grabbed me by the throat and dragged me through the final stretch in one long binge because stopping was simply not an option anymore. Seriously, a Sanderlanche has nothing on a Dillondeluge.
Much like its predecessor, this sequel was not always an easy read for me, but I am glad that these characters and their journeys inspired me to endure, because the pay-off was so worth it. Mercy: Ill is the Fate closes the first arc of the Mercy series in a way that left me very satisfied but also desperate for more, because… bring on the dragons, baby!! That is all I will say. If you like your epic fantasy dark, ambitious, emotionally vicious, and stuffed with heavy lore, the Mercy series is absolutely worth your time. Just be warned that Chance Dillon shows very little mercy for his characters or for your feelings, he clearly thought he was being funny naming his series this way.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Mercy: Ill is the Fate is scheduled for release on 31 March, 2026.
April 25, 2026
Chance Dillon has taken Mercy to a new level with this one. Book 1 was an ambitious debut that didn't hold your hand but putting my trust in chance as an author paid off by the end of it and made Mercy: Tears of the Fallen a favorite read of mine from last year.
Now that I've provided context, this time around Chance leaned into what he clearly took away from book 1 and ran with it. We expand to see so much more of the world that has been developed, rich with lore and detail as we follow characters new and old who navigate this tense political landscape. I found myself several times question who I was rooting for, all sides are so convincingly "right" in their own way. The sense of looking dread and horror in this one was so good, it had me on edge everytime I'd turn the page.
The other but takeaway I have in this is the noticeable improvements between book 1 and 2 as Chance has clearly started to really find his stride with his story telling, dialogue felt incredibly smooth and the characters became the biggest highlights for me in this sweeping epic. I can't wait to see what the second part of this duology does, and I'm even more excited to do the first two books over on audio!
4.5 rounded rounded to 5 here
Now that I've provided context, this time around Chance leaned into what he clearly took away from book 1 and ran with it. We expand to see so much more of the world that has been developed, rich with lore and detail as we follow characters new and old who navigate this tense political landscape. I found myself several times question who I was rooting for, all sides are so convincingly "right" in their own way. The sense of looking dread and horror in this one was so good, it had me on edge everytime I'd turn the page.
The other but takeaway I have in this is the noticeable improvements between book 1 and 2 as Chance has clearly started to really find his stride with his story telling, dialogue felt incredibly smooth and the characters became the biggest highlights for me in this sweeping epic. I can't wait to see what the second part of this duology does, and I'm even more excited to do the first two books over on audio!
4.5 rounded rounded to 5 here
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February 26, 2026This guy again?? He’s not stopping huh?
Anyways—when I set out to write this series, I had this massive arc that needed to be put into two books, and a second arc (being the third/fourth volumes of Mercy) that needed to be told.
Finishing up this first arc, I felt all the promises (and even some you didn’t know I made) were delivered on. While of course, making more for the rest of the series to come.
Sticking through that first book with the instinct there’s a deeper story there is GOOD instinct—cause there is. And ILL IS THE FATE solidifies the worthiness of you to follow that instinct.
I want to add how grateful I am for everybody on this journey with me. And I can’t wait for it to continue.
(I’m 21k words into the third volume right now and this volume releases in a month at the time of this writing)
Anyways—cheers, find me on my website and socials. Very excited to chat about this story.
Anyways—when I set out to write this series, I had this massive arc that needed to be put into two books, and a second arc (being the third/fourth volumes of Mercy) that needed to be told.
Finishing up this first arc, I felt all the promises (and even some you didn’t know I made) were delivered on. While of course, making more for the rest of the series to come.
Sticking through that first book with the instinct there’s a deeper story there is GOOD instinct—cause there is. And ILL IS THE FATE solidifies the worthiness of you to follow that instinct.
I want to add how grateful I am for everybody on this journey with me. And I can’t wait for it to continue.
(I’m 21k words into the third volume right now and this volume releases in a month at the time of this writing)
Anyways—cheers, find me on my website and socials. Very excited to chat about this story.
March 20, 2026
I rate this a 4.75.
Mercy Ill is the Fate by Chance Dillon completely blew me away. This is one of those sequels that doesn’t just continue the story—it expands it in every possible way. The stakes feel bigger, the world feels deeper, and the twists just keep coming.
The story balances plot and character really well. There’s always something happening, but it never feels chaotic. I loved watching how the characters are shaped by everything around them—their choices, their relationships, and the pressures of the world—while also driving the story forward themselves. Some moments were sooooo brutal and devastating, but necessary, and Chance doesn’t waste a single word—everything in this book serves a purpose.
The worldbuilding is incredible and definitely on the more complex side, but in a good way. The politics are layered, with multiple factions and shifting power dynamics that keep things tense and unpredictable. No one side feels simple, and you’re always questioning motivations and alliances. The magic was tricky to grasp at first, but it started to make sense—and it’s absolutely incredible.
Overall, this is one of those books that demands your attention, but it delivers something epic. By the end, it felt like everything had more weight to it, and I was just left sitting there trying to process how much had actually unfolded. It’s definitely a book I recommend~🥹😭🤩
Mercy Ill is the Fate by Chance Dillon completely blew me away. This is one of those sequels that doesn’t just continue the story—it expands it in every possible way. The stakes feel bigger, the world feels deeper, and the twists just keep coming.
The story balances plot and character really well. There’s always something happening, but it never feels chaotic. I loved watching how the characters are shaped by everything around them—their choices, their relationships, and the pressures of the world—while also driving the story forward themselves. Some moments were sooooo brutal and devastating, but necessary, and Chance doesn’t waste a single word—everything in this book serves a purpose.
The worldbuilding is incredible and definitely on the more complex side, but in a good way. The politics are layered, with multiple factions and shifting power dynamics that keep things tense and unpredictable. No one side feels simple, and you’re always questioning motivations and alliances. The magic was tricky to grasp at first, but it started to make sense—and it’s absolutely incredible.
Overall, this is one of those books that demands your attention, but it delivers something epic. By the end, it felt like everything had more weight to it, and I was just left sitting there trying to process how much had actually unfolded. It’s definitely a book I recommend~🥹😭🤩
March 2, 2026
*** ARC review copy received from the author with thanks ***
I’ll be honest, before I’d read Mercy: Tears of the Fallen, I had neither played the game Elden Ring or read any of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, therefore was unable to see the comparisons.
Having now devoured the first 5 books in Malazan, the comparisons are well and truly deserved—and continue on with the second book in the series Mercy: Ill is the Fate.
From the overarching Chain of Dogs-esque journey, to the pain and suffering faced by the several main characters—all who are trying to fight a war they have no clear strategy to win—Dillon has created a world that not only feels real and lived in, you can feel its heart dying, one beat at a time.
