3.5 / 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A quick synopsis in layperson terms: Vasalie was once the star dancer in King Illian’s court. She cared for him and she thought he cared for her until he accused her of a murder she did not commit and locked her away for two years. Those two years wreaked havoc on her body and on her mind but she is released on one condition: she will be a spy for the King at the annual King’s Gathering. At the King’s Gathering, she must navigate intense politics, figuring out who is ally and who is foe, and find her dancing abilities once again.

To be completely honest, I am an easy sell for anything romantasy, so this book was going to be up my alley pretty automatically. That being said, it was also one of my favorite sub-genres in romantasy: royal court politics. Boy, oh, boy do I LOVE the plotting and scheming. And you throw in multiple potential love interests and I am sold.

I thought the author did a really great job of establishing the world, the myths and lore, and all of the characters. There were a lot of them to keep track of but I didn’t feel confused. I certainly mispronounced names and countries but that is sort of par for the course for me (sorry that I kept calling their land “Meridian” in my brain!). I was surprised that this was a debut novel because I felt like the groundwork for this book and its sequel were laid out really well.

I found the pacing to be a bit slow in the beginning and it took me until about 40% in to really get invested but once I was, I FLEW through the rest of the book. I really enjoyed the twists at the end as well.

I thought the chronic illness representation was really well done. Because of her time in the dungeons, Vasalie doesn’t have the same control or function of her body but the same results are expected from her. Very few people notice just how hard it is for her and she is constantly having to figure out the limits of her body and mind.

I just wish that Vasalie has a wider range of emotions and a bit more agency. Vasalie spends most of the book pretty panicked and two steps behind which is fair given her circumstance but we only get glimpses of other emotions like joy, surprise, silliness, and even anger (though she says she is angry often, it often felt overshadowed by sadness or fear). She also doesn’t have a ton of agency which again is fair because she is often a pawn in everyone else’s chess game but even the moments when she thinks she has control end up being taken away from her. The only times she really has agency is when she dances. I do not need my heroine to be perpetually strong and perpetually the driver of her own story but I would have liked a little more nuance and a little more command of her own life. It does look like that may be more of the case in the next book in this series so I am really looking forward to reading it.

Thank you to Random House Publishing - Del Rey and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.

Well. This one took me some time to get through, but not because it was a struggle, I just didn't have a lot of time.

I liked Vasalie. She's stronger than she knows and it was intriguing reading her figure that out. There's a pretty large cast of characters here, but the story absolutely revolves around Vasalie (even if she doesn't realize it.)

Plot wise, there are a lot a lot a lot of moving pieces and everything moves at a deliciously slow burn. I did enjoy the banter and yearning and second guessing everyone and everything. The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat and legit gasping and the ending...oh man.

Overall, it took some time for the story to get moving, but damn, what a ride this has been. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

I stayed up so late the last two nights to finish my ARC of A Dance of Lies and first of all it’s marketed as a romantic fantasy and it is, but it’s *dark* but also so so so beautiful and visceral and heart wrenching and genuinely one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It will APPARENTLY be a duology so maybe it will have a HEA/HFN, but it might be worth knowing that it DEFINITELY DOES NOT HAVE ONE IN BOOK ONE HOLY CRAP! I closed the book at like 1:30 AM last night like “well…that was rude” and then couldn’t sleep due to the book induced existential crisis 😆 I think I’m going to need to buy a physical copy because holy smokes

The chronic illness rep was so important to me and so well done, very much mirroring my own experiences with dysautonomia/POTS and co.

It’s steamy but I don’t think there was ever an actual on page sex scene.

Also like. Dark. It’s. Dark and bloody. And it twists concepts of like lust and desire and possessiveness into that darkness so there are definitely trigger warnings to be aware of. But very, very good

Essentially it boils down to: this book ruined my life. And now I need everyone to read it and I need a framed poster of the cover to hang on my wall to stare at lovingly

A Dance of Lies was a really enjoyable read. I loved the descriptive writing - it's one of those books that makes you feel as if you are right there in the world with the characters.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Brittney Arena for providing me with an ARC of Dance of Lies in exchange for my honest review.

Dance of Lies is a romantasy that follows Vasalie Moran, a former court dancer once revered as the King’s Jewel. Her world shatters when she’s framed for murder and imprisoned in a dungeon for two years. But just as suddenly, she’s pulled back into the royal world—offered a chance at freedom in exchange for dancing at a royal gathering while secretly carrying out a mission for the cunning King Illian.

