I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ability to be able to read and review this novel.

Unfortunately for me, I felt through this whole book that there was so much the author wanted to include, but it all felt disjointed to me. I found a lot of the time it was difficult to follow the story, if the novel focused on the arena/trials aspect and brought in Desil's side of life and the story it could have been so immersive. A story of friendship and triumph, however, it was taking so many turns that it might have benefited from a shorter novel, split into a Duology.

The Serpent Called Mercy is an intriguing story with vivid world-building and strong characters. I enjoyed the blend of fantasy and emotional depth, though I found myself wanting more—this felt like the start of a bigger story, and I wish it had been developed into a full series. Still, it was an engaging read that held my interest throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy.

If you loved the gritty survival elements of The Hunger Games, the monster-hunting politics of The Witcher, or the psychological tension of Squid Game, this book is for you.

THE SERPENT CALLED MERCY is fast-paced, violent, clever, and emotionally layered. It follows Lythlet, a girl from the slums, who’s thrown into a brutal monthly trial where she must kill monsters to survive. What makes it stand out? No romance. Instead, at its core is a beautifully written, platonic friendship between two fiercely loyal characters—Lythlet and Desil. No slow-burn tension, no love triangle. Just unwavering friendship, which somehow hits harder than any love story.

This is 1st person POV, deeply in Lythlet’s head—she’s poor, prickly, resourceful, and scarred (literally and emotionally). The story tackles classism, desperation, exploitation, and what it means to survive when the system is rigged against you. The world-building is full of Southeast Asian influences, with underworld politics, magic based on sunlight, and scenes that shift from lush forests to filthy gutters to blood-soaked arenas.

The action is frequent and high-stakes, the monsters are inventive, and the prose has a sharp, gritty lyricism to it. That said—it’s a heavy read. TWs include animal death, abuse, sex trafficking, and graphic violence. If you’re not into bleak or intense stories, this might not be the one for you.

This book absolutely delivered. A gritty, fast-paced fantasy with monster-fighting arenas, high stakes, and the kind of world building that makes you forget it’s fiction. Lythlet is smart, fierce, and deeply human. Watching her claw her way through the arena while trying to hold onto her soul? Unforgettable. And Desil? Soft boy energy with tragic undertones. Their bond is everything...platonic, loyal, and written with so much heart it hurts a little.

The mythology, the politics, the trauma, the commentary on survival and power… it’s all there, and it hits hard. Every battle had me tense, and the emotional reveals caught me off guard in the best way. Can’t believe this is a debut. I already want to reread it.

This was one of those books where I wanted to love it more than I actually did. The Serpent Called Mercy has a killer setup. Two childhood best friends, Lythlet and Desil, forced into a violent, high-stakes world of monster-fighting to survive, with themes of debt, sacrifice, and political unrest layered in. And the world? So unique. Malaysian Chinese-inspired fantasy with sun-cursed beasts, forbidden arenas, and a city teetering on the edge of rebellion? Yes, please.

And Lau’s writing? Sharp, vibrant, full of tension. I could feel the heat of the arena, the danger thrumming in the shadows. Lythlet is a fierce, strategic protagonist who is so easy to root for, and I loved that this book centered on friendship rather than romance. Her loyalty to Desil was the emotional core of the story, and there were moments between them that genuinely tugged at me.

But still... I never fully clicked with it. I don’t know if it was the pacing (which dragged in places), or the fact that I felt like I was always one step removed from the characters emotionally. Some scenes felt like they should have gutted me, but they didn’t. There’s a LOT going on in this book... politics, monsters, revolution, class warfare, and at times it felt like the characters got a little lost in all the noise.

I also found myself wishing for more development in Desil's arc. He’s a huge part of Lythlet’s life and choices, but I wanted to see his internal journey, too, not just how he affects hers.

All that said, this is a solid debut with a strong sense of place, an original premise, and a non-Western fantasy backdrop that I really appreciated. I’d definitely pick up Lau’s next book, an think her future work is going to hit even harder.

Favorite part: The monsters and the way Lau describes their presence. so creepy and cinematic.