Mercy: Ill is the Fate is harrowing; rich in painful moments and heroic acts, and we the reader feel every beat through the characters themselves.
I practically begged the author for an ARC. I’m so glad I was so persistent. Incredible.
I’ll be honest, before I’d read Mercy: Tears of the Fallen, I had neither played the game Elden Ring or read any of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, therefore was unable to see the comparisons.
Having now devoured the first 5 books in Malazan, the comparisons are well and truly deserved—and continue on with the second book in the series Mercy: Ill is the Fate.
From the overarching Chain of Dogs-esque journey, to the pain and suffering faced by the several main characters—all who are trying to fight a war they have no clear strategy to win—Dillon has created a world that not only feels real and lived in, you can feel its heart dying, one beat at a time.
Mercy: Ill is the Fate is harrowing; rich in painful moments and heroic acts, and we the reader feel every beat through the characters themselves.
I practically begged the author for an ARC. I’m so glad I was so persistent. Incredible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2026
Admittedly, I enjoyed Tears of the Fallen a bit more than its sequel, but it is difficult for me to wrap my head around the 'why'. Allow me the attempt to explicate. The storytelling techniques are a step up from the first installment, undoubtedly, but the story itself did not tug at my heartstrings as much. It is a satisfying read once you can untangle everything and make heads or tails of the plot, but I would be a bit more reserved about pitching this series to new-ish fantasy readers.
Mercy is not beginner-friendly. It rarely explains or gives you room to breathe. It assumes you know the basics and can keep up with the rest. Dense—at times too dense—world-building, bordering on overwhelming to even seasoned fantasy readers, can pose a whole different challenge. Some will answer the call in earnest, whereas some will inevitably drown in capitalized nouns and names. And, I would argue, that's part of the series' charm.
Chance did not write a broadly lovable book. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to like and torment the mind about, but where Tears of the Fallen was foundational, Ill Is the Fate feels... a little adrift for the first half of the book. The scope has gotten larger, the ambition is clear, but inflating the world won't always be appreciated. This is coming from someone who adored the aesthetics, ambience, overtones, and undertones. However, there is a line where every additional tidbit of knowledge becomes a burden, rather than a cool detail.
All said and done, I am cautiously optimistic about the next leg of the story and hope for a bit more streamlining/narrowing down. Yet, I would wholeheartedly recommend you dive in if you like a literary mountain to climb, expansive, broken worlds (think Malazan or Stormlight's Roshar), dark-soul-esque atmosphere with solid action and some mystery on the side.
Merciless Sequel with Dense World-building — 3.75/5.00
Mercy is not beginner-friendly. It rarely explains or gives you room to breathe. It assumes you know the basics and can keep up with the rest. Dense—at times too dense—world-building, bordering on overwhelming to even seasoned fantasy readers, can pose a whole different challenge. Some will answer the call in earnest, whereas some will inevitably drown in capitalized nouns and names. And, I would argue, that's part of the series' charm.
Chance did not write a broadly lovable book. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to like and torment the mind about, but where Tears of the Fallen was foundational, Ill Is the Fate feels... a little adrift for the first half of the book. The scope has gotten larger, the ambition is clear, but inflating the world won't always be appreciated. This is coming from someone who adored the aesthetics, ambience, overtones, and undertones. However, there is a line where every additional tidbit of knowledge becomes a burden, rather than a cool detail.
All said and done, I am cautiously optimistic about the next leg of the story and hope for a bit more streamlining/narrowing down. Yet, I would wholeheartedly recommend you dive in if you like a literary mountain to climb, expansive, broken worlds (think Malazan or Stormlight's Roshar), dark-soul-esque atmosphere with solid action and some mystery on the side.
Merciless Sequel with Dense World-building — 3.75/5.00
March 31, 2026
Mercy: Ill Is the Fate is a sequel that is full of intricacies, epic storytelling, and a sense of horror that keeps you on your toes. It never once lets you think this is fine, you're safe. Ill Is the Fate takes what was built upon in Tears of the Fallen and brings in brutal action, shocking and gasp worthy twists, and some truly gut wrenching moments. The last 40% of this had me locked in and I couldn't go to sleep until I knew what the outcome was. And I wasn't at all prepared for it.
March 21, 2026
Mercy: Ill is the Fate is the second volume in a massive dark epic fantasy series by Chance Dillon. The story follows a wide cast of characters years after a world-ending apocalyptic storm devastates the population, poisons the water, and coincides with a brutal war against the vile creatures of Mercy.
Tears of the Fallen picks up about 30 years after the storms end and the enemies retreat, and the world is now under reconstruction. The Unity, led by High King Telvath and the Last Artisan Stalholm, strives to rebuild civilization and maintain a fragile peace.
But that peace rests on a knife’s edge.
As a continuation of Tears of the Fallen, this installment not only picks up where the story left off, it expands it in every way. One of the most noticeable improvements is the author’s growth in craft. This is a large, complex story with many moving parts, yet it never feels bloated or unfocused. There’s little to no wasted space here.
Character work remains one of the strongest aspects of the series. Fans of the first book will be glad to see that every returning character is given justice, while new additions feel just as fleshed out and integral to the story. Managing such a large cast is no small feat, but Dillon handles it with confidence.
The plot also takes significant strides forward. Because this is very much the middle of an ongoing story, it benefits from the groundwork laid in the first book. Nearly every chapter delivers something meaningful—whether it’s a major development, a twist, or a moment that deepens the stakes.
And make no mistake, there is no plot armor here. The tension feels real, and when characters survive or escape danger, it feels earned. The emotional weight hits hard, and the story doesn’t shy away from consequences.
There’s a lot more that could be said about the characters and their motivations, but it’s best experienced without spoilers.
So here’s the bottom line: if you loved book one, this delivers. If you only liked book one, this improves on it in almost every way. For a book of this size, it’s impressively tight. The action is sharp, the conflict is layered, and the characters are compelling. The world is deep and complex.
And as it has been said, there is always another secret.
If you like dark epic fantasies, or games like Elden Ring- this is not something to be missed.
Finally, I read both volumes of this book as part of a buddy read and I cannot say just how great an experience it was to have my friends to talk to about these books. It without a doubt enhanced my experience in grappling with the material and really grasping and having fun with the story.
All of this is to say, when you get this pick up two and give one to a friend to read with you. Just because it is that much fun to do.
MERCY: ILL IS THE FATE IS BEING RELEASED ON MARCH 31, 2026.
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchage for a fair review.
Tears of the Fallen picks up about 30 years after the storms end and the enemies retreat, and the world is now under reconstruction. The Unity, led by High King Telvath and the Last Artisan Stalholm, strives to rebuild civilization and maintain a fragile peace.
But that peace rests on a knife’s edge.
