"Words are magic"

Wow, what can I say about this book? I'm not usually a romantasy fan, but I loved this book. The chronic illness rep, the beautiful prose, the political intrigue, the spying and scheming, and the love story that kept me guessing ... I love it all! The beginning of the book does a lot of character work, but it never dragged, and it helped the second half really come together in a way that made sense and felt believable. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

The cover of this book itself was enough for me to sing its praises.. wow. The story was insanely well done and I was so attached to the world and the characters within. 10/10

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for my eARC in exchange for a review!!

4⭐️a Dance of Lies was one of those books that gets you immediately engaged in the story….Vasalie quickly became my comfort character and reading about her pain when dancing again and having that difficulty to find the strength she used to have before being imprisoned💔 I enjoyed every single scene where she danced because of how beautifully written it was🫶🏼

The tension at first between Copelan and Vasalie was interesting until Anton and Vasalie’s chemistry and playful banter got me hooked,after that I could see where the plot was going with their relationship
“We all have our comforts Minnow. I wonder if you might be mine.”
Illian and her father amazed me with their plotting and how Illian knew the whole time who Vasalie truly was….that PLOT TWIST…..
I would say through the end I was a bit confused with The Fate Morta and her role in Anton’s backstory.

Can’t wait to read next book after that ending😮

Sadly I DNF’d this book at just over 25%. I found the writing overly descriptive to the point where I felt it didn’t actually add anything to the story. I also just found myself bored. I do think Vasalie has potential as a character as she is clearly a very determined and strong minded character. I found the character fell a little flat though for example when she was released from her cell, she’s so mellow about it. There’s no rage there towards the king which I just found odd. I like the concept of the story however I fail to see what the fantasy elements of this book actually are unless that comes along later in the story. Overall, I think this just wasn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review this ARC!

Rating is a 3.5 star

I was instantly attracted to the premise of this book as we follow Vasalie a dancer turned spy and all the intrigue of a royal court system.

The book started a little bit slow but once you had the chance to wrap your head around the world and characters it became quite fast paced and enjoyable! There was lots of twists and turns that kept you wanting to read through till the end.

The reason I ended up going with 3.5 stars is due to the fact that the beginning and end didn’t feel quite as polished as the rest of the book, sometimes making it quite hard to follow with lots going on.

Overall, for a debut novel this is really good and I can’t wait to see where the next book will go!

This had all the makings of a book I’d love—betrayal, court intrigue, a morally gray heroine forced to play a deadly game—but I never felt fully immersed in the world. Vasalie’s transformation from imprisoned dancer to reluctant spy had so much potential, and while the story moved quickly, I found myself wanting more depth in both the world-building and emotional stakes. The political tension and high-stakes choices were there, but I struggled to feel the weight of them. I wanted to connect more with Vasalie’s internal struggles, to really feel the pull between duty, survival, and her own fractured sense of loyalty. The writing was solid but leaned more surface-level than the layered, immersive style I usually crave in fantasy. That said, if you love fast-paced fantasy romance with secrets, deception, and a heroine caught between two dangerous forces, this might be exactly what you’re looking for!

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey publishing for the eARC but unfortunately, I’m gonna have to DNF.

The premise was good, and it had a strong start, but even early on I could see things going downhill. After a certain point, the chapters start to feel like the content just keeps regurgitating itself, the fmc starts to get incredibly annoying, and then there’s a new love interest around every corner. I also had an issue with stereotyping in this book.

It’s not for me, and if asked I wouldn’t recommend it, but I do think that someone out there would enjoy it.

I read this book eager for its chronic illness representation, and I wasn't disappointed. Through Vasalie's character, I gained a deeper understanding of living with chronic illness, including the unpredictable pain one experiences and you never know when the pain might strike again.

The world-building was impressive, with vivid descriptions of clothing, buildings, and the stunning City of Glass, crafted from salt— trade routes, operating of courts, was also explained beautifully. However, I felt that the myths and legends underlying the world's existence were somewhat underdeveloped, particularly the story of the goddess/fate— there was quite descriptions of the legend but I didn't find it playing an action or a major role in plot points. As this is the first book in a series, I'm hoping for more exploration of these elements in the future.

The characters stole the show, particularly Vasalie, whose creativity, imagination, and resilience was shown in the book. Her past plays a pivotal role in the story, and her relationships with the other characters are expertly woven. The chemistry between Vasalie and Copeland is undeniable, and their conversations and interactions left me in awe— their chemistry, pull, and dynamics was my favourite part in the book— both are dancers, have their own wounds, and understand each other without words. Anton, the charming and complex ruler, reminded me of Aaron from A Kingdom of Masks and Mourning, although I couldn't quite put my finger on why, but I think the characteristics of both— Aaron and Anton are similar— cocky, flirty, charming, wounded past and much more similarities between them!!

Thank you author, NetGalley and Del Rey for an early copy of this book!