Favorite dynamic: Lythlet & Desil. No romance, just pure survival and loyalty.

Let’s just start by addressing the comps: The Witcher meets Squid Game? Not really. This has monsters and a competition. That's about where the similarities end.

What does work here, and works very well, are the characters and their relationships. The highlight of this entire novel is the deeply nuanced, platonic love between Lythlet and Desil. It’s refreshing to see a book let friendship take center stage—and while I wish it had leaned even harder into that dynamic, what’s here still resonates. Honestly, Desil’s POV could’ve added a ton to the story. His emotional turmoil, his guilt, his (throwing-stones-in-a-glass-house) self-righteousness—it would’ve sung if we could’ve gotten inside his head.

Lythlet’s relationship with her parents is another standout. The way she wrestles with her own guilt and longing, trying to reconcile survival with filial piety, is raw and real. Her parents aren’t cardboard cutouts—they’re living, grieving, breathing people. It adds genuine emotional weight to a world where everyone’s just trying to scrape by.

And then there’s Dothilos. The mentor/mentee relationship between him and Lythlet is uncomfortable, manipulative, and can never be truly trusted—and yet it’s a crucial part of her arc. It’s a toxic dynamic, sure, but it is intentionally written. That said, the book maybe spends too much time letting that dynamic unfold, when it could have been using that space to build out the city’s unrest, or the rising rebellion, or the class war brewing in the background.

That said, the arena fights aren't really the cutthroat bloodsport with betrayals and backstabbing humans I wanted. It’s mostly about killing beasts. And while the monsters are fascinating, the repetition of beast fights takes some of the tension out. You can only read about creative animal killing so many times before you want something more. There aren't that many emotional elements that you can put into a scene when it's just survival. Adding humans would have made this conflict much better. I guess the animals were utilized because they obviously wouldn’t be forfeiting, so it escalated the stakes.

Because here’s the thing—the world wants to be deeper. There are hints of it. Moments of it. But most of the book stays locked inside the arena, which has diminishing returns after the fourth or fifth monster fight. The political tension outside? The real stakes, the anger, the uprising? It’s there, lurking in the margins, and I really wish it had been front and center. The arena moments really seemed like wasted potential.

Still, this was a solid debut. It's smart, layered, and emotionally grounded, even if some of its flashier elements (like the arena) fall a bit flat.

Thanks so much to DAW and Netgalley for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have some mixed feelings about this one, but overall I did enjoy it. The two main characters and the villain were well-developed, and Lythlet and Desil's friendship was so beautiful! I really enjoyed the arena fights with all the interesting monsters.

The world itself could have been more well-developed, but the basis is there. I would love to see more stories from this author set in this world so it can be fleshed out even further.

My biggest complaint has no bearing on the novel itself so it did not affect my rating, but I do want to include it: the comparisons in the blurb are highly misleading, especially that of The Witcher. There is monster fighting, but it is not monster fighting a la The Witcher. If anything, it reminds me more of the How to Train Your Dragon movies (pre-dragon acceptance), with the gladiator-style fighting and needing to know the very specific weaknesses of each monster. I can see the Squid Games comparison a little more, with the whole entering deadly games for money, but again, that comparison still does not quite do this novel justice.

First off, thank you so much to DAW and NetGalley for giving me this ARC

I like the concept of this book. For me, it's giving Gladiator but some interesting monsters instead of lions. The F/M platonic pseudo-sibling dynamic is everything to me. I love Lythlet and Desil's relationship so much, I forget they're not blood-related. Their relationship was the highlight of this book.

Unfortunately, I don’t think the writing style was for me. At times, it felt a bit too draggy and pretentious. If you vibe with the writing style, you’ll probably enjoy the book, but that wasn’t the case for me. It took me much longer to finish it than I expected.

Overall, 2.5⭐️ for me

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

- IMPORTANT NOTE -
My license to read The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau ended when I reached approximately 80% completion, causing me to miss how the story and character arcs conclude. Despite requesting an extension from the author and checking my local library, I was unsuccessful. This review reflects my experience with the portion of the book I was able to read.

