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A Viper Among Kings

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Book 1 of Wraithbound

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Pub Date 25 Aug 2026 | Archive Date 25 Sep 2026


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Description

Brace 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 candidate: 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.  

For fans of: 
🐍 Iconic girlboss fixers like Olivia Pope from Scandal 
❤️ Polyamorous, queer characters   
🍷 Fantasy court intrigue and schemes
🫂 Found family
🏰 Sentient magic 

Brace 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...


Advance Praise

"An electrifying opening to a series that promises to thrill all the senses. Seductive, sizzling, and wicked sharp, Olivia’s debut is a twisted tale about power, agency, and love. I couldn’t get enough!" —S. Hati, author of And the Sky Bled

"Macabre, gory, and endlessly entertaining! Sydney Olivia offers readers a completely fresh take on magic, and an utterly compelling new voice full of humour, sharp wit, and gut-wrenching emotion." —Eli Snow, author of The Divine Gardener's Handbook

"Olivia writes with an irresistible voice and unforgettable characters. A Viper Among Kings is the kind of thrilling, chaotic revival that fantasy needs." —T. R. Moore, author of The Gods Must Burn

"Wickedly grotesque and saturated in debauchery, A Viper Among Kings entangles enemies and lovers as they vie for power— or even just freedom. The novel simmers with humor, though its heroine in particular is delectably bold and venomous and profoundly human." —Bita Behzadi, author of Letters from the Last Apothecary

"An electrifying opening to a series that promises to thrill all the senses. Seductive, sizzling, and wicked sharp, Olivia’s debut is a twisted tale about power, agency, and love. I couldn’t get...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781837841035
PRICE £19.99 (GBP)
PAGES 480

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Average rating from 15 members


Featured Reviews

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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

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