This was a solid 4-star read for me. The world-building is immersive, the political intrigue well-crafted, and the plot packed with twists and turns that kept me engaged. I especially appreciated how some characters evolved in unexpected ways—something that doesn’t always happen in the romantasy genre.

As a debut, Dance of Lies is impressive, and I’m eager to see where Brittney Arena takes the story next. I’m particularly excited to watch the world expand and the stakes rise in future installments.

Well this was a very different kind of read for me!

I finished this over a weekend and enjoyed the concept—it had all the right ingredients: court politics, hidden agendas, and that slow-burn romantic tension I live for. While there were a few pacing and worldbuilding hiccups, Brittney’s potential shines through. For a debut? Honestly, impressive!

A FEW KEY THINGS TO KNOW:
Fantasy romance
Fake courtship turned real feelings
Hidden identities & secrets
Forbidden romance
Spy FMC
Noble (but complicated) MMC
Slow burn with emotional payoff
Light-to-medium spice 🌶️

CONS:
Worldbuilding felt a little underdeveloped
The pacing dragged in the middle
Side characters could’ve used more depth
Some plot points felt a bit too convenient

This was a solid 3.75 star read for me—not quite a knockout, but definitely memorable! If you’re into romantasy with court tension, complicated loyalties, and a central romance that burns, this is absolutely worth picking up.

Brittney Arena is one to watch—her storytelling has serious potential, and I’m excited to see how she grows with her next books

Review: A Dance of lies – DNF at 45%

Unfortunately, I didn’t finish this book – not because it was bad, but because it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

From what I read, I could see a lot of potential. The premise was really promising, and the author clearly put effort into building the world and characters. I can absolutely see why others might love this – especially readers who enjoy fantasy with high stakes.

But personally, I struggled to connect with the story and found my interest drifting. Sometimes it’s just a matter of taste and timing.

I still think it deserves a chance if the book intrigues you.

3.75/5⭐️

Finally a character who has been realistically affected by their time trapped in a prison, and doesn’t ’bounce back’ into their previous impeccable form. There are lasting marks and consequences to not being able to freely move (for TWO YEARS), and I thought Brittney Arena showed that with Vasalie - our FMC of this story.

The way that the dance scenes are described is beautiful, and I felt like I could clearly see them in my mind. I found it powerful how healing was explored through the expression of dance, and learning to love a new version of your body after everything it has endured.
“So I make myself another promise: I will find a way to live with it. Because I am grateful that my heart still beats, grateful that this body, however pained, has not crumbled beneath the weight of all that has been done to it”.

There were some parts of the story that I felt could have been flushed out more, and described in more detail or smoother scene transitions the way that the dances were. However, the overall bones of the story and plot were very interesting and kept me wanting to know more. Definitely was NOT expecting the ending to unfold the way that it did. I love when I am caught off guard and don’t see an ending coming!

I thought that this was a great debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds in book 2! Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey Random House Worlds, Inklore for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts 💙✨

A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena was such an addictive read! From the first chapter, I was completely pulled into the story and didn’t want to put it down. The writing is fast-paced, with just the right mix of drama, intrigue, and emotion to keep me hooked.

The characters felt real and flawed, which made them easy to connect with. I loved following their journey, even when things got messy or unpredictable. Brittney Arena has a way of creating tension that keeps you guessing and makes you want to know what happens next.

The setting added so much atmosphere to the story, and I could picture everything so clearly. It’s one of those books where you feel like you’re right there in the middle of it all.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves a gripping, emotional story with twists that keep you on your toes. It left me thinking about the characters long after I finished. I can’t wait to see what Brittney Arena writes next!

2.5 (rounded up)

A Dance of Lies is an adult romantasy about a disabled dancer who is turned into a reluctant spy. Set in a world of court intrigue and kingdoms on the cusp of war, Vasalie Moran has to contend with the thin lines that separate her enemies from allies in this game of political espionage if she wants to make it out alive.

I will say that I loved the premise of this book and the author’s inclusion of chronic pain and disability representation were really great to see, especially in a fantasy setting. However, while I really wanted to love this book, unfortunately the character development fell flat and ultimately didn’t help in the set-up for the novel. Vasalie’s inner thoughts and descriptions throughout the story seemed a bit stilted and repetitive in a way that took me out of the actual court politics, and the build-up of the high-stakes situations the characters seemingly find themselves in felt like we were going in circles before anything actually happened. While there were certain parts where I do think this tension between Vasalie's actions and her desires comes through as she navigates these court politics, for the majority, it left me feeling relatively underwhelmed. Further, the almost insta-lusty elements of what I can only say is the main romantic relationship (without getting into spoilers) didn’t work for me, which was so unfortunate as this relationship does seem to play into so much for the rest of the plot.