Lau's debut novel The Serpent Called Mercy delivers on its promise as a blend of Squid Game meets The Witcher. The worldbuilding shines through inventive elements like the glow bees and their hives illuminating slum streets—a creative touch that immediately immerses readers in this fantastical yet gritty universe. The beasts that populate this world are distinctive, each with specific characteristics and defeat methods that evoke Witcher-like monster fighting. The Squid Game comparison comes through with indebted slumdogs battling these creatures for the entertainment of the highborn, earning money with each successful match. However, Lau creates her own twist by making these fighters volunteers who can theoretically withdraw at any time and maintain normal lives between matches, adding layers to the social dynamics.

The characters elevate this story, particularly the female main character and her loyal best friend. Their unwavering devotion to each other forms the emotional core of the narrative. Desil, described as a beautiful former celebrity brawler who retired to renew his vows with the god of peacekeeping, brings depth and moral complexity to the cast. Meanwhile, Lythlet's background—growing up with a mentally ill mother and a well-meaning but ultimately ineffective father—shapes her into a compelling protagonist. Her late speech development and resulting stutter, which she overcame through stories and reading, informs her character beautifully. Though not described as attractive, Lythlet's intelligence and cunning make her formidable, and her moral code regarding her criminal activities adds nuance to her characterization. While not explicitly autistic, her traits stemming from social isolation and delayed intervention create a richly textured character whose puzzle-solving abilities complement her friendship with the physically and socially stronger Desil.

Despite not being able to experience the conclusion, the portion I read showcases Lau's talent for creating a world that feels both familiar and fresh. The characters are complex and the worldbuilding intricate without being overwhelming. It offers thoughtful commentary on class divides and entertainment as exploitation. The relationship dynamics, particularly between Lythlet and Desil, provide emotional anchor points amidst the fantasy setting. While I cannot speak to how successfully the various plot threads are resolved, the journey up to the 80% mark was engaging enough to earn my recommendation. Fans of character-driven fantasy with unique worldbuilding and moral complexity will likely find much to appreciate in Lau's debut.

From one heist to another, when will it ever end? Sometimes we just are scraping by and we ask ourselves why. Why do we keep toiling to chip away a debt we are only barely scratching the surface on? Is there not a better way? For Desil and Lythlet, their chance to get above it all might be here, but nothing comes for free. The Serpent Called Mercy is a book full of adventure and action. It's for fans of those who love reading about this game of survival. And asking ourselves when we fight between ambition and mercy, who wins?

Lythlet has been working dead-end job after dead-end job with abusive employers to pay off a debt to a loan shark. Her best friend Desil has been doing the same working two jobs to pay off a loan with a ridiculous interest rate that if they weren't, slumdogs wouldn't even exist. However, a random conversation about joining the Conquessors in the Arena may just change their fate if they can survive the Match Master first.

This is such a wonderfully straightforward conversation about the wealth gap, poverty, and those that prey upon the poor. On top of that we have Lythlet who is such a prime example of a human, whom if she had access to the same schooling, the same Healthcare, the same rights as those who were financially well off she would be an unstoppable genius. Hell, she pretty much is without any of those things. Honestly, there are many, many things that made this great, but it's Lythlet that truly put it over the top. She's such a great and relatable character. Even when she made poor decisions and she makes more than her fair share, they felt like something I'd do as well. And the gods know if you read my reviews it's the character that keeps making bad decisions that drives me bonkers but Lythlet's always seemed understandable because she was being used and abused by a man who had turned being a narcissist into a career. Quite literally. But she also admits her faults too and she doesn't surgar coat it either, she never tries to justify her actions, she just admits she messed up and moves on and that is so refreshing in a character like Lythlet. The one takeaway here is Lythlet is a borderline narcissistic herself, and she recognizes it and simply does better.

