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!

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This slapped.
This so easily could’ve been a typical fantasy romance; we follow Lythlet and her best friend Desil as they sign up to fight terrifying mythical beasts in an arena, to pay off their debts.
Such a simply premise, yet such a layered story! Lythlet isn’t especially skilled in fighting, but she’s clever and puzzles her way through the fights. Desil has been her best friend since childhood, they love each other dearly, and it never becomes romantic. I see that so rarely in books now, and it really worked here.

There’s layers of political corruption and magical world building; but the main backbone of the story is Lythlet and her trying to fight her way out of her debts. the heart of the story is her creating a support system, reconnecting with people she thought lost to her, and finding out secrets about the one person she’s always implicitly trusted.

I loved this and will definitely be picking up a copy of this fantastic standalone!

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♟️Rating:5/5⭐
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Thank you, NetGalley, for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Throughout my many years of reading, I had come across and read many books, especially fantasy. Whenever I read those books, I read like a machine programmed to do so whenever I’m unoccupied or taking a long train to my destination. More often than not, I had long forgotten, at its essence, why I read in the first place. For joy? For pain or for the sake of being another mindless consumer in this society? And so, when I came across The Serpent Called Mercy, a spark within me was relighted as I was reminded once again as to why I read and love fantasy novels. It’s novels like this where I’m once again reminded why my younger self would spend hours poring over fantasy novels as a pastime because stories such as TSCM once again reminded me of seeing characters maintaining hope despite all odds and fighting for the things they believe in even despite the inevitable sacrifice. So as I write this review, I sigh and think to myself again, “This book is precisely why I read fantasy novels.”
Despite this book being Ms Roanne’s debut novel, her prose has a distinctive flair to it. Her writing has a charm-like quality to it, reminding me of contemporary classic authors, and it followed the whole book with an unwavering grip. This is rarely seen in fantasy novels these days, opting for cliché lines or language. But I often prefer my writing to have a little more oomph to it, because how can complex thoughts and emotions be easily conveyed? The rich and vivid description brought the world roaring to life, threatening to shake your soul with the immersive dialogue and prose. When I read the fight scenes where Master Dothilos was chanting out Lythlet’s nicknames, I could feel the crashes of sounds coming all over me as if I were in the arena myself. It was as if I were right by Lythlet’s side, soaking up all of the noise until my bones threatened to shake apart. It’s almost intoxicating, and whenever I finish a chapter, I often feel disoriented as I pull myself out of those scenes.

Nonetheless, what stood out for me was how Ms Roanne didn’t explicitly divulge the worldbuilding or symbolism in detail, but rather she carefully allowed readers to piece the information together on their own and only provided explanation or details when necessary. (Admittedly speaking, this might be frustrating for some, but I absolutely abhor info-dumping or chunks of paragraphs explaining cultural contexts or worldbuilding details. I would much rather the author throw me in a forest and let me fight my way out on my own) Although some might say that some bits of the information are not necessary, providing no relevance to the plot, I actually enjoyed the bits of information, as it not only enriched the world but also allowed me to better understand the characters. Moreover, the whole world-building is so riveting, like the names of certain beasts, gods, and even simple details like the world’s popular novels. (Kilinor, Anzura, General Lauturo) Each of the beasts and gods has their own characteristics and traits which made it so interesting to read through and learn how the world works through them. Arguably, the pacing could had been better for some parts of the story, with some fight scenes and arcs being rushed, and I would love to have read a longer version of those fight scenes (especially the final round of the conquessing, even though it would come at the expense of my emotional well-being). Nonetheless, one must be reminded that it’s a standalone novel, and with all things considered, it doesn't take away the joy I had while reading it.

Another thing I want to highlight for this novel is the characters; each of them has a very distinctive voice in the whole narrative. Even though some of them are merely side characters, they don’t feel like unnecessary characters meant to fill in holes for the sake of the plot. Moreover, I LOVE the no romance subplot. More often than not, many authors often succumb to using romantic subplots for the sake of convenience and better marketing. (Look, I don’t care about how many years you waited for your partner) The lack of romantic subplots here not only makes sense but it also deepens the relationship between Desil and Lythlet, providing more nuances to them. Not everything has to be set in a romantic context to be as emotionally wrecking (I would know because I JUST STARTED BAWLING OVER THEM AS WELL AS FOR ILDEN AND SHUNVI). It’s a clever decision to write this story from a third-person perspective as it allows readers to see how the characters play off each other. What’s integral to the character’s relationship is not ‘love’ but rather the neverending trust in their partner despite their flaws and past. More importantly , it is about acceptance. Accepting someone who isn’t from your family and cherishing them all the same is what makes me feel so much for these characters. And I feel that Ms Roanne did such an excellent job at crafting this narrative and their found family.

