Ya no se puede decir que sea una novedad que se publique fantasía con inspiración asiática, es una tendencia más que consolidada. Así que la sinopsis de The Serpent Called Mercy tenía la dura tarea de atraer a un lector quizá ahíto de estos escenarios. La mención a Geralt de Rivia y El juego del calamar no es desacertada para nada, pero el libro tiene graves problemas que el marketing no puede solucionar.


La trama de la novela se centra en Lythlet y su único amigo Desil, que malviven intentado devolver el préstamo que tuvieron que aceptar por los problemas de salud de la primera. Cuando se les presenta la oportunidad de luchar en la arena contra monstruos indeterminados, parece que ven la salida a sus vicisitudes, pero hay movimientos más complejos entre bambalinas que intentarán boicotear su camino de salida de la pobreza extrema.

Los combates con los monstruos me han recordado un poco a Shadow of the Colossus, esa maravilla de juego en que tenías que enfrentarte a pantagruélicos enemigos sin mucha idea ni contexto sobre cómo vencerlos. Lythlet y Desil se encontrarán en esta situación en los primeros combates, sin saber a qué bestia se van a enfrentar ni como podrán vencerla. En este sentido, las luchas son lo más entretenido del libro, aunque se nos escamotean algunas de las doce prometidas por abreviar el libro. Pero claro, lo divertido de discernir cuál es el punto débil de los monstruos es cuando lo haces tú, no cuando ves cómo lo hacen otros.

El problema que tiene The Serpent Called Mercy es que el resto de la historia está tremendamente poco desarrollada. No solo por la ingenuidad extrema de los protagonistas, si no por los pobre recursos que Roanne Lau utiliza. Cuando le conviene echa mano de los poderes de los dioses, en unos deus ex machina que parecen innecesarios, completamente injustificados y con unas reglas aleatorias que convienen a la trama en ese determinado momento. En cuanto a la trama política, tiene menos consistencia que una sopa de piedra, y de nuevo se adecúa convenientemente en cada momento a lo Lythlet requiere para salir bien parada. Aunque la historia se desarrolla a lo largo de todo un año, tiene partes muy apresuradas y otras desesperadamente lentas, con unos problemas de ritmo que se pueden achacar al hecho de que sea una primera novela pero que no se pueden ignorar.

El libro es una amalgama de buenas intenciones con una ejecución que deja mucho que desear.

“All we can do is find a way to survive and prosper within the system.”

Lythlet and Desil have found themselves victims of circumstance and are struggling to repay a significant debt to a loan shark. However, the system exists to perpetuate the struggle of poverty that they have found themselves in. They find themselves with an opportunity to become conquessors in a series of matches against a menagerie of beasts that will reward them with wealth beyond their imagining. These matches are not easily won, and they must work together to continue through all twelve matches.

“I will not choose apathy over justice, wealth over duty, wrath over mercy.”

Throughout the story, we are reminded that the moral compass with which we ourselves exist by, is not what others adhere to. There can be promise of riches and connections but they come with consequences. Can you maintain morality when tempted with the one thing that may change your situation? Can you show mercy despite reaping no reward? Roanne challenges us to consider these questions, and more in this exciting debut.

Thank you to DAW Books and NetGalley for access to the eARC!

Wow! For a debut novel, I was floored by how much this left an impression on me! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed this one. This is a very character driven book but by far the strongest, most compelling part of the novel. It follows two slumdogs, Lythlet and Desil, two childhood best friends who are in debt and take part in conquessing, a blood sport where contestants are required to kill monsters to make cash. Think Squid Game but contestants battle different monsters each round instead of playing childhood games.

Lythlet is a FMC that I easily liked and rooted for from start to finish as a character, schemer, daughter and friend. The book establishes early on Lythlet’s desperation as a slumdog. She has a vicious and abusive loan shark, her parents are also unregistered and equally in debt and she only has one friend, Desil. To pay off her debts, Lythlet resorts to thievery, but even as a thief, you see her humanity seep through, refusing to steal from an old man. I also like that she isn’t a pushover and stands up to herself when necessary. But what I enjoyed the most was how big brained Lythlet is. She’s a FMC with both brawns and brains, able to wield a spear when fighting monsters in the arena and using her quick intuition and perception skills to devise ways to slain them. I liked witnessing her gradual corruption the greedier she became with money and the way each battle began to push the limits to her morality. It is very similar to Squid Game where you ask yourself whether losing your humanity is worth the coin. There was one particular match that really got me.

