I have been looking forward to Arena’s debut book for some time. Bringing much-needed disability representation into a romantasy novel was quite inspiring, and for me that is exactly what drew me in to this story. Yet there is a lot more to love about her book. The world-building, exciting twists and originality in her writing was just unbelievably impressive...

“My protector is gone, revealed to be a monster. But I remind myself that I am not a damsel. I’m no princess bound within a tower.

I am a shadow.”

The story follows Vasalie, a dancer wrongfully imprisoned for murder. After years in a dungeon she is called to the King for a special task, one that he guarantees her freedom if she completes. She is essentially thrown into a spy mission full of twists and turns, love-interests and secrets. The story moves a little slow at first but really picks up speed in the second half. I won’t reveal much but the romance, dance scenes, espionage, and immersive writing made this just an all around enchanting read.

I really wasn’t sure how it would end but was excited to see this will have a sequel! There seems to be a lot she can do with the next book so I’m looking reward to reading it as well! I also want to share how beautiful the cover is, it fits the book so well and looks stunning in color.

If you love romantasy, enchanting writing, kings and courts, and disability rep— this one’s for you!

Happy publication day!

My only complaint about this book is that I have to wait for the sequel to see how it all ends 😭 I thoroughly enjoyed this; dare I say this was a 6 star read for me 🫣

Imprisonment, dancers, chronic illness, found family, and political scheming are but a few things you can expect heading into this whirlwind of a book. Oh..and albeit brief, there is a tiny little love triangle <i>and</i> a slowwww burn romance to boot. (Non explicit) 💕

I’ve hit a good run with my reads as of late, but this has taken the top spot. A Dance of Lies was such a fun (fun may not be the best word as it kept me on my toes and I wanted to stab a few characters, but I digress) story and I adored the characters. It kept me hooked from the first page, and I found myself wishing I could read faster just to see how it ended. King Anton was giving me <b>major</b> Jacks vibes, so do what you will with that information. 🤭

Physical copy is ordered, and I am SEATED for the sequel.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

This is my first time reading and reviewing an ARC. I'm only 70% in so far but really wanted to write a review before this book is published.

4.5 Stars

So far I have really enjoyed this book. It was a bit slow to get into but then got interesting quite fast when things actually started happening. The politics and overall plot is really intriguing with just the right amount of romance. I love the chemistry and tension between Vasalie and the love interest.

I just wish Vasalie herself had more depth. It seems like her whole personality is just "I'm a nice girl with a lot of trauma", which obviously is a big part of someone, but I'd have wished a bit more than that. She does get angry, but it feels very surface level.

As for her disability, it's much less a hindrance than I initially thought it was gonna be and so far, hasn't really been utilized as a plot point, which is a pity. It feels more like an asterisk to say "oh and btw, she's disabled" if that makes sense.

Either way, I've been enjoying this book and I'm excited to see where it goes!

A Dance of Lies pulled me into a world of shadows, power, and painful choices. Vasalie is a character I found myself constantly torn over, frustrated with her one moment, fiercely protective the next.

The tension is nonstop. Political manipulation, dangerous alliances, and a slow unraveling of trust keep you guessing who the real monsters are and who Vasalie might become just to survive. It’s dark, emotionally messy, and so, so gripping.

And the ending? Let’s just say I had to sit with it for a while, then immediately flip back to reread. You know it’s a five-star read when it breaks you and you still want more.

If you’re into morally gray heroines, court intrigue, and stories where the line between love and power is razor-thin, A Dance of Lies delivers. Just… prepare your heart.

What a debut. This was really a wild ride - I loved the court espionage, disability rep, and all the secrets and twists this book took. It definitely kept me guessing. I also feel like the characters were really fleshed out - there were so many side characters that really stood out too and the villain was villaining.

I enjoyed the romance, but I hope there is more to it in the next book. With all the court drama happening it felt a tad insta-lovey to me (but just a tad!) Also, speaking of book two...I went in thinking this was a standalone and was shocked at the ending so I am delighted we're going to get more!

<i>A Dance of Lies</I> is a visually stunning fantasy debut that tears at your heartstrings even as it dazzles you.

After two years of wrongful imprisonment, Vasalie faces a new demon every day—her own body. Once a dancer of unmatched power and precision, she now navigates chronic pain and new limitations, the scars of her captivity. When she's forced back into the world of performance—this time as a spy for the very man who betrayed her—she survives through sheer grit and creativity, each dance a defiant act of resistance.

Arena’s prose is lyrical and visceral. You <i>feel</I> the strain in Vasalie’s limbs, <i>see</i> the light refract through stained glass, and <i>taste</I> the flour dusting the air. The dance sequences, in particular, are breathtaking—blending choreography with world-building in a way that feels cinematic, emotional, and precise. And underneath it all, the political stakes crackle with tension, building toward a finale that lands with satisfying weight.