Lythlet, who is the main character in the novel, is such a well-crafted character. Throughout the story, she went through lots of character development when she went from being chased down by ushers to chasing beasts in the arena instead. (They need to stop giving her the KDJ look treatment 😭) Her cunning wits were immaculately written, with the author opting to choose show rather than tell. And I couldn’t help but root for her whenever she solved one of those riddles the novel threw at her. While I was reading this novel, I could not help but feel for Lythlet’s predicament, her desperation and worry over money and her never-ending need to satiate her own thirst for knowledge. That is to say, I do not find Lythlet relatable at all, but rather I understood how she felt and how she understood the world.

Moreover, the way the antagonist is crafted is so well done. You almost can’t help but to empathise with Master Dothilos despite all of his actions. You’re being made to empathise and vilify him at the same time. This can be said for the other antagonists as well, because even though they had all done monstrous behaviours, they are all humans nonetheless, and whether they like it or not, they’re not as unbeatable as they seem. In the end, they’re just moulded by the dreams of avarice demanded by society. This also brings me to the next point of my review, the symbolism and plot in this novel. (I won’t delve more into the other characters because that would be major spoilers)

Ms Roanne masterfully made use of analogies and symbolism to effectively convey the plot and themes to its readers. There’s a lot of subtext at play in this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed picking up crumbs along the way. There are many full-circle moments, and it ties the novel closer together (negative space, animals, stars, name titles, etc). This might seem tiring for some readers and require multiple rereads BUT I ENJOYED IT! Not only does this enrich the world in this novel, but Ms Roanne forces her reader to think and ask questions about themes such as morality and poverty. What does it mean to steal from the rich when they stole from the poor? When does someone cease from being treated as a commodity to being treated as a human being? Unlike many other books I have read, this book dives into what it means to be poor when living in a corrupted and capitalistic society. Being poor is not just about not having enough money to feed themselves as it is much more than that. Being poor also means being limited in making choices for their own despite trying to overcome it.
Moving on to the plot, it’s structured extremely well and it’s filled with unpredictable twists along the way. Like a serpent sinking its teeth into your skin, the plot is gripping and captivating from the get-go. It doesn't fall to the convenient and linear plots or tropes and Ms Roanne is not afraid to write about the grimey areas in society. My favourite part of this novel is the conquests themselves as well as the political arc. There’s so much at stake here, and my blood pressure definitely rose on numerous occasions as Lythlet and Desil fought for their freedom or risk losing everything. As previously stated about my critique of the pacing, I still feel that the plot is ultimately well done for a standalone novel. It gives off the same feeling as watching a standalone movie that can stand on its own despite it not being a franchise.

The Serpent Called Mercy is a riveting, fervent, and gripping read. With its vicious fangs prying at your skin with a rebellious nature, you will be forced to watch through the grand show Ms Roanne had put up for her readers. As I sit here and write this review, I still find my review failing to capture the whole essence of this book. If you were to ask me to review this book using only tropes, I simply couldn’t because there’s so much more to this novel than that. Despite its flaws and shortcomings in this novel, it does not diminish my love for it. (I believe that enjoying a novel and pointing out its shortcomings are not mutually exclusive things. If anything, this makes me love the novel even more as I’m forcing myself to ponder deeper into this novel.) This is definitely one of my favourite fantasy novels and one I will never stop thinking about for quite some time. Even though this is Ms Roanne’s debut work, I highly recommend checking out this novel when it comes out on 25 March 2025. (I’m definitely adding her to my auto-buy list of authors 🤡) In the meantime, let’s wait for our Rose and Golden Thorn to make their glorious entrance.

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.

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!!!

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.

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.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of The Serpent Called Mercy!

This is the story of Lythlet who just lost her job and has to steal money to pay her monthly debt. She lives with her childhood friend Desil and when they receive a handbill promising riches beyond measure, it is an opportunity they cannot let go. It involves fighting beasts and they accept to try making as much money as possible.


Wow. This book was utterly amazing. I devoured it! The concept and the writing made the story flow so easily that I didn’t see time passing by.

