An exciting and enjoyable read. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This is an action-packed fantasy centred around a gladiatorial style arena where paired fighters do battle with horrific beasts and monsters. Expect epic fight scenes, curious and unusual monsters with terrifying powers and fighting styles. The author built something really interesting here and one of the best parts of the book is the creativity and deduction the main character Lythlet has to use to overcome these challenges. Brute strength will not be enough to defeat them but cunning and adaptability are essential.

While the book centres around this tournament, it’s also about social division. The characters are risking their lives in this horrific battle because they have no other politics. They live in a society rife with corruption where they are exploited through unscrupulous lenders, excessive health centre fees, cruel and unfair employers and a rich elite that barely considers them as human. The book explores the society that has created the situation that forces young people to risk their lives for the entertainment of the rich.

I found this book thrilling and fascinating. I was drawn into the world, the author’s creativity with the beasts imagined for the arena, the desire of the main character for a better life while balancing her desire to help her loved ones. This was a fantastic read.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

This book took me a little while to warm up to. It is a fast paced story about two friends in the slums trying to find a way to survive with crippling debt in a world that is designed to keep them at the bottom of society. They end up becoming contestants in a gladiator style arena in an attempt to better their lives.
What follows is some great monster battles, a real look at character motivations and the ties of friendship.
I thought this book was great in portraying a great, solid, platonic relationship in the explosion of romantasy that is occuring at the moment. It was refreshing to find a duo that don't fall in love but still have such a strong bond.
The characters were great, it read a little on the YA side to me but not in determinate to the book, I would have liked to see a little more complexity to the story but I really enjoyed what I read and would be keen to read more from the author.

t's definitely fast paced, but there's some lulls and unnecessarily long bits of dialogue that stopped this from having a higher rating. There's also some info dumping I definitely didn't like, which felt bulky compared to the rich world-building that gave such a great insight into the world of the characters and what they were struggling with, and desperate to get out of.

I'm loving the surge of non-western based fantasy books lately.  This book is steeped in Malaysian culture and the depictions are vibrant and refreshing.  The characters are also flawed and fractured and make for interesting reading - they are not your average cookie cutter MC's.

Our story is chock full of love between best friends (there is zero spice), rebellion, rising up against oppression and navigating a world where corruption is rife. Our MC's are the complete opposite of the usual MC's - they are poor, poverty stricken and on the edge of desperation.  No secret powers, hidden ties to royalty or Fae for them.  They need to scrap their way out of everything.

Lythlet is a great FMC.  She is strong, tough, determined and has overcome abuse by her former "masters".  She would do anything for her bestie Desil, even sell their souls to a fight-master.  I really empathised with Lythlet - she's plain, ordinary and unremarkable in many ways but she is a whizz at organisation, which has been exploited by others in the past.  She does get lost along the way, making her all the more believable as a character.  She gets side-tracked and consumed by petty things before she finally gets back on to her true path.

Desil and his medical debt are at the core of every decision that Lythlet makes and there are some really emotional scenes between them as the storyline develops. There are some very strong real-world parallels depicted in the story and it blended into the fantasy world seamlessly.

I'm a bit peeved at the lack of world building outside the MC's direct environment.  I wanted to know more about the sub-blest, the workings of the fights/arenas/match masters. There were a few scenes of info-dumping and some of the longer monologues could have been edited down a bit but otherwise I really enjoyed both the storyline and the development of the characters.

This is a friendship/platonic love coded fantasy and I'm here for more!

I'm in love.

This story and world is so beautifully rich and layered, yet is so very easy to get into (right before it puts you in a chokehold and doesn't let go). This book had me reading in the afternoon and I only read at night.

Why did I love it so much? I can't resist a well done found family trope and friendship stories. And I have a major soft spot for books that focus on platonic rather than romantic love. It really does make you reflect on friendships at the end. A book that keeps me gripped but makes me reflect at the end is top tier. The trials are awesome too.

There is plenty of action and I found Lythlet in particular so believable in it all, as an underdog. The whole story has heart and I just had to admire it.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy of this lovely book.

A really intriguing story about love, loss and relationships in times of difficulty. This is set in a world with incredibly rich world building. The discussion of Gods and the sunbeasts that our main characters interact with was so unique it kept me hooked. Would recommend!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

And this is a debut?! I’m mesmerised by it! The entire book gives a new perspective of the arena games! I fell right away from the storyline of the main character, plus i loved all the references and inspiration from the other cultures!

