Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the copy of A Dance of Lies! I devoured this book in two sittings. Focusing on Vas, who was imprisoned for two years for a murder she did not commit, Vas is told to infiltrate a royal gathering as a dancer in order to be expunged of her “crimes”. Without giving away the book - romance, dance, murder, and more make this book a fast-paced story. The romance and banter was engrossing. I think the pacing was done well and the twists and turns throughout the book kept my interest. The ending was intense and definitely left me looking forward to a sequel. I recommend to my fellow Romantasy lovers!

A Dance Of Lies was quite the debut from the lovely Brittney Arena - court politics, secret spying, rival kings and dancing aplenty.

While still a very readable romantasy, A Dance Of Lies dared to step outside the norm by featuring real disability representation in this book. It was absolutely an authentic inclusion, not a plot device or tokenism and that is honestly so rare. Thank you to Brittney for being brave enough to share this part of herself with her readers!

A solid 4 stars and a guarantee I will be here eagerly waiting for book two!

One of my favorite new fantasy reads this year! The rich description of both the plot and the world were delicious, and the challenges of the FMC felt real and well written. Definitely want to read the next book in the series and have been recommending this for friends.

Firstly, I would like to thank the author and NetGalley for providing the e-ARC of this book. I loved the scenery of the book and the dances, and everything was great to visualize, but it also made the book a little bit slow for me. I´m not sure if it was the pacing of the book or my book slum slumping. I liked the FMC, and for like 80% of the book, I wasn´t exactly sure who the MMC was, which I liked. Maybe I was just blind to this.
The ending. What to say. It was good, but it was missing something for me to be wowed. A few plot twists were quite predictable, but I must say a few I hadn´t seen coming. But overall, I would recommend this book to all fantasy/romantasy readers who want a really easy book to read since the fantasy element wasn´t hard to grasp, and I think this book would be a great introduction to the fantasy/romantasy genre.

2.5 ⭐️

thank you netgalley for the arc 🫶

this book (sadly) enters to the category of right book wrong time, which is such a shame because i really wanted to love this book, but because of the timing and the mood i was in everything felt boring, over descriptive and so confusing.

there where some parts that i liked, like the constant doubt of who would be the love interest, the prophecy, the little pilot twist and of course the romance but all of this wasn’t enough for me to kept me interested.

right now, i don’t think i will continue the series but who knows, maybe i will give it another chance before the second one comes out and change my opinion.

There's nothing obvious and big I could point at to say ''Hey, this is bad!'' but there was also nothing pulling me to it and making me think ''Hey, this is good!''. You get me?

This could have been 100 pages shorter had we gotten rid of all the times we were fed the same information over and over again, about things that had been clear since chapter 2. I get repetition as a literary resource, but this is not that. This felt like ''I have to reach a word count'' kind of repetition, or worse: the ''maybe the reader is not paying attention so I'll make sure to say it at least ever other chapter just in case'' kind. If neither of those are the actual reason, then it's just poorly though out and could have been edited out.

Ignoring that; it was a perfectly nice story with an interesting premise and hopefully one day a great book to limited TV-streaming show adaptation, because part of what kept me going was the description of the places, costumes and dancing.

Can't wait for a network to cast stunning men and create a new wave of people on Twitter picking sides (and I say this with no sarcasm; I truly enjoy fantasy adaptations and online discourse even if it's about ships, because it gets people talking and that's always good for them (numbers) and for me (numbers go up, we get more shows I like)

I really enjoyed this story and the disability rep in this!

I found the characters really well written and the world building really well done!

I do wish the romance wasn’t quite as slow burn though and was a little more focussed

A Dance of Lies had some beautiful prose that I loved!! I also really enjoyed the sneaking around/espionage. That is what initially drew me into this book and its execution was great!! Also the many moments of witty banter gave a lightness to this that I loved!!

However the romance (s) felt inconsistent and the love triangle left me uninvested. It felt too flip-floppy between men to the point that both options fell flat. Also, unfortunately the court politics and dancing never had enough weight to keep me hooked. In general I had a very hard time staying engaged during this book.

The ending, though, was incredible. It was emotional, shocking, and had my heart racing. I do wish this had been a standalone since the story felt perfectly closed before the final twist but I’m sure the sequel will do great!

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey & the author for gifting me this arc! All opinions are my own 🫶

So, so good. Sexy, yet stressful. Not as much fantasy as I was hoping for, but I enjoyed the Fates aspect and the constant suspense won me over. Will recommend to all my fellow book lovers.

This is a great Romantasy. Everything I am looking for and more. There is a great balance between plot and romance, is fast paced and keeps you hooked the entire time. I also looooove the fmc. She's such an icon. This was simply a great debut novel.

I picked up A Dance of Lies not knowing exactly what to expect, and what I found was a debut that blends political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and a heroine whose resilience lingers long after the final page. It’s a book that isn’t afraid to be both brutal and tender, and while not flawless, it’s one of those stories that stays under your skin.

