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Poisoned Promises and Wicked Hearts: Court of Vines and Vipers by Emberly Ash Twists Dark Fantasy Romance Into Something Dangerous and Addictive
In a court built on secrets and seduction, will she be the hunter—or the prey?
In Court of Vines and Vipers, the newest installment in Emberly Ash’s Secrets of the Faerie Crown series, readers are thrust deeper into a deadly fae realm where beauty is a trap and power is always barbed. This book pulses with intrigue, betrayal, and dark fantasy romance so rich it coils around your ribs and refuses to let go. If you’ve been craving a morally gray heroine, fae courts steeped in venomous games, and a romance that walks the knife’s edge between devotion and destruction—this is your next obsession.
Ash continues to prove that she’s not just writing fae fantasy—she’s carving out an emotional battlefield where survival depends not just on magic but on how much of your heart you’re willing to sacrifice.
She Was Meant to Survive the Court—Not Rule It
The story centers around a young fae woman who’s thrust into the seductive chaos of the Court of Vines, a place where every smile hides a threat and every deal leaves scars. Entrapped in political webs and ancient bloodlines, she quickly learns that survival here doesn’t come from brute strength—it comes from knowing when to bow, when to strike, and when to bleed.
But what makes her journey even more perilous? The Viper Prince, a rival fae lord whose silver tongue and storm-colored eyes hide motives darker than the court itself. As alliances shift and enemies press closer, the heroine is forced to rely on the one man she should never trust… and yet can’t seem to resist.
What begins as wary proximity turns into a dangerously intimate connection—one laced with secrets, sacrifices, and a passion neither of them can afford. Because in this court, love isn’t just forbidden—it’s fatal.
Deception, Desire, and the Decay of Power
Tropes That Sink In—and Then Sting
Crown of Vines and Vipers doesn’t simply rely on popular fantasy tropes—it weaponizes them. Every romantic beat, every moment of courtly intrigue, is sharpened to emotional precision:
Enemies-to-lovers: Their animosity is electric, but what grows between them is a slow, devastating unraveling of emotional armor.
Morally gray hero & heroine: There are no saints here—only survivors learning what lines they’re willing to cross.
Fae court politics: Beautiful, brutal, and brimming with lies. Think Throne of Glass meets The Cruel Prince.
Slow-burn fantasy romance: Tension builds like poison in the veins—subtle, inevitable, and wildly satisfying.
High-stakes power play: Magic, bloodlines, ancient curses—this isn’t just romance; it’s war with the heart as the battlefield.
Characters That Bleed and Bite
The heroine is fierce—but not in the way fantasy often stereotypes. She’s calculating, clever, and layered in vulnerability, which she refuses to show. Her power lies in her restraint, her silence, her refusal to be anyone’s pawn—even when the entire court is determined to make her one.
The Viper Prince? He’s magnetic, darkly charismatic, and dangerous in ways that aren’t just physical—they’re psychological. His loyalty is never guaranteed. His intentions are murky. And yet… when he looks at her, there’s something there. Something that might be real. Or it might destroy them both.
Their relationship is a slow, lethal dance—where trust is both the greatest gift and the sharpest weapon.
For Readers Who Crave Faerie Romance With Teeth
This book is tailor-made for fantasy romance readers who want:
Dark fae romance with enemies-to-lovers heat and betrayal
Court intrigue that blends political maneuvering with magical consequences
Complex, emotionally intelligent heroines who make their fate
High fantasy settings with rich lore, danger, and decadence
Stories like From Blood and Ash, The Plated Prisoner, or Ruthless Fae
If you’re the kind of reader who dog-ears the moments of emotional tension more than the kisses—this story is for you.
Final Thoughts: Beauty Can Be Deadly—And So Can Love
With Court of Vines and Vipers, Emberly Ash delivers a gorgeously written, emotionally complex fantasy romance that does more than entertain—it consumes. Every chapter is soaked in tension; every interaction brims with stakes. This isn’t just about who will wear the crown. It’s about who will survive loving someone powerful enough to destroy them.
So, if you’re ready to step into a world where love is as dangerous as war—and sometimes even more painful—this book is waiting.
Because in the fae courts, the crown doesn’t protect you.
It tests who you are when it’s finally yours.