The Serpent Called Mercy
Roanne Lau
(Author)
This title will be released on:
Mar 25, 2025
21,000+ Reviews
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Description
“A show-stopping debut that dazzles even as it pulls at your heartstrings. Featuring breathtaking battles, intricate lore, and a remarkable friendship as its beating heart...a thrilling spectacle from beginning to end. I loved this book.” —Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief
"Roanne Lau immerses you into a remarkably vivid world with a gritty underworld that raises the stakes—and your blood pressure. Full of monsters and mayhem, but most importantly, a cast of characters that you can’t help but love. An astounding debut." —Saara El-Arifi, internationally bestselling author of Faebound
The Witcher meets Squid Game in this Malaysian Chinese-inspired epic fantasy novel where a debt-ridden slumdog joins an illegal monster-fighting arena for some fast coin, but quickly learns the most dangerous beasts are outside the ring
Lythlet and her only friend Desil are shackled to a life of debt and poverty that she fears they will never escape. Desperate for money, they sign up as conquessors: arena combatants who fight sun-cursed beasts in the seedy underworld of the city.
Match-master Dothilos is initially enamored of Desil’s brawling reputation, but after seeing Lythlet lead the pair to triumph with her quick cunning, he takes her under his wing, scorning Desil. Ambition takes root in Lythlet’s heart as a life of fame and wealth unfolds in her imagination.
But Lythlet isn’t the only one out for coin and glory, and she soon finds herself playing an entirely different game—a game of politics and deception. As the cost of her ambition grows, she will have to decide if sacrificing her honor, and only friendship, is worth the chance to shape her own fortune.
A whirlwind of blood-pounding battles as characters grapple with their choices in the face of wealth and financial security, The Serpent Called Mercy's heart is the underlying, steadfast friendship between its protagonists.
"Roanne Lau immerses you into a remarkably vivid world with a gritty underworld that raises the stakes—and your blood pressure. Full of monsters and mayhem, but most importantly, a cast of characters that you can’t help but love. An astounding debut." —Saara El-Arifi, internationally bestselling author of Faebound
The Witcher meets Squid Game in this Malaysian Chinese-inspired epic fantasy novel where a debt-ridden slumdog joins an illegal monster-fighting arena for some fast coin, but quickly learns the most dangerous beasts are outside the ring
Lythlet and her only friend Desil are shackled to a life of debt and poverty that she fears they will never escape. Desperate for money, they sign up as conquessors: arena combatants who fight sun-cursed beasts in the seedy underworld of the city.
Match-master Dothilos is initially enamored of Desil’s brawling reputation, but after seeing Lythlet lead the pair to triumph with her quick cunning, he takes her under his wing, scorning Desil. Ambition takes root in Lythlet’s heart as a life of fame and wealth unfolds in her imagination.
But Lythlet isn’t the only one out for coin and glory, and she soon finds herself playing an entirely different game—a game of politics and deception. As the cost of her ambition grows, she will have to decide if sacrificing her honor, and only friendship, is worth the chance to shape her own fortune.
A whirlwind of blood-pounding battles as characters grapple with their choices in the face of wealth and financial security, The Serpent Called Mercy's heart is the underlying, steadfast friendship between its protagonists.
Product Details
| Publisher | DAW |
| Publish Date | March 25, 2025 |
| Pages | 432 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9780756419448 |
| Dimensions | 9.3 X 6.3 X 1.3 inches | 1.3 pounds |
About the Author
Roanne Lau is a speculative fiction author whose works are informed by her Chinese heritage and her experiences living in Malaysia, Australia, Taiwan, and Japan. She was selected for the Pitch Wars mentorship program in 2021—but the accomplishment she remains proudest of is being a finalist in a Lord of the Rings trivia competition when she was nine. Find her on social media (@roannelau) and subscribe to her newsletter at www.roannelau.com.
