Lythlet and Desil, two slumdogs drowning in debt to a local loan shark, think they’ve found the solution to all their money problems and the key to a better life.

‘…but the serpent you call mercy is nothing more than a fairytale notion that sinks its venomous fangs into the young…’

I absolutely fell in love with this book; such a fabulous debut! If this book remains a standalone, I do at least hope more stories are written from this same world!
Kudos to the lack of a romance subplot, with the current ‘spicy’ saturated market, this book is breath of fresh air.

Thank you NetGalley and Solaris for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Rating & Tropes
☆☆☆☆

-Quick Description-
Two slum dogs Lythlet and Desil make the decision to join an underground illegal fighting ring to earn the coin to escape their debt and hopefully lead to a better life. They will not be fighting humans though, no they will have to win against wild mythical creatures.

-My thoughts-
This book was a completely different type of read for me and I really enjoyed the unique style of the story. The characters had a lot of depth especially the FMC who I really ended up rooting for through-out this book. The battles that take place are highly entertaining and I found myself completely engaged. Strong friendships and personal growth are a huge part of this story and I honestly loved that. I will definitely be reading more from this author and look forward to seeing what comes next.
Disclaimer - My rating reflects the vibes and enjoyment I had whilst reading the book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC and a huge thank you to Roanne Lau.
Also reviewed on Goodreads, StoryGraph,Fable and Instagram (post coming soon) @read.with.rue

The Serpent Called Mercy is a debut novel by Roanne Lau, and what a stunning debut it is! While it’s not without its imperfections, I found it to be an engrossing and memorable read, which is why I’m giving it a strong 4-star rating.

The world-building, while evocative, occasionally felt sparse, leaving me yearning for a bit more detail to fully visualize the setting. That said, the descriptions provided were just enough for me to picture the harsh, atmospheric world in which our protagonists, Lythlet and Desil, struggle to survive.

This is the second Advanced Reader Copy I’ve had the privilege of reading via NetGalley, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity. The Serpent Called Mercy gripped me from the very first chapter, and I could barely put it down. I was also fortunate enough to connect with the author, Roanne Lau, on BlueSky while working my way through this captivating story—a wonderful way to enhance the reading experience.

I started the book on January 2nd and found myself halfway through by the next day. By January 7th, I had turned the final page, left both satisfied and eager to see what Lau writes next. The striking cover immediately caught my attention—it’s beautifully designed and perfectly captures the essence of the story. I’d be curious to know who the artist is, as their work deserves recognition*.

Although I occasionally struggled to picture the intricacies of the world our protagonists navigate, I was thoroughly impressed by how well the characters were developed. They leapt off the page with vividness and heart. Among the many memorable figures, I was particularly charmed by the bees and a puppy named Runt, whose speech impediment gave him an endearing uniqueness.

Interestingly, the book evoked a Dickensian vibe for me. While I’m not sure if Roanne Lau intended to evoke the mid-to-late 19th century (though it’s clearly not set in London), there’s a palpable sense of societal struggle and disparity that resonates deeply. The themes felt strikingly relevant to today’s world, especially the glaring gap between the top 1% and the rest of us. It’s a sentiment I’ve often reflected on—being cash-poor truly is expensive, and Lau weaves this truth into her story with poignant effect.

The plot follows Lythlet and Desil as they are thrust into an underground world of illegal combat, where they face terrifying mythical beasts. Their ultimate goal? To pay off crushing debts and escape the relentless grip of poverty. The writing is so immersive that I found myself vividly imagining the gritty action, much like the visceral energy of Gladiator, one of my favorite films.

But this book offers more than just adrenaline-fueled action. Beneath the surface lies a rich tapestry of political corruption, family reconnections, and secrets that shake the foundations of trust. Lythlet’s journey is as much about survival as it is about uncovering the layers of betrayal and hope that define her relationships, particularly with Desil, the one person she thought she could rely on unconditionally.

I was thoroughly captivated by The Serpent Called Mercy. For a debut novel, it’s an exceptional piece of work—bold, heartfelt, and thought-provoking. Roanne Lau has crafted a story that lingers long after the final page, and I congratulate her on this remarkable achievement. I’ll be eagerly awaiting her next book and can’t wait to see how she builds on this promising start.