There was something about The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau that made me really want to read it! There’s something about Lythlet that drew me to her, her background and past history were hard and harsh, her relationship with her parents is distant and as she describes it, more evident in the negative space between them. I also really felt for her relationship with Desil, founded in friendship from childhood and how this developed into their partnership as fighters in the arena.

There’s a lot about Lythlet that totally pulled me in, she most definitely isn’t your insta-FMC hero, her skills and capabilities have strong foundations in her past. She is flawed and seen as physically unattractive, not beautiful and her social skills most definitely aren’t those of the most popular girl in the room. She struggles with crowds but, develops relationships with those who are important to her. And I have to say that I totally followed her arc and growth throughout this book with interest.

I also really enjoyed the world-building in this book, cities founded and developed on top of the ruins of previous cities, the religion that most definitely took aspects and inspiration from a range of religions but, at its centre had core moral values. I actually really enjoyed that this book was set in a world that I could take in and consequently engage with the more detailed layers of society, politics, religion, economics, fashions and clothing, and peoples, rather than a huge epic world where it’s often not possible to explore so much. I must admit I would have loved to have had a little more precis about the Gods and their stories but, there’s always the opportunity for a spin off book of their stories.

I must say that I totally devoured the arena matches, from start to end. The action and pace was totally explosive and I was blown away by the amazing and strange beasts and their skills and abilities. All brought together as part of the fighters’ trials! It was here that Lythlet’s skills and religious beliefs truly came to the fore but, also put her in such danger.

I have to admit I love a story about an underdog, so there was no way I wasn’t going to enjoy this one but, I must admit that I was surprised and delighted by the less than expected ending. Thank you so much Rebellion, Solaris and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

3.5 stars

This was an interesting and action-packed fantasy following tow childhood friends who, in order to claw their way out of their debts, find themselves fighting against sun-cursed beasts in an underground fighting arena.

I really liked the friendship between our two main characters. Lythlet and Desil's bond is ride or die, and I loved that we got to see a fantasy that was more focused on friendship and not romance. Don't get me wrong, I love a good romantasy, but there is something about a book that just focuses on friendships that get me. Both characters are flawed and have their own inner demons and it was so interesting to see how they balanced one another put, especially when it came to fighting the beasts, who were intriguing in their own right.

I will admit that the middle chunk of this book felt a bit lacklustre to me. I really enjoyed the beginning third and as soon as it hit the 70% mark, the book really picked up, and I found myself fully engaged in the story and politics again. I also would have liked to have seen more world-building. While we know about the sun-cursed beasts, we don't get much more information on how they came to be, and I just felt like I was missing something. I definitely think this one could have benefited from being a duology rather than a standalone.

Overall, this was a good debut fantasy, with a compelling premise and fantastic characters. I'm intrigued to see what Lau writes next!

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

An interesting read! I enjoyed the conquessor battle scenes in particular, and found Lythlet to be an engaging MC - she's definitely not a hero, and I found her character flaws made for a compelling arc

While I was excited for this book because of the comp titles, it unfortunately didn't live up to my expectations. The premise was wonderful and I enjoyed the characters but the storyline was a bit of a drag and I think more world-building would've helped.

The Serpent Called Mercy is an epic fantasy inspired by Malaysian Chinese culture, weaving a gripping tale of ambition, survival, and deception. The story follows Lythlet and her closest friend, Desil, as they struggle with debt and poverty, forcing them into a brutal underground world where they battle monstrous creatures for survival. Lythlet’s intelligence and cunning soon attract the attention of a powerful figure, drawing her into a dangerous game of power and politics.

The novel shines with its engaging character development, particularly in Lythlet’s journey as a resilient underdog. Her friendship with Desil adds emotional depth, offering a rare and refreshing portrayal of male-female friendship. While some readers may wish for deeper exploration of certain character dynamics, the narrative remains compelling and immersive.

Though comparisons have been made to other well-known fantasy and dystopian stories, this book carves out its own unique identity, delivering a thrilling and culturally rich adventure. With its fast-paced action, morally complex themes, and intricate world-building, this is a strong debut that leaves a lasting impression.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This has been on my radar for so long that once I finally read it, I couldn't put it down. This was sheer brilliance.

3.5 stars 🌟

This one started as a really great book, with intrigue and wonderful characters. It just, for me, lost pacing as time went on and I think the author did herself a disservice with so many creature battles.