I really, really wanted to love this book because the premise sounded so intriguing, but as I continued reading, I realized it just wasn’t for me. The book definitely started off strong, and I was hooked by the premise initially. The overall plot had its moments of intrigue, and I can see why others would enjoy the story. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the characters, which made it hard for me to fully enjoy the story. Some of the writing also felt a bit cringe at times, though this could be just me. While this book wasn’t for me, I’m confident that other readers will enjoy the story, characters, and world. Either way if romantasy is your favorite, you will probably enjoy this more than I did!

This book was fantastic! The main character's motivations were compelling, clear, and easy to understand, and the pacing kept me interested. I enjoyed how the story unfolded, and the characters were all distinct and entertaining!

In A Dance with Lies, dancer Vasalie was imprisoned for two years for a murder she did not commit. The King ,who betrayed her, decides to release her under the condition that she becomes his spy. The premise sounded interesting, but I was disappointed by the execution. The plot is FULL of tropes- love triangles, prophecies, secret princesses, characters with secret abilities, etc. It was a mix of several current romantasy plot lines. The end reveals did not surprise me nor do they make me want to continue reading the series.

I went in with an open mind since this is a debut book. My advice: You should too. Keep it WIDE open.

When I first caught wind of A Dance of Lies months ago, I was super excited–dancer turns spy say whatttt–and kept my fingers crossed for an arc.

The story build up was slow which I’m fine with because trust the process right? WRONG. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad but the slow burn was agonisingly slow and I kept “trusting the process” page after page that the romantasy spark will ignite soon. By then, ‘trust the process’ became ‘are we done yet?’

Fortunately, the character development was not bad and I LOVE how the supporting characters have so much limelight. Tbh they were the reason I pushed myself to finish the book because I had to know if everyone made it out safely.

If you like slow burn books that aren’t too heavy on world building, found family trope and a splash of not-spicy-romance, this one’s for you.

Thank you Del Rey and Netgalley for this arc!

Dance, fantasy, romance, and a whole lot of mystery! I don't know where to start as there were so many things that were explored in this book that slowly unraveled and ended up becoming an almighty avalanche which at that point you just commit to finishing because you will not be able to put it down!

For me, I initially found it slow at the start and a little repetitive once we were in the main throws of the plot. I didn't start to get engrossed till about 50% of the way in when I was then fully locked in. I liked how the author addressed issues such as chronic pain and disability which is not often represented in romantasy. I enjoyed the political themes and the delicate relationship between Kings and Queens all viewed from on outside perspective.

However, I think there were things that I found a little hard to grasp which made me grapple with if this was a 3.5 or 4-star book. The magic system and world-building were not laid out too clearly so I found it hard to get immersed. I felt like it was definitely more character-driven than plot-driven which for me I prefer a good balance of both.

The last half of the book really saved it for me and I am so glad that it picked up in pace and plot. I can't wait to see how what happens in book two as we are left on quite the cliffhanger!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an eARC to review!

A little bit slow at start bet when you get into it the pages just fly by. I really loved the plot and the romance part. The pacing is perfect after the start and the writing is both beautiful and still not over complicated. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I loved this book! The pacing kept me captivated, and the main character’s motivations were clear, understandable and compelling. I also appreciated the chronic illness representation in this story. The romance was a nice touch to a great story, but definitely the sub-plot in this fantasy.

I would recommend this to any Romantasy reader who doesn’t mind a closed-door romance and appreciates faster paced novels.

📚✨Book Review ✨📚

Book: A Dance of Lies
Author: Brittney Arena (@reverieandink)
💕Releases June 2025💕

🌟Rating: 4.5/5🌟

🩰✨Calling all dancers, and lovers of the art, A Dance of Lies is the perfect read for you. Step into a world where passion and danger take centre stage, and secrets hold just as much power as grace.

What a captivating debut that beautifully blends fantasy, romance, and character growth! I really enjoyed this book. The book took me out of a reading slump, following Onyx Storm. I had tried to start three other books but nothing took. However, when I started A Dance of Lies, I could not put it down. It was a book that I read into the early morning, because I could not stop myself.

I loved the main character, Vasalie, and the vulnerability she showed with her emotions. Her journey is one that is difficult and dangerous, facing situations where fear consumes her and indecisiveness takes over. However, she also has courage that arises from the guidance she received from someone who truly cared for her. It’s a beautiful and relatable exploration of strength in adversity.

That said, I did wish a bit more happened at times. The anticipation builds up, but some moments feel like they leave you hanging, especially when the tension and connection could’ve been explored more between the FMC and MMC. It wasn’t boring by any means (as I could not put it down), but I personally enjoy a little more progression in those key moments.

The characters were fun and each had their own uniqueness, and I loved where the story led. If you love interesting characters and an intriguing story, with a slow burn that delivers, this one is for you! 💕✨

I cannot stop thinking about this book.
The poignancy with which the art of dancing and self-expression have been brought onto the page and imbued within this fantastical plot is beyond beautiful.
I haven't read a book capturing the tension between the characters so well in quite a while. And it's not just the tension, it is anger, sadness, desperation and even determination that was so very all-consuming and felt very natural in the progression of the plot that made this book memorable.
Even with predictable twists, I couldn't look away from the page, the writing was that good.
The cliffhanger ending to book one is just perfect and this being a debut novel, I can't wait for the magic the author is about to brew for her next works and specially the sequel.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for the eARC

A Dance of Lies is a romance fantasy novel about a dancer with a disability who is force to spy on his brother's court for unbeknownst reason, but oh things take a turn. Our main character Vasalie is running away from her past and we uncover her secrets and her past as the story unfold. Vasalie is not your typical "physically strong" or "bad ass" female main character, but she is strong in other ways. And I appreciate that, because it's relatable as much as we like a "bad ass" female physical character who can fight or fly on dragons, but not all of us are like that. I'm going to be honest though that there was time I question Vasalie. But I actually relate to her and it's most likely what I will do if I was in her position, because YOUR GIRL CAN NOT FIGHT. LOL.

