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A Viper Among Kings
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26Brace yourself for an exhilarating epic fantasy trilogy with a diverse cast, polyamory, and chaotic sentient magic, for fans of V.E. Schwab and Antonia Hodgson.
In the twisted city of Amaris, magic spawns from chaos. Prone to driving humans mad, it can only be wielded safely by the Wraiths—seven immortal beings magically bound to obey the king.
Esme is the most notorious Wraith. She has spent the last century forced to kill on behalf of the nation that stole her from her homeworld while building a secret life for herself and her wife away from violence.
That is, until the current king turns up murdered, and a magical will demands his successor be chosen through three trials. Esme cannot break the magical shackles that bind her, but she will suffer no more tyrants. She rigs the king's succession trials in favour of her chosen the righteous General Balthazar, who she can't help but fall for.
As Esme weaves together the threads of the court on Balthazar's behalf amid a strange tide of sentient magic in the city and a growing war on the horizon, she will come face to face with Balthazar's bloody past, troubled present, and countless betrayals.
He isn't the man Esme thought he was—but she was born to make and break kings.
In the twisted city of Amaris, magic spawns from chaos. Prone to driving humans mad, it can only be wielded safely by the Wraiths—seven immortal beings magically bound to obey the king.
Esme is the most notorious Wraith. She has spent the last century forced to kill on behalf of the nation that stole her from her homeworld while building a secret life for herself and her wife away from violence.
That is, until the current king turns up murdered, and a magical will demands his successor be chosen through three trials. Esme cannot break the magical shackles that bind her, but she will suffer no more tyrants. She rigs the king's succession trials in favour of her chosen the righteous General Balthazar, who she can't help but fall for.
As Esme weaves together the threads of the court on Balthazar's behalf amid a strange tide of sentient magic in the city and a growing war on the horizon, she will come face to face with Balthazar's bloody past, troubled present, and countless betrayals.
He isn't the man Esme thought he was—but she was born to make and break kings.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Did Not Finish
April 1, 2026DNF at 20%.
Not for me sadly.
The prologue was very intriguing, but what I read after failed to hook me.
The main character Esme is one of the seven Wraiths, powerful beings from another world magically enslaved to the bloodline of an evil despotic king (that king is now dead, but we hear a lot about him and how awful he was). Most of what I read was exposition to catch the reader up to the long history the main character has with her fellow Wraiths and the world she's trapped in. Theres a lot of understandable railing against their (obviously objectively terrible) situation, and also their various romantic relationships. It's just a lot of telling us how much they hate their lives and love each other, and none of it made me attached to the characters or interested in the story.
For someone over a hundred years old, Esme acts too much like a horny teenager for me to take seriously. The same went for her closest friend Urias, another Wraith. There's a lot of talking about who they want to fuck/have fucked, both in spoken dialogue and Esme's internal thoughts. There's also a lot of "sassy" "banter" which just made me roll my eyes. Again these are characters who are over a hundred years old.
I did like that there was a good amount of humour in the narration, and I think whenever the plot really gets going it could be good, so if you are not put off by the things that bothered me then give it a try.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Not for me sadly.
The prologue was very intriguing, but what I read after failed to hook me.
The main character Esme is one of the seven Wraiths, powerful beings from another world magically enslaved to the bloodline of an evil despotic king (that king is now dead, but we hear a lot about him and how awful he was). Most of what I read was exposition to catch the reader up to the long history the main character has with her fellow Wraiths and the world she's trapped in. Theres a lot of understandable railing against their (obviously objectively terrible) situation, and also their various romantic relationships. It's just a lot of telling us how much they hate their lives and love each other, and none of it made me attached to the characters or interested in the story.
For someone over a hundred years old, Esme acts too much like a horny teenager for me to take seriously. The same went for her closest friend Urias, another Wraith. There's a lot of talking about who they want to fuck/have fucked, both in spoken dialogue and Esme's internal thoughts. There's also a lot of "sassy" "banter" which just made me roll my eyes. Again these are characters who are over a hundred years old.
I did like that there was a good amount of humour in the narration, and I think whenever the plot really gets going it could be good, so if you are not put off by the things that bothered me then give it a try.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
March 23, 2026
This is a book with real appetite. It wants court intrigue, sentient magic, queer and polyamorous relationships, war, class violence, bodily autonomy, grief, monstrous desire, colonial brutality, and at least three emotionally catastrophic decisions before breakfast. In fairness to it, that is also more or less what it delivers.
What kept me reading was the strength of the central setup. A murdered king, a magically enforced succession, seven immortal Wraiths bound to the throne, and a heroine who has spent a century serving the empire that stole her from her homeworld is an excellent hook, and the novel knows it. Esme is easily the standout for me. She is furious, damaged, self-protective, clever, and at her best when the story allows her to feel genuinely dangerous without pretending she is always right. I liked that the book does not try to make her neat or easy. She is often selfish, often contradictory, and often making the sort of decision that makes perfect emotional sense in the moment and dreadful strategic sense five minutes later, which is, frankly, very human of her.
I also thought the book was strongest when it allowed its moral centre to stay muddy. The pitch gestures towards Balthazar as the “righteous” candidate, but one of the more interesting things the novel does is steadily complicate that idea. Janos is not simply monstrous, Balthazar is not simply noble, and Esme herself is never standing on entirely stable moral ground either. The story is much more compelling when it leans into that mess. Some of the fallout scenes later on really hit for me, particularly once the cost of the trials stops being abstract and starts becoming personal.
There is also a lot here that I can see fantasy readers having a great time with. The sentient magic is one of the novel’s best ideas: manipulative, hungry, occasionally playful, and never quite under anyone’s control. The succession plot gives the story real momentum. The Wraith dynamics add texture beyond the romance. And Simon’s thread, in particular, brought in a different kind of emotional register that I thought worked very well. This is not a book short on ideas, and when one of them lands, it really lands.
At the same time, I do think the book is weaker in execution than in concept. It has so much it wants to do, and sometimes that ambition tips over into excess. Scenes often run longer than they need to. Emotional beats are occasionally repeated. Moments that would have hit harder with a lighter touch are pushed to such a pitch that they start to blur. The book is never dull, but it did feel long to me, and not because nothing happens. Quite the opposite. It is simply a novel that rarely resists the urge to add one more layer.
I was also a little mixed on some of the story logic as it went on. The magical rules around the will and the Bond are fascinating, but there were points where the manoeuvring felt less convincing than the novel clearly intended. In particular, there were moments where supposedly intelligent characters kept making versions of the same mistake, and after a while that did make some of the political games feel less sharp than they might have. A few of the emotional and political allegiances also worked better for me in idea than in full execution, even though I could see what the book was aiming for.
Then there is the prose, which I found uneven in an interesting way. There are flashes here of something striking: bold imagery, sharp lines, and the occasional sentence that really bites. But the writing can also become overinsistent, overextended, and a little too aware of its own intensity. The swearing stood out for me too. I do not mind profanity in fantasy at all, but there is so much of it here that it occasionally stops adding bite and starts flattening the voice instead. This is, among other things, a novel with tremendous faith in the word “fuck”.
That said, I want to give the book credit for its ambition. It has momentum, personality, and absolutely no interest in playing small. I am always glad to pick up epic fantasy by a Black woman, and this one is certainly not lacking in appetite. Even where I noticed the rougher edges, I was still engaged by the story. I would much rather read something this lively, messy, and full-blooded than something tidier that leaves no impression at all.
Overall, I found this compelling, inventive, chaotic, and fun, even if I also thought it could have benefited from more restraint and a firmer editorial hand. I liked it, and I can absolutely see why other readers will love it.
What kept me reading was the strength of the central setup. A murdered king, a magically enforced succession, seven immortal Wraiths bound to the throne, and a heroine who has spent a century serving the empire that stole her from her homeworld is an excellent hook, and the novel knows it. Esme is easily the standout for me. She is furious, damaged, self-protective, clever, and at her best when the story allows her to feel genuinely dangerous without pretending she is always right. I liked that the book does not try to make her neat or easy. She is often selfish, often contradictory, and often making the sort of decision that makes perfect emotional sense in the moment and dreadful strategic sense five minutes later, which is, frankly, very human of her.
I also thought the book was strongest when it allowed its moral centre to stay muddy. The pitch gestures towards Balthazar as the “righteous” candidate, but one of the more interesting things the novel does is steadily complicate that idea. Janos is not simply monstrous, Balthazar is not simply noble, and Esme herself is never standing on entirely stable moral ground either. The story is much more compelling when it leans into that mess. Some of the fallout scenes later on really hit for me, particularly once the cost of the trials stops being abstract and starts becoming personal.