Desil was also someone I really loved and adored. He is so sweet, it was super easy to get attached to both of them. Desil is her moral compass and their friendship CARRIED the entire novel. Both don’t want to see each other get hurt and you feel the care they have for each other early on. Even though their friendship is platonic, it is still so much more convincing than other book couples I’ve read. I also really enjoyed the different monster matches. Each monster was super unique. I genuinely had no idea how they would vanquish each one and it was very interesting seeing the conflicts that arose between both of them the more they competed in the matches. Though I did think they were resolved too quickly.

Another big highlight for me was the relationship Lythlet had with the match master, Master Dothilos. I found it just as strong as her relationship with Desil. I wasn’t expecting so much depth from him and found him to be a very multifaceted character with many layers. I had a strong love-hate relationship with the match master. He’s cynical and manipulative, but genuinely grows to care for Lythlet because of their similar upbringing and wants the best for her. I really enjoyed the dynamic they had with each other and by the end, I wasn’t sure if I could truly hate him.

While I found the final match predictable, I was NOT expecting the big plot twist that came after that. It really took me by surprise and I loved how realistic the ending was and the lessons Lythlet takes away with her by the end of the novel. There’s a lot of thought-provoking messages that I carried away with me.

My biggest critiques with this novel was the worldbuilding and side plot. It did feel difficult to picture the world and a lot of the lore felt glossed over and undeveloped. Some chapters did drag a bit – especially with the political side plot that I didn’t really care for. It was only when the conquessing continued that I found myself invested in the story again. Other than that, I think this was a strong debut from Roanne Lau and I would love to read more of her future works.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars!

The premise of this book sounds so interesting and I’m positive that there is an audience for it. I just don’t think I’m that audience.

The first chapter alone was full of awkward phrasings that read like they’re translation approximations. It’s perhaps a stylistic choice, but for me, it really took me out of the story. There were at least a few grammatical/word choice errors, too.

I would be curious to read a later draft of this book if there will be additional copy edits to address the word choice and phrasing, but for now it was a DNF for me. I will not be posting this review on my socials since I didn’t finish the book and I am hopeful that once it makes it to print, this critique will be irrelevant.

I liked this book, but didn't love it. It felt so dense and yet I had so many questions about the world and magic. I felt like the main story could have been two books instead of one. I did love that this is a fantasy story without a real romance aspect. There is some flirtation, but always between the main characters and a side character. Lythlet and Desil are best friends, and I love the familial relationship between them. I liked how they really complemented each other and there wasn't any heaving bosoms and stolen glances.

The book takes place over the course of just over a year. There is so much plot that takes place that I was just rushing through the end. So many of their conquessor battles are just glazed over, but I would have liked more description. I also was interested in the real difference between Sun Cursed and Sun Blessed. Also, it seemed like other nations still had magic, so why didn't they? I know it's explained but it just felt so vague.

I would also wager a guess that Lythlet is neurodivergent. I loved the way she was described and her interactions with people. She wasn't a caricature, but a loving representation. The other thing this book does well is describe the harsh ways people get trapped in poverty. The predatory loans and jobs that overpromise and underdeliver. This really was a scrappy underdog story, but the ending isn't pitch perfect. The ending depicts an imperfect world that has years to go, I like a messy ending.

I don't know if I would read another book in this series, but if you like monster fighting rebellious fantasy, this book is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and DAW for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

The Witcher meets Squid Game is a very tall order for this book. The world building felt bereft of detail beyond some monsters mentioned and a vague history of its people. All of the fights felt like they sort of stumbled along, with the best action sequence being the final climax.

I would say this book leaned more toward Squid Game, but only insofar as the politics of the show. About 85% of this book was dialogue that dwelled on corruption and social inequality. And while I felt that the characters made great points to that, it wasn't what I expected going in.

It seemed like despite everything the main characters went through, there was no conclusion. No benefits, no consequences, no justice. They ended up where they started, but with more trauma. Overall it ended up falling flat.

This was such a fun book! The relationship between Lythlet and Desil was the best part of this story to me. I also loved Lythlet's overall transformation as a character. I do wish there was more world building, but other than that, this was great—it has a good balance of action and character development and some timely social commentary as well.

The Serpent Called Mercy is Roanne Lau's debut and I absolutely cannot wait to see more from this author! I did thoroughly enjoy reading this story and truly did picture the harsh landscape that the two protagonists try to survive in.

Firstly, Runt, the puppy. Be still my heart. What a gorgeous chartacter, with such an endearing speech impediment.. Not often you see this type of representation and it was incredibly tasteful and well written. The world setting whilst incredible and atmospheric, it just needed a little more description to really paint a vivid picture, but that is only a personal opinion as I personally like very detail heavy world-building.

I love mythical creatures in stories and the whole premise of this story is Lythlet and Desil facing beats and creatures in illegal combat to pay of their crushing debts and to try and get themselves out of the poverty they have found themselves in. Some of the combat seems are so exhilarating that more than once did some of the beasts make the hairs on my arms stand up.