A pair of self-proclaimed slumdogs search to find a way out of poverty. Lythlet is a woman who grew up in the midst of great pain and trouble. Desil is a man who had a great upbringing but fell into massive debt helping a friend. While chasing fame and fortune, they encounter a much deeper problem in their society.
There are incredibly strong relationships in this book, which is where it excels. The characters are complex in a way that feels very human. My favorite parts to read were the battles, but I truly enjoyed reading the development of Lythlet and Desil making friends with fellow ‘conquessors’.
At times, specifically on the front end, it felt a bit slow (which feels normal for a book with such thrilling battles and conflicts). There were quite a few words that I had to lookup because I had no idea what they meant. This can either engage or take-away from some readers’ experiences.
Overall, a book that got better as it went along!

What a great debut story!
I really enjoyed the exploration of friendship and the characters were the real highlight of this novel.
A stand-alone story that creates an interesting world. I loved the idea of a fantasy book based on Malaysian Chinese-inspired mythology but I was hoping for a bit more lore.

A suspenseful and fast paced rich vs poor story with so many twists and turns it was hard to put down! I loved the fmc lythlet, she was a really strong character. And I enjoyed the platonic friendship focus, rather than a romantic storyline.

Would recommend! Thanks Netgalley for the arc.

We dive into a world of rich vs poor. And the poor are really poor - its not equal but there are always ways to make money!

Lythlet is our narrator, poor and seemingly very unlucky but as the story progresses we learn that she's a really good person who just needs the right chances. I wish the story had had some other narrators, just to provide a wider picture of the world we're in.

First off, you think it's just a game, right? But just like squid game it's so much more. Imagine peeling back the layers of an onion and each layer revealing something profound about society today. The story begins with a seemingly simple game, you enter, kill the monster and win money but as you flip the pages, you start seeing all these subtle (and not-so-subtle) reflections on our world.

So, if you’re ready for a YA ride that’s part thrilling adventure, part deep philosophical journey, The Serpent Called Mercy is your next must-read!

A nice fantasy trial book. I enjoyed the arena setting and the monsters, as well as the friendship between the two MCs (I have too rarely seen good ones lately).
My only complaint is that I might not have connected much with any characters, but a good read overall!

(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC)

the world building in a serpent called mercy was rather underwhelming. i wished there was more of it. it left me wanting more and feeling like i didn’t fully grasp much of anything. i desperately wanted to know more about the magic and creatures but was left hanging.

lythlet, our fmc, is a really strong individual. she’s very headstrong and determined. not only that, she’s incredibly smart and fantastic at adapting.

desil is golden retriever of the book. he’s portrayed as rather weak in comparison to lythlet. he was like the dumb friend who didn’t really help much in throughout the book. this bothered me slightly, as i felt like he could’ve done more to help out.

a serpent called mercy focuses on platonic love rather than actual romance. i found this really nice to read about, as every book i’ve been reading lately is heavy on the romance. platonic relationships are usually my favourite aspect of any book, so knowing how important this was to this book, i was very happy.

as a whole, the book is non stop from start to finish. there’s never a dull moment. i just wished the world building was fleshed out some more because i have so many questions.

I stayed up way past my bed time finishing this and it was SO WORTH IT. This is a fantastic debut with a very unique storyline so definitely not one to miss!

Roanne had me at the edge of my seat, gasping out loud and nearly screaming at times, I just could not put this down! What a twist of events!

Thank you Netgalley and Solaris for the arc!

This a stunning debut, one that reads as if the author has been writing for a very long time! I absolutely loved the characters, the world-building, and the plot was at the perfect pace for me.

'The Serpent called mercy', features a girl called Lythlet and her best friend Desil. Both are in debt, and so decide to enter a tournament where they are pitted to fights against deadly monsters. I've never read a book without romance in it, and I was pleasently surprised to find that I absolutely adored the sweet friendship moments between these two characters.

I believe it has Chinese and Malaysian influences, and I loved feeling immersed in another culture whilst reading. In particular, the family dynamics between Lythlet and her parents was really touching, and I absolutely loved her relationship and personal development as the story progressed.

There are numerous beautiful moments, where you feel the urge to take down a quote because the writing is just so heart-warming and poignant. I loved following a herorine who relied on her booksmarts, and was a bit emotionally stunted - perhaps the introvert in me found a kindred spirit in her.

I enjoyed how over the top the matchmaster was with his dialogue, it suited him perfectly in my opinion, and I liked how even a side character had a important backstory relevant to the plot. I wish that there was more focus on the fights, because deadly tournaments are my go to trope, but the plot was still exciting without them being the complete key focus.

