
Merciful is the Dark
Sophie Clark(Author)
Penguin Books Ltd (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 2. July 2026
Book
Hardback
512 pages
978-0-241-63535-3 (ISBN)
Description
DISCOVER THE YA ROMANTASY THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT AND THE INSTANT NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER. . .
They say love conquers all . . .
But can love win in a war between demons and exorcists?
Or will it just tear them all apart . . . ?
Cruel is the Light is an epic, enemies-to-lovers romance about a demon hunter and a foot soldier thrown together in a centuries-old war . . . and the forbidden love that could change the course of history.
NOW THE EPIC AND SIZZLING ROMANTASY CONTINUES IN THE HEART-STOPPING SEQUEL.
Get ready to follow the characters everyone is talking about back to The Deathless God's Rome . . .
Perfect for fans of Powerless, Fourth Wing and Divine Rivals - and sure to be your next obsession . . .
PRAISE FOR CRUEL IS THE LIGHT:
'A beautifully crafted fantasy. I could not put it down. Dark and romantic, twisting and full of tension.' Imani Erriu, bestselling author of Heavenly Bodies
'Sinister magic, crackling banter, and sizzling tension' Emily Thiede, author of This Vicious Grace
'A masterclass in romantasy . . . Thoroughly scorching' Bea Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
'A story of forbidden love with yearning so keen it cut. . . Bound to be your next obsession.' Eliza Chan, bestselling author of Fathomfolk
'Drenched with dark magic, woven with complex morals and sprinkled with true love.' Kika Hatzopoulou, bestselling author of Threads That Bind
'I'm obsessed . . . and I'm going to need to join an emotional support group in the wait for book two.'
'This book is for sure to be a new romantasy obsession, and I am hooked. The ending left me itching for more and I cannot wait for the continuation of the story.'
'It completely consumed me.'
'I loved everything about this book, from the world building and politics to the lead and side characters, the tension, the simping... ugh so good.'
'It's been a long time that a book has entranced me as much as this . . . my new obsession, I will never stop recommending this book!'
'WOW!!!!! . . . This book is PERFECTION!!! A captivating, swoon-worthy perfection that I can't get enough of!'
They say love conquers all . . .
But can love win in a war between demons and exorcists?
Or will it just tear them all apart . . . ?
Cruel is the Light is an epic, enemies-to-lovers romance about a demon hunter and a foot soldier thrown together in a centuries-old war . . . and the forbidden love that could change the course of history.
NOW THE EPIC AND SIZZLING ROMANTASY CONTINUES IN THE HEART-STOPPING SEQUEL.
Get ready to follow the characters everyone is talking about back to The Deathless God's Rome . . .
Perfect for fans of Powerless, Fourth Wing and Divine Rivals - and sure to be your next obsession . . .
PRAISE FOR CRUEL IS THE LIGHT:
'A beautifully crafted fantasy. I could not put it down. Dark and romantic, twisting and full of tension.' Imani Erriu, bestselling author of Heavenly Bodies
'Sinister magic, crackling banter, and sizzling tension' Emily Thiede, author of This Vicious Grace
'A masterclass in romantasy . . . Thoroughly scorching' Bea Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
'A story of forbidden love with yearning so keen it cut. . . Bound to be your next obsession.' Eliza Chan, bestselling author of Fathomfolk
'Drenched with dark magic, woven with complex morals and sprinkled with true love.' Kika Hatzopoulou, bestselling author of Threads That Bind
'I'm obsessed . . . and I'm going to need to join an emotional support group in the wait for book two.'
'This book is for sure to be a new romantasy obsession, and I am hooked. The ending left me itching for more and I cannot wait for the continuation of the story.'
'It completely consumed me.'
'I loved everything about this book, from the world building and politics to the lead and side characters, the tension, the simping... ugh so good.'
'It's been a long time that a book has entranced me as much as this . . . my new obsession, I will never stop recommending this book!'
'WOW!!!!! . . . This book is PERFECTION!!! A captivating, swoon-worthy perfection that I can't get enough of!'
Reviews / Votes
Sinister magic, crackling banter, and sizzling tension -- Emily Thiede, author of This Vicious Grace A masterclass in romantasy . . . Thoroughly scorching -- Bea Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen A story of forbidden love with yearning so keen it cut. . . Bound to be your next obsession. -- Eliza Chan, bestselling author of Fathomfolk Drenched with dark magic, woven with complex morals and sprinkled with true love. -- Kika Hatzopoulou, bestselling author of Threads That Bind A powerhouse debut . . . Gripping, vivid and beautifully written -- Vanessa Len, bestselling author of Only a Monster A beautifully crafted fantasy. I could not put it down. Dark and romantic, twisting and full of tension. -- Imani Erriu, bestselling author of HEAVENLY BODIESMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Penguin Random House Children's UK
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 12 to 17 years
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 40 mm
Weight
750 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-241-63535-3 (9780241635353)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions


E-Book
approx. 07/2026
Penguin Books Ltd
€14.99
Not yet available
Person
Sophie Clark likes to say she writes fantasy featuring wounded girls with sharp edges, charming boys who fall for them anyhow, twisted gods, and other unholy things. She holds a master's degree in international relations from the University of Melbourne, and worked for the Australian Senate before leaving politics for good. She now resides in Tasmania, Australia, with a beautiful black-and-white Border collie called Indy.