Lythlet was such an amazing main character with a difficult past and a great personality- she is honest, kind, but can also stand up for herself and super smart.

Everytime she would do something I would be in awe thinking she was the smartest person ever. Be it when she was fighting or outside of these fights.

I would highly highly recommend it! 5 starts from me

Lythlet is down on her luck. Recently fired, living in debt and poverty, she has nowhere to turn and no one but her best friend Desil. Until the chance comes her way: if they swear themselves to the arena, they can compete as conquessors, facing lurid mythical beasts from beyond their city in the hope of winning a cash prize large enough to liberate them both…

Lythlet is quick-witted, Desil brawny, and perhaps together they’ll make it through. But the criminal underworld is a murky place to enter, and threats beyond the monsters they face begin to materialise.

The worldbuilding in this is incredibly rich. My only possible criticism is that there isn’t MORE: more lore behind each of the beasts, greater detail on the clear political depth of the city; the mythology of their ancestors that brought them here; the history behind the religion. There’s is so much going on, I would have read three times as much content from Lau. But what she does with what she has!

The commentary on capitalism, morality, humanity is razor sharp without becoming didactic, because it’s all told through the lens of the characters - particularly Lythlet, whose growth in this is stunning, a rollercoaster arc that is nevertheless believable. The emotional impact has real gut punches here, from helplessness to hopefulness, and all told through prose that is very readable whilst being incisively crafted. wow this got me really hard? especially the parts with a duty to family whom you love but your relationship is difficult for reasons you can’t really change

Featuring:

- Gladiatorial combat with a whole bestiary of monsters
- Detective story vibes as our heroine works out what’s going on behind the scenes
- A really strong platonic friendship with no romance but a beautifully told bond. this is the new Locke/Jean, y’all
- Adorable dog/s
- Adorable bees
- Criminal masterminds, underworlds, politics and plotting
- Family trauma
- Found family

4.5⭐

Lythlet was the best FMC protagonist I have read in a while - she's not pretty, she's ruthless and a bit selfish, and her motivations are totally understandabl in the face of abject poverty and debt. She was a great character to introduce us to this really unique fantasy world inspired by Malaysian mythology. The world building was crafted just to the level I like - a good overview of the city structure, political system, class system (Lythlet living in poverty and brushing shoulders with the wealthy during the trial was the perfect way to show this), religious system (Desil's faith journey, Lythlet and the yutrella pole during the trial) and some of the technology - lightning bees!! I want some.

The side characters were great, some I liked and some I liked to hate!

My favourite were the beasts in the matches - these were creatures I have never heard of before but I can picture them so clearly thanks to Lau's writing.

If you like unique world building, that doesn't info dump or over explain, mythological creatures and complex characters, this book is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion /Solaris for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book was amazing. It starts with the protagonist in desperate debt to loan sharks, and she joins a monster-fighting arena with her friend to pay off their debts and survive. The fights are so well-written, and the MC develops in complexity as she progresses through the matches, and more of her backstory is revealed to us.

Firstly, I loved the Malaysian-Chinese elements in this book. It's beautifully interwoven into the worldbuilding, which made the book immersive and engaging. I also adored the creatures in this world and enjoyed reading about them, from the lightning-bees to the various monsters they had to fight. I would love to learn more about them, and the rest of the world in general.

Not sure if I agree with the pitch regarding The Witcher, unless this was just a comparison to the beast-fighting aspects of The Serpent Called Mercy. But overall this was an enjoyable book, and I look forward to reading more from Roanne Lau.

Wow, I just finished this book, and I’m still reeling! As someone who loves a good underdog story, this one had me hooked from the very first page. It’s a fresh take on fantasy, less sprawling epic, more gritty, urban vibes with a dash of heart-pounding action. If you’re into stories where the characters feel real, flawed, and utterly compelling, this is for you.

The story follows Lythlet, a scrappy, down-on-her-luck protagonist who’s just lost her job and is drowning in debt. She’s forced to steal to survive, but even then, she’s got a moral compass. I loved her immediately. She’s smart, resourceful, and tough as nails, but she’s also kind and fiercely loyal to her childhood best friend, Desil. Their dynamic is everything. They’re not just friends; they’re family, and their bond is the emotional core of the story. Desil is the sweet, grounding force in Lythlet’s chaotic life, and their relationship is so genuine and heartfelt. It’s platonic, but honestly, it’s more touching than some romantic pairings I’ve read.