There is also a lot here that I can see fantasy readers having a great time with. The sentient magic is one of the novel’s best ideas: manipulative, hungry, occasionally playful, and never quite under anyone’s control. The succession plot gives the story real momentum. The Wraith dynamics add texture beyond the romance. And Simon’s thread, in particular, brought in a different kind of emotional register that I thought worked very well. This is not a book short on ideas, and when one of them lands, it really lands.
At the same time, I do think the book is weaker in execution than in concept. It has so much it wants to do, and sometimes that ambition tips over into excess. Scenes often run longer than they need to. Emotional beats are occasionally repeated. Moments that would have hit harder with a lighter touch are pushed to such a pitch that they start to blur. The book is never dull, but it did feel long to me, and not because nothing happens. Quite the opposite. It is simply a novel that rarely resists the urge to add one more layer.
I was also a little mixed on some of the story logic as it went on. The magical rules around the will and the Bond are fascinating, but there were points where the manoeuvring felt less convincing than the novel clearly intended. In particular, there were moments where supposedly intelligent characters kept making versions of the same mistake, and after a while that did make some of the political games feel less sharp than they might have. A few of the emotional and political allegiances also worked better for me in idea than in full execution, even though I could see what the book was aiming for.
Then there is the prose, which I found uneven in an interesting way. There are flashes here of something striking: bold imagery, sharp lines, and the occasional sentence that really bites. But the writing can also become overinsistent, overextended, and a little too aware of its own intensity. The swearing stood out for me too. I do not mind profanity in fantasy at all, but there is so much of it here that it occasionally stops adding bite and starts flattening the voice instead. This is, among other things, a novel with tremendous faith in the word “fuck”.
That said, I want to give the book credit for its ambition. It has momentum, personality, and absolutely no interest in playing small. I am always glad to pick up epic fantasy by a Black woman, and this one is certainly not lacking in appetite. Even where I noticed the rougher edges, I was still engaged by the story. I would much rather read something this lively, messy, and full-blooded than something tidier that leaves no impression at all.
Overall, I found this compelling, inventive, chaotic, and fun, even if I also thought it could have benefited from more restraint and a firmer editorial hand. I liked it, and I can absolutely see why other readers will love it.
April 4, 2026
This book hasn't even come out yet and I am desperate for the rest of the books in the series. The world building is immersive, the plot is suspenseful, and the characters are well developed and interesting. Over a hundred years ago, Esme was stolen from her homeland and bound to a power-hungry king, forced to obey his every command. Along with seven others in her position, unable to return home, and forced to respond to names that are not their own, she has been forced to serve the crown in whatever way is demanded of her. When the current king is murdered, a Esme is forced to carry out his will and chose who will be the next man to hold her leash.
I found A Viper Among Kings to be a delight to read. The characters were well rounded and delightfully flawed, and the plot.... THE PLOT!!! The reader is given just enough that you feel like you are beginning to understand what is going on, but not enough to give you any sense of satisfaction, forcing further reading. Some of the plot points were not touched on as much as I would like, but I have faith that they will be thoroughly explored in the next books in this series.
This book would be great for fans of queer fantasy, and gave me kind-of Throne of Glass (the first book, not the series) vibes, which I really enjoyed. Overall 5/5 stars. Thank you to Daphne Press for providing A Viper Among Kings for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I found A Viper Among Kings to be a delight to read. The characters were well rounded and delightfully flawed, and the plot.... THE PLOT!!! The reader is given just enough that you feel like you are beginning to understand what is going on, but not enough to give you any sense of satisfaction, forcing further reading. Some of the plot points were not touched on as much as I would like, but I have faith that they will be thoroughly explored in the next books in this series.
This book would be great for fans of queer fantasy, and gave me kind-of Throne of Glass (the first book, not the series) vibes, which I really enjoyed. Overall 5/5 stars. Thank you to Daphne Press for providing A Viper Among Kings for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 2, 2026
3.5 stars
Thank you to Daphne Press and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a fascinating book full of interesting, layered characters and a great plot that kept me hooked.
I loved the concept of Magic as a being. I definitely need to know more about Magic and Voids in the future of this series. This book tells you enough to intrigue you but nowhere near enough to have any answers and it’s very cleverly done.
Esme and her wraith siblings were all really interesting characters and I loved getting to know them, especially Esme and Urias. And I thought Bal, Janos, Mina and Simon were intriguing as well. The relationships between them all were great and I loved the way Esme loved each of them differently. But to be honest, I didn’t end up connecting with them on an emotional level which left some scenes that should have had me tearing up at the very least feeling a little hollow.
That being said, I think the writing here is fantastic and I will definitely be picking up book 2.
Thank you to Daphne Press and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a fascinating book full of interesting, layered characters and a great plot that kept me hooked.
I loved the concept of Magic as a being. I definitely need to know more about Magic and Voids in the future of this series. This book tells you enough to intrigue you but nowhere near enough to have any answers and it’s very cleverly done.
Esme and her wraith siblings were all really interesting characters and I loved getting to know them, especially Esme and Urias. And I thought Bal, Janos, Mina and Simon were intriguing as well. The relationships between them all were great and I loved the way Esme loved each of them differently. But to be honest, I didn’t end up connecting with them on an emotional level which left some scenes that should have had me tearing up at the very least feeling a little hollow.
That being said, I think the writing here is fantastic and I will definitely be picking up book 2.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
The city of Amaris is on the knife’s edge of anarchy: its violent and chaotic way of life makes it the perfect target for Magic, desperate to wreak havoc and drive humanity mad in the process. Amaris is pushed over this edge when their king is suddenly murdered in his sleep, and a magical will written by a long-deceased ruler forces their successor to be one of two (seemingly random) heirs that must compete in a series of three trials to be crowned the victor.
The seven Wraiths of the now-deceased king have been magically bound to his family for generations, forced to pillage and kill on the orders of the man that stole them from their homelands. Though Esme, one of the strongest wraiths, has been forced to do unspeakable things, she has also managed to carve out a secret life for herself with her wife, Mina, and her young daughter. Now, with the king’s death, she and her fellow Wraiths see an opportunity to seek happiness and free themselves of their shackles forever. Though Esme tries to tip the trial scales in favor of the heroic General Balthazar, others (including Esme’s closest friends) are doing the same for the alternative competitor, Janos Rivel. As alliances shift and secrets are uncovered, Amaris tip-toes closer and closer to the edge of no return - and the Wraiths quickly realize that perhaps it is Magic that has been in control this whole time.
A Viper Among Kings is the first in an epic fantasy trilogy. My thoughts on various aspects of the story are given below.
*World-building/Plot: The world-building (or, more appropriately, worlds-building) by Sydney Olivia was incredible. She crafted a sprawling universe filled with many different people (or magical beings), political systems, and cultures, and skillfully wove them into the story in an entirely organic way, without forcing the reader to go through pages and pages of burdensome info-dumping. There is a developed history fleshed out between these nations, and it all serves to drive the main plot of choosing the king’s successor (and ups the stakes in unexpected ways). The sentient magic system was also fascinating, and I cannot wait to see more of it in the next book of the series.
*Character Development: Though there was an extensive fantasy world in A Viper Among Kings, there was also a ton of emotional depth, which I loved. The Wraiths were easily the most compelling characters, and you really felt for them and their struggles to free themselves of their Bond. Though most of the story was from Esme’s POV, there were chapters throughout from other character’s viewpoints that really helped to advance the story along and provide additional details into their inner workings. In my opinion, this was the highlight of the book - this structure did a fantastic job of showing that “there are no bad people, only bad choices”.
Though I greatly enjoyed the poly rep, I do wish Esme’s dealings with some of the characters were handled a bit differently. Though we are told (repeatedly) that her relationship with her wife, Mina, is her absolute top priority, they spend very little time together, which was a bit unsatisfying. This was especially unsatisfying when so much of her on-page romance was devoted to General Balthazar (with Mina on the sidelines) - I really didn’t feel their connection and was getting frustrated with Esme’s constant mooning over him (though, based on the ending of the book, I might be proven wrong in the next book). I’d really love it if the next installment included more POV chapters from different characters, and spent more time on the friendships and histories between the various Wraiths.
*Pacing/Writing Style: The pacing was definitely on the slower side, and there weren’t a ton of twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. It was stylistically more of a “breadcrumbs” situation, where a tiny nugget of information would get mentioned and then it would become important 100 pages later - which I appreciate, but that style might not be for everyone. Because of this, there were probably some parts that could be cut in further edits, as things were slow enough that I was almost starting to forget some vital pieces of world-building (because it was so long between those details becoming relevant). However, I absolutely adored Sydney Olivia’s writing style - it was the perfect blend of dry, irreverent humor mixed with deeply emotional moments and high-stakes drama. It reminded me of Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils, which is another epic fantasy book I really enjoyed.