But the true spotlight here—rightfully—is on Vasalie. She’s a fierce, complex heroine whose journey is as much about reclaiming agency as it is about adapting to a changed self. She missteps, she recalibrates, she learns. Think Aelin’s fire & artistic soul, but shaped through pain, compassion, and grit into a dancer instead of an assassin. I was rooting for her from the first page.

And the MMC? Without spoiling too much—this one is the closest I’ve come to reading early-days Rhysand since ACOTAR, and I devoured every moment. The ending also tees up the sequel with some of my favorite tropes, and I already can’t wait to return to this world.

𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:

✨ A fantasy world that leans into mythology and creativity over complex mechanics

💚 Found family that softens the blow of deeply toxic blood ties

💨 Banter and tension that crackle from their first meeting and just <i>build</I>

🌊 A disability narrative treated with care and centered in the story

🗺️ Political scheming and betrayals that play out like a magical game of Risk

💙 Plot twists that—while I guessed some—still landed with emotional punch

This may be Arena’s debut, but with a voice and vision this strong, expect to see her on every fantasy shelf for the foreseeable future.

THANK YOU to Del Rey for the eARC on NetGalley! Thrilled I got to read this one early and so excited to get my hands on a physical copy now that it’s out in the world.

<b>TL;DR: </b> Visually lush, emotionally sharp, and grounded in a fierce heroine’s reclamation arc. <i>A Dance of Lies</I> blends aching vulnerability with breathtaking spectacle—and throws in an indulgent, scheming MMC for good measure. A dazzling debut that earns every ovation.

I've been looking forward to this author for a long time and the story definitely didn't disappoint! It pulled me in right away and kept my attention every page. I can't wait to see what happens next!

A Dance of Lies delivered an accessible and engaging fantasy world, one that’s easy to step into without being bogged down by overly complex lore. The premise had me hooked from the start, and while the pacing stuttered slightly early on, the middle half kicked into gear beautifully. By that point, I was fully invested in the political intrigue, layered motivations, and secrets poised to unravel.

I loved the chronic illness representation with Vasalie, and found it gave some dynamic to her character, making her believable. I do think this wasn’t mentioned much in the latter half, though I can understand how the pain could ebb and flow.
That being said: King Anton was, without question, my favorite part of the book. I adored every interaction he had with Vasalie! His presence leapt off the page, even when his dialogue dipped into the overly suave or poetic. That said, the nickname “minnow” threw me a little; it felt like an odd, delicate choice that didn't quite match his otherwise commanding tone. Still, the chemistry and weight he brought to the story made it frustrating that Vasalie only truly began to consider him in the final third. It was a long wait for something that felt like it should’ve been building all along.

On the other hand, Vasalie's romance with Copelan in the first part of the book felt too fast and too shallow to be believable. I never felt his affections for her to be genuine. Their dynamic didn’t have the same slow-burn tension or depth that Anton brought, making the initial romantic focus feel somewhat misplaced.

Despite a few hiccups, the plot kept me intrigued, and the twist at the end was genuinely satisfying! I’m a vibes reader so I didn’t see it coming and it cracked the door open just enough that I’m definitely curious to see what happens in the next installment.

3.75 for me!! I had a good time.

A Dance of Lies is the enchanting debut from Brittney Arena. Vasalie is a dancer who has lost much of her skills after a long imprisonment. When she is freed, she enters a deal for her life that relies on her ability to dance and infiltrate a court. Vasalie must obey her cruel king’s commands, until she starts to question whether he is truly the protector she always thought he was. Glittering court dances, whispered conversations, and buried secrets come to life in A Dance of Lies.

One of my favorite things about A Dance of Lies was the disability rep that comes from Vasalie having to deal with the aftereffects of her imprisonment, which are similar to the author’s experience with chronic illness. This seemed realistic and thoughtfully done. I also loved the beautifully described dance sequences. I enjoyed how Vasalie thought creatively about how to improvise for moves she could no longer physically do. There are many great side characters, though I did have some trouble deciding which couple I was going to ship! I’m looking forward to seeing how the story continues in the sequel after that ending.

Readers who love court politics, slow-burn romance, and disability rep in fantasy will want to read A Dance of Lies.

Thank you to Brittney Arena, Del Rey, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

3.5/5 rounded up

A Dance of Lies follows Vasalie, once King Illian’s prized dancer and now his scapegoat, imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit. After two years behind bars, she’s given a chance at freedom—but only if she agrees to return to the stage and spy for the very man who betrayed her.

