Roanne Lau
Author of the upcoming epic fantasy The Serpent Called Mercy—out March 2025! Order now!Follow her on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky or Twitter (@roannelau).Subscribe to her newsletter (roannelau.substack.com) for book news and trivia, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and general long-form writing that she can't fit into teeny-weeny social media posts.
Roanne Lau
About
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.Find her on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky or Twitter (@roannelau), and subscribe to her newsletter (roannelau.substack.com).※ A note on pronunciation: Roanne Lau rhymes with Joanne wow.
Photographer: Caleb Lim Foong Kin
Press Kit
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. Her debut epic fantasy novel The Serpent Called Mercy sold at auction in North America, the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth.Her greatest accomplishments in life include being a finalist in a Lord of the Rings trivia competition when she was nine and managing to avoid diabetes despite a sugar-saturated childhood.※ A note on pronunciation: Roanne Lau rhymes with Joanne wow.
Roanne Lau
In the News
July 2024 | Exclusive Cover Reveal for The Serpent Called Mercy (Nerdist)
April 2024 | Acquisition Announcement: DAW Books acquires THE SERPENT CALLED MERCY by Roanne Lau (Astra Publishing House)
April 2024 | Solaris to publish The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau for the UK (Rebellion Publishing)
April 2024 | Solaris signs Roanne Lau's epic fantasy debut (BookBrunch, $)
April 2024 | Deal Report: THE SERPENT CALLED MERCY (Publishers Marketplace)
Roanne Lau
Books
Roanne Lau
The Serpent Called Mercy
US Release Date: 25 March 2025
UK Release Date: 27 March 2025
Summary
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.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.
Reviews
"Lau’s thrilling fantasy debut . . . Lau nimbly weaves complex themes of oppression, loyalty, and friendship into the action-packed and suspenseful plot."
—Publishers Weekly
"Roanne Lau immerses you into a remarkably vivid world with a gritty underworld that raises the stakes—and your blood pressure. Full of monsters and mayhem, but most importantly, a cast of characters that you can’t help but love. An astounding debut."
—Saara El-Arifi, internationally bestselling author of Faebound
"The Serpent Called Mercy is a dazzling fantasy debut that is equal parts thrilling and moving. Roanne Lau has crafted a wonderfully complex world filled with political intrigue and gladiator-style adventure that will leave you at the edge of your seat."
—Amber Chen, bestselling author of Of Jade and Dragons
"The Serpent Called Mercy delivers a world so vibrant and rich with Southeast Asian culture, it leaps off the page. With its complex political rivalries, underworld factions, and vicious death games, Setgad is a city that will swallow you whole without blinking. Yet Roanne perfectly balances her setting’s epic proportions against characters scrabbling for agency amidst debts and class realities that are heavier than fate. Until I met Lythlet and Desil, I didn’t know how much I longed for a story sewn together with an unshakable bond of friendship rather than romance."
—Gabriella Buba, author of Saints of Storm and Sorrow
“As sharp as a speartip against your jugular, The Serpent Called Mercy is a heart-stopping battlecry of a debut. Lau’s world of underground monster fights, gritty ambition, and all-too-real inequality sucks you in and won’t let go. Epic and deeply satisfying.”
—Julie Leong, author of The Teller of Small Fortunes
“A show-stopping debut that dazzles even as it pulls at your heartstrings. Featuring breathtaking battles, intricate lore, and a remarkable friendship as its beating heart, The Serpent Called Mercy is a thrilling spectacle from beginning to end. I loved this book.”
—Chelsea Abdullah, award-winning author of The Stardust Thief
Roanne Lau
Contact
Please forward any business enquiries to the relevant parties below.
Rights:
Literary agent: Keir Alekseii (Azantian Literary Agency)
Foreign/translation agents: Liza Deblock or Alba Arnau Prado (Mushens Entertainment)
Film/TV agent: Kim Yau (Echo Lake Entertainment)
Publicity & Media:
US publicist: Laura Fitzgerald (DAW Books)
UK publicist: Jess Gofton (Solaris Books)
Non-business matters can be sent to the following contact form. While Roanne endeavours to read all correspondence, she regrettably cannot promise a timely response due to her busy schedule.