PROS:
- I loved the FMC, I loved her strength and her tenancy. I loved that she wasn’t the usual pretty damsel in distress. That she was strong willed, driven and motivated by friendships and loyalty.
- I enjoyed the friendship over romance troupe, and liked how it was developed and explored with the main characters.
- I loved the bees, I don’t know why but I loved the first part of the book with these creatures and wished we had spent more time with them. Rather than them being a side plot support.
- Initially loved the monster battles.
- The concept of being trapped in a political mind game without the autonomy to get out.

CONS:
- The magic? I found the strangely random addition of the cosmosphere and jumping from the sacred plant to be wholly random. The FMC only used it again in practicing (from memory) and it seemed like a really out of the blue concept.
- The monster battles. They became, samey? And I think the author agreed because she missed out a lot of battles in order to save time and push the plot forward. The issue for me was there was nothing extra each time, the addition of the area change was a really positive one, but it only happened once.
- The plot drivers. Initially to get out of debt, but once that was achieved it got a little convoluted. With helping her parents, or having a more secured life. Then there was a plot twist on her parents and then more political intrigue which unfortunately fell a little flat for me.
- The last quarter of the book felt strangely…rushed? Suddenly issues arose, but then the hero’s found ways out, fairly painlessly. I almost wish there had been more peril or negative outcomes despite having attachment to all the main characters.

Overall I did enjoy the book, I just wish perhaps it had been a duology to bring out more of the world building and political system. And I wish there had been more to the monsters angle. What makes the Hunger Games intriguing is the arenas, full of traps and unknowns and monsters and alliances etc. There’s more than just fighting in a pit, and I think an additional angle would have given the 12 games more of a hook to look forward to.
However, I loved the characters and their relationships. This was the real gem in the novel, and I loved how this played out.

I really enjoyed this book!

I felt immediately drawn into the underdog story of the FMC. She's extremely smart and goes on quite the journey of self growth. She has her main friendship put into question, her mortality, her relationship with her parents and her self worth too. I loved the lessons she learned along the way, even when gained because of mistakes. I actually enjoyed that she had flaws and wasn't your typical beauty (or even a beauty at all on the outside). Her relationships with herself and people close to her as well as "above" her are dynamic and go through growth too.

I thoroughly enjoyed the inspiration from various cultures like the celebrations, god's, the way you show respect for your parents and make sacred vows.

I didn't mind that the world wasn't vast, it was interesting, unique and the strong political story and intrigue was enough for me. There was some history built into the story as you went which I appreciated. I would say I feel like it could be fleshed out more, there were lots of gods of various things and clearly different races within the world but only spatterings of information to set them apart rather than a more obvious explanation which made conjuring up images a bit difficult. There was definitely an eye for detail around lots of things like the clothing and the emotions/expressions of the characters and immediate surroundings but less so the way characters really looked and the marked differences between the races that occupy this world together. There were different names for days and months and seasons etc which could have added to the story if they were explained a bit better. Or a glossary.

The matches in the book were great, the beasts well thought out and all something new to me. I enjoyed the thoughts and trials they went through.

Overall I loved the journey, it was refreshing for it to be about a genuine underdog with a want to do more for herself and the world in which she inhabits. The ending wasn't your typical one either in that it was bittersweet leaving you satisfied but feeling the emotions of the characters well.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The greedy are always ambitious, the ambitious always desperate, and the desperate never forfeit a match until they're on the verge of death."
I was initially hooked by the book being marketed as a Malaysian Witcher meets Squid Game but I stayed for my girl Lythlet and the amazing storytelling. From the get-go the writing was so beautifully immersive and really kept me hooked to the page. I loved the fight scenes, my heart was racing and I felt like a spectator in the arena.
This was such a great fresh take on the 'arena' narrative and I can't wait to see what else Roanne Lau produces, I will be waiting with anticipation

THE SERPENT CALLED MERCY is an action-packed book that explores systematic injustices and friendship.

The monster-fight sequences are tense and full of imaginative - and horrifying - creatures. They are some of the fastest parts of the book, visceral and always feeling very risky. Any victory feels earnt and close, like there was a real chance of failure. And there is a cost to them - the characters aren't simply skipping away.

I loved that there was no romance in this book. Not even a hint of it. Lythlet doesn't pursue any romantic relationships, doesn't have a crush or anything. It's never discussed whether this is because Lythlet isn't interested in these things or just she doesn't find anyone around her attractive, and I quite liked this. The book never had to comment on this "lack", instead focusing on familial and platonic relationships.