Reviews
"A propulsive story of monsters—the beasts they fight in the arena, but also humans and the at times monstrous society they've created. The atmosphere is vivid and leaps off the page, the characters are empathetic and scrappy, and the friendship at the heart of it all makes this book sing. An accomplished debut—I absolutely loved it." —L. R. Lam, Sunday Times best-selling author of Dragonfall
“A show-stopping debut that dazzles even as it pulls at your heartstrings. Featuring breathtaking battles, intricate lore, and a remarkable friendship as its beating heart, The Serpent Called Mercy is a thrilling spectacle from beginning to end. I loved this book.” —Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief
“As sharp as a speartip against your jugular, The Serpent Called Mercy is a heart-stopping battlecry of a debut. Lau’s world of underground monster fights, gritty ambition, and all-too-real inequality sucks you in and won’t let go. Epic and deeply satisfying.” —Julie Leong, author of The Teller of Small Fortunes
"Roanne Lau immerses you into a remarkably vivid world with a gritty underworld that raises the stakes—and your blood pressure. Full of monsters and mayhem, but most importantly, a cast of characters that you can’t help but love. An astounding debut." —Saara El-Arifi, internationally bestselling author of Faebound
"The Serpent Called Mercy is a dazzling fantasy debut that is equal parts thrilling and moving. Roanne Lau has crafted a wonderfully complex world filled with political intrigue and gladiator-style adventure that will leave you at the edge of your seat." —Amber Chen, author of Of Jade and Dragons
A Den of Geek Unmissable Debut
A FanFiAddicts Most Anticipated Pick
"Readers who love the combat aspects and morally gray spaces of novels (and characters) like Arcane’s Ambessa are sure to gravitate toward Lau’s vividly depicted arena sequences. And the monsters are the stuff of nightmares–shadowy wolves that don’t bleed, two headed creatures that spew fire and ice–unique and inventive in a genre filled with fiends." —Den of Geek
"The Serpent Called Mercy delivers a world so vibrant and rich with Southeast Asian culture, it leaps off the page. With its complex political rivalries, underworld factions, and vicious death games, Setgad is a city that will swallow you whole without blinking. Yet Roanne perfectly balances her setting’s epic proportions against characters scrabbling for agency amidst debts and class realities that are heavier than fate. Until I met Lythlet and Desil, I didn’t know how much I longed for a story sewn together with an unshakable bond of friendship rather than romance." —Gabriella Buba, author of Saints of Storm and Sorrow
"Lau nimbly weaves complex themes of oppression, loyalty, and friendship into the action-packed and suspenseful plot.... This leaves a mark." —Publishers Weekly
"Lau's debut is a charming tale of corruption, ambition, friendship, and hope." —Booklist
“Readers looking for a clever and determined fantasy heroine motivated by platonic devotion will find much to enjoy in Lau’s debut.” —Library Journal
“A show-stopping debut that dazzles even as it pulls at your heartstrings. Featuring breathtaking battles, intricate lore, and a remarkable friendship as its beating heart, The Serpent Called Mercy is a thrilling spectacle from beginning to end. I loved this book.” —Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief
“As sharp as a speartip against your jugular, The Serpent Called Mercy is a heart-stopping battlecry of a debut. Lau’s world of underground monster fights, gritty ambition, and all-too-real inequality sucks you in and won’t let go. Epic and deeply satisfying.” —Julie Leong, author of The Teller of Small Fortunes
"Roanne Lau immerses you into a remarkably vivid world with a gritty underworld that raises the stakes—and your blood pressure. Full of monsters and mayhem, but most importantly, a cast of characters that you can’t help but love. An astounding debut." —Saara El-Arifi, internationally bestselling author of Faebound
"The Serpent Called Mercy is a dazzling fantasy debut that is equal parts thrilling and moving. Roanne Lau has crafted a wonderfully complex world filled with political intrigue and gladiator-style adventure that will leave you at the edge of your seat." —Amber Chen, author of Of Jade and Dragons
A Den of Geek Unmissable Debut
A FanFiAddicts Most Anticipated Pick
"Readers who love the combat aspects and morally gray spaces of novels (and characters) like Arcane’s Ambessa are sure to gravitate toward Lau’s vividly depicted arena sequences. And the monsters are the stuff of nightmares–shadowy wolves that don’t bleed, two headed creatures that spew fire and ice–unique and inventive in a genre filled with fiends." —Den of Geek
"The Serpent Called Mercy delivers a world so vibrant and rich with Southeast Asian culture, it leaps off the page. With its complex political rivalries, underworld factions, and vicious death games, Setgad is a city that will swallow you whole without blinking. Yet Roanne perfectly balances her setting’s epic proportions against characters scrabbling for agency amidst debts and class realities that are heavier than fate. Until I met Lythlet and Desil, I didn’t know how much I longed for a story sewn together with an unshakable bond of friendship rather than romance." —Gabriella Buba, author of Saints of Storm and Sorrow
"Lau nimbly weaves complex themes of oppression, loyalty, and friendship into the action-packed and suspenseful plot.... This leaves a mark." —Publishers Weekly
"Lau's debut is a charming tale of corruption, ambition, friendship, and hope." —Booklist
“Readers looking for a clever and determined fantasy heroine motivated by platonic devotion will find much to enjoy in Lau’s debut.” —Library Journal
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