From the opening chapter, the atmosphere pulls you in. Vasalie, once known as the Jewel of the Glass Kingdom, has been reduced to a prisoner—broken in body and spirit after years in the dungeons. When she’s offered a chance at freedom by spying during the royal Gathering, she reluctantly steps back into a world of glittering courts and dangerous politics. What follows is a story full of lies, bargains, and betrayals as she navigates a landscape where every alliance has a hidden edge.

What really struck me is how authentic and moving Vasalie’s arc is. She isn’t a typical fantasy heroine with limitless strength and perfect timing. Instead, her struggles with pain and trauma are written with a raw honesty that makes her triumphs all the more powerful. Watching her reclaim not just her freedom, but her voice and her agency, is where the book truly shines. Her resilience is less about defeating enemies with brute force and more about surviving in spite of her scars, physical and emotional.

The world-building is lush and layered, filled with opulent halls, political games, and the ever-present tension of the Gathering. It’s the kind of setting that feels alive—where whispers in the corridors matter just as much as grand speeches, and where one wrong move can have devastating consequences. Arena does a wonderful job creating an atmosphere that’s both glamorous and menacing.

The romance thread is subtle, almost a counterpoint to the political intrigue. Vasalie’s growing connection with Anton, King of the East, is careful, slow, and tinged with vulnerability. Their chemistry doesn’t explode into fiery passion, but simmers in glances, half-truths, and trust earned over time. Some readers may wish it took a bigger spotlight, but I appreciated the restraint—it made the payoff feel earned.

That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. Like many debuts, there are sections where the pacing slows or the prose leans a little heavy. A few plot elements—particularly the spycraft—stay vague longer than they should, which occasionally left me wishing for more clarity. There are also side threads that feel like they could have been fleshed out further, especially given how rich the world already is.

Still, these quibbles didn’t take away from my enjoyment. What stood out most was the heart of the story: a heroine learning to dance again, not in spite of her limitations, but with them. It’s rare to see chronic pain and disability woven into a fantasy narrative with such honesty, and that representation gives the book real weight.

A Dance of Lies is the kind of romantasy that lingers because it balances spectacle with soul. It offers political games, whispered lies, and glimmering danger, but at its core it’s about resilience, healing, and the courage to step back into the light after the darkest of shadows. For a debut, it’s impressive, and it has me eager to see what Brittney Arena writes next.

Thank you Brittney Arena, Del Rey, and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review. All opinions are my own.

From the start of this book I was hooked, and knew that this was going to be good. I loved the betrayels, the allies, the romance, the characters. I loved seeing how everything tied together—how things that you learned earlier would eventually come back around, and the moment I understood a character's motives, the pieces all clicked together. Vasalie's journey with her chronic pain—The way that she continued to push through, and the things she did to adjust to her knew circumstances was also very well written. And the way Vasalie's opinions on herself grow and change showed real strength. Vasalie's reasons for doing things were very logical considering her circumstances. Her dynamic with the main love interest was also very fun, as he's flirtatious, yet hides his scheming and real feelings. The ending has definitely left me wanting more and I can't wait to read book 2 when it comes out.

A FAVOURITE BOOK OF THIS YEAR!! Such a beautifully written debut the deserves all the stars. It was an addictive journey from start to finish and I am so intrigued to read part two of this duology because I need more as soon as possible after that ending!!

4.5/5 Stars
This book was beautiful, the dancing the description of the costumes and the surroundings. Just beautiful. Vas was headstrong and although she had trauma towards the end you could really see herself come into the strong woman she was and become something GREATER. The only issue I had with this book was that I couldn't get with the pacing in the start, it was odd. It was slow then super fast all of the sudden towards the end of the second part and the entire time I'm wondering where the fantasy element was really going to take play! I liked the romance part and when we did finally get the magic, I thought that it was cool and I then realized that this will be a series!
Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Ugh I absolutely adored this - 4.5 for sure! I'm being a bit pickier about my 5 stars lately, but since this is definitely prepping for a sequel (which I didn't realize!!), I feel pretty confident that a sequel could eke a 5 star out of me.

*UPDATING TO 5 STARS - I THINK THAT FITS BETTER*

Brittney and I have been Instagram mutuals for a long time and I've been anticipating this one forever it feels like. She really left her heart on the page. The disability rep is gorgeous, the artistic way she writes is beautiful and the story here...wow

There was a bit of a lull in the middle for me, and I will admit to being confused about who the love interest was meant to be (perhaps intentional?) so I read Anton's character with more mistrust initially than I think the reader was intended to have. That said, I grew to love him and Vasalie together, and the ending had me screaming!!

Brittney's definitely a fantasy writer to watch and I'm so excited to see what she does next (which better be a sequel...)