If you enjoy - found families, the underdog, surviving despite the odds, deadly monsters and platanoic relationships - then seriously consider adding this one to your 2025 TBR. I think I might need to get this one as a physical copy when it comes out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I thought this was a fantastic effort, in particular as it comes from a debut author. This is a story about friendship and platonic love, and I really loved the two main characters Desil and Lythlet. The character development is the best I've read in quite some time. The only thing I wanted a bit more from was the world building, I would have loved to have a bit more background about the world and the beasts themselves - as well as perhaps fleshing out the fights themselves a bit more. Overall I highly recommend this as a standalone fantasy.

An intricate and detailed exploration of Lythlet and Desil's world, their friendship and hardships fighting poverty, class and the mythical beasts they face in the arena as conquessors.

There's plenty of room left for more books to follow, as not a lot of the history of the world or the beasts was explored and I'd love to read more about that.

Overall Lythlet is a well written character who I rooted for, and the cover art on the book is stunning. Due for publication March 2025.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy.

This is a story about a persons (Luther) struggling journey through life with a lack of confidence, poverty and neglect. It reminds us that there is a dark side to the world where cruel people will take advantage of the vulnerable and how apathy to such things does not make things better. The story made me think of many of things that we are seeing in the world today. Lythlet’s character development is pleasing, but at points were frustrating too. Without giving too much away, I felt the ending was realistic and Lythlet does learn all the value lessons with regards to overcoming her misconceptions on family and friends. There are joyous moments in this book. I love all the interactions involving Shunvi and Ilden. They are the kind characters that everyone deserves to know. A lovely read!

Roanne Lau’s "The Serpent Called Mercy" offers a fresh and riveting take on epic fantasy, blending Malaysian Chinese influences with a gritty yet surprisingly cozy narrative. Set against the backdrop of an illegal monster-fighting arena, the story follows Lythlet and Desil, two debt-ridden underdogs, as they fight sun-cursed beasts and navigate the seedy underbelly of their city. While the thrilling action draws readers in, it’s the focus on friendship, ambition, and morality that makes this book stand out.

Lythlet’s journey from an overlooked slumdog to a cunning conquessor guided by ambition and cleverness is both engaging and heart-wrenching. The tension between her growing aspirations and the sacrifices she must make, especially her friendship with Desil, adds layers of emotional depth. At the same time, the book’s emphasis on the struggles of society’s lowest rung—rather than the usual royalty or chosen heroes of fantasy—offers a poignant perspective rarely seen in the genre.

What makes this novel particularly refreshing is its steadfast focus on platonic relationships and found family, steering clear of romantic subplots. In an era saturated with spicy romantasy, this tale feels like a warm, comforting embrace. The narrative highlights themes of street justice, community, and personal growth, creating a unique blend of action and coziness.

For readers seeking a richly layered story with cultural depth, complex characters, and a focus on friendship over romance, "The Serpent Called Mercy" is a must-read. It’s a tale that reminds us that the greatest victories often happen outside the arena.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and DAW for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The overall premise was fantastic, and I especially loved the descriptions of the monsters—vivid and imaginative, they truly brought an eerie charm to the story. That said, I wish the author had delved deeper into the magic system, which felt somewhat underdeveloped. Similarly, the world-building could have been more immersive; I struggled at times to picture the setting and fully lose myself in the world.

The pacing was also a bit uneven, with certain sections feeling rushed while others dragged slightly. Despite this, I think this was a strong debut novel with lots of promise. I'm excited to see how the author grows in future works!

"the attendant chuckled, misguidedly assuming she grasped the mechanics of making a joke"

Lythlet and Desil, the underdogs of underdogs, are such rich and believable characters thrown into death defying odds. This story explores the complex relationships between characters, both between parents and found families. All the while the pair struggle under their debt and the monsters they fight to pay it all off.

This book as the politics, the characters and the monsters! It only fell a little short for me in world building as I struggled envisioning what was happening but this is an incredible debut and I am excited to see what Lau writes next.

The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau is a masterpiece of a book! Loved every single second of it. So so good. I rated it 5 stars because I loved the experience of reading it.

Loved this book! It was so immersive and kept me engaged through the whole book!

The cover is what made me request it, soooo stunning!!!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC. The Serpent Called Mercy is refreshing, fantasy filled, high stakes and romantic.It is everything I love in one book. Five stars. I hope there’s more from this universe.