As a continuation of Tears of the Fallen, this installment not only picks up where the story left off, it expands it in every way. One of the most noticeable improvements is the author’s growth in craft. This is a large, complex story with many moving parts, yet it never feels bloated or unfocused. There’s little to no wasted space here.
Character work remains one of the strongest aspects of the series. Fans of the first book will be glad to see that every returning character is given justice, while new additions feel just as fleshed out and integral to the story. Managing such a large cast is no small feat, but Dillon handles it with confidence.
The plot also takes significant strides forward. Because this is very much the middle of an ongoing story, it benefits from the groundwork laid in the first book. Nearly every chapter delivers something meaningful—whether it’s a major development, a twist, or a moment that deepens the stakes.
And make no mistake, there is no plot armor here. The tension feels real, and when characters survive or escape danger, it feels earned. The emotional weight hits hard, and the story doesn’t shy away from consequences.
There’s a lot more that could be said about the characters and their motivations, but it’s best experienced without spoilers.
So here’s the bottom line: if you loved book one, this delivers. If you only liked book one, this improves on it in almost every way. For a book of this size, it’s impressively tight. The action is sharp, the conflict is layered, and the characters are compelling. The world is deep and complex.
And as it has been said, there is always another secret.
If you like dark epic fantasies, or games like Elden Ring- this is not something to be missed.
Finally, I read both volumes of this book as part of a buddy read and I cannot say just how great an experience it was to have my friends to talk to about these books. It without a doubt enhanced my experience in grappling with the material and really grasping and having fun with the story.
All of this is to say, when you get this pick up two and give one to a friend to read with you. Just because it is that much fun to do.
MERCY: ILL IS THE FATE IS BEING RELEASED ON MARCH 31, 2026.
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchage for a fair review.
April 5, 2026
For no man could truly escape war of any kind
March 16, 2026
First I would like to thank Chance for the ARC. I was honored to have been given the privilege to read this masterpiece early.
Now, the review:
From the dedication page to the last page of acknowledgments, I was engaged and moved by every word written by Chance Dillon.
Dillon’s world expands with enriched storytelling that will keep anyone that is a fan of epic fantasy enthralled and wanting more. While I found it sometimes difficult to follow all the different names of the characters and places in Maetlynd (Not the authors fault, i read really slow)I found myself beginning to understand that Maetlynd itself is a character and that the terrain and lands come alive to bring a different emotional aspect.
Characters: Each character’s arc deepens making the reader gasp and cheer throughout their POVs. I feel for each of these characters. Even characters that have a small role (Like Talanis and him receiving his mark as a character development for Salasmir)
Plot: After Mercy: Tears of the Fallen, I was confused and had so many lingering questions. While some were answered the plot thickened and now, after reading Ill is the Fate, I’m left on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment.
Prose: Smooth and elegant. Chance Dillon’s shift from POVs and his ability to keep luring the reader to the next page puts him on par with seasoned writers in the fantasy genre.
Suffice it to say, I’m left in awe and needing the next book in my hands!!! Chance Dillon has created a series that will be a classic for years to come.
Thanks for the ARC!
JackLyndon
Now, the review:
From the dedication page to the last page of acknowledgments, I was engaged and moved by every word written by Chance Dillon.
Dillon’s world expands with enriched storytelling that will keep anyone that is a fan of epic fantasy enthralled and wanting more. While I found it sometimes difficult to follow all the different names of the characters and places in Maetlynd (Not the authors fault, i read really slow)I found myself beginning to understand that Maetlynd itself is a character and that the terrain and lands come alive to bring a different emotional aspect.
Characters: Each character’s arc deepens making the reader gasp and cheer throughout their POVs. I feel for each of these characters. Even characters that have a small role (Like Talanis and him receiving his mark as a character development for Salasmir)
Plot: After Mercy: Tears of the Fallen, I was confused and had so many lingering questions. While some were answered the plot thickened and now, after reading Ill is the Fate, I’m left on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment.
Prose: Smooth and elegant. Chance Dillon’s shift from POVs and his ability to keep luring the reader to the next page puts him on par with seasoned writers in the fantasy genre.
Suffice it to say, I’m left in awe and needing the next book in my hands!!! Chance Dillon has created a series that will be a classic for years to come.
Thanks for the ARC!
JackLyndon
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2026
Mercy: Ill is the Fate (The Second Volume) by Chance Dillon is a bold and emotionally charged continuation of an already ambitious fantasy saga, deepening both its mythological scope and its character driven intensity.
Dillon leans fully into the weight of consequence, crafting a narrative where betrayal, vengeance, and destiny intertwine with relentless momentum. The story builds upon the foundations of the first volume, expanding its world with greater complexity while maintaining a sharp focus on its central figures. Alevist Lightseeker and Erevayn stand as compelling contrasts, one shaped by loss and legacy, the other by bitterness and unresolved fury, yet both bound by forces larger than themselves.
What distinguishes this installment is its fearless commitment to scale and tone. The prose carries a raw, almost visceral energy, mirroring the brutality of a world fractured by war and driven by power. At the same time, the underlying mythology surrounding the Tears of the Fallen adds a layer of intrigue that elevates the narrative beyond traditional epic fantasy tropes.
There is a sense throughout that every action carries weight, that every step forward edges closer to irreversible consequences. This tension, combined with the author’s evident passion for the material, results in a story that feels both expansive and intensely personal.
Ambitious, dark, and unapologetically immersive, Mercy: Ill is the Fate solidifies the series as one to watch within modern epic fantasy.
Dillon leans fully into the weight of consequence, crafting a narrative where betrayal, vengeance, and destiny intertwine with relentless momentum. The story builds upon the foundations of the first volume, expanding its world with greater complexity while maintaining a sharp focus on its central figures. Alevist Lightseeker and Erevayn stand as compelling contrasts, one shaped by loss and legacy, the other by bitterness and unresolved fury, yet both bound by forces larger than themselves.
What distinguishes this installment is its fearless commitment to scale and tone. The prose carries a raw, almost visceral energy, mirroring the brutality of a world fractured by war and driven by power. At the same time, the underlying mythology surrounding the Tears of the Fallen adds a layer of intrigue that elevates the narrative beyond traditional epic fantasy tropes.
There is a sense throughout that every action carries weight, that every step forward edges closer to irreversible consequences. This tension, combined with the author’s evident passion for the material, results in a story that feels both expansive and intensely personal.
Ambitious, dark, and unapologetically immersive, Mercy: Ill is the Fate solidifies the series as one to watch within modern epic fantasy.
April 1, 2026
eARC provided by the author
NGL I still confuse some characters and the relationship to each other hahaha. That said...
When Mercy: Ill is the Fate promises epic fantasy, Chance Dillon delivers. Deeper characters, bigger battles, and an ever-expanding world. This sequel has it all.