World building is well done as well, especially in establishing what a truly shitty world this is to live in if you are poor or if you try to rise above your station. Everyone in power is crooked, literally everyone. The Watchmen, The Governor, The Matchmaster, everyone. And we aren't talking a little crooked. We are talking "sacrifice peoples lives for cheap labor" crooked. We are talking the wife of one of Lythlet's abusive bosses, who says that he should beat Lythlet harder evil. This is, of course, an important distinction because humans have a tendency to believe women are somehow not a part of these evil systems of corruption, which is one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves. Pacing is great as well, I never got bored, I never felt rushed, and omg, Lau does something other authors need to do: Skip ahead in time. That was so nice, there's no filler, Lythlet just mentions that "The last two arena battles went great," and yay, we are caught up! It was again, simple and straightforward manner of moving the story along.

I have to mention the beasts in the Arena before I go because these things are freaking amazing. They are creepy and terrifying, and how the hell both Lythlet and Desil keep their heads through the battles is simply beyond me. Especially the one with three heads and the way they end that one? Oh man, a gruesome and clever demise that made my violence loving (only in books sheesh) soar!

Overall, this was an excellent read that could not have come out at a better time. There is no way the publisher or Lau could have planned for American politics to go the way they are right now and it almost kind of sucks that it is speaking so loudly to the truths we are currently living but here we are and I highly recommend giving this one a shot.

As always, thanks to NetGalley and DAW for the eArc!

I enjoyed the worldbuilding, the bestiary, the settings, and the complicated politics of this novel. However, what killed this books ability to be a 5 star review is melodramatic dialogue and it's reliance on dialogue as the only means of TELLING the reader both what the story is about and every single piece of detail made for the story. Everything was told to me instead of shown, I didn't get to see or experience the incredible world that was built for me. I didn't get to live through the experience of the criminal underworld and corruption. Instead it was all info dumped via monologues that are reminiscent of children's cartoons and anime.

I would have liked to experience the story and gotten to explore with the character instead of entire chapters of dialogue back to back TELLING me how everything works. Combined with cartoonish antics the tone for this book took a massive nose dive and makes this not geared towards adults but young adults. The fact that Lythlets parents never get names but are just Father and Mother used as names, also really killed the story telling and made all of the melodramatic and campy moments that much more cumbersome to get around. I signed up for a dark and gritty fantasy and what I got was a 2005 kids cartoon in written form.

Which is unfortunate I was extremely excited for this book.

I really liked the autistic representation of the main character and I really wanted to like it but it felt like it was having an identity crisis. It opens on a dark and crime ridden setting that has death tournaments, so at first I expected it to be dark. Then all of that faded into the background and it turned into an cozy found family story. So much potential but the setting, plot, and characterizations clashed too much and the book lost focus. It's unfortunate because the magic and setting had tons of potential.

The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau is a dark and atmospheric fantasy that blends mystery, magic, and intrigue. The story follows a compelling protagonist navigating a world of danger and hidden secrets. Lau’s writing is engaging, with a strong sense of tension and well-crafted characters, making it an enticing read for fans of dark fantasy.

I don't read a lot of arena/tournament books, so I don't have a lot to compare to. I enjoyed how the story wasn't only the fighting, but had a fair amount of intrigue and excitement outside the tournament itself. For a standalone, I think this was a solid read overall, and I liked how the character arcs wrapped up in the end. There is some worldbuilding in this fantasy land, but it's not the focus. With my basic knowledge of D&D-esque fantasy creatures such as the bugbear, I felt I could follow along pretty well. I definitely recommend if you enjoy a straightforward tournament story with a major focus on the characters and their development! A huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my thoughts!

Some content notes to be aware of: animal cruelty, animal death, violence, gore, blood, murder, classism.

THE SERPENT CALLED MERCY is an ambitious fantasy debut novel that, while not without its weaknesses, I nevertheless enjoyed. It’s billed as “The Witcher meets Squid Game with Chinese Malaysian inspiration,” which is what caught my eye. I haven’t seen either of those things so I can’t speak to how accurate it is, and I didn’t get as much of the “Asian” influence as I had hoped for. Nevertheless, I could see it being an enjoyable next read to recommend for those who love the action and political intrigue of the Hunger Games series.

