Dancing with Vipers and Shadows: A Spicy Dark Academia Fantasy Romance

by Avery Phoenix

“Lesson One is simple. The Art of Survival.”Ophelia Minerva Guinevere.Prodigy, gifted, destined to prevail.A daughter forced to face the shortcomings of her spineless sister.Attending the prestigious school of the Dark Arts and Royal Fae elites is the only way to unravel the story behind her unexpected disappearance.Nephilim Malevolence University.The academic institution of secrets, mysteries, and bloodshed.Inviting all those who deem themselves worthy of accessing the dual worlds of Vipers and Shadows.Like a dance, the students follow the symphony of destiny.A Quartet of Challenges that plays to the melodies of fear, desire, lust, and the sweet thrill of victory.For the living, survival is all that matters.For the dead, salvation is all they can yearn for.Only the worthy, conniving, powerful Vipers can reach the finish line.The real challenge is Can they face their darkest shadows?

Spicy Gothic RomanceDark AcademiaChilli-peppers Chemistry🌶️🌶️🌶️Professor/StudentShe falls but He falls harderForbidden RomanceSecret SocietiesHigh AngstDeep World BuildingStrong & Resilient FMCDancing with Vipers and Shadows is 95,000 word Spicy Dark Academia Fantasy Romance. Please check the author's note for content warnings before reading.

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Academia, Fae, Fantasy Romance

446 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2023

About the author

Avery Phoenix is a pen name of author Yumoyori Wilson.

Avery Phoenix multi-USA TODAY Bestselling Author of paranormal, fantasy, YA/NA, and contemporary romance.

With over 125 published novels across multiple synonyms for 6+ years, Avery Phoenix’s mission is to bring back many bestselling smash hits in special print publications.

From YA/NA Paranormal Academy Romance to Dark Shifter Romance, you don’t want to miss the addicting stories coming your way!

Fall in love with her revamped creations once again. 


Reviews

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

0.5 stars

Not me being fooled again by a pretty cover and an interesting blurb. 🤧

[Blissful Choas🌪️💜⚡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Tornado of events and spice and just all around Wam-Bam. Beautiful world building, storyline is hook and grab your attention.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in a wreck a couple weeks ago. So I am having issues with comprehension. Honestly everything I like to do takes me twice if not three times as long to accomplish. I am a huge fan of Avery's so I always read her books when then come out. Even though this book took me a lot longer to reach than normal, it was still easy to follow in my mental state. I fell in love with the characters quickly and loved how she constructed the world around them. Give it a try you won't regret it!!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, dangerous and delicious in all the right ways.

N.M.U is not the school you expect it to be. Every class is full of danger and you never know what’s going to happen next

I can’t wait to see what happens next in N.M.U and the dark worlds it’s connected to.

[Ariana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dark academia romance is my favorite sub genre and this one did me dirty. I barely made it through, it was so awful 😭

[Anastasiia Belova · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would give negative stars if I could. Are people giving it 5 stars sane? I could feel my brain cells leaving my skull while reading this.

[Henley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book while deep-diving through KU and was not disappointed.
Now, this book is not for the faint of heart, but it is a very fun read, which is why I rated it so high, even with some flaws within the writing and building of this story.
The world-building is intense, and I will say it can be very confusing at points. I do see where the author fleshes it out in this book and have noticed where she could continue for the next book, but it required me to reread chapters multiple times.
I will say that some of the dark elements of this story felt forced, with different aspects of certain characters' pasts rushed to the point where it made their characters seem a bit unrealistic.
Overall, though, I was definitely laughing/gasping/blushing/crying at different points throughout this book. I do feel like she gave justice to the bonds the develop between sisters as well and I am excited to see where this series continues to go.

[TXBRITGAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it OH SO MUCH!!! ✨❤

Oh Ophelia how I adore thee! YOWZA...what an EPIC read ❤✨. Ophelia Minerva Guinevere is one brilliant, strong, all around amazing FMC! This delicious start to the series introduced us to an exciting new world filled with colorful characters. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading. Twisty, turny, surprises, evil twins, a missing twin, forbidden romances (or two), and oh sooooo much more is introduced. Things are *just* getting started in this adrenaline packed gem. I CAN'T wait to see what's next. R U N, don't walk to get yourself a copy of this book....you won't regret it. Ophelia is hands down my fave FMC by this author. Woo hoo... So excited to see what's in store for these characters 😉✨.

[Krystle Schwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vipers an Shadows was Awesome

Our MFL Ophelia aka, Darling Nightmare and Miss. Cruelle was something else. This book had a lot of twists and turns that pull at your heart strings. I became invested in the side characters because of the background setup that was given for them. The over all world building for this book was great because I was able to envision everything in mind as a picture or movie as I read. As for the lover in this book I am looking forward to more development in the next books. These men are sexy, forbidden and hot all together. As for the ending there was a cliffhanger at the end of the book that has wishing for the second book to get here as soon as tomorrow. Over all I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

[Rosalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dancing

Have you ever read a book that completely breaks you in the best of ways? You are sitting in your happy spot, minding your own business, read the blurb of a book…glance at your TBR, and just know that you are going to put this book at the forefront of all the others…then, THEN…you get completely taken over! This is THAT BOOK. It makes you sit up, scream in laughter…cry in pain and laugh at the diabolical and clever way this FMC storms through life.