While my experience with the first book was a bit mixed-up (which was totally on me), this second book allowed me to more easily care about the characters and the journeys they go through. Dillon really knows where to punch to make you feel things.
I also appreciate the evolution in Dillon's writing, being a bit more descriptive and easier to picture everything happening in each scene, which only enhances those really exciting action sequences.
I do believe that the rhythm for the book can still be improved, with some sections of it feeling slower for the reader. This includes the epilogue(s) of the book, which lose some steam after some really powerful last chapters, but I appreciate how well it sets up the future for the saga.
To conclude, Mercy: Ill is the Fate shows how much this world and Dillon's writing has evolved. While growth is still needed, the foundations for an even greater next part are set up perfectly.
NGL I still confuse some characters and the relationship to each other hahaha. That said...
When Mercy: Ill is the Fate promises epic fantasy, Chance Dillon delivers. Deeper characters, bigger battles, and an ever-expanding world. This sequel has it all.
While my experience with the first book was a bit mixed-up (which was totally on me), this second book allowed me to more easily care about the characters and the journeys they go through. Dillon really knows where to punch to make you feel things.
I also appreciate the evolution in Dillon's writing, being a bit more descriptive and easier to picture everything happening in each scene, which only enhances those really exciting action sequences.
I do believe that the rhythm for the book can still be improved, with some sections of it feeling slower for the reader. This includes the epilogue(s) of the book, which lose some steam after some really powerful last chapters, but I appreciate how well it sets up the future for the saga.
To conclude, Mercy: Ill is the Fate shows how much this world and Dillon's writing has evolved. While growth is still needed, the foundations for an even greater next part are set up perfectly.
April 27, 2026
In Mercy: Ill is the Fate by Chance Dillon**, fate is no longer a distant threat—it is a force closing in on all who dare to resist it. Alevist, once a symbol of strength, is now burdened by grief and driven by vengeance, each step pulling him further from the man he once was. Across a fractured land, Erevayn, an exile haunted by secrets, is drawn into a growing conflict that promises not redemption, but ruin.
As ancient powers awaken and long-buried truths surface, their paths begin to converge in unexpected and dangerous ways. Alliances form and shatter just as quickly, and trust becomes a luxury no one can afford. Every choice carries weight, every action demands sacrifice, and mercy—once seen as a virtue—may prove to be the greatest weakness of all.
In a world steeped in darkness and uncertainty, survival is not guaranteed, and hope is a fragile, fading light. Because when fate turns cruel, even the strongest souls may break—and not all stories are meant to have heroes who endure.
As ancient powers awaken and long-buried truths surface, their paths begin to converge in unexpected and dangerous ways. Alliances form and shatter just as quickly, and trust becomes a luxury no one can afford. Every choice carries weight, every action demands sacrifice, and mercy—once seen as a virtue—may prove to be the greatest weakness of all.
In a world steeped in darkness and uncertainty, survival is not guaranteed, and hope is a fragile, fading light. Because when fate turns cruel, even the strongest souls may break—and not all stories are meant to have heroes who endure.
March 27, 2026
Wow. Chance continues to impress and has doubled down on his intricate, epic story weaving in his follow up to Mercy: Tears of the Fallen.
You think you’re safe. You think you see the puzzle coming together and have it all figured out…
Then you realize you don’t even have half of the pieces yet.
Ill is the Fate takes the Mercy series to another level, and it only ramps up throughout.
Bold world-building, shocking revelations, brutal action, gut wrenching moments, and a breakneck finale that will leave your head spinning.
4.5/5
You think you’re safe. You think you see the puzzle coming together and have it all figured out…
Then you realize you don’t even have half of the pieces yet.
Ill is the Fate takes the Mercy series to another level, and it only ramps up throughout.
Bold world-building, shocking revelations, brutal action, gut wrenching moments, and a breakneck finale that will leave your head spinning.
4.5/5
April 9, 2026
🤯🤯🤯
I thought book one was a complete banger, this second novel in the series put it over the top! The only downfall is waiting for the next installment
I thought book one was a complete banger, this second novel in the series put it over the top! The only downfall is waiting for the next installment
April 18, 2026
A 2nd straight 4.5 from me. Great story...hard to believe he's a new author.
I already want to read a 2nd time...this deep world needs a wiki page.
I already want to read a 2nd time...this deep world needs a wiki page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advanced Review Copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to author Chance Dillon.
Score: 🩸🗡☀️
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
Chance Dillon’s expansive dark fantasy series Mercy continues its tale of ambition, betrayal, conquest, and the thirst for power beyond the mortal realm, with the second entry, Ill is the Fate.
Do not be fooled by the title. This isn’t a tale of mercy.
This is grimdark.
I happened upon the debut novel from the author and the first in this series, Mercy: Tears of the Fallen, in my attempt to offer patronage in the indie dark fantasy/grimdark space. In my review for Tears of the Fallen, I praised Dillon’s bravery in attempting an expansive story with many moving parts. However, I critiqued the flipside of this literary ambition, yielding a piece of pie more than many could enjoy. I hoped that the sequel would be a more streamlined product with tighter plotlines, coalescing character arcs, and a unification towards a central push towards the next entry.
Write on Medium
With Ill is the Fate, we get… some of that.
The sequel picks up where Tears of the Fallen leaves off. Our band of disparate protagonists are reeling under the catastrophic climactic events of the first book, and everyone is off licking their physical and emotional wounds. Key to the story is the jaded hero-of-ages Alevist Lightseeker, continuing to struggle with past failures, the burden of heroic expectation laid upon his tiring shoulders, and being a good mentor to the other major character, Eravayn. Eravayn, in turn, struggles with creeping corruption feeding off his own insecurities, past failures, now wielded by darker external forces. These internal struggles are laid against the background tapestry of the battle between the Unity and the rebellious Stained, each bound by glorious purpose (some guided by Greater Powers).
Returning to the story in Ill is the Fate are a whole slew of side characters, some being love-interests, family members, kinsmen, or merely carry-ons pulled into the grand struggle of the story. Very few of these stood out in Ill is the Fate, compared to a few standout roles in Tears of the Fallen.
One of the weaker aspects of this sequel was the uneven pacing. While Dillon does tie in character plotlines into a grander narrative, these actions only happen in the latter half of the book. The first third-to-half of his sequel was admittedly a chore to get through, with bloated board-setting and character maneuvering, rather than effort to tell a tight build-up. In contrast, once the “shit kicks off”, its a different kind of pacing issue with rushed action setpieces that blend together by virtue of similar character archetypes, and many of the plot checkpoints blend together in a blurry mess.