The political drama was surprisingly compelling. I really enjoyed the world building and the richly described settings, especially the seaside palace. The dance scenes were easily my favorite—so beautifully written that it felt like I was there watching the performance. As for the romance, I usually roll my eyes at love triangles, but this one didn’t bother me at all, which says a lot. I did feel it was pretty obvious who the main love interest would be. I also really liked Vasalie. She was a strong, determined main character who just couldn’t catch a break, yet never stopped fighting even when she was in constant pain.

I did feel that the pacing was a bit off, near the middle I felt like things were moving very slowly and I had moments where I was bored. I also wanted more from the fantasy element—what we did get felt saved until the very end. The book was pretty predictable especially the ending. I love to read a good betrayal and while there is a lot, none really surprised me. Also I just have to say…the flour, cleaning that up would have been a nightmare.

For a debut novel this was really good! While at times it felt a bit slow, overall it was a pretty entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️: 3.75
A Dance of Lies follows the tasks Vasalie, the King’s former dancer, must do to win back her freedom. It’s a romantasy with high-stakes politics and high-stakes artistic performances. I’ll be waiting to read the sequel.

Also, you might need a dictionary. I definitely had to look up more definitions than for similar books in the genre. Someone took SAT prep seriously.

I really enjoyed this book, especially because the fmc, Vasalie, is a dancer, and her thoughts and ideas are written so beautifully!

This debut romantasy follows Vasalie Moran, who finds herself framed for murder. To escape her sentence, the king offers her one way out: become a spy in his brother’s court. what unfolds is a story packed with secrets, betrayal, romance, and rich fantasy elements.

The beginning starts off a little slow, but once it picks up, I flew through the pages. The way the author wrote the dancing scenes—oh my god—they were so detailed and vivid. The imagery completely transported me, and I could picture myself right there with her, moving across the floor.

I also loved how the author wrote Vasalie as a chronically ill and disabled main character. She’s strong, determined, and vulnerable!

Now about the love interest… I wasn’t entirely sure who it would be at first, but I guess you’ll have to read it to find out! What I can say is that the chemistry and tension were so good. My only complaint is that I wish we had more scenes between the fmc and mmc because I wanted more. Still, I’m so excited for book two!

The setting in this book was absolutely stunning. From the palace and royal courts to the magical, vivid lands, everything was described beautifully. And that cliffhanger? I need answers now!

thank you to delreybooks and netgalley for the arc <3

Some of my favorite things: 🦢

𝄞 dancer FMC
𝄞 banter and tension
𝄞 she has a dance partner ;)
𝄞 political schemes
𝄞 beautiful imagery

𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
𝐀 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝐛𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡

- - -
Read this if you like:
□ rival kings
□ glass technology
□ political intrigue
□ slow-burn romance
□ disability rep
□ fated mates
□ hidden identities

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.

The audacity, Brittney! How dare you end a story like that? What do you mean that was the end? How could you end a story with such a heart-wrenching moment?! I am not well. Not at all.

□ screaming
□ vomiting
□ hair-gripping
X all the above

From the start, you get pulled into this gripping story. Your heart will be shattered from the start. I just want to jump in the book and pull the FMC in a hug. I want to tell her that she is so strong, incredible, and such a powerful person.

The characters are so original, so memorable. The FMC is unforgettable. The romance is low-spice, but you can feel that sexual tension at times. The plot is action-packed, gripping, fast-paced, and so many twists and turns. The last 10 percent of this book had me in choke hold! This book is a masterpiece. And the world-building is phenomenal! The story is so beautifully written. I want the sequel right now!

Always read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.

"But I remind myself that I am not a damsel. I’m no princess bound within a tower."

Thank you DelRey books for my digital advanced copy!

What a fantastic debut! I have been wanting to read it ever since the book was announced and was lucky enough to read an early copy. A Dance Of Lies was immersive, romantic and thrilling at the same time. Vasalie is a favored dancer in king Illian's court until she is wrongfully framed for a murder and locked up in the prison for two years, she loses her carefully built strength as a dancer along with enduring lot of mental trauma. The only way out of her predicament is to accept a precarious bargain where she'd become a spy in the enemy court for Illiyan and in return she'd be pardoned for her supposed crime.

Vasalie is the most resilient FMC I have read in recent times, she doesn't let neither her disability nor the brutal betrayals define her future. She is strong willed, passionate and navigates tough situation with her quite yer determined strength, I really loved how the author took utmost care in representing disability/ chronic pain. I really enjoyed the prose especially the choreography descriptions were mesmerizing and imaginative along with the seaside castles built of glass and the extravagant court settings.