A Viper Among Kings was an incredibly strong debut by Sydney Olivia. Though it seems like the book is mostly being marked by these short, social media-friendly descriptions (poly rep! girlboss!), it’s so, so much more than that. The extensive world-building and strong cast of characters make this a perfect read for anyone looking to dive into a refreshingly unique, high-stakes fantasy universe. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The city of Amaris is on the knife’s edge of anarchy: its violent and chaotic way of life makes it the perfect target for Magic, desperate to wreak havoc and drive humanity mad in the process. Amaris is pushed over this edge when their king is suddenly murdered in his sleep, and a magical will written by a long-deceased ruler forces their successor to be one of two (seemingly random) heirs that must compete in a series of three trials to be crowned the victor.
The seven Wraiths of the now-deceased king have been magically bound to his family for generations, forced to pillage and kill on the orders of the man that stole them from their homelands. Though Esme, one of the strongest wraiths, has been forced to do unspeakable things, she has also managed to carve out a secret life for herself with her wife, Mina, and her young daughter. Now, with the king’s death, she and her fellow Wraiths see an opportunity to seek happiness and free themselves of their shackles forever. Though Esme tries to tip the trial scales in favor of the heroic General Balthazar, others (including Esme’s closest friends) are doing the same for the alternative competitor, Janos Rivel. As alliances shift and secrets are uncovered, Amaris tip-toes closer and closer to the edge of no return - and the Wraiths quickly realize that perhaps it is Magic that has been in control this whole time.
A Viper Among Kings is the first in an epic fantasy trilogy. My thoughts on various aspects of the story are given below.
*World-building/Plot: The world-building (or, more appropriately, worlds-building) by Sydney Olivia was incredible. She crafted a sprawling universe filled with many different people (or magical beings), political systems, and cultures, and skillfully wove them into the story in an entirely organic way, without forcing the reader to go through pages and pages of burdensome info-dumping. There is a developed history fleshed out between these nations, and it all serves to drive the main plot of choosing the king’s successor (and ups the stakes in unexpected ways). The sentient magic system was also fascinating, and I cannot wait to see more of it in the next book of the series.
*Character Development: Though there was an extensive fantasy world in A Viper Among Kings, there was also a ton of emotional depth, which I loved. The Wraiths were easily the most compelling characters, and you really felt for them and their struggles to free themselves of their Bond. Though most of the story was from Esme’s POV, there were chapters throughout from other character’s viewpoints that really helped to advance the story along and provide additional details into their inner workings. In my opinion, this was the highlight of the book - this structure did a fantastic job of showing that “there are no bad people, only bad choices”.
Though I greatly enjoyed the poly rep, I do wish Esme’s dealings with some of the characters were handled a bit differently. Though we are told (repeatedly) that her relationship with her wife, Mina, is her absolute top priority, they spend very little time together, which was a bit unsatisfying. This was especially unsatisfying when so much of her on-page romance was devoted to General Balthazar (with Mina on the sidelines) - I really didn’t feel their connection and was getting frustrated with Esme’s constant mooning over him (though, based on the ending of the book, I might be proven wrong in the next book). I’d really love it if the next installment included more POV chapters from different characters, and spent more time on the friendships and histories between the various Wraiths.
*Pacing/Writing Style: The pacing was definitely on the slower side, and there weren’t a ton of twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. It was stylistically more of a “breadcrumbs” situation, where a tiny nugget of information would get mentioned and then it would become important 100 pages later - which I appreciate, but that style might not be for everyone. Because of this, there were probably some parts that could be cut in further edits, as things were slow enough that I was almost starting to forget some vital pieces of world-building (because it was so long between those details becoming relevant). However, I absolutely adored Sydney Olivia’s writing style - it was the perfect blend of dry, irreverent humor mixed with deeply emotional moments and high-stakes drama. It reminded me of Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils, which is another epic fantasy book I really enjoyed.
A Viper Among Kings was an incredibly strong debut by Sydney Olivia. Though it seems like the book is mostly being marked by these short, social media-friendly descriptions (poly rep! girlboss!), it’s so, so much more than that. The extensive world-building and strong cast of characters make this a perfect read for anyone looking to dive into a refreshingly unique, high-stakes fantasy universe. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC for review.
A Viper Among Kings follows Esme, a Wraith who lives under the employ/magical bond of the throne of Amaris. Our story kicks off when the current king is murdered, and the widowed queen and Esme & the other Wraiths are bound to conduct a set of trials to choose between two potential kings who were designated thirty years prior, before the death of the deceased king's father. This book is more about interpersonal and political maneuvering than the trials themselves, but it's engaging, the type of book where it's easy to "one more chapter" yourself out of a large swath of an afternoon.
Sydney Olivia's world building is really interesting, and the concept/entity of Magic in this world felt unique. It reminded me a tiny bit of "Black London" influence in A Darker Shade of Magic but with more focus on chaos and revelry. The Wraiths had a really interesting lore, and it was so fresh to have a recent upheaval; the city/kingdom has only been in existence under this kingly rule for a few decades, and the Wraiths have been there for all of it. I feel like so often in fantasy, we are talking in swaths of hundreds of years, so this felt so refreshing to have a small history to deal with.
There were a few things that just didn't quite work for me. Early on, there was a lot of snarky and kind of modern language in the narration, some of it a bit vulgar, and I had a hard time pinning down who Emse really is. It's a brand of snark/humor that just doesn't totally work for me in writing, but I think it will definitely find its audience (or others just won't mind as much as me). This did decline further into the book (probably ~30%), if that's a concern.
I think that largely, there are just a lot of things that were set up and didn't get satisfactorily resolved. It wasn't something I was super upset about, but in reflecting on the book afterward, there were just a lot of loose ends or odd bits: the king is murdered and everyone is concerned with the new-king-trials and not at all with figuring out who killed the king? the queen's bauble? the missing void? the unnamed (and later named) man... are they gonna bone? was there significance to the two potential kings being the same age? was there significance to all the heart-removing/slicing (Esme's assassination at the beginning; the king's death; the only way to kill a Wraith)? There was just a lot that felt too open-ended, when the end of the book seemed to be setting up a sequel that would be all forward momentum, uninterested in looking back and answering some of these questions or resolving some of these points. I think some of the plot and details could have been streamlined and A Viper Among Kings could be 50-100 pages shorter, and it would be a much punchier book.
Overall, I think this book was just fine for me. I would read book two if I got an ARC, or if I got a library copy. If you are a fan of The Raven Scholar, this should be up your alley, if you want it with a little flavoring of like... A Darker Shade of Magic or Silvercloak (based on city and magic vibes alone).
I also noticed that the NetGalley pub date for this changed. Goodreads still has it listed with a Aug 25, 2026 release date, but NetGalley changed the date to Jan 27, 2027. I hope that if this is delayed, it means that it may get another bit of editing and the digital copy will be improved (the typesetting errors in the epub were plentiful, though there were basically no typos which was nice!).
I think this gets 3 stars on goodreads but a bump to 3.5 for storygraph.
A Viper Among Kings follows Esme, a Wraith who lives under the employ/magical bond of the throne of Amaris. Our story kicks off when the current king is murdered, and the widowed queen and Esme & the other Wraiths are bound to conduct a set of trials to choose between two potential kings who were designated thirty years prior, before the death of the deceased king's father. This book is more about interpersonal and political maneuvering than the trials themselves, but it's engaging, the type of book where it's easy to "one more chapter" yourself out of a large swath of an afternoon.
Sydney Olivia's world building is really interesting, and the concept/entity of Magic in this world felt unique. It reminded me a tiny bit of "Black London" influence in A Darker Shade of Magic but with more focus on chaos and revelry. The Wraiths had a really interesting lore, and it was so fresh to have a recent upheaval; the city/kingdom has only been in existence under this kingly rule for a few decades, and the Wraiths have been there for all of it. I feel like so often in fantasy, we are talking in swaths of hundreds of years, so this felt so refreshing to have a small history to deal with.
There were a few things that just didn't quite work for me. Early on, there was a lot of snarky and kind of modern language in the narration, some of it a bit vulgar, and I had a hard time pinning down who Emse really is. It's a brand of snark/humor that just doesn't totally work for me in writing, but I think it will definitely find its audience (or others just won't mind as much as me). This did decline further into the book (probably ~30%), if that's a concern.
I think that largely, there are just a lot of things that were set up and didn't get satisfactorily resolved. It wasn't something I was super upset about, but in reflecting on the book afterward, there were just a lot of loose ends or odd bits: the king is murdered and everyone is concerned with the new-king-trials and not at all with figuring out who killed the king? the queen's bauble? the missing void? the unnamed (and later named) man... are they gonna bone? was there significance to the two potential kings being the same age? was there significance to all the heart-removing/slicing (Esme's assassination at the beginning; the king's death; the only way to kill a Wraith)? There was just a lot that felt too open-ended, when the end of the book seemed to be setting up a sequel that would be all forward momentum, uninterested in looking back and answering some of these questions or resolving some of these points. I think some of the plot and details could have been streamlined and A Viper Among Kings could be 50-100 pages shorter, and it would be a much punchier book.