There is themes of betrayal, unconditional familial trust, survival and societal struggle that are all carefully weaves through each page that feel they are about to unravel into choas before being swiftly pulled and woven into a truly excellent debut story. I really can't wait to see what Roxanne does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Unfortunately the writing style was not for me and I could not keep going. I was really hopeful and excited for the plot but the book didn't do it for me..

Thank you @netgallary and @dawbooks for this ARC, all view my own.

"We're slumdogs living deep in debt..all roads lead to despair..."
Lythlet and her friend Desil are trying to survive in the harsh city of Setgad. Between mounting debts and poverty, they take a chance and become the new combatants in the underground combat ring fighting sun cursed monsters. They meet the baffling Master Dorthilos, adorable duo Shunvi and Ilden, I imagine them as whimsically odd characters which I would also find in a famous Susanna Clarke book.

"There is nothing more dangerous than hope"
Throughout the narrative Lythlet and Desil leaned into their morals as guided by perceived justice and religious teachings, but also by circumstance of being at risk of homelessness, in debt and being 'unregistered' from society. Lau seems to have talent for weaving in social commentary within the story. My heart ached for Lythlets challenges, self doubt and survival instinct: this is a story of displacement, but also of friendship and growth.

I have been deep diving into the fantasy and dystopian genres, so I couldn't resist this character driven story. There are good attempts at world building through character dialogue, the description of the cosmoscape, Lythlets' appraisal of her surroundings and circumstances, all of which I felt could be developed in richer detail as Lau develops her narrative.

Outstanding quote
"They genuinely don't consider your dignity to be as important as their entertainment".


Overall, this was a great debut into the fantasy genre and I am looking forward to the next title in this duology.
Thank you to @netgallary and @dawbooks for this e-arc, a really excellent pick for dystopian fantasy readers. If you are edging towards diversifying your book reads, this is a brilliant first step 💕

“The Serpent Called Mercy” is about a deadly contest fighting beasts cursed by the sun, inspired by Malaysian and Chinese mythology. Lythlet and her best friend Desil enter this contest to escape a life of poverty and desperation. However, the book failed right out of the gate in making me feel invested in either character, let alone their friendship - I just didn’t buy it. The worldbuilding was pretty good, but not enough to make up for the lack of interest I felt for the characters and the central conflict.

I cannot believe this is a debut novel, it’s absolutely a powerhouse of beautiful writing and entrancing world building. Without giving too much away, the intricacies of the games/trials our band of main characters face combined with the political system set up in this world alone are a feat. I think the most notable facet of this book is the development of each character and how easily you find yourself rooting for them each. This felt like the first time I read The Hunger Games and I wish I could re-read it for the first time again. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review The Serpent Called Mercy, I’ve certainly found a new favorite author.

I received a copy of this book from DAW Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date March 25th.

I requested this book because I was intrigued by the Malaysian Chinese inspired setting and gladiatorial focused plot. In The Serpent Called Mercy, Lythlet and her best friend Desil are desperately poor and struggling to repay their punishingly high debt to a usurer. Joining the Conquessor Games to fight cursed animals might pay enough to allow them to escape--but the manipulative Matchmaster has taken an interest in Lythlet, and is set on entangling her in the city's underworld...

My favorite part of The Serpent Called Mercy was the characters. Gladiatorial games are a hot plot element, and I was a little worried that Lythlet would turn out to be the tiresome Celaena Sardothien type--the most attractive to men, the best ever at fighting, the most feminine, constantly making little quips... But prickly, awkward Lythlet isn't like that at all. She's a clever accountant with a childhood stutter and a near-Holmesian eye for detail. There's a great scene early on in the book where Lythlet gets a glimpse of the matchmaster's notes on her star potential, and finds that he sees her as dead-eyed person who speaks strangely. The heart of the book is Lythlet's completely platonic relationship with her childhood friend, Desil. Desil is an interesting character in his own right, with his pious devotion to the Wardens, the saintlike intercessors to the creators, and his devotion to nonviolence to the point of financial ruin. It's very refreshing to read a book where there's no romantic plotline whatsoever, and it's emphasized that the most important bond for both Lythlet and Desil is to each other.

This book is set entirely within the multicultural city-state where our protagonists live. The glimpse we get into the glowing beehive lamp maintenance at the beginning of the book is fascinating. The focus on the punishing cycle of grinding poverty that traps Lythlet and Desil was also well done, and it was a nice touch that the bill that initially got them into debt was medical bills they couldn't afford. However, my overall impression of the worldbuilding was that it was a bit spare, like an underdecorated room. There are some really great details, but almost every element mentioned becomes plot relevant later. There isn't much of a sense of a wider world outside of what's directly relevant to the protagonists. It doesn't help that the book tends towards slightly wooden, over-ornate prose that sometimes falls flat. The narrative voice can't quite pull off phrases like "Indeed, there was conflict scrawled across his mien."

