A beautifully woven story of a girl who just wants to be free. This story had so much heartbreak. It's a story of commradarie, betrayal and love. I found Brittney did an excellent job of weaving world building, character development and constant 'on the edge of your chair' feeling. I didn't want to miss a word out of fear I'd miss something. This is a 5 star read for me, I haven't felt this drawn into a story in a long time and I cannot wait for book 2.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

A charecter driven fantasy with political intrigue and a disabled fmc with lush and vivid writing this book is a must read!

This book follows our fmc Vasalie, a framed murderer, as she is forced by her captor to danve and spy for him. The book is definitely more charecter driven, it shows Vasalies desperation and rage and how far she would go to attain her freedom and the moral delilema that come with it. Her struggle to find her footing in her new disabled life felt real and emotional. I wasn't too invested in the romance but nevertheless a great story!

3.5 ⭐️

I appreciated the disability representation in regards to the FMC, but it was a bit too character-driven and not enough plot-driven for my personal taste. It started off quite Throne Of Glass-esque but did eventually find its footing. It ramped up in intensity for the last 20-30% and the payoff was worth the slow build.

Overall, a solid debut from Brittney Arena and I could see this leading to a series run.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise of this book and the cover and can happily say that I was positively suprised when the book was even better than I expected.

The book starts with our FMC being framed for murder and having to infiltrate and spy for the king who framed her in order to regain her freedom. In addition to this, the FMC has to face her now permanently injured body and hidden past, that brings new layers and more depth to this immersive read.

As our FMC navigates court politics and betrayal, she has to also deal with her chronic pain and confront her trauma and doing so, rediscover her relisience and strength along the way.

While the book was somewhat slow build and maybe little overly detailed in the beginning, the FMC’s emotional growth makes it worth it and the emotional storytelling makes this a immersive and compelling story.

The romance in this book was slowburn and low-spice and was strong on the emotional side. There was also a lot of suspense, drama, betrayal and maybe even some love triangle.

All and all, this book was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it if you like character driven plots with lots of twists and turns, political scheaming and some good old espionage.

This is a beautiful story and an absolute joy to read. The story follows Vasalie who after being imprisoned for two years cannot dance as she used to, except to save her life she must... With a little espionage on the side.

It is full of lush descriptions of her dances that are as political as the Web of lies she is entangled in. Her chronic pain and trauma are explored so well and with such sensitivity it knocked the breath out of me. This book was everything I didn't know I needed and I am going to become absolutely insufferable when I get a physical copy because everyone has to read this.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC, I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for an e-Arc of Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena.

Unfortunately, I had a hard time with this one. The plot took a while to gain momentum, only picking up around the 40-50% mark, by which point it felt a bit too late. Some of twists were predictable, and the length of the book caused the story to drag at times, with inconsistent pacing and a lot of unnecessary repetition.

The last 15-20% of the book definitely makes up a lot for the beginning and it’s super fast paced and enjoyable which is why I’m giving this 3.5 stars. I only wished that the entire book would’ve been like the last part.

At first I really liked our FMC, Vasalie, but as the story progressed, her repetitive inner monologue started to pull me out of the story, and her character became underwhelming but then it picked up once more by the end. While I understand she went through something very traumatic that left lifelong effects, I wish we would’ve seen a bit more growth from her on this one. Her character is also the type where every male character is immediately taken with her and she somehow has chemistry with them all.

On a positive note, I appreciated that Vasalie’s illness wasn’t magically cured, and she had to come to terms living with it. As someone with a disability, I value seeing more realistic representations like this in books.

As for the other characters, I wasn’t invested in Illian at all. His motivations didn’t work for me, and I couldn’t stand him.

Anton, however, was a breath of fresh air. He was funny, kind, and protective without crossing into toxic territory. I think he was just what Vasalie needed.

I’m unsure if I will continue with book 2, but definitely recommend giving this one a try.