The plot kicks into high gear when Lythlet and Desil stumble upon a flyer promising riches beyond their wildest dreams. The catch? They have to compete in a brutal blood sport called conquessing, where contestants battle terrifying monsters for cash. Think *Squid Game* meets *Gladiator*, but with a fantasy twist. Each monster is uniquely terrifying, and the battles are intense, creative, and totally unpredictable. I was on the edge of my seat every time, wondering how they’d survive. Lythlet’s quick thinking and strategic mind really shine here she’s not just a fighter; she’s a problem-solver, and it’s so satisfying to watch her outsmart her opponents.

But what really got me was the moral complexity of the story. As Lythlet gets deeper into the competition, you see her wrestle with her values. The more money she makes, the more she’s tempted to compromise her humanity. It’s a gripping exploration of greed, survival, and what people are willing to sacrifice for a chance at a better life. There’s one particular match that had me holding my breath it was brutal, emotional, and completely unforgettable.

Another standout for me was the relationship between Lythlet and the match master, Master Dothilos. He’s such a fascinating character cynical, manipulative, but with layers of depth you don’t expect. At first, I thought he’d just be your typical villain, but he’s so much more than that. He sees himself in Lythlet, and their dynamic is this weird mix of mentorship, manipulation, and genuine care. By the end, I couldn’t decide if I loved him or hated him, and that’s what made him so compelling.

Overall, this book is a total gem. It’s action-packed, emotionally resonant, and full of characters you’ll root for from start to finish. Lythlet is the kind of heroine you can’t help but admire she’s smart, brave, and deeply human. If you’re looking for a fantasy story that balances heart-stopping action with rich character development, this is it. 5 stars, no question. I can’t wait to see what this author does next!

This is my first 5 star read of this year. I am a huge fantasy fan and this did not disappoint me. I instantly fell in love with the main characters. I loved the Chinese influence in the book. The world building really drew you in. Some parts of the story were slow however it didn’t spoil it for me. A highly recommended read for all you fantasy lovers

Before I launch into my review, I would like to say a warm thank you to Roanne Lau, Rebellion, Solaris, and Netgalley for the Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this title. For anyone with their eye on this title, here is my personal review of the book to help you decide whether you are interested or not. All opinions offered are my own.

This was quite the chunky read and getting started was hard work. I struggled to make progress during my first reading sessions, but I was taken by the blurb and eager to know what opportunity might tempt someone to ditch one of the most important people in their lives. Fortunately, once I made a dent in the book and the story got going, there was a lot to enjoy.

Lythlet only has one real friend in the world, and he would do anything for her. Linked later in life by a debt Desil secured to save her life, the two slumdogs sign up to a dangerous tournament that promises great riches to survivors. The trouble is, people do not tend to survive. Committed to death matches in order to win enough coin to claw her way out of the slums and a life on the run, Lythlet faces the ultimate sacrifice when her potential becomes apparent. But…to sacrifice or not to sacrifice? That! Is the question.

There was a lot to love about this book. I enjoyed the rich cast of characters and the way their back stories were woven into the main story. I liked the complex relationships that were formed between characters and tested in ways that questioned their morals and values. There were suspenseful moments when the reader was left wondering wat a character would do.

I especially loved the ‘Squid Games’ element. Rather than The Witcher meets Squid Games, I am more inclined to describe the novel as The Gladiator meets a cross between The Hunger Games and Squid Games, and I lived for The Gladiator element. The battles and the monster revealed in them were spectacular. The descriptions of the creatures and the arenas were written with great detail, although I would have welcomed more weapons and the opportunity to witness the selection.

I think the book fell a little short in the general world building. It would have been a vision for my imagination to be able to see the landscape, particularly that of the richer areas. I felt there was more emphasis in the underworld, and the upper world was a little neglected.

Regardless of the couple of shortcomings mentioned, I loved the journey through this book. I think it would make an interesting screenplay that I would be glad to watch. With its wide range of beasts, this is a story that would capture the interests of most fantasy readers, even with the political elements included in the story. It is a 5 out of 5 stars for me for a book I cannot wait to recommend to my audience.

Not often does a book pull me in so much as this one... although the first few chapters were the hardest to get into with setting the story up - once it was there I was hooked, and stayed up way later than I should have purely because it was so amazing and I had to know what happened next.
When this book is described as Squid Games meets Witcher it is not wrong! All the best parts of those addictive series thrown into one and the pace just kept going.
Loved this and cant believe this is just a debut novel, I need more from Roanne Lau

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.

"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