I also found that the plot tended to resolve conflict too easily, which spoiled the tension a bit. Major plot points are resolved completely offpage, and particularly the political elements are a bit too tidily disposed. I can accept two youths from the slums sucessfully taking out ferocious monsters with no training, but I can't accept political intrigue, slumlord bosses, and blackmail being that quickly and neatly solved.

A book that refreshingly centers platonic relationships in a unique setting, but sometimes resolves conflicts a bit too easily. Still, The Serpent Called Mercy was a compelling debut, and I'll be keeping an eye out for whatever Lau writes next.

3/5⭐

The story was interesting. I liked to read about the monsters. I would like to see more of the magic - seems like it was left behind (forgotten) by the author.

I couldn't find a lot of world building and I felt lost at some point.

However there are great characters - some really smart ones. Action. And no romance - thank you! It was going to be really weird with romance in the story.

Once you pas one third of the book the pace picks up and it becomes much easier for reading.

I was going initially to rate it 4 stars but I had to drop one as the is packed with so much and feels undeveloped. Maybe series is more suitable.

I still recommend the book as it something different from the general fantasies that flooded recently.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book a little hard to get into, it dragged in a few places but I think that's due to the writing style, and I just prefer fast paced books. The theme of friendship was something I really enjoyed, but I did finish feeling a bit teased by the potential of romance between some of the other characters. I wish there were more romantic scenes. But then again, I am just someone who enjoys a romance. This books main strength is it's unique world and storyline, I haven't read anything quite like it before, and that did keep me hooked when the plot didn't. There was some great commentary on classism and discrimination, something that some other books don't handle quite as well. I believe it was very well done and was a accurate reflection of some people's reality and/or history.
Overall I enjoyed reading this, especially thanks to the beautiful prose.

This one blew me away! A debut this strong is a true gem!

I loved everything about it. Be it the pacing which was slow and fast and sometimes I was wondering where it would go but then I remembered, I follow someone's life so there are streched out patches.
The protagonist does not suddenly become a loveinterest. TYFM.
Often you cannot trust the narrator.
Or the character.

The world building. I was so sad when we came to the pup. But then there was the other puppy and. Oh this has my heart.

10/10

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.

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!

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!

Roanne Lau’s debut novel, A Serpent Called Mercy, is a bold and ambitious tale that offers a mix of high-stakes action and heartfelt emotional depth. While not without its imperfections, the book delivers an unforgettable exploration of friendship, survival, and societal disparity.

The world-building is a mixed bag. On one hand, Lau introduces an intriguing society full of political corruption, economic strife, and mythical creatures. On the other, the details of this universe—particularly its magic system and pantheon—feel underdeveloped, leaving readers with more questions than answers. That said, the glimpses we do get are compelling enough to spark the imagination, even if they fall short of being fully immersive.

The heart of the story lies in its characters. Lythlet, our protagonist, is a refreshing departure from traditional fantasy heroines. She’s clever, flawed, and utterly determined to rise above her circumstances. Her friendship with Desil, the gentle “golden retriever” of the story, is the emotional cornerstone of the book. Their bond is tender and raw, navigating the complexities of loyalty, trust, and betrayal with authenticity that’s rarely seen in fantasy.

Lau’s decision to focus on platonic love rather than romance is a standout choice, making the book a refreshing break from the romance-heavy narratives often found in the genre. Lythlet and Desil’s relationship feels real and lived-in, culminating in moments that are both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

The plot is a relentless ride, taking readers from gritty underground arenas to moments of quiet introspection. The action sequences, while engaging, sometimes feel rushed, leaving little room to fully savor the stakes. Similarly, the political intrigue and societal commentary—though poignant—are underexplored, leaving the resolution feeling somewhat abrupt.

Still, the novel shines in its themes. Lau weaves a powerful commentary on poverty, the cost of survival, and the societal structures that keep people trapped. Lythlet’s journey is as much about fighting mythical beasts as it is about confronting the human monsters of her world.

For a debut, A Serpent Called Mercy is an impressive start. It’s a book that dares to challenge traditional fantasy tropes, offering a story that’s equal parts action-packed and emotionally resonant. While it may leave readers craving more detail in its world-building, it more than makes up for it with its strong characters and poignant themes. I’ll be eagerly awaiting Lau’s next work, hoping to see her build on the promising foundation she’s laid here.