Overall, I think this book was just fine for me. I would read book two if I got an ARC, or if I got a library copy. If you are a fan of The Raven Scholar, this should be up your alley, if you want it with a little flavoring of like... A Darker Shade of Magic or Silvercloak (based on city and magic vibes alone).
I also noticed that the NetGalley pub date for this changed. Goodreads still has it listed with a Aug 25, 2026 release date, but NetGalley changed the date to Jan 27, 2027. I hope that if this is delayed, it means that it may get another bit of editing and the digital copy will be improved (the typesetting errors in the epub were plentiful, though there were basically no typos which was nice!).
I think this gets 3 stars on goodreads but a bump to 3.5 for storygraph.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At the beginning, I found the comparison to A Darker Shade of Magic apt, as magic is described as an oil slick like essence, filling the city, and able to possess people. The writing, however, is not as charming as that of the Shades of Magic trilogy; the tone of this book is dark immediately, and the narration flippant. I would compare this aspect to Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils, which I also found discordant. (e.g., “Undying didn’t wash your clothes.”)
While the descriptions of the city are vibrant, there is a lot of telling instead of showing. At around 39% percent I wanted to skim pages of description without any dialogue. However, after the second trial I raced through most of the rest of the book. The narrative definitely picks up once the nameless man returns.
I found some of the modern verbiage jarring--there is a paragraph in chapter 2, 7% in, that references one spouse being a breadwinner and the other the bread distributor. See also: “sperm-splurt,” “shit show,” “shag,” “Because yesterday.” Almost the exact same line about Mina and Esme loving each other but sharing their bodies with others is repeated within the first 9%. I very much appreciated the queernorm world and emphasis on chosen family, however, the latter is undercut by the emphasis on one of the Wraiths’ betrayal, and the flippant narration (e.g., “Couples (and throuples and fourouples) enjoyed each other openly…”) I don’t think the cover conveys the modern language used, nor the modern concerns depicted (immigration, overconsumption, etc.) I predict there will be mixed reviews on the queer relationships depicted, particularly the poly ones. I personally felt we were told rather than shown Esme’s love for Mina, in contrast to her strong lust for Bal, and the intense chemistry she had with Simon.
Despite this, or perhaps because of it, I found this book to be a quick and easy read. It held my attention and kept me wanting to know what would happen, though I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed it. There was a scene around 85% that made me sick to my stomach in terms of the gore.
Trigger warnings for violence and gore, misogyny, racism, torture, body horror, xenophobia.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Daphne Press for my free e-ARC! It has not affected my honest review.
While the descriptions of the city are vibrant, there is a lot of telling instead of showing. At around 39% percent I wanted to skim pages of description without any dialogue. However, after the second trial I raced through most of the rest of the book. The narrative definitely picks up once the nameless man returns.
I found some of the modern verbiage jarring--there is a paragraph in chapter 2, 7% in, that references one spouse being a breadwinner and the other the bread distributor. See also: “sperm-splurt,” “shit show,” “shag,” “Because yesterday.” Almost the exact same line about Mina and Esme loving each other but sharing their bodies with others is repeated within the first 9%. I very much appreciated the queernorm world and emphasis on chosen family, however, the latter is undercut by the emphasis on one of the Wraiths’ betrayal, and the flippant narration (e.g., “Couples (and throuples and fourouples) enjoyed each other openly…”) I don’t think the cover conveys the modern language used, nor the modern concerns depicted (immigration, overconsumption, etc.) I predict there will be mixed reviews on the queer relationships depicted, particularly the poly ones. I personally felt we were told rather than shown Esme’s love for Mina, in contrast to her strong lust for Bal, and the intense chemistry she had with Simon.
Despite this, or perhaps because of it, I found this book to be a quick and easy read. It held my attention and kept me wanting to know what would happen, though I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed it. There was a scene around 85% that made me sick to my stomach in terms of the gore.
Trigger warnings for violence and gore, misogyny, racism, torture, body horror, xenophobia.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Daphne Press for my free e-ARC! It has not affected my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read and review!
I DNF'd around 20% in.
The prologue was interesting and it did hook me. There was an intriguing murder mystery and some good foundations to build the world up from (although I will say, I found the sentient Magic extremely annoying). Unfortunately, that all fell apart pretty much as soon as the main character Esme's POV took over.
Esme is a Wraith, one of seven old, magical beings bound in service to the city's ruler and forced to terrorize and murder on behalf of the crown. But Esme's characterization is so inconsistent it's hard to take anything seriously. We're supposed to be horrified by her bloody work, but she jokes about it with her wife; she rides around on a shadow horse terrorizing people for fun, but is then upset when they don't like her; we're supposed to believe the Wraiths are ancient, enslaved people, but they banter like they're in a college AU fanfic. And while it's nice that the author made her Wraiths diverse, the long info-dumping on all of their physical features and past romantic entanglements is both an awkward way to do it and a bit meaningless without in-world context for their cultures and histories. The result was that they were all completely unmemorable and I could not tell any of them apart.
Which brings me to the worldbuilding, which is similarly flimsy. The author tries really hard have her society emulate American capitalism (even though there is monarchical rule?) and she does this by constantly making reference to what are real-world injustices transplanted into her fantasy city. However, there are no in-world explanations for any of these issues, or why Esme knows or cares about them, or what any of it has to do with the plot. The result is that it all feels wildly out of place, and the novel has nothing to actually say about the people it keeps bringing up.
Altogether, this has an interesting setup but imo needed a LOT more revising before getting picked up for publication.
I DNF'd around 20% in.
The prologue was interesting and it did hook me. There was an intriguing murder mystery and some good foundations to build the world up from (although I will say, I found the sentient Magic extremely annoying). Unfortunately, that all fell apart pretty much as soon as the main character Esme's POV took over.
Esme is a Wraith, one of seven old, magical beings bound in service to the city's ruler and forced to terrorize and murder on behalf of the crown. But Esme's characterization is so inconsistent it's hard to take anything seriously. We're supposed to be horrified by her bloody work, but she jokes about it with her wife; she rides around on a shadow horse terrorizing people for fun, but is then upset when they don't like her; we're supposed to believe the Wraiths are ancient, enslaved people, but they banter like they're in a college AU fanfic. And while it's nice that the author made her Wraiths diverse, the long info-dumping on all of their physical features and past romantic entanglements is both an awkward way to do it and a bit meaningless without in-world context for their cultures and histories. The result was that they were all completely unmemorable and I could not tell any of them apart.
Which brings me to the worldbuilding, which is similarly flimsy. The author tries really hard have her society emulate American capitalism (even though there is monarchical rule?) and she does this by constantly making reference to what are real-world injustices transplanted into her fantasy city. However, there are no in-world explanations for any of these issues, or why Esme knows or cares about them, or what any of it has to do with the plot. The result is that it all feels wildly out of place, and the novel has nothing to actually say about the people it keeps bringing up.
Altogether, this has an interesting setup but imo needed a LOT more revising before getting picked up for publication.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks, I hate it.
This reads like bad YA: the language and sentence structure etc are really simple, it’s real big on tell-don’t-show, and the main character (who is many centuries old remember) talks like an annoying modern teenager, complete with her rolling her eyes every other paragraph.
Quotes taken from my review copy, so they may or may not be the same in the published edition come release day.
I absolutely despise this kind of humor, and even moreso I hate the kind of people/ characters who think it’s funny. This was the moment I knew I was going to DNF, because I have no interest in following a protagonist like this.
The writing is full of modernisms – ‘sex dungeon’, ‘you wish’, ‘tits’, etc – which I always hate in not-modern settings. There are wonky lines like
where the subject of the sentence isn’t clear (is the raven-headed monarch on the card or the jacket?) and idiocies like
‘caus sure, people would have sex on a mirror, no one would worry about it breaking under them and stabbing them with shards – never mind how expensive mirrors were in pre-modern settings, and that no one would risk breaking something that expensive.
And don’t get me started about how boring the sentient magic is – there’s nothing strange or eldritch about it, it’s just a vicious little goblin, completely uninteresting.
Thanks but no thanks, hard pass.
This reads like bad YA: the language and sentence structure etc are really simple, it’s real big on tell-don’t-show, and the main character (who is many centuries old remember) talks like an annoying modern teenager, complete with her rolling her eyes every other paragraph.
Quotes taken from my review copy, so they may or may not be the same in the published edition come release day.
“Was that so hard?”
Nathan shook his head.
