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Daphne Press has acquired A Viper Among Kings by Sydney Olivia, the first in an adult epic fantasy trilogy with shadow magic, a BIPOC and queer cast, chaotic sentient magic, polyamory, and political schemes, perfect for fans of The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson and A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. Esme is one of seven immortals magically bound to obey kings. She sees her chance at freedom when the king is mysteriously murdered, and rigs the succession tournament meant to pick the next ruler in favour of her own candidate, a dangerous and charismatic man with a darkness of his own.
Senior Commissioning Editor Davi Lancett has acquired World English rights from Allegra Martschenko at the Ladderbird Literary (now at BookEnds Literary), representing the author. Daphne Press will publish in hardback and ebook in Summer 2026.
Lancett says, “I fell in love with this book from the initial pitch of ‘Scandal but with shadow magic.’ It is an absolute blast to read, full of fun and wild imagination. Esme is a fantastic character at the heart of the series and it’s a delight to witness her fight for a better world.”
Olivia adds, “If you asked the rageful 15-year-old girl from Baltimore City that first wrote this book if she ever thought that her rage would find a voice and a home, she would have told you no. I’m delighted to prove her wrong because Daphne Press is the perfect home for my vindictive women hellbent on change, cities of voracious magic, and chaotic found families. Although this book started as a funnel for my own anger, it has transformed into a story for all those who feel declawed by their governments, laws, and systems of power. This book is a testament to alchemizing debilitating anger into an unending well of drive. I could not be more thrilled to bring this trilogy into the world with the Daphne Press Team who share my vision for this story and characters. I cannot wait for this violent romp of a book to be read by anyone who ever felt too angry to do anything. For the people like me at 15, and beyond: There is a place for anger, and there’s a purpose for ours.”
Martschenko notes that “Olivia delves into the productive quality of rage in a thrilling way. Esme is a complex, fierce protagonist backed by a compelling cast of characters, all of whom search for justice in an unjust world, and if they can’t find it—make it themselves.”