Am Anfang wusste ich nicht so recht was ich von dem Buch halten soll, aber je mehr ich in die Geschichte gezogen wurde so besser wurde es. Ich fand es sehr gut das man nicht sofort wusste wer der Male Lead war und war sehr zufrieden mit dem der es geworden ist. Das Ende war grandios und ich kann es kaum erwarten den zweiten Teil zu lesen.

I want to scream from the rooftops about how good this book is so that more people will pick it up. I read an early copy of this book a while back and then re-read it in June before it's release and it does not disappoint.

Let me set the scene: a top tier dancer is framed for murder, thrown into a dungeon for 2 years where she suffers irreparable physical damage to her body that leaves her disabled and in a desperation for freedom and revenge she agrees to become a political spy for the man who betrayed and imprisoned her. But wait! There's more! Vasalie then finds herself getting close to her targets in more ways than one including her captor's brother.

The disability representation in this book? Top fucking tier. The side characters who help rebuild Vasalie as a human when she is at her lowest? Perfection. The pet name of Little Minnow? Okay, that was a little cringe but I've heard worse. BUT, the angst and tension between Anton and Vasalie? Screaming. Dying. Obsessed.

This book has some really dark themes of abuse in many forms and also some very seedy and despicable motivations and actions from male characters that, honestly, had me wanting to throw up. If you've ever seen the Peyton's brother story line in One Tree Hill then you have a general idea of a scene in this book that had my skin crawling. Also, the reveals and twists at the end? Excuse me? Granted, they weren't anything particularly new for the fantasy genre but they were expertly done and I need to next book yesterday.

Brittney Arena's A Dance of Lies is an outstanding debut that brings a breath of fresh air to the romantasy genre. This book has it all--forbidden love, deceit, monsters (in personality only), forced proximity, and all. This book also has the most accurate representation of what it's like to live with a disability that I've ever seen in a fantasy book. I feel authors tend to omit depictions of such things in fantasy because it's not meant to be real, but people need to be able to see themselves in these books and Brittney has accomplished just that in her debut book.

Vasalie Moran was once considered King Illian's jewel, his prized dancer, until she is framed for a murder she did not commit and thrown into captivity for two years. Vasalie is called before the King and offered her freedom in return for being a spy at a royal gathering in which nothing is as it seems. Vasalie makes friends and enemies during her time undercover, but she also meets King Illian's brother, King Anton, and he inspires her to be strong again. Vasalie and Anton's alliance grows dangerous and the end of this book will leave you desperate for book two.

A Dance of Lies starts off just slow enough for readers to get their bearings before being dropped into an action-packed, heart-pounding, and emotionally-ridden story. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time as each mission Vasalie embarked on became more and more dangerous. I loved how much a flirt Anton was and how sweet he was to Vasalie.

Brittney Arena is going to be an author to watch going forward in the romantasy genre and her debut is a must-read! Thank you to Del Rey for the e-ARC!

3.75⭐️

A Dance of Lies was a fast-paced and engaging debut!

The writing stood out to me compared to many other romantasy novels I’ve read recently, and I was particularly impressed by the vivid descriptions of the dance performances. I also appreciated that the romance wasn’t entirely predictable from the start (and I was happy that it ended up being with the character I was rooting for). And of course as someone with POTS, I was glad to see that representation included.

That being said, I did wish the story leaned more heavily into its fantasy elements. For much of the book, it felt closer to magical realism than full fantasy, which may work for some readers but isn’t my usual preference. I also found the FMC frustrating at times, though I’ll admit that made her feel more realistically flawed.

For some reason I went in thinking this was a standalone, so the ending definitely caught me off guard! It closes on enough of a cliffhanger that I’ll be interested to see where the series goes next.

Thank you to Del Ray for access to an eARC via NetGalley!

Wow. It is not often that I rate a debut book from an author high on my scale. I actually can’t think of a single debut book I’ve read that was higher than 2 stars in my eyes. Dance of Lies enthralled me from the get-go. Firstly, I had never had the chance to read a book about a dancer before. As someone who grew up as a ballerina, it was exciting to read a story with a main character who dances. Her performances were wrapped up within the plot and I really enjoyed it. However, the main thing that gripped me about Dance of Lies was the immense amount of political intrigue, betrayal, and manipulation. Once you are about 60% of the way done, this book is a rapid fire succession of plot twists and thrilling moments until the last page. It’s the kind of plot where by the last few chapters, you just can’t stop.

The characters are phenomenal, as well as the character development. I oftentimes see a lack of character depth beyond the protagonist and main love interest in recent books. has a litany of characters to be drawn to and attached to. And the villains. Oh my. I don’t think I’ve ever hated an antagonist more than the two evil scumbags in this book. If you love political/court intrigue, mystery, romance, art, and betrayal, this book is for you.

I was so pleasantly surprised by the book. It was an incredibly entertaining read that made me want more. I was also surprised once I got to the end that there was a very serious cliffhanger. I originally had come to the conclusion that this was a stand-alone story. Oh no, not with that ending. I am so looking forward to when the next one will be announced so I can get ready to jump back in.