My mixed feelings towards Dillon’s chosen style of a lack of reader handholding continue in Ill is the Fate. With a lackluster “the story so far”, he plunges us right in the thick mire of his extensive lists of characters, locations, races, magic systems, mythical elements, and so on. In my time with Tears of the Fallen, and now with the sequel, I realized why many (me included) find his density of worldbuilding more taxing than rewarding. The lack of anchoring in the naming structure, tied to location or culture, and the similarity of his magic systems, with generic names make much of the worldbuilding collapse into a mulch of generic dark fantasy terms like Omens, Runes, Wills, Stones, etc. The character names and locations do not meld well with reader expectations in the fantasy space, further adding to world fatigue.
Dillon also opts for large-scale battles set in horde mode, with scales of thousands. While a grand spectacle as a climactic event, if these events occur every other chapter, the reader loses interest in the scale of violence, and eyes gloss over large faceless battle sequences. The author doesn't shy away from leaning into the grimdark “no beloved character is safe, your heroes will die” trope, the sheer burden of the aforementioned pain points take much away from the emotional investment into these pivotal moments. Surprisingly, Dillon’s culling of the cast list, felt just as symmetrical and artificial as it was messy and brutal.
Overall, Ill is the Fate is an extension, expansion, and deepening of everything in Tears of the Fallen. Fans of the first book will appreciate the added elements to the story, expanding the world forwards, while also providing much-needed backstory to many key characters/events. Detractors of the book will bemoan many of the lower points of the first book — the bloated systems, the uneven pacing, and overall worldbuilding fatigue. This sequel is yet another appeal to indie dark fantasy writers to get a brutal editor who will pare down your ambitious goals into a leaner, meaner, well-oiled machine.
A step in the right direction, a step closer to Mercy, but bloody salvation still lies many steps ahead.
Read this review and more on my Medium page: Distorted Visions
Instagram
Threads
Score: 🩸🗡☀️
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
Chance Dillon’s expansive dark fantasy series Mercy continues its tale of ambition, betrayal, conquest, and the thirst for power beyond the mortal realm, with the second entry, Ill is the Fate.
Do not be fooled by the title. This isn’t a tale of mercy.
This is grimdark.
I happened upon the debut novel from the author and the first in this series, Mercy: Tears of the Fallen, in my attempt to offer patronage in the indie dark fantasy/grimdark space. In my review for Tears of the Fallen, I praised Dillon’s bravery in attempting an expansive story with many moving parts. However, I critiqued the flipside of this literary ambition, yielding a piece of pie more than many could enjoy. I hoped that the sequel would be a more streamlined product with tighter plotlines, coalescing character arcs, and a unification towards a central push towards the next entry.
Write on Medium
With Ill is the Fate, we get… some of that.
The sequel picks up where Tears of the Fallen leaves off. Our band of disparate protagonists are reeling under the catastrophic climactic events of the first book, and everyone is off licking their physical and emotional wounds. Key to the story is the jaded hero-of-ages Alevist Lightseeker, continuing to struggle with past failures, the burden of heroic expectation laid upon his tiring shoulders, and being a good mentor to the other major character, Eravayn. Eravayn, in turn, struggles with creeping corruption feeding off his own insecurities, past failures, now wielded by darker external forces. These internal struggles are laid against the background tapestry of the battle between the Unity and the rebellious Stained, each bound by glorious purpose (some guided by Greater Powers).
Returning to the story in Ill is the Fate are a whole slew of side characters, some being love-interests, family members, kinsmen, or merely carry-ons pulled into the grand struggle of the story. Very few of these stood out in Ill is the Fate, compared to a few standout roles in Tears of the Fallen.
One of the weaker aspects of this sequel was the uneven pacing. While Dillon does tie in character plotlines into a grander narrative, these actions only happen in the latter half of the book. The first third-to-half of his sequel was admittedly a chore to get through, with bloated board-setting and character maneuvering, rather than effort to tell a tight build-up. In contrast, once the “shit kicks off”, its a different kind of pacing issue with rushed action setpieces that blend together by virtue of similar character archetypes, and many of the plot checkpoints blend together in a blurry mess.
My mixed feelings towards Dillon’s chosen style of a lack of reader handholding continue in Ill is the Fate. With a lackluster “the story so far”, he plunges us right in the thick mire of his extensive lists of characters, locations, races, magic systems, mythical elements, and so on. In my time with Tears of the Fallen, and now with the sequel, I realized why many (me included) find his density of worldbuilding more taxing than rewarding. The lack of anchoring in the naming structure, tied to location or culture, and the similarity of his magic systems, with generic names make much of the worldbuilding collapse into a mulch of generic dark fantasy terms like Omens, Runes, Wills, Stones, etc. The character names and locations do not meld well with reader expectations in the fantasy space, further adding to world fatigue.
Dillon also opts for large-scale battles set in horde mode, with scales of thousands. While a grand spectacle as a climactic event, if these events occur every other chapter, the reader loses interest in the scale of violence, and eyes gloss over large faceless battle sequences. The author doesn't shy away from leaning into the grimdark “no beloved character is safe, your heroes will die” trope, the sheer burden of the aforementioned pain points take much away from the emotional investment into these pivotal moments. Surprisingly, Dillon’s culling of the cast list, felt just as symmetrical and artificial as it was messy and brutal.
Overall, Ill is the Fate is an extension, expansion, and deepening of everything in Tears of the Fallen. Fans of the first book will appreciate the added elements to the story, expanding the world forwards, while also providing much-needed backstory to many key characters/events. Detractors of the book will bemoan many of the lower points of the first book — the bloated systems, the uneven pacing, and overall worldbuilding fatigue. This sequel is yet another appeal to indie dark fantasy writers to get a brutal editor who will pare down your ambitious goals into a leaner, meaner, well-oiled machine.
A step in the right direction, a step closer to Mercy, but bloody salvation still lies many steps ahead.
Read this review and more on my Medium page: Distorted Visions
Threads
Review of advance copy received from Author
5/5 stars!
I was lucky enough to sign up for the e-arc via the author’s mailing list. I had some issues with book 1 (especially at the start) but mostly loved it, and was very curious to see what he did with the second.
Guess what? It blew apart my wildest expectations.
Before I start singing its praises, I do want to make clear it’s still a self-published book. Some of the dialogue doesn’t flow as well as it does in most trad published books, and occasionally you will run into an overly wordy passage. It’s not to say it’s all bad, some of the dialogue is fantastic and some of the descriptions downright poetic, it’s just you might notice it from time to time.
But on every other front, Dillon delivers. This book is epic in every sense of the word. It deftly weaves plot, character moments, and action to truly become the best book I have read since Shadows Upon Time. Like that book, this won’t be for everyone, but if it is for you, you will love it.
The book picks up immediately where book one left off, and hits the ground running. It delivers on all the promises of book 1 and then some. Characters that I was not as interested in from the first book undergo trauma, loss, and change and become much more interesting. As we go forward, Dillon reveals he is one of those rare authors not afraid to shake up his world with massive battles, character deaths, and revelations that change everything but were clearly set up from the first page of book 1.