This was twisty and turn-y, with espionage and political scheming. I loved the mystery of why she's been framed for murder and why she's being forced to become the king's spy and not knowing who to really trust. The author really had me feeling all of the feels for our FMC, as she grappled with coming to terms with the new normal for her body, the emotional trauma from her past, and actions she's forced into against those who have been kind to her in the king's name. There is a love triangle of sorts that had me guessing who she was going to be with up until near the end. And THE ENDING. I got answers and now have more questions. I need book 2! Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5

“We all have our comforts, Minnow. I wonder if you might be mine.”

“I am broken,” I say. An admission, or explanation. The only words I can string together.
“You are art,” he says in response.

I am OBSESSED with this book! Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2025 so far and although it’s definitely too early to tell, this might end up as one of my favorite reads of the year!!

This story kept me on my toes from start to finish. There was romance (although low spice), suspense, drama, heartbreak, betrayal, love triangles, and sooo much more! The FMC was amazing, her character arc is one of my all time favorites. Even with her disabilities and set backs, she was able to accomplish so much and really regained her confidence throughout the book as well as growing and learning herself as a person.

Anton, let’s just say I’m now obsessed with him and he has been added to my list of top tier book bf’s.

This plot was very interesting, before starting I wasn’t sure about it, mainly because I had never read a romantasy book involving dancers being the main characters, and I also tend to stay in the fae/faerie realm of romantasy (or at least dragons being involved lol) but even without that, it was soooo refreshing and different, and I loved every second of it!

I cannot wait for a sequel, as I will be buying and devouring it ASAP and I will be buying a physical copy of this for my book trophy when it’s released.

*4.5 stars*

A Dance of Lies is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside; the gorgeous cover is what first caught my eye, but the story inside is even better. This romantasy debut felt fresh and new, a triumph in a genre that is more trope-driven each day. It follows Vasalie, a court dancer being blackmailed by her King into spying for him, and chronicles her struggle for freedom. I really enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait for it to find its readers!

This is a character-driven story, and Vasalie is a main character worth rooting for. I loved the representation of chronic illness; I don’t think I’ve ever read about a chronically ill character before, which shows just how lacking that representation is in our stories. Vasalie’s struggle to come to terms with her new life felt very real and emotional, and was a highlight of the book for me. The other characters and relationships are also well-written; in particular, Vasalie’s toxic relationship with the predatory, obsessive King Illian felt very real and creepy.

I would recommend A Dance of Lies to fans of character-driven fantasy, court intrigue, and vulnerable main characters who find their strength through the story, as well as to readers who may be struggling with a chronic illness themselves and would like to read a story that represents them in a gentle yet inspiring way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.

I didn't just read this book—I OBSESSED over it. From the first page, A Dance of Lies sank into me and never let go. Propulsive and steamy, with stellar world-building and an unforgettable main character in Vasalie, the narrative was a perfect blend of both character and plot-driven. I understood every decision Vasalie made, both the good and the awful, and her chemistry with both love interests as well as the complex political intrigue kept the pages turning. Arena is definitely an author to watch.
What a gorgeous debut!

Thank you Brittney Arena, Netgalley, and Del Rey for the ARC!

I loved this! Vasalie was a dancer for the King and now she is nothing but an empty shell locked in his dungeon. When he resurrects her to dance for him once again she must face her new permanently injured body and her hidden past. The point of view is so unique. Brittney Arena writes from a personal history of having an unseen chronic illness and gives Vasalie all the courage and bravery that she is due. Vasalie has to relearn who she can trust, King Illian who betrayed her once, his younger brother King Anton who is more than he seems or the Master Reveler, Copelan. Do the Fates have anything to do with this new turn of events or is Vasalie truly on her own.
The author has beautifully provided a content warning right at the start of her book as well as an intro to herself and how writing Vasalie gave her her own courage back. Highly recommend this.

A Dance of Lies tells the story of Vasalie Moran, a former court dancer turned reluctant spy after two years of wrongful imprisonment. As she navigates court politics and betrayal, Vasalie confronts her trauma and chronic pain, rediscovering her strength and resilience along the way.

While the slow build and at times overly detailed writing make the first half a little slow, Vasalie’s emotional growth makes for a compelling story, and the payoff is worth it. The banter in this book is TOP notch. The ending ties everything together and sets the stage for the sequel (which I need ASAP - yes I know book 1 isn’t even officially out yet 😩).