“Exactly. Truth is easier than deceit, Nathan. You’ll be good to remember that.”
He nodded.
“Now, truthfully, I’m going to kill you.”
I absolutely despise this kind of humor, and even moreso I hate the kind of people/ characters who think it’s funny. This was the moment I knew I was going to DNF, because I have no interest in following a protagonist like this.
The writing is full of modernisms – ‘sex dungeon’, ‘you wish’, ‘tits’, etc – which I always hate in not-modern settings. There are wonky lines like
pulling a playing card from the pocket of his colorfully patched jacket that depicted a monarch with the head of a raven.
where the subject of the sentence isn’t clear (is the raven-headed monarch on the card or the jacket?) and idiocies like
two people having a lovely night on top of a display table. And on that display table, groaning under their combined weight, was the shop’s only mirror.
‘caus sure, people would have sex on a mirror, no one would worry about it breaking under them and stabbing them with shards – never mind how expensive mirrors were in pre-modern settings, and that no one would risk breaking something that expensive.
And don’t get me started about how boring the sentient magic is – there’s nothing strange or eldritch about it, it’s just a vicious little goblin, completely uninteresting.
Thanks but no thanks, hard pass.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review – A Viper Among Kings by Sydney Olivia
Rating: 3.75 stars⭐
A Viper Among Kings is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that intrigued me in with its worldbuilding and its bold choice to treat Magic as a sentient force rather than just a system. Esme, an immortal Wraith bound to a tyrant king, finally sees a chance at freedom when the throne becomes vacant, and from there the story unfolds with tension, lore, and a constant sense of something ancient moving beneath the surface.
The strongest part of the book for me was the world itself. The Wraiths carry centuries of history, resentment, and complicated loyalty, and that weight is felt in every interaction. The concept of the Voids and the mysterious nature of Magic were genuinely intriguing; the book gives you just enough to keep you hooked while holding back the bigger answers for later in the series. It’s clever, and it works. Another strong part of the story
belonged to the nameless man searching for his wife. His chapters were emotional, warm, and quietly devastating in the best way. He felt the most grounded and human, and I found myself looking forward to every scene he appeared in. I’m absolutely hoping he plays an even bigger role in the sequel.
Where the book wavered a bit for me was in the romance. Some of the romantic beats felt rushed, especially compared to the emotional weight they were meant to carry. Esme’s relationship with Mina is repeatedly framed as her top priority, yet they spend very little time together on the page, which made their bond feel more told than shown. Meanwhile, the dynamic with General Balthazar took up a lot of space, but I never fully felt the connection there. Based on the ending, though, I suspect the next book may recontextualize some of this.
Overall, A Viper Among Kings is a promising start to a series with huge potential. The lore is rich, the atmosphere is immersive, and the characters, especially the Wraiths, have so much depth left to explore. I’d love to see future installments include more POV variety and spend more time on the friendships and tangled histories within the Wraiths.
A strong beginning with a world I’m eager to return to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.75 stars⭐
A Viper Among Kings is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that intrigued me in with its worldbuilding and its bold choice to treat Magic as a sentient force rather than just a system. Esme, an immortal Wraith bound to a tyrant king, finally sees a chance at freedom when the throne becomes vacant, and from there the story unfolds with tension, lore, and a constant sense of something ancient moving beneath the surface.
The strongest part of the book for me was the world itself. The Wraiths carry centuries of history, resentment, and complicated loyalty, and that weight is felt in every interaction. The concept of the Voids and the mysterious nature of Magic were genuinely intriguing; the book gives you just enough to keep you hooked while holding back the bigger answers for later in the series. It’s clever, and it works. Another strong part of the story
belonged to the nameless man searching for his wife. His chapters were emotional, warm, and quietly devastating in the best way. He felt the most grounded and human, and I found myself looking forward to every scene he appeared in. I’m absolutely hoping he plays an even bigger role in the sequel.
Where the book wavered a bit for me was in the romance. Some of the romantic beats felt rushed, especially compared to the emotional weight they were meant to carry. Esme’s relationship with Mina is repeatedly framed as her top priority, yet they spend very little time together on the page, which made their bond feel more told than shown. Meanwhile, the dynamic with General Balthazar took up a lot of space, but I never fully felt the connection there. Based on the ending, though, I suspect the next book may recontextualize some of this.
Overall, A Viper Among Kings is a promising start to a series with huge potential. The lore is rich, the atmosphere is immersive, and the characters, especially the Wraiths, have so much depth left to explore. I’d love to see future installments include more POV variety and spend more time on the friendships and tangled histories within the Wraiths.
A strong beginning with a world I’m eager to return to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Let me set the scene: Chronically anxious weirdo that I am, I arrived twenty minutes early for a date. Oh no, extra time to read. I pull out my next book, A Viper Among Kings. When I tell you I was praying I’d be stood up by the end of the prologue, I’m not kidding.
There won’t be a sequel to that date, but I NEED the sequel to this book.
A Viper Among Kings does what I think fantasy does best: it mirrors themes and issues in our world, placing them in a unique setting. The distance created by a fantasy setting allows us to reflect more easily on these important themes. Think Samuel R. Delany’s Tales of Nevèrÿon.
My MA dissertation was on cultural trauma in literature, so a lot of the themes in this book were ones that hit home. I want to be clear that in no way to the themes overshadow the plot or the world-building. They’re masterfully woven into both so as to fit seamlessly with Esme’s story.
The world-building is phenomenal, and I’m so intrigued by the sentient magic that has infiltrated the city of Amaris. While the book is heavy on world-building, it’s so well-developed and unique that I think anyone who appreciates good world-building will love it.
Esme is the one and only shadow mommy; she gets stuff done. She’s diabolically funny, especially in her cutting observations of others. Yet it’s the moments in which she is most fundamentally human that made me fell in love with her. The depiction of her grief and reaction to the grief of other’s around her were heart wrenching.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. One minute a crow will be making you laugh, the next you’re horrified by the cruelty of this world. Yet, just as the characters make the world bearable for one another, so they make it bearable for the reader. Walking through this story with Esme, you confront ugly realities, yet know that she is there holding your hand.
Thank you so, so much to Daphne Press for an ARC of this book!
There won’t be a sequel to that date, but I NEED the sequel to this book.
A Viper Among Kings does what I think fantasy does best: it mirrors themes and issues in our world, placing them in a unique setting. The distance created by a fantasy setting allows us to reflect more easily on these important themes. Think Samuel R. Delany’s Tales of Nevèrÿon.
My MA dissertation was on cultural trauma in literature, so a lot of the themes in this book were ones that hit home. I want to be clear that in no way to the themes overshadow the plot or the world-building. They’re masterfully woven into both so as to fit seamlessly with Esme’s story.
The world-building is phenomenal, and I’m so intrigued by the sentient magic that has infiltrated the city of Amaris. While the book is heavy on world-building, it’s so well-developed and unique that I think anyone who appreciates good world-building will love it.
Esme is the one and only shadow mommy; she gets stuff done. She’s diabolically funny, especially in her cutting observations of others. Yet it’s the moments in which she is most fundamentally human that made me fell in love with her. The depiction of her grief and reaction to the grief of other’s around her were heart wrenching.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. One minute a crow will be making you laugh, the next you’re horrified by the cruelty of this world. Yet, just as the characters make the world bearable for one another, so they make it bearable for the reader. Walking through this story with Esme, you confront ugly realities, yet know that she is there holding your hand.
Thank you so, so much to Daphne Press for an ARC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Viper Among Kings is my favourite kind of novel: the ‘onion novel’. These novels can be defined in a certain way, but when you start reading them, you realise they have so many diverse and complex layers.
If I had to use one word to describe A Viper Among Kings, it would undoubtedly be ‘complex’. It would also be funny, endearing, romantic, gory, dark, epic, mysterious, surprising, and so much more. I find it very challenging to balance all these elements and make them work together. The author’s ability to craft a story full of ‘found family’ moments that coexist with some of the harshest scenes I’ve read this year is magic.
That said, the novel doesn’t quite take off, mainly because it’s very chaotic in places, or focuses too much on the action when there are moments where the characters need to breathe and strengthen their relationships; there are a couple of relationships that appear rather suddenly without much build-up, and I would have liked to see them developed further. Other parts become repetitive, especially at the beginning of the novel, taking up pages that could have been used for other developments.
Some narrative choices are far too obvious, others are completely overlooked and feel out of place, and others seem like deus ex machina. We mustn’t forget that this is a debut novel, and although it isn’t perfect, I think it’s bold and ambitious. The characters are brilliant, and you find yourself wanting to know more about the lore. The foundations are wonderful, the execution not so much. Even so, I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.
So thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read the e-arc in exchange for a review!