Towards the end I think I caught a glimpse of what Dillon is doing with this series and it left my jaw agape. Mercy: Tears of the Fallen and Ill is the Fate are merely the Simillarion equivalent to this amazing world he has created. In other words, this appears to be the backstory for a hugely epic tale to come.
When I realized this, everything clicked into place. The larger than life characters. The ridiculous amounts of magic. The crazy geography of the land of Maetyland. The fact Dillon was able to make characters who are more or less demigods relatable for two books is a testament to his writing ability. The fact he was able to deliver twist and emotional beat again and again in the second half of this book speaks to his growing skill, and places him up there with the very best of modern fantasy authors.
Whereas I liked the first book, this one fully converted me to a Dillon fan. I’ll be reading whatever else he publishes, buying special editions if they are made, and adding him to my list of authors I try to follow closely. I cannot recommend Mercy: Ill is the Fate enough.
I was lucky enough to sign up for the e-arc via the author’s mailing list. I had some issues with book 1 (especially at the start) but mostly loved it, and was very curious to see what he did with the second.
Guess what? It blew apart my wildest expectations.
Before I start singing its praises, I do want to make clear it’s still a self-published book. Some of the dialogue doesn’t flow as well as it does in most trad published books, and occasionally you will run into an overly wordy passage. It’s not to say it’s all bad, some of the dialogue is fantastic and some of the descriptions downright poetic, it’s just you might notice it from time to time.
But on every other front, Dillon delivers. This book is epic in every sense of the word. It deftly weaves plot, character moments, and action to truly become the best book I have read since Shadows Upon Time. Like that book, this won’t be for everyone, but if it is for you, you will love it.
The book picks up immediately where book one left off, and hits the ground running. It delivers on all the promises of book 1 and then some. Characters that I was not as interested in from the first book undergo trauma, loss, and change and become much more interesting. As we go forward, Dillon reveals he is one of those rare authors not afraid to shake up his world with massive battles, character deaths, and revelations that change everything but were clearly set up from the first page of book 1.
Towards the end I think I caught a glimpse of what Dillon is doing with this series and it left my jaw agape. Mercy: Tears of the Fallen and Ill is the Fate are merely the Simillarion equivalent to this amazing world he has created. In other words, this appears to be the backstory for a hugely epic tale to come.
When I realized this, everything clicked into place. The larger than life characters. The ridiculous amounts of magic. The crazy geography of the land of Maetyland. The fact Dillon was able to make characters who are more or less demigods relatable for two books is a testament to his writing ability. The fact he was able to deliver twist and emotional beat again and again in the second half of this book speaks to his growing skill, and places him up there with the very best of modern fantasy authors.
Whereas I liked the first book, this one fully converted me to a Dillon fan. I’ll be reading whatever else he publishes, buying special editions if they are made, and adding him to my list of authors I try to follow closely. I cannot recommend Mercy: Ill is the Fate enough.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Full Disclosure: I received an e-Arc of this book for the author, but the ranking and opinions are my own.
4.35 STARS
Book Twos in a series can be a tricky thing-- while the foundations have been laid in book 1, you still have to advance the story, continue to develop the characters, and raise the stakes, all while pulling the reader deeper into your world.
This book does all of that and more. I hate spoiling things, so for this review we are gonna talk generalities... and once you read this epic tale, you will be glad I did not say too much!
First off, the series continues to treat its readers as adults. It is not afraid to throw us into moments without pages of explanation, and we are trusted to figure things out. And we do. This helps greatly with the pacing -- pacing is fast and crispy, but not so fast that the reader cannot take a deep breath and think about what is going. Well written and flowing prose, characters that are loveable...and hateable, and that sense that no one is safe.
Secondly. the plot, while complex and deep, ties well with the prose. I thoroughly enjoyed chewing my food with this one. This is not a book to speed read your way through -- take your time, savor the journey, and see how the story continues in directions you may, or may not expect.
Finally, this world, while grim, is also very detailed. The world building continues, and is done in such a way that it enhances the story, while avoiding the dreaded "world dumping" that many dislike. I go to the end of this still wanting to know more, but yet satisfied with what we know.
The ending climax is well done, picking up the pace, and pulls off the unenviable task of ending this arc of the series, while laying the foundation and getting the next arc of the story underway. You will walk away with questions, and find yourself eager to dive in deeper to find the answers.
Tears of the Fallen was one of my surprise hits of 2025, so I had expectations heading into Ill is the Fate, and Chance Dillon delivered.
This series has everything a grimdark fantasy fan would want or need, and I look forward to continuing the series.
4.35 STARS
4.35 STARS
Book Twos in a series can be a tricky thing-- while the foundations have been laid in book 1, you still have to advance the story, continue to develop the characters, and raise the stakes, all while pulling the reader deeper into your world.
This book does all of that and more. I hate spoiling things, so for this review we are gonna talk generalities... and once you read this epic tale, you will be glad I did not say too much!
First off, the series continues to treat its readers as adults. It is not afraid to throw us into moments without pages of explanation, and we are trusted to figure things out. And we do. This helps greatly with the pacing -- pacing is fast and crispy, but not so fast that the reader cannot take a deep breath and think about what is going. Well written and flowing prose, characters that are loveable...and hateable, and that sense that no one is safe.
Secondly. the plot, while complex and deep, ties well with the prose. I thoroughly enjoyed chewing my food with this one. This is not a book to speed read your way through -- take your time, savor the journey, and see how the story continues in directions you may, or may not expect.
Finally, this world, while grim, is also very detailed. The world building continues, and is done in such a way that it enhances the story, while avoiding the dreaded "world dumping" that many dislike. I go to the end of this still wanting to know more, but yet satisfied with what we know.
The ending climax is well done, picking up the pace, and pulls off the unenviable task of ending this arc of the series, while laying the foundation and getting the next arc of the story underway. You will walk away with questions, and find yourself eager to dive in deeper to find the answers.
Tears of the Fallen was one of my surprise hits of 2025, so I had expectations heading into Ill is the Fate, and Chance Dillon delivered.
This series has everything a grimdark fantasy fan would want or need, and I look forward to continuing the series.
4.35 STARS
Review of advance copy received from Author
I will start by saying I highly enjoyed MERCY: TEARS OF THE FALLEN. It was an ambitious debut that scratched the itch for something in the vein of Dark Souls and Elden Ring.
Mercy: ILL IS THE FATE is a tricky book. While I liked it overall, and thought the ending more or less stuck its landing, it was at times *a struggle* carried by solid character development and deep world building and lore. I particularly enjoyed Erevayn’s arc and his internal struggles; he was, perhaps, the most engaging character along with Alevist. I *loved* how much ILL OF THE FATE focused on family as well, as did its predecessor, setting up very compelling possibilities in futures volumes. This focus has always been one of the biggest strengths of the series.
