Solaris is delighted to announce the acquisition of The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau for the UK, a Malaysian Chinese-inspired epic fantasy novel for fans of Squid Game and The Witcher in which a debt-ridden slumdog joins an illegal monster-fighting arena.
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 enamoured 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 honour, and only friendship, is worth the chance to shape her own fortune.
UK/BC, excluding Canada, English Language Rights were acquired by Amanda Rutter from Keir Alekseii at Azantian Literary Agency.
The Serpent Called Mercy will be released in January 2025.
Author Roanne Lau on the acquisition:
“I am beyond delighted to be working with Solaris in bringing my debut The Serpent Called Mercy over to the UK and the Commonwealth. From day one, Amanda Rutter’s enthusiasm for my book has been nothing short of serotonin-boosting, and with her keen editorial eye and the brilliant Solaris team behind her, I have no doubt my book is in safe hands.”
Acquiring Editor Amanda Rutter:
“From the first time I read The Serpent Called Mercy, I knew that this was an exceptionally special book, which explores brilliant themes of friendship and the price of honour. Roanne’s writing is sublime, and I know readers will eat up Lythlet’s world.”
Roanne Lau is a speculative fiction author whose works are informed by her experiences living in Malaysia, Australia, Taiwan, and Japan and being the descendant of Chinese immigrants. She was selected for the Pitch Wars mentorship program in 2021. The Serpent Called Mercy is her debut novel.
For press enquiries please contact Jess Gofton, PR & Marketing Manager: jess.gofton@rebellion.co.uk.