For a debut novel this book was really good. There were some parts in the first half of the book that I did find slow, however I have been in a long book slump so this very much could be me not the book itself. The characters were interesting and I found the concept of the gathering with the dancing element really unique. As the book progressed I started to find myself more and more invested in certain connections between characters. The ending was very much unexpected and I am intrigued to read the next instalment.

This is a good book for those who love political intrigue and a character-driven story. There are lots of twist and turns, and I really enjoyed the way the secrets were unveiled throughout the stoty.
I wouldn't call this a romantasy - there is romance, but it's secondary to the story.
I loved the disabilty and chronic pain representation!

I'll definitely be reading book two - I need to know how this ends!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena is a first person-POV political fantasy. Vasalie was once a dancer for King Illian and was also once in love with him. For the past two years, he’s kept her locked up, unable to leave the castle and either giving her a chronic illness or making a pre-existing one worse. Now, Illian needs Vasalie to seduce his brother Anton as he makes moves among the other kings of the land.

I would not call this a Romantasy. There were three different characters that I thought could be the love interest until the sixty percent mark and I felt that the political plot held a lot more weight than the romance itself, which felt like more of a C plot. Technically, Vasalie is sent to seduce Anton, but due to her history with Illian and her close relationship with the male dancer at the meeting of the Crowns, I was not quite sure which direction it was going to go. For me, I want to know who the love interest is and we meet them by 10% at the latest in a fantasy romance and I want the couple to meet by either the 15% mark or their meeting is the inciting incident. I think political fantasy is more where this sits.

The worldbuilding involves a lot of sexism as women seem to lack power and it is legal for Vasalie’s father to not only engage her at thirteen to an older man, but also to make her move into his home to marry him. Vasalie runs away, but it is pretty clear that men move through the world with more freedom. Where I felt this the most strongly was seeing how almost every single person in power is a man and the women who were in power often had struggles keeping it or were under the thumb of a man.

Another reason I think this is more of a political fantasy is how many political machinations are mentioned throughout the book and how they connect to some aspect of Vasalie’s life and the broader world. The author shows a very interesting web of politics that I think is well-developed and acknowledges how hard it is to get any power when you’re born without it and the lengths some people will go to take power away.

I would recommend this to fans of political fantasy who like multiple parts and pieces moving

I found this book full of quotable and relatable moments!

The chronic pain homage that is paid is achingly beautiful.

This story is lighter on the fantasy elements but please don’t let that be a sticking point for you either way. I found myself relating to both the Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas in multiple, but unique ways. I enjoyed how King Anton was giving Rhysand-esque qualities!

The love triangles/shapes going on in this story I found to be well done and each captured my attention.

“Because I don’t know whether he’s the safest of them all. Or he is, by far, the most dangerous.”

The ending wraps up quicker than I was expecting, however, I only think I feel that way because I truly wanted more!

Thank you to Del Rey Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena.

Wow this book was a ride.

The first few chapters felt heavy, emotional, and honestly a bit repetitive, which made it difficult for me to connect at first. Vasalie’s grief and betrayal were portrayed vividly, but her inner monologue lingered so much on the same pain that it almost weighed down the pacing. That said, I’m so glad I kept going, because what followed was an intensely immersive, emotionally resonant, and captivating story that had me flipping pages deep into the night.

The emotional depth of Vasalie’s journey really struck a chord with me. After spending two years imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit, she suffers from muscle and nerve damage—something rarely explored in fantasy. Her physical struggle, the disconnection between body and mind, was written in a raw and real way that hit home. Her pain wasn’t just emotional, it was visceral, and I appreciated how her resilience was portrayed not with cliché superpowers, but with determination, passion, and the will to survive.

And then came Anton. A character so charismatic, clever, and full of layered charm that I nearly highlighted every line he spoke. His banter with Vasalie, his confidence, and the way he carried himself it all made for such a compelling romantic interest. Their chemistry leapt off the page, and even though I usually prefer a slow burn, I was thoroughly entertained by the dynamic and… ahem… spicy turns their relationship took. (That brothel spying scene? Unforgettable.)

King Illian, on the other hand, was a character I loved to hate. Cold, manipulative, and deeply complex, his arc had me hoping for a more dramatic downfall. I found myself wishing for a slower, more satisfying resolution to his story, but that’s a testament to how strongly I was invested in Vasalie’s need for justice.