My biggest struggles were the writing and the pacing. While the writing was an improvement from Tears of the Fallen, it felt too modern at times, leading to awkward dialog and exposition. With a story like this and the influences it draws from, there was a quality of language I just felt was lacking.
This leads into the uneven pacing. While the last 55-60% of Ill is the Fate picks up, it was admittedly a struggle to get there as the first third of the novel is bogged down by repetition as the story’s players take their places on the chessboard, so to speak. The political machinations help to ease this a bit as such wide scale movement in a story this broad is not necessarily expected to be snap-of-the-finger quick. However, there is often too much *nothing*, with some pages often feeling like filler as opposed to substance.
Overall, I liked the political machinations, the complex magic, character development, and world building. However, ILL IS THE FATE gets in its own way due to pacing and language issues.
That said, I will be continuing the series as it has all the ingredients to succeed.
Mercy: ILL IS THE FATE is a tricky book. While I liked it overall, and thought the ending more or less stuck its landing, it was at times *a struggle* carried by solid character development and deep world building and lore. I particularly enjoyed Erevayn’s arc and his internal struggles; he was, perhaps, the most engaging character along with Alevist. I *loved* how much ILL OF THE FATE focused on family as well, as did its predecessor, setting up very compelling possibilities in futures volumes. This focus has always been one of the biggest strengths of the series.
My biggest struggles were the writing and the pacing. While the writing was an improvement from Tears of the Fallen, it felt too modern at times, leading to awkward dialog and exposition. With a story like this and the influences it draws from, there was a quality of language I just felt was lacking.
This leads into the uneven pacing. While the last 55-60% of Ill is the Fate picks up, it was admittedly a struggle to get there as the first third of the novel is bogged down by repetition as the story’s players take their places on the chessboard, so to speak. The political machinations help to ease this a bit as such wide scale movement in a story this broad is not necessarily expected to be snap-of-the-finger quick. However, there is often too much *nothing*, with some pages often feeling like filler as opposed to substance.
Overall, I liked the political machinations, the complex magic, character development, and world building. However, ILL IS THE FATE gets in its own way due to pacing and language issues.
That said, I will be continuing the series as it has all the ingredients to succeed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Chance Dillon & Light Seeker Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy
3.75 ★
I was harsh but fair with my review of the first Mercy entry, I felt, so I’m happy to report that Mercy: Ill is the Fate is a notable improvement.
The plot felt less meandering in this entry, with a clear convergence the story builds towards fairly naturally, that delivers a finale that was really well executed. And speaking of that latter half of the book, it’s stronger generally. If the first half of the book had the same momentum I’d likely have rated it slightly higher, but it is a rather slow start, and it took me a while to get back into this world and find my proverbial footing again.
The world is better explored in this entry, one of my major criticisms of the first book was how the scope is large but it took too long to grasp the setting, and thankfully between the first entry and this one, we get a far better understanding here.
Additionally with this entry we get better character-writing, with them feeling more fleshed out, and with a bit less stoicism. This was by far my favourite part of Ill is the Fate, and definitely the part that I felt improved the most, though I felt there’s still room for improvement.
It’s still not going to be for everyone, it’s setting and its complexity I think assures that, but I don’t think that was the intention. Like his inspirations I feel Chance wants to craft something that, whilst it might not get the widespread audience of other fantasy authors, it will leave an impact on the fans that do get invested in its story, characters and world.
There are still many questions hanging over this series, both in its narrative and its setting, and I hope to see them delivered on in the subsequent two planned entries.
3.75 ★
I was harsh but fair with my review of the first Mercy entry, I felt, so I’m happy to report that Mercy: Ill is the Fate is a notable improvement.
The plot felt less meandering in this entry, with a clear convergence the story builds towards fairly naturally, that delivers a finale that was really well executed. And speaking of that latter half of the book, it’s stronger generally. If the first half of the book had the same momentum I’d likely have rated it slightly higher, but it is a rather slow start, and it took me a while to get back into this world and find my proverbial footing again.
The world is better explored in this entry, one of my major criticisms of the first book was how the scope is large but it took too long to grasp the setting, and thankfully between the first entry and this one, we get a far better understanding here.
Additionally with this entry we get better character-writing, with them feeling more fleshed out, and with a bit less stoicism. This was by far my favourite part of Ill is the Fate, and definitely the part that I felt improved the most, though I felt there’s still room for improvement.
It’s still not going to be for everyone, it’s setting and its complexity I think assures that, but I don’t think that was the intention. Like his inspirations I feel Chance wants to craft something that, whilst it might not get the widespread audience of other fantasy authors, it will leave an impact on the fans that do get invested in its story, characters and world.
There are still many questions hanging over this series, both in its narrative and its setting, and I hope to see them delivered on in the subsequent two planned entries.
April 14, 2026
Mercy: Ill of the Fate was a step up in every category from Mercy: Tears of the Fallen. Dillon achieved a much better balance in Book 2 between providing context on the world/history and leaving some of the things a mystery (both to the reader and the characters.) The balance in the first novel often times leaving the reader a bit lost.
The largest improvement is in the character development and world-building. The main cast expands significantly, but the reader never feels like someone is getting lost. Even minor fleeting characters are fleshed out nicely. Early in the novel a condemned individual is forced to fight in a gladiatorial style event. In relatively short page time, the reader is left invested in both the emotional impact of the event and the bearing on the characters backstory.
Lastly, the prose in this novel showed noticeable improvement. While there are still some rough spots, Dillon has obviously continued to hone his craft. I will also note that I read an advanced copy and I am sure some of my issues here will be cleaned up through editing prior to the final shipping.
Thanks to Chance Dillon for providing an Advanced Reader Copy. I look forward to seeing where the next installment takes us.
The largest improvement is in the character development and world-building. The main cast expands significantly, but the reader never feels like someone is getting lost. Even minor fleeting characters are fleshed out nicely. Early in the novel a condemned individual is forced to fight in a gladiatorial style event. In relatively short page time, the reader is left invested in both the emotional impact of the event and the bearing on the characters backstory.
Lastly, the prose in this novel showed noticeable improvement. While there are still some rough spots, Dillon has obviously continued to hone his craft. I will also note that I read an advanced copy and I am sure some of my issues here will be cleaned up through editing prior to the final shipping.
Thanks to Chance Dillon for providing an Advanced Reader Copy. I look forward to seeing where the next installment takes us.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and honestly… what an unbelievable 5-star read.
I won’t lie—this was one of my more challenging reads at times. There’s a huge amount of immersive world-building, events unfolding across different threads, and a large cast of characters to keep track of. But much like the works of Tolkien, the effort absolutely pays off.