Lythlet and her best friend since childhood, Desil, eke out a desperate and miserable existence in the most destitute section of their city-state, hounded by abusive employers and unforgiving debt collectors. A chance to pay their debts and perhaps ascend to a more comfortable way of life comes in the form of illegal underground fights against magical creatures. When Lythlet and Desil win bout after bout, it is not Desil’s brute strength, but Lythlet’s cunning mind that captures the attention of the match-master, who fans Lythlet’s ambitions even as she finds herself dangerously entangled in shady city politics…

What worked for me:

- Lythlet’s mind is truly formidable, with a natural talent at spotting patterns that reminds me of Yelena in Maria Snyder’s Poison Study (an old fave) or if Katniss Everdeen were brainy instead of merely gutsy.

- Because Lythlet was so convincingly cunning, I enjoyed reading her and Desil’s arena bouts.

- The friendship between Lythlet and Desil is GOALS. True ride-or-die, getaway car soulmates.

- NO. ROMANCE. A breath of fresh air for those of us who tire of everything speculative being turned into a romantasy these days.

What didn’t quite work for me:

- The writing was, at times, too much. Take the following passage for example:

“At that moment, the map scrolled itself tightly within her mind, the cosmoscape regressing back into an ineffable mystery, the otherworldly sensation of transcending mortal limitations into one of the invisible pathways of the universe vanishing entirely from her soul. The thrumming, divine ostinato quietened, fading into silence.”

Ummm… what? Truly overwritten. Fortunately the floridness calms down as the book progresses, but oof.

- Similarly, the dialogue can also feel artificial, clunky, and borderline corny at times. At other times, the writing was heavy-handed with its use of conversations to give readers information about the politics of the world, etc. I got used to it, and it wasn’t enough to make me DNF, but it is there.

- I did wish for some more world-building, particularly with regards to the political storyline and the presence of “ Malaysian Chinese” influences. The political information is sprinkled in throughout SERPENT, but doesn’t really come into the forefront until near the end of the story, where it surfaces in an almost dramatic fashion. I would have appreciated some more even-handed world-building to build up to that point.

- Likewise, despite SERPENT being marketed as “Malaysian Chinese-inspired,” I didn’t really get that sense in the story. Nothing really gave me the impression of the story and world being based off of any locations or cultures that I know of. I’m not sure if the influence was just too subtle for me to notice, or if I simply don’t know Malaysian Chinese culture well enough to find the relevant details, but overall, SERPENT felt like a traditional gladiatorial tale that could have been set anywhere.

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Despite its weaknesses, overall I would say that I enjoyed my time with THE SERPENT CALLED MERCY, particularly for its strong female main character, lack of romance, and completeness as a standalone fantasy novel. I would be keen to see what Roanne Lau offers us next!

This was a wonderful Malaysian Chinese-inspired urban fantasy debut that had the vibes of The Hunger Games and The Witcher set in a Southeast Asian world. 👹

The story follows Lythlet, a slumdog in huge debt and struggling to survive. I really liked how clever she was and her character growth throughout the plot. I adored her platonic relationship with Desil and wish there was more representation like this in fantasy books. ❤️

The side characters were a ruckus bunch and I really liked how supportive they were of each other. My favorite would have to be Ilden and Shunvi after Desil simply because of how goofy they were. ⚔️

My main concern for the book would be its pacing. I think this book would’ve benefitted from being a duology instead of a standalone simply because I felt like the plot rushed a bit too quickly through so points. Again, this is a personal opinion, so take this with a grain of salt if you are interested in reading this. 🔥

I’d still recommend this to readers looking for a Southeast Asian inspired urban fantasy that has a fantastic mythology of its own making and a menagerie of weird creatures. Thank you to DAW Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review (and waiting almost a week after its publication 😅) and to Lau for such a fun urban fantasy! 🫶🏼

Publication day: March 25! So go get it!!

Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️

BOOK: THE SERPENT CALLED MERCY
AUTHOR: ROANNE LAU
PUB DATE: MARCH 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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When I finished this book, i read the author's info and girl was I surprised that this book is her debut! This book had an amazing storyline, word building and characters rhat were beautifully done and you could see that there was a lot of work put into the world building. An anazing work by the author.
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This book was set in the fictional corrupt classist town of Setgad where the rich and powerful have the best lives and trod on the poorest of the poor. Anyway, I liked the author's different approach to this genre. Our FMC, Lythlet was a poor,malnourished, abused, debt ridden young woman whose only thought is how to escape her dreary life. She didnt really have the opportunity to care for the whole of Setgad nor did she set out to entangle herself in the governance. I like that she was able to achieve all she did with her ingenuity and talent, no discovery of hidden powers or family. She was admirable.
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The FMC and her best friend, Desil got involved in Conquessors challenges to fight sun-cursed beasts and get lots and lots of money. From there she met Master Dosthilos who got her involved in unsavory acts and she met amazing friends too along the way. I totally understood why she made the decision she made, she found a way to change her life and she grabbed it
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Another thing i liked about this book, was how imperfect the characters were, they made peace with their mistakes and made efforts to become a better person.
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The book went on for a year with a challenge in each month, we see huge character development in our characters especially the FMC and the situation in Setgad was also intertwined with her. I don't want to say much, but this book exolored important themes and I loved reading it. The only thing I didn't like was that there was no index for the fictional world and its elements. It was kinda confusing at some point and I would have appreciated it.
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I would totally recommend it though. I can't wait to read more from this author!
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In the slums of the city, best friends Lythet and Desil are barely eking out an existence while trying to pay off a massive debt. They are recruited by a shady game-master to participate as conquessors in the arenas of the underworld and fight fantastical beasts from outside the city. With very few options left, they willing sign up to compete for the chance at winning the prize money in spite of the risk of bodily harm. What starts as a straightforward against beasts in the arena transforms into a complex war against the politics and corruption of the city and Lythet finds herself needing to choose which side she will be on.

This book had a fantastic concept but was trying to do entirely too much with one book. Instead of a one-shot, Lau should have expanded this to a duology if not trilogy. Not only is there an exploration of the world of the conquessors but we also tack on: a magic system based upon prayer, a crime lord and his various schemes, a building developer abusing his workers and the minority party in Setgad seeking to oust the majority party in order to reform the city. That is A LOT to cram into one book and as a result, nothing was satisfactorily developed. I found myself comparing this book to the Hunger Games Trilogy as it tried to tackle many of the same themes but without the level of nuance or skill that Suzanne Collins did. Lythet is the only character who feels fully realized which is a shame because there was so much potential. (I adored the Poet and the Ruffian. They had such good Rosencrantz and Guildenstern energy!) I also found it weird that Lythet barely interacted with any female characters. She had no female friends or role models throughout the book which was odd as Setgad society didn't seem overtly misogynistic. I'm also confused about why magic was even introduced into the book. The events of the story could have proceeded without any magic with just rewriting a couple of the arena fight scenes. The overall story wouldn't have been affected much, and more page time could have spent developing other things.

The prose and dialogue also needed to be heavily edited prior to publication. Characters go on extended diatribes about certain themes or subjects that I can only describe as monologuing. These walls of text were clunky and repetitive. You don't need a giant paragraph to get across what a character is thinking or feeling. This can be inferred from brief conversations and a character's body language if the prose is written well. Additionally, it seems that Lau didn't trust her readers to pick up a character's motivations or thought processes. It would be explicitly spelled out either in dialogue or scene descriptions that were again: walls of text. This book was the author's debut novel, and I hate to say it, it really does show.

That being said, the world itself was really interesting, and Lau threw in enough details that it almost felt fully realized. I appreciate the inclusion of various aspects of culture, particularly books, as that is a part of world building that some authors may ignore. The religion was also well constructed and unique.

I hate to give this book such a low rating but unfortunately, I feel that not enough time was spent refining or editing this story.

Reviews will be posted on Goodreads, Fable, Storygraph, Amazon and Tiktok on 3/27.