The court intrigue, layered politics, and vivid worldbuilding were captivating. While there were times I struggled to visualize certain descriptions, especially some of the performance scenes, the writing overall was atmospheric and emotionally charged. Each chapter painted a scene I could step into, especially during the palace and espionage moments.

My only real critique lies in the pacing of the ending. While the rest of the novel struck a great balance between movement and character development, the final portion felt a little rushed. I would’ve loved a few more chapters to let things unfold, rather than a quick setup for the next book.

Still, for a debut, A Dance of Lies truly impressed me. It’s a beautifully written fantasy with depth, darkness, hope, and a heroine who feels real in all the best ways. I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel and praying that Vasalie gets the vengeance she deserves. Recommended for: readers who love court intrigue, complex heroines, trauma healing arcs, morally gray love interests, and slow-burns with a bit more heat than expected.


Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It took a little time to settle into the story, but once I did, I was completely hooked. The world-building is breathtaking—rich, immersive, and layered with political intrigue that kept me on edge. Every twist and revelation felt earned, weaving together beautifully to create an engrossing and rewarding read.

Vasalie was a standout character for me. Her internal struggles—questioning her desires, morality, and loyalties—added so much depth. The secret spying and the tension that came with it raised the stakes, making every moment feel significant. Her gradual evolution was beautifully done, as she wrestled with ambition and personal ethics in a way that felt authentic.

The political dynamics and world-building are incredibly detailed, enhancing the narrative without ever overwhelming it. The romance is well-balanced—present enough to add emotional depth, but never overshadowing the larger story. I really appreciated how it enriched the plot while allowing Vasalie’s journey to remain the focus.

While the pacing leans slower, it’s immersive rather than sluggish. The story gradually pulls you in before delivering a dark, haunting ending that will leave you eager for the sequel and searching for answers.

One of my favourite aspects of the book was its portrayal of dance. The author captures movement so vividly, making each scene dynamic and alive. The writing overall flows beautifully, and for a debut, the pacing is impressively handled. I especially admired how the world-building unfolds naturally—avoiding excessive info-dumping, which is often tricky in high fantasy.

At first, it was the writing that drew me in, but the characters completely won me over. Anton, in particular, had plenty of moments that absolutely melted me. I can’t wait for the next one in the series to see where this story is going!

DNF:
I have unfortunately decided to DNF this book. For me I could not connect with the FMC. The story in itself did not intrigue me enough to keep it going. And I will say that I could see how this could be the book for some people. But it was not for me. Therefore I made the decision for myself and the book to not continue it.

I would consider picking up another book from this author in the future if the premise intrigues me.

I would like to say thank you to the author and publishers for a chance to read this, in exchange for an honest review

First off I’d like to start by saying that the cover is beautiful for a fantasy book and the description drew me in. I think this is very much a new concept for a fantasy book and could get behind what the author was trying to create

You might be thinking why 3 stars, well for me, it was advertised as a love triangle romantic fantasy but I think the romances weren’t really developed at the moment, which I hope they will be in later books. The fmc I think I just didn’t gel with and found her quite frustrating maybe ? I know she’s gone through a lot, but I just couldn’t get on with her.

I think as well that the fantasy world that was being created was yes brilliant but I think I just wanted to have a bit more, some scenes as well I felt were very descriptive for what was happening but some weren’t described as clearly and I just couldn’t imagine the setting which I feel is important when reading a book

I will say that I would read the next books in the series despite of this, I just have so many questions that haven’t I don’t think been answered.