Chance delivers an exciting, layered, and emotionally impactful story where you’re never entirely sure whether the characters you’re rooting for are the heroes… or the villains (and sometimes they might be both). As the story unfolds, some genuinely dark revelations come to light that shift how you see the characters and the world around them.
That moral ambiguity made the journey even more compelling, and by the end I was completely invested in where this story is going next.
Mercy… bring me the dragons.
I won’t lie—this was one of my more challenging reads at times. There’s a huge amount of immersive world-building, events unfolding across different threads, and a large cast of characters to keep track of. But much like the works of Tolkien, the effort absolutely pays off.
Chance delivers an exciting, layered, and emotionally impactful story where you’re never entirely sure whether the characters you’re rooting for are the heroes… or the villains (and sometimes they might be both). As the story unfolds, some genuinely dark revelations come to light that shift how you see the characters and the world around them.
That moral ambiguity made the journey even more compelling, and by the end I was completely invested in where this story is going next.
Mercy… bring me the dragons.
April 9, 2026
🔥 Mercy: Ill is the fate 🔥
Dune x LoTR x The Witcher
Chance has delivered another emotionally charged (and at times devastating) action packed journey. Masterfully weaving together rich lore and a wide range of capitivating characters. You understand the stakes at play, the motivations and goals of each character, and yet Chance still manages to chuck in a surprise or twist you don't see coming. It is such a fascinating journey to be on and we look forward to the next part. We recommend for fans who enjoy the epic writings of Tolkien, Herbert, Martin or Gwynne.
We'd also like to share some of our unhinged thoughts while reading:
- Salasmir? You mean Saruman without orcs
- God Emperor? He wasn't described as a worm to us
- Everyone is as hellbent on revenge as Inigo Montoya. I wonder if any of them have six fingers and are prepared to die?
- Why am I crying at midnight? I love it.
Dune x LoTR x The Witcher
Chance has delivered another emotionally charged (and at times devastating) action packed journey. Masterfully weaving together rich lore and a wide range of capitivating characters. You understand the stakes at play, the motivations and goals of each character, and yet Chance still manages to chuck in a surprise or twist you don't see coming. It is such a fascinating journey to be on and we look forward to the next part. We recommend for fans who enjoy the epic writings of Tolkien, Herbert, Martin or Gwynne.
We'd also like to share some of our unhinged thoughts while reading:
- Salasmir? You mean Saruman without orcs
- God Emperor? He wasn't described as a worm to us
- Everyone is as hellbent on revenge as Inigo Montoya. I wonder if any of them have six fingers and are prepared to die?
- Why am I crying at midnight? I love it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There is something magical when you read a book and then every so often you find yourself remembering characters, scenes, details of the story. To me, this is what a good story is about. It doesn’t quite leave you, it even gets intermingled with other stories!
Not gonna lie, in book 1 I was not overly impressed with the writing style but very much so with the story. So when I saw that Chance was sending ARCs I immediately signed up and was lucky to get a copy. I started it straight away but then life happened. I’m just on chapter 6 and loving it. I don’t see myself changing the rating, as my rating is enjoyment-dependent and I am loving it!
Not gonna lie, in book 1 I was not overly impressed with the writing style but very much so with the story. So when I saw that Chance was sending ARCs I immediately signed up and was lucky to get a copy. I started it straight away but then life happened. I’m just on chapter 6 and loving it. I don’t see myself changing the rating, as my rating is enjoyment-dependent and I am loving it!
April 29, 2026
Mercy: Ill is the Fate (The Second Volume) is an epic fantasy continuation focused on war torn kingdoms, fractured heroes, and intertwined destinies.
The narrative follows Alevist Lightseeker and Erevayn, two opposing figures shaped by betrayal, loss, and conflicting motivations. Their arcs are structured around vengeance, survival, and the consequences of past actions.
The minstrel narrative layer adds a reflective framing device that reinforces themes of memory, storytelling, and interpretation of history.
A dense and character driven epic fantasy for readers
The narrative follows Alevist Lightseeker and Erevayn, two opposing figures shaped by betrayal, loss, and conflicting motivations. Their arcs are structured around vengeance, survival, and the consequences of past actions.
The minstrel narrative layer adds a reflective framing device that reinforces themes of memory, storytelling, and interpretation of history.
A dense and character driven epic fantasy for readers
April 6, 2026
ARC provided by author
Better late then never, I was mento read this book and review it before it was out, sorry
This book is really good 4,5/5. Character amazing, large cast and they feel like people
So much was reveled about the world and people in it. And the ending comes fast and hard
Better late then never, I was mento read this book and review it before it was out, sorry
This book is really good 4,5/5. Character amazing, large cast and they feel like people
So much was reveled about the world and people in it. And the ending comes fast and hard
Review of advance copy received from Author
Quick Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author.
Chance Dillon’s second entry in the series absolutely blew me away. Many of the seeds he planted in the first book begin to bloom here, and the payoff is incredibly satisfying—yet it’s clear there’s still so much more waiting beneath the surface. The world expands, the mysteries deepen, and the story draws inspiration from something as vast and enigmatic as Elden Ring, then cranking that energy up to eleven!
What surprised me most was how Chance pushes the emotional stakes even further. The first book had its share of powerful—and sometimes painful—moments, but nothing prepares you for what he does next. The character arcs hit harder, the revelations land sharper, and the sense of momentum never lets up.
I’m already excited to reread both books back‑to‑back just to uncover all the hidden threads and subtle hints I might have missed the first time. This is a series that rewards attention, curiosity, and a love for deep, interconnected storytelling.
If you enjoyed the first book, I highly recommend picking this one up. It’s rare for a sequel to elevate a story this much, but Chance pulls it off with confidence and style.
This is one of those rare moments where I reach for the mythical sixth star—because this book earns it!
6/5 Stars!
Chance Dillon’s second entry in the series absolutely blew me away. Many of the seeds he planted in the first book begin to bloom here, and the payoff is incredibly satisfying—yet it’s clear there’s still so much more waiting beneath the surface. The world expands, the mysteries deepen, and the story draws inspiration from something as vast and enigmatic as Elden Ring, then cranking that energy up to eleven!
What surprised me most was how Chance pushes the emotional stakes even further. The first book had its share of powerful—and sometimes painful—moments, but nothing prepares you for what he does next. The character arcs hit harder, the revelations land sharper, and the sense of momentum never lets up.
I’m already excited to reread both books back‑to‑back just to uncover all the hidden threads and subtle hints I might have missed the first time. This is a series that rewards attention, curiosity, and a love for deep, interconnected storytelling.
If you enjoyed the first book, I highly recommend picking this one up. It’s rare for a sequel to elevate a story this much, but Chance pulls it off with confidence and style.
This is one of those rare moments where I reach for the mythical sixth star—because this book earns it!
6/5 Stars!
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