While I do think there were some really solid elements and the overall story was definitely intriguing (rounded up my rating because the potential was definitely there), I unfortunately don’t think I will be picking up the second book in this duology.

Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for the eArc of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐒𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬, 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫. 𝐃𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.”

I’ve been raving about this book to anyone who’ll listen, so when I received the ARC, I was absolutely ecstatic. I was thrilled to see a romantasy novel that felt so close to my own experiences—as someone who’s chronically ill and dances, it meant the world to me. Brittney has written such a powerful debut, and I couldn’t be prouder. I truly believe this book is destined to be the next big romantasy sensation (and it’s so well deserved). Now I’m impatiently—and shamelessly—begging for book two.

the vibes ™:
- dancer turned spy
- chronic illness rep
- trust no one
- found family
- prophecy

⚔️✨🤍🔮

A disabled dancer turned reluctant spy, political betrayal, and a brewing royal war—A Dance of Lies should have soared. What begins as a dazzling promise of defiance, danger, and disability rep ends up dancing in circles—feeling like a copy-paste of stronger stories, only less alive.

I went into A Dance of Lies full of hope. A romantasy with a disabled protagonist navigating court politics and espionage? That premise alone had me ready to fall in love. But despite the setup, what followed was a disappointingly formulaic story that never truly brought its characters—or its world—to life.

The opening echoes familiar territory (Throne of Glass fans will notice the parallels instantly): Vasalie, once a royal dancer, has been wrongfully imprisoned and suddenly summoned back to serve the king who betrayed her. She’s given a mission as a spy during a tense political gathering—but rather than seething with rage, trauma, or even conflicted loyalty, Vasalie greets each moment with a baffling emotional flatness. In first-person narration, this absence of interiority is especially glaring. Her voice lacks the vulnerability, complexity, or edge you’d expect from someone with her history.

What makes this especially frustrating is the missed potential in the book’s most promising feature: its disability representation. Vasalie lives with chronic pain and lasting injuries, but these are inconsistently portrayed. She’s often able to perform physically demanding dances when the plot calls for it, as if determination alone can override her limitations. While it’s laudable to place a disabled heroine at the centre of a romantasy, the representation here feels symbolic rather than authentic—acknowledged, but not meaningfully explored.

The broader worldbuilding feels similarly underdeveloped. A royal summit featuring multiple monarchs should be brimming with tension, yet the atmosphere lacks stakes or urgency. Characters seem to trust Vasalie far too easily, and she’s quickly surrounded by not one, but two potential love interests—neither of whom is developed enough to justify the emotional weight the story tries to give them.

When I read ‘disabled dancer turned spy,’ I expected fire, fury, and grit. Instead, I got a muted heroine, flat emotion, and a plot that tiptoes through tired tropes. In the end, this story of shadows and secrets never quite finds its spark.

Despite its rich concept, A Dance of Lies plays it safe, relying on genre clichés and shallow emotional beats. Fans of light romantasy with palace intrigue and morally grey royals may still find something to enjoy here—particularly readers newer to the genre. But for those seeking character depth, authentic representation, or fresh storytelling, this debut doesn’t quite deliver.

This book has a lot of potential but just falls flat.. the characters are not well developed and the story is over written. I really appreciate the efforts of writing a FMC with chronic pain etc, but it just gets lost in the attempted world building. I really wanted to love this book because some of the imagery is so stunning, it just needed some serious restructuring.

Dance of Lies completely swept me away. This debut is everything I could ask for in a fantasy romance. It was fast-paced plot, court intrigue, slow-burn tension, and a main character I adored from page one. Vasalie’s journey is powerful, emotional, and deeply personal. The way the author wrote her experience with chronic illness and trauma felt so real and added such depth. I was in awe of her strength and growth.

The worldbuilding is rich and easy to follow, and I loved how quickly I was immersed. The court politics had me glued to the page, and I was constantly gasping at the twists and turns. Ilian gave me major Midas vibes with his creepy obsession, and watching Vasalie slowly break free from his control was so satisfying.

And let’s talk about Anton. I was not ready to fall that hard for him. He is flirty, clever, and way too charming. The slow burn between him and Vasalie had me smiling, giggling, and kicking my feet. Copelan was another great surprise, and their dynamic kept me guessing in the best way.

This story goes beyond just romance. The emotional growth, powerful themes, and layered characters made it unforgettable. I already pre-ordered the sequel and cannot wait to return to this world. If you love romantic fantasy with high stakes and heart, this is a must-read.

