Wordies, if you’re looking for a fantasy novel that celebrates friendship, honours knowledge, and unapologetically champions the underdog, then I’ve got just the recommendation for you.

The highborn would certainly find that story a seductive tale. Someone desperate enough to sink to immoral lows to control the arc of her story.

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I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau earlier this year, and I haven’t heard nearly enough people talking about it. This book deserves more way more hype. It’s a bold, tender, gritty, and thrilling tale.

The story follows two childhood friends: clever misfit Lythlet and her brawny best (only) friend, Desil. In a desperate bid to free themselves of loan shark debt, frequent beatings, and poverty, they make the decision to become ‘conquessors’, risking their lives in gladiator-style battles against sun-cursed beasts in the hope of winning life-changing riches.

This book has been pitched as Squid Game meets The Witcher, likely for the brutal monster battles and survival themes. However, it’s much more than that. The gladiator-style battles, and Chinese and Malaysian-inspired mythical beasts are indeed spectacular — I was shocked when Lythlet managed to gain access to divine magic early on and wondered at how she could top that in subsequent challenges. But matches remained thrilling. My mouth was left hanging open in the last fight.

And yet, the brilliance of this book lies beyond the battles. What starts as a survival story becomes something far richer. It’s a nuanced reflection on injustice, power, and perception. Lythlet believes, as many do, that monsters are obviously bad. That heroes are strong. That the world is black and white, like in her beloved books. But as the contest progresses, she discovers that the worst of the monsters are in the real world, and they are significantly more complex and cruel.

This is a story of found family and tested loyalties — of what happens when the people you love begin to grow in different directions. It’s a sharp commentary on hierarchical violence, gentrification, and exploitation of the poor, yet it’s also tender and personal. It asks whether monsters are born or made, and where the line lies between justice and revenge. Questions that are deeply uncomfortable, and all too relevant.

Lythlet is a standout protagonist. A morally grey underdog who is easy to root for, despite her flaws. Her determination and sharp mind are admirable and I enjoyed her unique take in the world.

A miserable day of feeling like an otherworldly creature forced into mimicking her schoolmates to get by had thankfully come to an end, and all she wanted to do was go home.

Lythlet is neurodivergent-coded and her challenges and memories are deeply moving. She has a speech impediment, is introverted, struggles to make friends, and has a strong sense of justice. But she’s also resilient, desperate, and angry.

She also has a fondness for books, but being lowborn, she can only access them by stealing them. But at some point, she’s no longer stealing them in order to get a basic education; she’s stealing because she wants to. But the knowledge she gains represents power and she treasures them more than the rich people who were hoarding them. So is that wrong? The story doesn’t give easy answers, and that’s what I loved about it. Everyone, even the side characters, challenged me to consider the nuances of right and wrong.

One of the most challenging characters in the book was Master Dothilos. On the surface, he’s calm, wise, and philosophical — a kindred spirit to Lythlet. Their conversations were used for philosophical musings and commentary on human behaviour. But their relationship slowly twists into something darker, more political, more chilling. I was invested. I was conflicted. I won’t forget him any time soon.

A man’s dignity is revealed in his actions, not his excuses.

Also refreshing: there’s no romance here. And I didn’t miss it one bit. Instead, we’re treated to deep platonic bonds, found family, and, despite the dark twists in the story, plenty of heartwarming moments. Think steaming cups of tea, cute dogs, delicious meals and bee-keeping.

Lau’s worldbuilding is vivid and immersive, even though the scope stays relatively small. I would happily revisit this world again, though this story is a standalone. My only real wish? More about the magic. We get glimpses, but I craved more.

A small note on language: the prose is rich and sometimes veers towards flowery. I personally loved it, but I did notice that although Lythlet’s advanced vocabulary is explained, other characters — even those described as ‘half-wit’ or lowborn — seemed just as articulate, which felt a bit inconsistent.

Still, these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a deeply thought-provoking and emotionally rewarding read.

If you love your fantasy fierce but thoughtful, full of underdog grit and complex questions, The Serpent Called Mercy is one to pick up.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨(4.5 out of 5 stars)

Format: Paperback

Pages: 464

Category: Fantasy

Published: 27 Mar 2025

About: 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.

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