If I had to use one word to describe A Viper Among Kings, it would undoubtedly be ‘complex’. It would also be funny, endearing, romantic, gory, dark, epic, mysterious, surprising, and so much more. I find it very challenging to balance all these elements and make them work together. The author’s ability to craft a story full of ‘found family’ moments that coexist with some of the harshest scenes I’ve read this year is magic.
That said, the novel doesn’t quite take off, mainly because it’s very chaotic in places, or focuses too much on the action when there are moments where the characters need to breathe and strengthen their relationships; there are a couple of relationships that appear rather suddenly without much build-up, and I would have liked to see them developed further. Other parts become repetitive, especially at the beginning of the novel, taking up pages that could have been used for other developments.
Some narrative choices are far too obvious, others are completely overlooked and feel out of place, and others seem like deus ex machina. We mustn’t forget that this is a debut novel, and although it isn’t perfect, I think it’s bold and ambitious. The characters are brilliant, and you find yourself wanting to know more about the lore. The foundations are wonderful, the execution not so much. Even so, I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.
So thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read the e-arc in exchange for a review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the city of Amaris, magic can only be wielded safely by the Wraiths - seven immortal beings bound to serve the tyrannical King Turiel Asterou. When the king is murdered, notorious Wraith Esme sets out to influence the outcome of the succession trials in favour of honourable General Balthazar in order to protect her family. As the trials unfold however, she finds herself increasingly drawn to him….
I was immediately sold by the comparison to The Raven Scholar meets A Darker Shade of Magic - that's a top-tier combination for me all day long!
The premise of A Viper Among Kings is genuinely intriguing, and there are plenty of interesting ideas here. I really liked and appreciated the diversity representation in the cast of characters. Unfortunately for whatever reason, this one just didn't quite click with me. The writing itself isn't bad at all, but I struggled to fully immerse myself in the world. I felt there was a little too much explanation early on, with a lot of background information being delivered upfront and repeated. For me it either needed to be more concise or woven more naturally into the story as it progressed.
I also found Esme quite immature at the beginning, and her banter didn't really land for me, which made it harder to connect with her character.
Overall while there were elements I appreciated, the book never fully grabbed me. It didn't quite have the spark that made the books it's compared to so memorable for me.
That being said if you enjoy epic fantasy do give it a try - it wasn’t quite the right fit for me but I can definitely see the potential for others to enjoy it more!
Many thanks to Daphne Press and NetGalley for the arc.
I was immediately sold by the comparison to The Raven Scholar meets A Darker Shade of Magic - that's a top-tier combination for me all day long!
The premise of A Viper Among Kings is genuinely intriguing, and there are plenty of interesting ideas here. I really liked and appreciated the diversity representation in the cast of characters. Unfortunately for whatever reason, this one just didn't quite click with me. The writing itself isn't bad at all, but I struggled to fully immerse myself in the world. I felt there was a little too much explanation early on, with a lot of background information being delivered upfront and repeated. For me it either needed to be more concise or woven more naturally into the story as it progressed.
I also found Esme quite immature at the beginning, and her banter didn't really land for me, which made it harder to connect with her character.
Overall while there were elements I appreciated, the book never fully grabbed me. It didn't quite have the spark that made the books it's compared to so memorable for me.
That being said if you enjoy epic fantasy do give it a try - it wasn’t quite the right fit for me but I can definitely see the potential for others to enjoy it more!
Many thanks to Daphne Press and NetGalley for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Viper Among Kings by Sydney Olivia is one of those rich, complex fantasy stories that start off making very little sense, but if you trust the process and stick with it, the world slowly comes into focus. It takes time to learn the names, customs, history, and braided stories that dance across decades and centuries and beyond.
The main character, Esme, is a dark, powerful, intriguing, polyamorous Wraith. Esme is one of seven Wraiths enslaved to the royal line of their world. All of the Wraiths were interesting and compelling, and I especially loved the complexity of their relationships spanning eons.
The most compelling character and subplot belonged to the nameless man in search of his wife. As his story developed, he became my favorite, by far. I fell in love with his warmth (literal and figurative) and loyalty to someone lost.
Magic, in this realm, is a sly, cunning thing that the unwise covet and the discerning avoid, but sometimes the thing you know will hurt is the very thing you need to draw from - this tension is woven throughout A Viper Among Kings. Many questions remain unanswered as it's the first in a trilogy, and I want so badly for the main story of power and love to involve the man without a name.
Beyond the realm of the story, Olivia explores themes of imperialism, capitalism, greed, classism, xenophobia, and the violence inherent in worlds built on domination, subjugation, exploited labor, and patriarchy. Cannot wait for future installments.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the advanced reader copy.
The main character, Esme, is a dark, powerful, intriguing, polyamorous Wraith. Esme is one of seven Wraiths enslaved to the royal line of their world. All of the Wraiths were interesting and compelling, and I especially loved the complexity of their relationships spanning eons.
The most compelling character and subplot belonged to the nameless man in search of his wife. As his story developed, he became my favorite, by far. I fell in love with his warmth (literal and figurative) and loyalty to someone lost.
Magic, in this realm, is a sly, cunning thing that the unwise covet and the discerning avoid, but sometimes the thing you know will hurt is the very thing you need to draw from - this tension is woven throughout A Viper Among Kings. Many questions remain unanswered as it's the first in a trilogy, and I want so badly for the main story of power and love to involve the man without a name.
Beyond the realm of the story, Olivia explores themes of imperialism, capitalism, greed, classism, xenophobia, and the violence inherent in worlds built on domination, subjugation, exploited labor, and patriarchy. Cannot wait for future installments.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I tried to like this book, but I had a really hard time with it. While I liked some of the humor of the story, there were a lot of things that I didn't like. One of the good things was a decent attempt at story building, but we didn't have nearly as much as I would have liked for a fantasy novel.
A thing that I absolutely loved was the prologue of the novel. Like others, I immediately got sucked into the book because of how well written that part was. I was hooked, and I wanted to know more about that character right then and there. The second it moves to the MC's POV was when it started to fall off fast.
One of the things that was a bit much was that all of the characters acted like they were teenagers - mostly horny ones. For beings that are immortal and have lived extremely long lives already, I would imagine they would act a bit more mature. But, the entire time, all of their quips and interactions were just teenager-esque. I felt like I was reading a YA novel instead of an adult.
The second thing that became too much was the main character, Esme, but just being rude and selfish. The whole time she's acting superior than everyone else, but then gets annoyed when people don't like her. At one point in the beginning she states that when she rides her horse, she specifically messes with people on the streets to make them scream. This would be fine...if she wasn't worried about people. A lot of other times it's just about her and her wants, nothing for anyone else.
I wished I had liked this book more.
A thing that I absolutely loved was the prologue of the novel. Like others, I immediately got sucked into the book because of how well written that part was. I was hooked, and I wanted to know more about that character right then and there. The second it moves to the MC's POV was when it started to fall off fast.
One of the things that was a bit much was that all of the characters acted like they were teenagers - mostly horny ones. For beings that are immortal and have lived extremely long lives already, I would imagine they would act a bit more mature. But, the entire time, all of their quips and interactions were just teenager-esque. I felt like I was reading a YA novel instead of an adult.
The second thing that became too much was the main character, Esme, but just being rude and selfish. The whole time she's acting superior than everyone else, but then gets annoyed when people don't like her. At one point in the beginning she states that when she rides her horse, she specifically messes with people on the streets to make them scream. This would be fine...if she wasn't worried about people. A lot of other times it's just about her and her wants, nothing for anyone else.
I wished I had liked this book more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Viper Among Kings by Sydney Olivia follows Esme, an immortal being who controls shadow magic and is bound to serve a tyrant king. Alongside her family of immortals known as the Wraiths, she sees a chance at freedom when the king dies, and a new ruler must be chosen.
I was hooked from the first chapter. The pacing moves quickly, and there’s enough world-building without feeling overwhelming. Instead of info-dumping, we’re given glimpses of other worlds and characters when it feels natural to the story, which kept me curious. It also becomes clear that everyone is capable of monstrous things, even the ones you think are “good.” In my opinion, the best stories always explore that.
I loved the Wraiths. Despite being immortal, they feel deeply human and complex. Esme has built her armour and become the ruthless Viper to survive. At times, I felt frustrated with some of her choices. We get a few chapters from Urias POV, and I really enjoyed their relationship. At the end of the day, no matter their choices or who they support for the crown, they are there for one another. And Mina, the beautiful and brave woman that you are... I hope we get to see more of her in book 2.
If you enjoy court intrigue, chaos, found family, and polyamorous relationships, I think you will enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I was hooked from the first chapter. The pacing moves quickly, and there’s enough world-building without feeling overwhelming. Instead of info-dumping, we’re given glimpses of other worlds and characters when it feels natural to the story, which kept me curious. It also becomes clear that everyone is capable of monstrous things, even the ones you think are “good.” In my opinion, the best stories always explore that.