But also as we learn more about her past and her secrets, it's reveal that there's more going on than we think and she's just a tiny part of a much bigger plan. A lot of deception, men being stupid in general (oops), secrets, and lies. I did saw the plot twist coming, but I still wanted to vomit when it was reveal why was she a part of all of this. And man, the ending! I did not saw the ending coming, I need the sequel. OMG, it's going to be so painful... in a good way where my heart will probably be tore apart and then hopefully be glue back together or I'm suing for emotional damage. I feel like I cannot give too much without spoiling.

The romantic aspects in this book was my perfect cup of tea. I love banters, tensions, and slow burn romance! I prefer something not too spicy and unnecessary constant spices. Brittney has an ability to write out the chemistry and tension between characters so well, because honestly your girl was kicking her feet like a teenager every time with there was some angst between any of the characters.

A Dance of Lies- Brittney Arena
4.5/5 stars rounded up to 5.

✨️Magic of dance/theatre
✨️Political intrigue
✨️Unpredictable plots
✨️Scheming
✨️Betrayal
✨️Suspense

This novel follows our Female Main Character Vasalie Moran, a dancer who was previously the King's Jewell before being imprisoned for murder. Dragged from her cell, Vasalie is offered the chance to earn her freedom, by presenting as a dancer to The Gathering; where all the Royalty and nobility among the different lands meet to discuss treaties and alliances. Here she must complete tasks, set for her by her Kind Illian, with little understanding to the reason for, and consequences of.

Wow. What a debut into Romantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. This novel kept me guessing right from the start. I had no idea where we were going or where we would end. I couldn't even tell who the main love interest was going to be. I also really enjoyed reading from a dancer's perspective when it comes to royalty and nobility.

I loved Vasalie as a main character. She showed such strength in character, to continue picking herself up when it would be so easy to succumb to despair. I love her creativity when it came to constructing dance- turning something simple into something unforgettable.

I also really enjoyed the way this book was written. I felt stressed, I felt sad, I felt angered, I laughed out loud. I was both scared of, and adored the side characters.

And what an ending! I truly hope there is a second novel in the works, because I can't wait to see what happens next!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC. I can't wait to see what else this author creates.

Review: A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This book was absolutely phenomenal! 🩰 I am already counting down the days until I can get my hands on a physical copy, the cover is so lovely. If you’re a fan of romance-fantasy stories woven with political intrigue, interesting characters, and a gripping plot, this is a must-read. The writing is fantastic, and the romance feels so genuine and heartfelt that it left me wanting even more.

The story centers on Vasalie, a young woman who escapes her abusive father and secures a place at court as a dancer under King Ilian. Her dynamic with the king is fraught with tension and toxicity, reminiscent of Auren and Midas from “The Plated Prisoner” series. From the very beginning, their relationship gives off unsettling vibes, setting the stage for a bunch of manipulation and power struggles happening 👀

Vasalie’s life takes a devastating turn when she is falsely accused of murder and imprisoned for two years, during which her health deteriorates significantly. Upon her release, King Ilian forces her to act as a spy at the Royal Gathering, posing as a performer. The tasks he assigns her are nothing short of cruel, and her struggle with POTS adds another layer of physical and emotional pain to her ordeal. With the constant threat of being thrown back into prison looming over her, Vasalie has no choice but to comply… I truly felt for her, she was SO scared of returning to that cell 😭

One of the most intriguing relationships in the story is between Vasalie and Copelan, the Master of Ceremonies, who becomes her dance partner. Their connection is complicated and, frankly, frustrating—Copelan is the kind of character who can’t seem to make up his mind, going between hot and cold, leaving Vasalie (and me) exasperated. Ugh. Men like him drive me nuts I swear.

On the other hand, there’s Anton, King Ilian’s younger brother and the ruler of the East. Now, HE was a character I adored 🙂‍↕️ Charming, witty, and entertaining, Anton brought so much life to the story with his flirty banter and mysterious aura. I found myself constantly questioning his true intentions—was he an ally, or was he secretly one of the antagonists? Hmmmmm. He was a fun character.

Vasalie’s character development is nothing short of extraordinary. The author does an incredible job of portraying the challenges of living with chronic illness and the heartbreak of feeling betrayed by your own body 🥲 Despite her physical struggles, Vasalie is determined and resilient.

Overall, this is a stellar debut that left me desperate for the next installment. That cliffhanger? Absolutely brutal. I WANT THE SEQUEL NOW 😭