A Dance of Lies takes you into a world divided up into three parts of a single country, ruled by three brothers, all who hate one another. The only thing keeping them together is the clause their father bestowed on the lands, they must all share the same army.

Vasalie, once a favourite dancer in the Western King’s palace, has been rotting away in the dungeon after the king framed her for murder. Confused, hurt and dying she is brought back out again to again be the king’s pawn.

She must follow his bidding as a spy during the gathering, where all of the kings and royalty of surrounding lands come together in the same place for six weeks. Her cover being a soloist dancer, except her body is far from what it used to be. She must use all her ideas and cunning to infiltrate the gathering and buy back her life by following the kings orders. But at what cost?

I loved the world building and descriptions of the dances throughout this book. I could completely picture the setting.

I didn’t feel fully convinced by relationship between Vasalie and the king at the start where they’re supposed to have been incredibly close before she got framed but I enjoyed seeing how Vasalie tackled the tasks, gaining her strength back.

Such a well written novel! Brittney Arena's A Dance of Lies is tightly plotted, with strong characters and deft worldbuilding. What a refreshing take on a fantasy protagonist! Vasalie's disability was so deeply relatable to me and it was beautifully reflected onto the novel. I can't wait for the next installment

“I thought I was special to him, but what is a single jewel to a king who has thousands?”

I read only a handful of fantasy books a year and A Dance of Lies is a new all time favorite. I’m excited to recommend this debut by Brittney Arena to those like myself who want to be a fantasy girlie but may struggle with finding the right book within the genre to capture our attentions….& capture is what Brittney did.

“A story worth telling warrants a little destruction.”

From the beginning of the book to the sombering end. I love in the synopsis it claims “a dancer turned spy” and that is the journey you are led on with the main character Vasalie who has been locked away in a dungeon for two years and then one day expected to return to her role as the Kings Jewel and dance at the six week royal gathering at a seaside palace where she is under the Kings watchful eye and sent on tasks to complete in order to secure her freedom by the end.

“My past is mine.”

I was lost in this world of royalty, dancers and betrayal. The dance scenes read as if I could see each move. The pain Vasalie felt trying to do something that in the long run would save her life felt excruciating. And the chemistry had me smitten… Anton 🫶🏼… I can’t wait to see what’s coming next!

Thank you Del Rey this was an absolute treat!
Releases 6/10

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4.5 stars

I was really enjoying this book, but I must say, at about 80-85%, it suddenly took a turn. I was worried that with so few pages left, it was going to wrap things up too neatly somehow. Instead, it did the opposite, and I need book 2 immediately. (There's going to be a book 2, right? Right?!!!)

Recommended, but oh my heart.

3.75 stars for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫- I wish we could do halves and so on in the rating system here, It just didn’t hit 4 stars for me unfortunately.

It was so cool receiving this as an arc, it has been on my radar so it was exciting to get to read it early.

I do have some mixed thoughts about the book, overall it was good but it did keep giving me similar vibes to a lot of fantasy books out there. The start felt too similar to another book so I did think I wasn’t going to enjoy it. However, the further you get in the better the storyline becomes and it starts to become its own story without that constant ‘I’ve deffo read this somewhere else’ feeling!

I enjoyed the FMC and her role within the story, she definitely developed as the book went on and you were able to feel for her and the scenarios she was put in. I ADORE Anton. He did give me similar vibes to Rhys from ACOTAR though, as in is he the big baddie or is it all fake to protect his court…but, I ate it all because it’s a great trope. Not a fan of Copelan tbh, he just bugged me, can’t really pin point exactly what, but I never vibed with him and his relationship to the FMC.

There was a good amount of suspense, different plot points, and the story was a decent pace. The prophecy was a good addition, though I did feel like it was brought in a little late to the story. The ending was not entirely a shocker in the general terms of what happened, but the specifics (trying real hard not to spoil things lol) was…as in what some certain person lost to be able to save the other!

I am looking forward to the next book, though I’m probably going to be waiting a while though!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!

I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would! When I first applied for it, my thoughts were “that’s a nice cover” but I’m so glad that I read it through.

This book ticked so many boxes for me, royal courts, fantasy politics, a strong female character that goes through amazing characters development (although sometimes I wanted to shake her!), and I LOVED that this was fantasy with a romance sub plot and that wasn’t the whole reason for the book.

The characters were really easy to love and you felt connected with even just the small side characters you only see for 2 chapters. The writing was really good and wanted to go read more by Brittney to find out this is her first release! I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books in the future.

This was such a high 4 stars and I’m so excited to see what happens in the next book!