Science fiction · Fantasy · Young adult
The Mercy of Gods
A group of scientists is taken by a powerful alien empire that has conquered other species. Held far from home, the humans are put to work and have to work out how to stay alive and what the empire really wants.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2024
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 422
- Format
- Book 1 of 2 in The Captive's War
Read this if you like science fiction about first contact going badly and people trying to stay clever under pressure.
Skip this if you want the humour and crew warmth of the Expanse, since this is colder and more unsettling.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Mercy of Gods
- What is The Mercy of Gods about?
- A group of scientists is taken by a powerful alien empire that has conquered other species. Held far from home, the humans are put to work and have to work out how to stay alive and what the empire really wants.
- Who should read The Mercy of Gods?
- Read it if you like science fiction about first contact going badly and people trying to stay clever under pressure. Skip it if you want the humour and crew warmth of the Expanse, since this is colder and more unsettling.
- How long and how fast is The Mercy of Gods?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 422 pages, first published in 2024.
- Does The Mercy of Gods have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Violence, War.
- Can I borrow The Mercy of Gods for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Mercy of Gods; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Mercy of Gods?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Leviathan Wakes, The Three-Body Problem, Children of Time.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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If you loved The Mercy of Gods
-
Leviathan Wakes
The authors' earlier series, starting with a mystery that grows into a much larger struggle.
-
The Three-Body Problem Another story of humanity facing an alien civilisation far more advanced than itself.
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Children of Time A wide-ranging story about alien intelligence, told with more curiosity than menace.
Science fiction