I really appreciate the authors representation of chronic disease in this story. It’s always inspiring to see a character adapt and overcome obstacles that you may personally be facing in life!

Thank you so so much to Del Rey and NetGalley for this ARC!!

4.5 stars!
This book was amazing!
Not a single dull moment, always something happening with excellent pacing. The prose was so evocative it pulled at my heart strings and had me tearing up multiple times. I felt so much rage and sadness on the FMC’s behalf. The plot is so intricately woven with twists and turns that I did not see coming at all. I did struggle at times to keep up with the political intricacies but I think that’s more of an issue with me rather than the book itself. I do wish the relationship between the FMC and one of the side characters had been given more time on page to make the development more believable. I also found some of the information revealed at the very end slightly confusing. But despite these very minor issues, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will definitely be buying the paperback when it comes out, I cannot wait to read the second book!
Such a brilliant debut, the author should be very proud of what she has created.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ebook ARC copy to review.

3.5 stars to Brittney Arena's A Dance of Lies. When Vasalie Moran is falsely accused of the murder of a nobleman, she is sentenced to live out the rest of her days in prison. For two years she is held in isolation, until the day she is summoned before the king. He needs a spy at the Crown's Gathering, one willing to do his work for him. In exchange for her loyalty, he promises her a new life. With rising tensions and nations on the brink of war, Vasalie must decide whether freedom is worth the pain of destroying those she has come to love.

what I liked:
- disability awareness and visibility. The main character, Vasalie Moran, is disabled due to long-term imprisonment where she was left with little space to move and inadequate nourishment, resulting in muscular impairments and chronic pain. This story shows Vasalie adapting to her disability. She learns that she is not "broken" or "useless" for her disability, but strong and brave enough to live with it and continue the art she loves despite it. I loved how the author tied this in with her own experience with chronic illness and disability.
- the worldbuilding and characters!! Arena added a great amount of depth to her world. Histories, religions, peoples, and cultures all come together to create a lush and lively scene that practically jumps from the page.
- the romance between the two main characters is sweet. I appreciate how they just slowly fall for each other instead of the insta-love thing that has become so popular.

what I didn't like:
- I didn't like the villain. Like, I really hated this guy's guts. Kudos to Arena for this one. Illian is going on my "to burn in an active volcano" list.
- there was a small looove triaangglee. Thank goodness it didn't last too long, because in what world do these two even compare??

Overall, a solid debut novel. Entertaining and fast-paced, a great story of love, courage, and the powerful magic of dance.

What a book. The writing!!!! Such a treat. The politics!! The characters!!! The plot!!! ...And also so much trauma (please read the content warnings before reading this book).

First of all: Vasalie. What a CHARACTER. To be recovering her sense of self while being forced to act on another's behalf was a ROUGH way to start, especially as she come to terms with her disability. Watching her develop and grow throughout the story was such a treat, especially how proud she became of everything she accomplished by the end I was so angry at the beginning, both at her and for her: how could she even begin to rationalize what was being asked of her? How could anyone choose what she was choosing? Arena did such a good job of making Vasalie a real person that every thought she had about freedom and power was so satisfying. I could go on about Vasalie, honestly, because she was so well-rounded. The relationships she had with other characters were so compelling, all because she was such a HUMAN character. No notes.

The politics!! I was really in the mood for some solid political intrigue, and this delivered. I couldn't guess who had the upper hand at any point, and when certain discoveries were made I simultaneously had NO IDEA and wasn't surprised at all. To me, this means Arena did a really good job of sprinkling in enough foreshadowing without being obvious. Chef's kiss.

NOT TO MENTION!!!! Ace representation!!! Granted said character doesn't play the largest role, I still appreciated the mention. And to be honest, the side characters were flushed out well enough that by the end, I felt like I'd spent much more time with them than I actually had. I would have liked more Marian since Vasalie has never had a friend her age before, and since Marian INVENTED the stuff Vasalie uses to perform, but so long as she makes a return in book 2 I'll recover.