I loved the Wraiths. Despite being immortal, they feel deeply human and complex. Esme has built her armour and become the ruthless Viper to survive. At times, I felt frustrated with some of her choices. We get a few chapters from Urias POV, and I really enjoyed their relationship. At the end of the day, no matter their choices or who they support for the crown, they are there for one another. And Mina, the beautiful and brave woman that you are... I hope we get to see more of her in book 2.
If you enjoy court intrigue, chaos, found family, and polyamorous relationships, I think you will enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF at 44%
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Some of this is on me--I need to stop reading deadly trial books, I tend to find the trope overdone and boring. However I will say, at first, I was very excited by this novel. The worldbuilding is intricate, the grief and rage of the Wraiths being bound by magic was raw, and the camaraderie and betrayed feelings between all the Wraiths was intriguing and fitting for beings that are hundreds of years old and bound together. What made it fall apart for me was Balthazar's introduction--he's just too perfect. Everything he does is for the betterment of everyone, and with everyone around him much darker, he's just kind of boring. Also, Esme falls for him so quickly--it's very insta-lust.
The villains seemed a bit one-note as well, with Isobel just being as obnoxious as possible, and I had some hope that maybe the Wraith that betrayed his fellow brothers and sisters for her would come into play in a big way, but even the prospect of that can't convince me to get through these trials with a perfect general and a misunderstood prince. Also, all attempts at sabotage seem pretty clumsy for political players who have had decades if not centuries to develop their skills in this area.
I will say, this novel is very ambitious, but it's not for me.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Some of this is on me--I need to stop reading deadly trial books, I tend to find the trope overdone and boring. However I will say, at first, I was very excited by this novel. The worldbuilding is intricate, the grief and rage of the Wraiths being bound by magic was raw, and the camaraderie and betrayed feelings between all the Wraiths was intriguing and fitting for beings that are hundreds of years old and bound together. What made it fall apart for me was Balthazar's introduction--he's just too perfect. Everything he does is for the betterment of everyone, and with everyone around him much darker, he's just kind of boring. Also, Esme falls for him so quickly--it's very insta-lust.
The villains seemed a bit one-note as well, with Isobel just being as obnoxious as possible, and I had some hope that maybe the Wraith that betrayed his fellow brothers and sisters for her would come into play in a big way, but even the prospect of that can't convince me to get through these trials with a perfect general and a misunderstood prince. Also, all attempts at sabotage seem pretty clumsy for political players who have had decades if not centuries to develop their skills in this area.
I will say, this novel is very ambitious, but it's not for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
More a 4.5*/4.75* than a 4
*ARC Copy received from Netgalley for free in exchange for review*
Political intrigue, grief, believable magic and wraiths.
I really loved the concept of this book and can see the inspiration it took from V.E Schwab from very early on. It’s part court mystery, part low magic and part grim brutalist epic fantasy.
The plot discusses themes with tact and grace and frames a lot of the decisions in the book from a sort of morally grey side - where characters act on selfish desires that unfold in believable (and catastrophic) ways.
Magic (with an intentional capital there) is done incredibly well, with a brutal edge that I think embodies chaos in a way I wish more magic systems did.
I also loved the portrayal of polyamory and betrayal in this story, of human emotions even in a not-quite human form. The love people show and experience in this story doesn’t feel hollow like similar titles I’ve read too.
My only criticism of the book is that sometimes highly intelligent characters (or at least those set up to be, like Esme) made silly decisions that didn’t come across as a choice made blinded by emotion, but just a flat stupid choice.
A solid book for fans of Schwab for sure, and thank you for giving me the chance to read it ^_^
*ARC Copy received from Netgalley for free in exchange for review*
Political intrigue, grief, believable magic and wraiths.
I really loved the concept of this book and can see the inspiration it took from V.E Schwab from very early on. It’s part court mystery, part low magic and part grim brutalist epic fantasy.
The plot discusses themes with tact and grace and frames a lot of the decisions in the book from a sort of morally grey side - where characters act on selfish desires that unfold in believable (and catastrophic) ways.
Magic (with an intentional capital there) is done incredibly well, with a brutal edge that I think embodies chaos in a way I wish more magic systems did.
I also loved the portrayal of polyamory and betrayal in this story, of human emotions even in a not-quite human form. The love people show and experience in this story doesn’t feel hollow like similar titles I’ve read too.
My only criticism of the book is that sometimes highly intelligent characters (or at least those set up to be, like Esme) made silly decisions that didn’t come across as a choice made blinded by emotion, but just a flat stupid choice.
A solid book for fans of Schwab for sure, and thank you for giving me the chance to read it ^_^
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The wraiths, the righteous and evil candidates but the waters getting murkier, no one is innocent and the poly aspects and sentient magic. There is a lot to interest a reader.
The world building is really good but a lot of the characters history felt exposition heavy and very "telling not showing". I feel the big reason for this flaw is it needs to be longer with more character povs to fully pull of the authors ambition, it needs to be a 700 page epic fantasy not a 400 page books. Otherwise with so many ideas some felt underdeveloped and it was hard to get invested.
I have seen some reviewers complain about the dialogue feeling childish- this feels a bit unfair to me. I didn't notice any issues with dialogue while reading, sometimes the characters are childish and petty but... no one is innocent in this book and why would a bunch of immortal captives suddenly mature from what they were before when they are essentially slaves? I liked the characterization I just wanted more of it. I especially wanted more Mina.
The world building is really good but a lot of the characters history felt exposition heavy and very "telling not showing". I feel the big reason for this flaw is it needs to be longer with more character povs to fully pull of the authors ambition, it needs to be a 700 page epic fantasy not a 400 page books. Otherwise with so many ideas some felt underdeveloped and it was hard to get invested.
I have seen some reviewers complain about the dialogue feeling childish- this feels a bit unfair to me. I didn't notice any issues with dialogue while reading, sometimes the characters are childish and petty but... no one is innocent in this book and why would a bunch of immortal captives suddenly mature from what they were before when they are essentially slaves? I liked the characterization I just wanted more of it. I especially wanted more Mina.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Daphne Press for the eArc.
A Viper Among Kings starts off strong with a murder. Also get to see a bit of the magic there as well, it seemed childish at times. Then it shifts to Esme who is a Wraith for the King. She, along with other Wraiths, are bound in service and must do the King’s bidding. She has for the most part enjoyed the freedom the most recent King provided but that ends when he is killed. She was able to settle down with a family. Wish we could have seen more of them and their love story. The story then moves into learning about the two contenders for the throne and their trials and the wraiths of course have their own favorites. Though Esme is ancient she felt very immature and it felt hard to connect with her. Balthazar felt too perfect, and Esme’s attraction to him developed too quickly. I would rather have explored Esme and Mina more.
A Viper Among Kings starts off strong with a murder. Also get to see a bit of the magic there as well, it seemed childish at times. Then it shifts to Esme who is a Wraith for the King. She, along with other Wraiths, are bound in service and must do the King’s bidding. She has for the most part enjoyed the freedom the most recent King provided but that ends when he is killed. She was able to settle down with a family. Wish we could have seen more of them and their love story. The story then moves into learning about the two contenders for the throne and their trials and the wraiths of course have their own favorites. Though Esme is ancient she felt very immature and it felt hard to connect with her. Balthazar felt too perfect, and Esme’s attraction to him developed too quickly. I would rather have explored Esme and Mina more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's with great sadness and reluctance that I am tentatively DNF this one for now at 34%. I really hope I can find it in me to pick it up in the future!
On the outside this book has everything that I would usually love: high fantasy, queernorm world, lots of authentic rep, lush worldbuilding and a super cool debut author to get behind. And it does have all of these things!!
But there was something I just couldn't place that has made reading it a drag. I think it is the writing style. Again, it is so close to what I would usually love (and I am often a fan of crass dialogue and complex wording), but it just didn't hit for me. I really can't explain exactly why, as I truly am this book's target audience!
I hope that it finds its people as there are so many promising elements of this story and the writing! Many thanks to Daphne Press and Netgalley for the eARC in return for my honest review.
On the outside this book has everything that I would usually love: high fantasy, queernorm world, lots of authentic rep, lush worldbuilding and a super cool debut author to get behind. And it does have all of these things!!
But there was something I just couldn't place that has made reading it a drag. I think it is the writing style. Again, it is so close to what I would usually love (and I am often a fan of crass dialogue and complex wording), but it just didn't hit for me. I really can't explain exactly why, as I truly am this book's target audience!
I hope that it finds its people as there are so many promising elements of this story and the writing! Many thanks to Daphne Press and Netgalley for the eARC in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Daphne Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of A Viper Among Kings.
