The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

Pages: 432

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Asian Literature

Publisher: Rebellion / Solaris

Format I read it in: Uncorrected Proof / Netgalley

Rating: ★★★

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 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.

My Thoughts:

“The Serpent Called Mercy” was a mesmerising read, particularly because it introduced me to a culture I wasn’t familiar with before. But equally, it failed to entertain and intrigue me, leaving me a bit disappointed and stuck in the in-between. There were a lot of aspects I really enjoyed, but it saddens me that I know I will not remember the contents of this book in years to come.

Lythlet is a very interesting character. Strong and brave, but unable to prosper and move forward due to a huge debt she owes. When an opportunity arises for her and her best friend, Desil, who’s a brawler, to fight for money, they go for it. 

I envisioned the arena fights as something from “The Gladiator” and “Hunger Games”, even “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”, unlike the comparison the publisher did with “The Witcher” and “Squid Games”. “The Witcher” comparison, I can kind of understand, because they are fighting mythical monsters . But it has nothing to do with “Squid Games”, apart the fact that if you lose in the arena, you die. But as we are talking about fighting in arenas with mythical montsters from Malaysian-Chinese mythology, that should be considered as common sense. Each battle is a new challenge that Lythlet and Desil have to tackle and I quite enjoyed the first few battles. After a while, they start to become a bit repetitive.  

Aside from the arena action, there was a lot going on outside of the arena as well.

Lythlet’s parents are struggling with their own debts, her father has a new promising job, and the complicated relationship Lythlet starts to develop with Master Dothilos – the arena matchmaker. The action was there, but something about the story just didn’t grip me. It felt almost seen before, and the ending was quite predictable, and for me, without any big reveals or wow moments. The only wow moment that I can recall was Desil’s secret. And after this reveal, Lythlet’s reaction was even more disappointing. Maybe it was needed for her character development, but it was very rushed and didn’t make sense to me. 

“The Serpent Called Mercy” is a wonderful story about facing adversity and refusing to become what society expects of you. There are amazing messages of bravery, strength, standing up for yourself and others and being kind and merciful. It was simply not a story that clicked with me, and although I found it forgettable, I would still recommend it to the fantasy fans out there.

Favourite Quotes:

“Hope in times of happiness isn’t hope – it’s expectation. It’s only when things are at their bleakest that you find hope unadulterated.”

“The best stories are those rooted in truth, embellished only for entertainment’s sake.”

“What a blessing it is that there remain children more scared of ghosts than of the world around them.”

“Master Dothilos. You know me better than to think I’ll believe that. Men frequently make threats they wildly intend, only claiming they never meant a word of it when it rebounds on them.”

“I refuse to live and die on your terms as your cur. I will not choose apathy over justice, wealth over duty, wrath over mercy.”

“If I want to run fast, I ought to run alone.”

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. Her debut novel The Serpent Called Mercy sold at auction in North America, the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth—but the accomplishment she remains proudest of is being a finalist in a Lord of the Rings trivia competition when she was nine.

Author Website

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