Please don’t read this and be put off, what I might not have enjoyed as much you might love

Vasalie used to be King Ilian's favorite dancer but she was framed for murder and locked away for 2 years, until for some reason she is released. Ilian offers her a pardon in exchange for sneaking into the royal gathering under the guise of a dancer in order to spy for him, he doesn't seem to care that her incarceration damaged her body leaving her unable to dance as she used to....
I loved how Vasalie found a way to still be a captivating performer in spite of her new limitations, the story does spend quite a while in the first half of the story focusing on her designing and making her costumes and the sets which got a bit boring after a while but the author switches gears in the back half of the book to focus more on all of the political machinations going on in the many different courts which sucked me back into the story. I was a little disappointed that this isn't actually a standalone like I thought so be aware there is a cliffhanger ending, now I'll just be ticked if book 2 never happens lol

First off thank you for the chance to read! I have been eagerly awaiting this book. So I’ll be honest I’m sort of torn when it comes to a review. 1. I felt like it was such a long book. I read it in a day but it just seemed to drag and I found myself skimming through parts to try and get to something interesting. If you are more into fantasy than romance this would be good for you. If you are here for romance then fantasy? You might struggle like I did. I almost DNF at around 50% just because I was getting so annoyed with not knowing who our mmc was. I get that it was like acotar vibes and you didn’t know but honestly would have preferred to just know and get more interactions. I did truly like the fact our fmc experienced pain and struggles. It made her more human. So often in these stories you read about females who are suddenly capable of everything. It was nice seeing someone who wasn’t. Who was scarred but still kept going. Honestly though I just wish this had been one book. This seemed like such a nice open and close story so I’m kind of disappointed by the ending. It left me more annoyed than interested. My feedback would be just make this one story. Let us have the happy ending. You can write other books just don’t leave us with the whole amnesia thing (sorry it’s my least favorite trope). I still will probably read the second book just had such high hopes with how this was going

My overall feeling about this book is that the plot is too scattered. I like the premise but felt it did not follow through. The build up to Morta was exciting but in the end felt too....casual? I appreciated how the main characters disability was handled.

I love a good royal court setting and thoroughly enjoyed the Gathering! I cannot believe this book is from a debut author; this book had me HOOKED and I knocked it out within a day. I also loved the cliffhanger even though it broke my heart to a million pieces.

Also cover art is amazingly gorgeous and deserves praise too!!

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

Vasalie Moran, a dancer unjustly imprisoned for a crime she didn't commit, strikes a deal with King Illian: spy at a royal gathering in exchange for her freedom. This dangerous task forces her to betray those around her and uncover dangerous secrets.

I’ll be honest—at first, I wasn’t enjoying the book much. The first half felt slow, and the pacing seemed off. But around the 60% mark, everything changed. The unexpected plot twists and captivating romance made it impossible to put down.

This makes it tough to fully rate the book, as I only became truly engrossed later on. Despite a slightly rushed ending, I'm looking forward to the next book.

Rating: 3.75

I have mixed feelings about this book. The beginning of the book was tough for me to get through because not a lot was going on and I understand Vas was getting acclimated to the real world after her imprisonment but it was too slow. Around the 50% was when it started getting good and I was hooked. Did I agree with some choices she made? No but I can understand where she was coming from. I did enjoy the spying and when she started to work with Anton. I liked their dynamic and romance it had me giggling. I will say the ending felt rushed. There was too much going on and I'm not gonna lie I got confused, especially pertaining to the prophecy and fates. Thank you del rey for the opportunity to read this arc!

To mention, I received a free E-ARC copy of this book. This review is strictly my opinion and no-one else's.

Vasalie Moran is more than meets the eye. She is a strong, powerful force that gets what she needs, and gets out. Until she is presented with a set of tasks that promise her something that not only she has sacrificed for, but her loved ones as well. She falls into this dance between kings of old and new, but will she perform how they want her to? Or, will she perform in the way that will save her kingdom - and her life.

I think this book was absolutely transcendent. From the world building to the intricate detailing on the arts, Arena paints a picture so well that you can't do anything but watch - or in this case, read. The pacing contributes to the fact that you can't put it down, but it also pulls you in so deeply that you want to savor the story of Vasalie.

The fact that this was Arena's debut novel adds to my shock brought on by the ending of this book. At first, I thought I could predict the ending, but just like in the three kingdoms of Miridran, nothing is what it seems.

I recommend this to the Rhysand lovers and the Leo groupies, to lovers of mysterious trials, and of the arts.

“They deserve to burn, and I want to strike the match.” ★★★★★

What an absolutely phenomenal debut. A Dance of Lies is filled with rich world-building, beautiful prose, incredible tension, heartbreaking betrayals, quite the love story, and also perfectly captures the pain and resilience of living with chronic illness. I cannot believe this is a debut, and I am so excited (and scared) to see what comes next!