I won’t ruin this book for you, I will tell you that you need to download this book now! Order the family dinner, grab your favorite beverage and prepare to be swept away!!! Now quit wasting time…go get your reading on!😂🥰

[Rebekkaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is my favorite new releases always during my most demanding weeks, not days-weeks!
It usually takes me 2-3 hours to finish a new 400ish page book, so sitting cuddled in a blanket, with my puppy sleeping next to me in the evening is not an unusual sight.
With Ophelia’s book i was so invested in the story without the actual time for reading-i had to steal moments on my phone in grocery lines, on the bus, 30 minutes before i fell asleep ect.. I did not want to pause to get anything on my list done! I need to reread this in January again to fully appreciate the world building, characters and the ending! Highly recommend😊

[Yesenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like it's been so long since I read a new book from Miss Phoenix; with that being said, let's get into it. I will say I was slightly confused right off the bat. Miss Phoenix jumps straight into the story and builds up the characters and story as you get through the beginning chapters. The similar names also confused me in the beginning. However, once things really got going, I did enjoy it a lot. The story is go go go, which I enjoy. I do love her harem of men and friends (fingers crossed those friends end up together). I feel like we got to a great point, and I ran out of pages. I was desperate for one more chapter. Alas, we are left waiting for the next book.

[Elizabeth Kronsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was full of twists and turns from start to finish. No one in this book is what or who you first think and it makes it all exciting. The only tricky part is how the prologue ties in, but it makes you want the next book quickly to see how that prologue is going to happen. Ophelia is a great female lead and who i think are her men are awesome, though im not sure on a few characters due to all those twists. You should definately read this book if you want to be kept on your toes. Avery is back with a vengeance.

[Mellissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! That is All I Can Say!!! Wow!!!

This was a little darker than Avery has written but in my opinion it was even more phenomenal!!!
The dynamic between Ophelia and her team is dark and funny!
I can't wait to learn more about Malevolence Academy and what's gonna happen between her and her team!!
And if that cliffhanger is any indication... The council in in deep ****!!!
Wow!!! I Loved it!!!
Avery sure knows how to take us to magical... Even dark... Worlds!!!

[Amber L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!!!!! Been waiting for something new from this author and was not disappointed at all!! Well worth the wait---mind blowing FMC with sexy men. Set in Dark Academia but different than the rest with a surprising twist at the end. I felt the book was too short and I could of read another 10 chapters easily the story was so good. Cannot wait for the next part but will happily do so because it was so good!!

[Victoria Drage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I reminds a lot of Averys earlier writing style, but much much better. We have the academy style, but with the punch of the dark and twisty drama of the later books. I love the depth of the characters with layer upon layer till you almost don't see the twists coming. I seriously can't wait to get my hands on the next installment, though I will definitely be reading this again.

[Amanda Lund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is why Avery is my favorite author! She gives you everything you want plus more without you even realizing it! Pure Epicness she is. Another baddie FMC to add to the book bestie list lol. The world building and character development and the twists and turns this story she created gives you it all! Trust me just dive in and enjoy, you won't regret reading this beautiful creation of Avery's! Happy reading!

[Ayanna Fredericks · Rating 5 out of 5]

ooooo…So Good!!!

This was an awesome introduction and dove into a new realm. I was so engrossed in this world and hardly wanted to put the book down. The character development was great and Avery did an awesome job of painting full pictures and providing as much detail as was necessary without having been cumbersome.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery has once again created a world that you will find yourself immersed in from the very beginning to the very end. This book also has its twists and turns in true Avery fashion. If you enjoy dark academia, I think you will enjoy this book. Give it a shot to find out for yourself if you will enjoy it like I did. I know I can't wait for the next one for more Ophelia and her team.

[Louise Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Absolutely wow. Avery has knocked this one right out the park.

Ophelia after suffering the loss off her twin sister who was golden child attends the university in her place. Where she has many trials to prove that she deserves to be there. Secrets and hurt follow her through all her trials. Who can be trusted?

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down! If you are reading reviews to decide to purchase... stop and PURCHASE NOW! This totally epic story is so amazing. There are no words!
Twists, turns, life, death, love, betrayal, hidden agendas, and so much more! I can't wait for the next book!

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is…..I have been waiting for another of her books and she didn’t disappoint!!! This is what I have been missing. Mystery, intrigue, character development and a good villain! Give us more!!

[Ann White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline and great characters. This is my new favorite harem and book. If you’re an Avery Phoenix fan then this is your next must read. I could not put this book down from start to finish. I loved it and can’t wait for more.

[Pam Horner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilled you are back!

What can I say? Your writing is still the best ever. The girl is captivating. The story is suspenseful, wondering what is going to happen next. Thank you for your talent.😘

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great read, that was a big change from what i have been reading lately,
Miss Phoenix really hit the mark with this book, she made it engaging, fun to read and had a great story to follow.

[Crystal McLure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo……good

This book keeps you on your toes! The characters are amazing with so much hidden depth and secrets. The trials are not for the faint of heart but man do they have you biting your nails at what’s next. Can’t wait for the next book

[Ruth Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had a lot of promise but I'm just not into it👎🏻 It was all just a bit too instant and easy for me, like there's a whole ass professor student trope there to play with and it completely missed the mark. DNF @ 46%

[Tessers · Rating 2 out of 5]

What did I just read? Super fast without any breathing time!! Bam bam bam and then te end.......
Like I was missing pages, or even chapters. Was this even the first book? It felt like it started in the middle of a story and in warp-speed headed to te end.
Nope, not liking this writing stile at all.

[June McKibben · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will love Ophelia in this book. We get another great start to a series with dark themes and an academy with secrets and one strong FMC. This book will have you needing and wanting more.

[Heather Lynn Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book! Avery’s got a way with words to make this dark and twisty and oh so HOT!!!