Pitched as a rivals-to-lovers dark academia fantasy, a necromancer must team up with her nemesis for a series of gladiatorial-style battles with eldritch creatures in order to gain entrance to a prestigious university.
Commissioning Editor Davi Lancett has acquired UK & Commonwealth (ex. Canada) rights in a two-book deal from John Baker at Bell Lomax Moreton. Daphne Press will publish in hardback and ebook in November 2025, with a sequel to follow in 2026.
Lancett says “I would die for Hal (provided she would very promptly resurrect me). This prickly, sarcastic, driven, stubborn wretch is a complete delight, and you can’t help but cheer for her attempts to demand recognition from her peers and heroes. The chemistry and banter is top tier, and while Hal would rather murder her loved ones than swoon, romance is in the air.”
Knight comments “I’m delighted to join Davi and the Daphne Press family with A Rather Vengeful Accord. Books are escapism for me, so this is a mash-up of things I love. Dark academia and sports competitions, necromancers and gladiators, snarky banter and eldritch monsters. Massive thank you to my marvellous agent, John Baker, for making this dream happen.”
Baker adds “I’ve long been a fan of Daphne and the Illumicrate business model and I’ve greatly enjoyed watching Daphne Press grow from infancy to a serious contender in a booming SFF market. Davi and Daphne Press team’s enthusiasm for Danielle and her gorgeous and gruesome debut, A Rather Vengeful Accord, combined with an ambitious and exciting proposition were incredible to witness and I can’t wait to see it come to fruition.”