The Serpent Called Mercy

Lau’s thrilling fantasy debut sees a pair of impoverished friends putting all their hopes in illegal monster-fighting sponsored by the upper class. Lythlet and her childhood friend Desil become conquessors, competitors in the fights set up by match-master Renveld Dothilos, who brings in monsters from the wild lands to fight in front of a betting crowd. Desil is already famous from his brawling days and is deemed a favorite, while Lythlet is seen as a burden. As their matches progress, however, it becomes evident that Lythlet’s quick wit is the thing leading them to win after win. Dothilos decides to personally train her, hoping to mold her into the ultimate fighter. Lythet’s ambition quickly grows, but when she uncovers the corruption and politics at play in the conquessor arena, she must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to escape her former life. Lau nimbly weaves complex themes of oppression, loyalty, and friendship into the action-packed and suspenseful plot. The writing can be a bit flowery—especially in the dialogue from supposedly uneducated characters—but that doesn’t diminish the impact of Lau’s powerful story. This leaves a mark. Agent: Keir Alekseii, Azantian Literary. (Mar.)