Vasalie was once an esteemed dancer in her King’s court - his favourite - until he frames and imprisons her for murder that is. Two years after being locked away in the dungeons, Vasalie is brought before her King to make a deal. If she becomes his eyes, ears and hands at a royal gathering, he will grant her freedom. Unable to refuse, Vasalie becomes his spy under the cover of an event performer, and it’s not too long until things become very very complicated…and deadly.

If Vasalie wants to survive, she must decide who to trust, who to fight for, and how much of her soul she’s willing to damn in the process.

Featuring:
🔥 the sweetest female rage arch
🕯️a slow burn romance
👑 shady court politics
💛 truly amazing chronic illness rep

I am also in the camp that would say this is far more fantasy with romance than what can fall under straight romantasy. The romance is delicious and confusing and I adored it, but it’s not the main focus. The true jewels of the story are the intricacies of abusive power, court politics and Vasalie’s independent rise to fight back against those who have wronged her.

“Rise from your ashes, my dear. Don’t crumble alongside them.”

Thank you to Penguin Random House, Del Ray, and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. A Dance of Lies comes out June 10th.

Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey for the eArc of A Dance of Lies

3⭐️/5

This book fell a bit short for me. I was very excited to read it but had difficulty from the beginning staying engaged with the story. I think the fmc ended up being a bit flat and it made it hard to connect and become invested in the story. I found my self starting to skim read a decent amount of the story just to get through it. The book definitely had potential and hopefully the author can improve on things in the next book of the series.

I stopped reading A Dance of Lies at the 50% mark. I thought I was going to love this book! The beginning of the story started off strong. I enjoyed the opening scene with Vasalie and was intrigued by her storyline. Unfortunately, I lost interest as the story progressed to the gathering. One of the things that turned me off from this book was the multiple love interests. I am very picky when it comes to love triangles and this story's didn't meet my standards. I wasn't fully invested in the characters. Due to the way the author wrote the romance, I didn't feel connected to Vasalie's relationships. Vasalie was an okay main character. Compared to other fantasy FMC's, she felt underdeveloped. I liked the disability representation with Vasalie. I did struggle wrapping my head around her suddenly being able to perform physically demanding dances. I thought the dancing storyline was unique. There were some passages where I had a difficult time imagining the dances. The writing style wasn't anything to write home about. It was a little repetitive and prose heavy at points. The story didn't progress at an ideal speed. As a result, I wasn't interested in finishing the story. I thought the world building was explained decently and the romantasy tropes were placed in correctly to draw in fans. Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

I am unsure on where to start, so I will first beg for the ARC of book 2 to be sent to me right now, there must be gods out there that can make this happen please!

This book was so amazing, I am unsure on how to proceed with my day after that cliff-hanger.

I came into the book unsure on what to expect, romantasy books haven’t be hitting the right spots for me in their writing and I was worried the same would be said about Dance of Lies; but I was far from wrong. I have finally found a book that has made me feel something, there parts of the book where I almost cried – I would have cried if I didn’t have a work meeting within 5 minutes of reading the chapter.

Birttney is such a good writer, her words on a page can do wonderful things to a person and I am so glad I was given the opportunity to receive the ARC of this book. The good things people have been saying are to be trusted, this book is phenomenal and now will live rent free in my top 10 books I have ever read.

So I really don't know how to complain... without spoilers.... so... "SPOILERS"

... The story starts out good... but when Vasalie starts catching feelings for the guy in charge of the dancers... the uptight, strict rule follower... The book comes almost unbearable. I probably would have quit reading if it wasn't for all the hype already building for this book. I feel like there should have been a little more chemistry, or make the guy a little more likable? Because instead of enjoying the story, any time she mentioned his comfort, I wanted to throw the book. I'm all for misdirection, but it was too much.
But when I got to 50% of the book, I was hooked, couldn't put the book down. Really enjoyed the friendships, loyalty and growth.
Another complaint I will make, is her murdering the king. Changing who she is. Really she can just be told to do something, and didn't stand for what she believed in....... then we find out Anton, couldn't be killed anyway.... so she really murdered him and didn't truly have to. She couldn't bring herself to poison... yet, easy enough to slit someone's throat.

Great book as a debut. I will for sure grab others by this author in the future...