I had two attempts at reading this book. Unfortunately, there were a lot of things I didn’t like and I DNF’d it at 17%.
The idea of Magic as a sentient being was really interesting. I also liked that the man in the prologue was looking for his wife for a long time.
The sentences are really simple but there is a lot of blood, death and curse words so it feels like in a lower YA a kid is trying to be an adult.
A five years old pickpocketing kid told a man to get a job because there’s nothing to pickpocket? 🤨
Esme is going to kill someone and want them to guess like kids in kindergarten who she is.
“An abominable spirit!”
“A tax collector!”
We’re told that Wraiths are ancient beings but they doesn’t behave like it, more like teenagers. Also, they are enslaved and I would maybe expect them to be more miserable in their situation?
I had two attempts at reading this book. Unfortunately, there were a lot of things I didn’t like and I DNF’d it at 17%.
The idea of Magic as a sentient being was really interesting. I also liked that the man in the prologue was looking for his wife for a long time.
The sentences are really simple but there is a lot of blood, death and curse words so it feels like in a lower YA a kid is trying to be an adult.
A five years old pickpocketing kid told a man to get a job because there’s nothing to pickpocket? 🤨
Esme is going to kill someone and want them to guess like kids in kindergarten who she is.
“An abominable spirit!”
“A tax collector!”
We’re told that Wraiths are ancient beings but they doesn’t behave like it, more like teenagers. Also, they are enslaved and I would maybe expect them to be more miserable in their situation?
Did Not Finish
June 4, 2026DNF at 6%
I usually try to read much further than this before giving up on a book but I can already tell this writing will not work for me at all.
The prologue was genuinely intriguing and its writing style worked fine for me, but as soon as the narration shifted to focus on Esme, I started to lose hope for this book. The prose is very choppy and the narration is, frankly, just annoying. It's very snarky, and I didn't mind that in the dialogue, but the snark continues in Esme's internal monologue and it just reads as very juvenile. I also don't object to swears or crass language in books, but the frequency with which they were used in the short portion I read reminded me of the awkward way kids try to show off when they first start swearing.
I was curious about this book's plot, but I'm not interesting in reading this narrative voice any further.
I usually try to read much further than this before giving up on a book but I can already tell this writing will not work for me at all.
The prologue was genuinely intriguing and its writing style worked fine for me, but as soon as the narration shifted to focus on Esme, I started to lose hope for this book. The prose is very choppy and the narration is, frankly, just annoying. It's very snarky, and I didn't mind that in the dialogue, but the snark continues in Esme's internal monologue and it just reads as very juvenile. I also don't object to swears or crass language in books, but the frequency with which they were used in the short portion I read reminded me of the awkward way kids try to show off when they first start swearing.
I was curious about this book's plot, but I'm not interesting in reading this narrative voice any further.
Did Not Finish
May 21, 2026Esme and her fellow wraiths hope to gain their freedom when King Turiel is assassinated via a will made for him by his father. This includes a plot involving the new heirs named in the will, Balthazar and Janos, who will have to fight in a series of three trials to see who wins.
Unfortunately, I had to DNF this at 30%. The writing is just not at a level I enjoy. The mystery of the king’s murder kicks in relatively early, but is quickly derailed by clunky info dumps on the worldbuilding. Characters’ basic demographics are given the second you meet every single one of them. The 130-year-old Wraith Esme, who has killed thousands in her lifetime and is allegedly tired of it, reads like a horny college kid who’s barely lived life. For that matter, the six other Wraiths are that way, too. It was hard to connect with them because sex was a majority of what they talked about alongside the more serious stakes of the plot. The tone and pacing were all over the place.
I was drawn to A Viper Among Kings because of the blurb comparison to The Raven Scholar; the two are nothing alike.
Thanks to Daphne Press for the eARC via NetGalley
Unfortunately, I had to DNF this at 30%. The writing is just not at a level I enjoy. The mystery of the king’s murder kicks in relatively early, but is quickly derailed by clunky info dumps on the worldbuilding. Characters’ basic demographics are given the second you meet every single one of them. The 130-year-old Wraith Esme, who has killed thousands in her lifetime and is allegedly tired of it, reads like a horny college kid who’s barely lived life. For that matter, the six other Wraiths are that way, too. It was hard to connect with them because sex was a majority of what they talked about alongside the more serious stakes of the plot. The tone and pacing were all over the place.
I was drawn to A Viper Among Kings because of the blurb comparison to The Raven Scholar; the two are nothing alike.
Thanks to Daphne Press for the eARC via NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF'D at 40%.
Some of this comes down to personal preference—I've realized that not only am I picky with my YA books, but even more so with deadly trial storylines. I find, often, they rarely work for me because the trope feels repetitive. Still, the beginning of this novel really pulled me in. The world-building was rich, the Wraiths’ grief and rage felt raw and compelling, and the tension between loyalty and betrayal among characters bound together for centuries was fascinating.
Where the story lost me was with Balthazar. He felt almost too perfect, always acting for the good of everyone around him, which made him less interesting compared to the morally darker characters surrounding him. Esme’s attraction to him also developed far too quickly, leaning heavily into insta-lust.
Some of this comes down to personal preference—I've realized that not only am I picky with my YA books, but even more so with deadly trial storylines. I find, often, they rarely work for me because the trope feels repetitive. Still, the beginning of this novel really pulled me in. The world-building was rich, the Wraiths’ grief and rage felt raw and compelling, and the tension between loyalty and betrayal among characters bound together for centuries was fascinating.
Where the story lost me was with Balthazar. He felt almost too perfect, always acting for the good of everyone around him, which made him less interesting compared to the morally darker characters surrounding him. Esme’s attraction to him also developed far too quickly, leaning heavily into insta-lust.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Viper Among Kings is definitely a high stakes fantasy book with the perfect amount of romance and it even has queer representation. I didn't really know what I was going into when I started reading the book, but once I started to get the storyline it was hook line sinker for me. Reading the book was thrilling and Sydney Olivia definitely left me wanting more by the end of the book. Although a rough start with the book with world building and everything, I think after a couple of chapters in I finally understood it and it came full circle by the end. I fell in love with Esme and her wraiths and I wanted more of it by the end of the story. I will definitely looking forward to more of the Wraithbound series in the future.
April 11, 2026
This story is wild and fantastical with vivid characters and a compelling set of twists. Our characters are faced with the change of kings, trials for a new heir, wild magic, and a scheming queen-regent. Our protagonist is an immortal warrior from another realm looking for a life of meaning and peace but has none. The book has representation for lgbtq and polyamory as well as elements of found family. I really could feel the vividness of the world even with somewhat lengthy explication. I was engaged throughout the read and pissed when I got 97% completed only to find the climactic ending was just a footnote in a cliffhanger! Get it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The world building within this book is very interesting and refreshing, felt like I was a part of the world and the journey. However for me I struggled to stay engaged around halfway through the book as It tended to drag on; when plot points took place it did manage to draw me back in but then fell into the loop of pushing me away.
The characters were well thought out and the navigation between their grief and relationships was well done; as there are so many characters and more are developed than others I did find myself forgetting names of smaller characters. Overall was a pleasant read and really enjoyed the setting and magical elements
The characters were well thought out and the navigation between their grief and relationships was well done; as there are so many characters and more are developed than others I did find myself forgetting names of smaller characters. Overall was a pleasant read and really enjoyed the setting and magical elements
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book has so many open endings and I so badly need to know how it will continue. I feel like there were so many strands touched upon and it felt me a bit confused on what was important. Both men that are in the contest to become king suck, and Esme kind of pretends hers doesn't suck.
Normalised polyamory? Sign me up. Badass women? Sign me up. Wraiths that feel like a true pantheon? Sign me the fuck up!!!
I'm giving this book 4 stars because I'm so hooked, but if the sequel doesn't answer some of the questions I have I may get too overwhelmed by everything that's happening.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Normalised polyamory? Sign me up. Badass women? Sign me up. Wraiths that feel like a true pantheon? Sign me the fuck up!!!
I'm giving this book 4 stars because I'm so hooked, but if the sequel doesn't answer some of the questions I have I may get too overwhelmed by everything that's happening.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2026
This book has a lot going on, and I wonder if the scope might be a bit too ambitious. So much is left unexplained or underexplained that I found myself getting quite confused by all the different threads.
I imagine the author may bring these elements together in future installments, but for me, there was just too much left unclear for it to be a fully enjoyable read.
That said, I really liked the romances between the characters and appreciated the polyamory throughout. The book has good bones, but it feels like it’s trying to be too many things at once.
I imagine the author may bring these elements together in future installments, but for me, there was just too much left unclear for it to be a fully enjoyable read.
That said, I really liked the romances between the characters and appreciated the polyamory throughout. The book has good bones, but it feels like it’s trying to be too many things at once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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