I can't not speak about the MMC Anton and his chef's kiss of a banter, it is a super slow burn romance and I seriously ate it up. Their word volley had me giggling so many times and the lore is equally fascinating as well, the court intrigue was quite entertaining. I enjoyed the book completely and don't have any major qualms or flaws worth mentioning other than the ending that made me clench my jaw even though I saw it coming haha, but that only makes me even more excited for the second book.

I also tried switching to audio at times and I have to say the production was really good and if you find yourself wanting to try the audio, I definitely recommend it too. Overall a great debut!

💫💫💫💫💫
Vasalie Moran, a brilliant dancer, is betrayed by her king. He framed her for murder and, after holding her captive for 2 years, gives her a deal of a lifetime. She must become his spy and win back her freedom.

Really enjoyed the fantasy, its world, the atmosphere, and the mystery behind it. There is a love interest, Anton, and disability representation. Overall, I really enjoyed this read.

Thank you, Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group/Del Rey, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

Vasalie Moran is taken from the dungeons and brought face to face with the man who put her there- King Illian. Two years into her sentence he offers her a deal: become his spy and he will set her free. Vasalie's work as a spy might be her saving grace, or her doom. A Dance of Lies is a romantasy with a disabled heroine.

I love the fact that more and more fantasy books have main characters with disability. For so long disability has been villainized and written out of stories, but A Dance of Lies has such a charming FMC who lives with chronic pain. It healed a part of me who has never seen me or my peers represented in such a way in a fantasy world.

One of my favorite books of the year. The story follows a dancer who had the King’s favor and adoration, only to lose it and spend two years in prison for a crime she did not commit. One day the King calls for her, and asks her to be his spy at a commonwealth event. If she refuses, she will go back to prison. The political intrigue and world building is engaging. The writing had me interested from the very first page. I appreciated the way the main character acknowledged her limitations with her dancing, and how she learned to accept that her body would never quite be the same after her time in jail. A favorite quote was, “Your pain, invisible or not, is never wasted. Your words matter. Your story matters. You are deserving of a main character slot”
I’d recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a book with a strong lead character who grows in who she is, political intrigue, and who appreciates the magic that can be made with dance.

Thank you Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You deserve to see yourself in the stories you love ✨ 🌺

A captivating and enchanting Romantasy that’s hopeful and heartbreaking. Vasalie, a talented dancer, once held an esteemed position as the King’s Jewel. Her fall from grace was brutal and unforgiving. Framed for a murder she didn’t commit Vasalie is locked away and left to rot by the King she adored. Two years later, King Illian, the man who held her heart, makes her an offer she can’t refuse: use her skills to infiltrate the Royal gathering and do his bidding. Vasalie, determined to regain her freedom, agrees.

The odds are stacked against Vasalie, her body carries the weight of her suffering. She endures the long term affects of her imprisonment. Vasalie is resilient and adaptable, she doesn’t let her limitations define her. She has to earn her place as a dancer, captivate her audience, complete King Illian’s escalating requests, maintain her cover and try not to let her actions stain her soul.

There’s prophecies, political intrigue, deception, corruption and murder. Running from her dark past and caught in a royal web of conspiracy. Vasalie is a puppet who decides to cut her strings - to hell with the fall!

A Dance of Lies asks :
What are you willing to do to stay alive?
Can you live with the cost after?
Who would you sacrifice it all for?

Amidst the chaos Vasalie finds true friends and something worth fighting for. She begins to believe in herself again.
A Dance of Lies is beautifully written, poetic and lyrical, so rich in detail.

A Dance of Lies takes care to represent disability and chronic illness sensitively and it’s amazing to see this representation. It’s so impactful to read a story where the Main Character has a disability and chronic illness. It resonates with me as someone who’s suffered a serious illness and still feels the affects of it. Vasalie moves through the world in a body that isn’t always co-operative. She is strong, brave and worthy. Strength looks differently on everyone, it can be in the way we adapt, endure and keep going despite the pain. You deserve to see yourself in the stories you love and Brittney Arena has done that. A Dance of Lies embodies hope and resistance. I throughly enjoyed this and I am desperate for the next instalment.

I absolutely loved this book and everything about it was perfection, I could not put this book down. The world building and character building was done well. The story was unique and intriguing and kept you in the story. There are so many twists in the plot that I could not guess what would happen. I actually thought this was a standalone but happy that we will get more!

The FMC was taken from years in the dungeon to become a dancer again and the pain she has that limits her dancing doesn't stop her from performing when needed and I've seen some people that did not conect with the story because of that. But I absolutely related! Though I do not have a disability, I was a gymnast for many years, I was constantly injured, I lived with tensor bandages on some part of my body all the time and still had to go to practice and competitions when injured and in pain and you have to do what you have to do to get through it sometimes. I still have old injuries now that I have to deal with. So I can understand the FMC in that way and connected with that.