And these relationships are so central to the book. Lythlet and Desil's friendship is the heart of the book, looking at how the fights strains that as the things they are desperate for are changing, pulling them apart. I loved how it ended, that acceptance of a person for all they are, no matter their mistakes and past failures.

It is also a book about the cost to survive and what we're willing to do in order to rise. It is about the injustices of systems and how you can work with them for a price. Lythlet constantly has to decide if she's willing to take a stand for others at a cost to herself. There's so much empathy in this book for the horrible decisions people are faced with in a rigged system, but injects hope for change, the sort of change that starts with individuals even if the odds are overwhelming.

Thank you Solaris Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

Burdened with debt, childhood friends Lythlet and Desil just want out of their never-ending cycle of poverty. Desperate for a way out, they become "conquessors", arena fighters battling ferocious sun-cursed beasts in the city’s dangerous underworld.

As they rack up victories, Lythlet dares to hope that in conquering these battles they could conquer the poverty that had them chained most of their lives. With each cheer and flash of fame, her ambition grows, pulling her deeper under the wing of the match-master. But soon, she finds herself tangled in the messy world of underworld politics and deception, forcing her to choose between her morals and the people she loves.
The Serpent Called Mercy is an epic fantasy inspired by Malaysian Chinese culture and folklore. With its thrilling action and rich world-building, it’s a stunning debut from Roanne Lau.

Lythlet, for me, is a remarkable and compelling character, flawed as she is I found myself rooting for her - not just for her conquering the arena against the sun-cursed beasts, but also for how she conquered the challenges life threw at her, and how she continues to fight in achieving the life she had always dreamed of. Her determination and grit make her journey feel incredibly real and inspiring.

The world-building is vivid, but I wish there was more lore on the sun-cursed beasts, where they come from and how they differ from sun-blessed ones. The ending is a bit bittersweet, but it made the story even more powerful.

Overall, The Serpent Called Mercy is a must-read for fantasy fans. If you’re into action-packed adventures with strong characters and emotional depth, give this book a chance!

OH my gosh I absolutely devoured this novel. An incredible read which once again reminded me of why I love political fantasy, plus a focus on platonic relationships and NO ROMANCE (well, I thought there was the tiniest little hint of a possible romance which I really wished hadn't been added). The characters, layers of plot, action scenes, etc. were simply fantastic and I genuinely could not stop reading - the creativity of when writing about the magical creatures/sun-cursed beasts was perhaps one of my favourite aspects of the book. I have to applaud the author for the characters of Master Dothilos and Desil, who were both so well written. Also, I loved the humour, which was subtle and appropriately timed, plus the side characters were enjoyable to read about.

More so than The Witcher (which I've never seen) or Squid Games (which I have), I would have compared this book to She Who Became The Sun for the overall vibe (quote: "Hope in times of happiness isn't hope - it's expectation."), and also because both protagonists were ambitious, relying heavily on wits and street smarts to succeed.

If I had one gripe about this book it would be that a lot was crammed in and it could've been a duology instead. Anyways a stunning debut and I was definitely the target audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris for the ARC

I loved the concept of this book. A mix of Slumdog Millionaire, Hunger Games and The Witcher. There was so much great character work, world-building, political machinations, monsters and Malaysian Chinese.

Our main protagonist is a slumdog, raised in poverty, struggling to survive in a world that would happily beat her to death. Despite this, she is brave, determined, clever and kind. To escape living in debt Lythlet and her best friend, Desil, sign up to become monster fighters in a dangerous underground arena.

While monster fighting appears to be the book's main premise, it is not the main story. The story is about two disadvantaged young people, trying to survive in a corrupt world where the rich get richer and the poor cling on to any sliver of hope they can find. As we get deeper into the story, both Lythlet and Desil have to wrestle with their demons and find a way to keep their humanity.

I loved Lythlet’s relationship with Desil, the deep friendship and reliance the pair have on each other to survive and the lengths each would go to protect the other. It’s a breath of fresh air to have a book focus so deeply on a platonic relationship.

Personally, I could have done with the book being longer, and the world-building more in-depth. What we did get I loved, though at times I did struggle to understand the concepts and history being introduced.

4.25 stars, a stunning debut novel, I can’t wait to see what Roanne Lau does next.