The only beef I have is with Copelan, but it's not even that much beef since Arena still managed to make their relationship so much more complex than your typical second male lead (not even sure if he counts as this tbh).

I had a hard time connecting with this first 50% of this story but am glad I stuck with it because the second half was such a fun read. I enjoyed the dance sequences in particular, loved Anton, and couldn’t put the book down as I got closer to that ending!!! Can’t wait for book two—I’m hooked now. Thank you, NetGalley and Del Rey Books for the advanced reader copy!

Book Review: A Dance of Lies

If you love fantasy romance stories drenched in danger, secrets, and high-stakes betrayals, A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena will sweep you off your feet. This debut novel is a dazzling blend of heartbreak, hope, and political intrigue, following Vasalie Moran, a dancer-turned-spy, as she navigates a perilous game of survival.

The story begins with Vasalie, a woman who refuses to play the damsel despite her harrowing past. Wrongfully accused of murder and surviving two brutal years in King Illian’s dungeons, she is suddenly thrust back into his court with an impossible choice: serve as his spy or remain imprisoned. What follows is a gripping, six-week journey where Vasalie must unravel webs of deception while making morally wrenching decisions.

The novel’s strength lies in its character work. Vasalie is a fierce and flawed protagonist—her resilience is inspiring, but her choices often force her to grapple with guilt and self-doubt. The emotional stakes are heightened as she finds herself caught between King Illian, her manipulative oppressor, and his brother, the enigmatic and rebellious King of the East. Their complex dynamic keeps readers questioning motives and allegiances, making every chapter a nail-biter.

The world-building is equally compelling. The royal Gathering is a vivid, treacherous backdrop filled with political maneuvering and subtle magic, while the rivalry between the two kings adds layers of tension. The romance, slow-burning and laced with distrust, is a highlight that doesn’t overshadow the darker, more suspenseful elements of the plot.

Verdict:
A Dance of Lies is a masterful debut that combines lush prose, a fiercely determined heroine, and a morally complex narrative. It’s perfect for fans of Throne of Glass or The Shadows Between Us. Prepare for twists, betrayals, and a finale that leaves you eager for the next installment. A must-read for lovers of dark fantasy romance!

Rating: 4.5/5

This was a beautifully done fantasy romance novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. The world worked with the fantasy element and really enjoyed the dancer that became a spy. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story. I was invested in what was happening and enjoyed the overall package. Brittney Arena wrote this perfectly and was glad I read this.

Brittney Arena's “A Dance of Lies” is an absolute triumph of storytelling, blending vivid character development, a perfectly tuned pace, and outstanding disability representation into a mesmerizing narrative. From the first page to the last, Arena delivers an unforgettable reading experience that captivates, challenges, and inspires.

The character development in this novel is nothing short of remarkable. Each character feels fully realized, with strengths, flaws, and arcs that resonate deeply. Vasalie is a standout—layered, dynamic, and unapologetically human. Arena doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexities of her characters, making their journeys feel authentic and emotionally impactful. Even the supporting cast shines, with every interaction adding depth and meaning to the story.

The pacing is masterful. Arena strikes a perfect balance between action-packed sequences and quieter, introspective moments. The story flows seamlessly, keeping readers engaged while giving them time to absorb the emotional weight of the narrative. Whether it’s a tense, high-stakes scene or a tender, heartwarming exchange, every moment feels purposeful and compelling.

One of the novel’s most significant achievements is its thoughtful and empowering representation of disability. Arena handles this theme with care, authenticity, and grace, portraying characters with disabilities as complex individuals with agency and strength. Their struggles are acknowledged, but their identities are never defined by limitations. Instead, they are celebrated for their resilience, resourcefulness, and humanity. This level of representation is not only refreshing but also deeply moving, offering a perspective that is often underrepresented in literature.

“A Dance of Lies” is more than just a story—it’s an experience. It challenges societal norms, celebrates diversity, and reminds readers of the beauty of perseverance and self-acceptance. Brittney Arena has crafted a book that is not only beautifully written but also profoundly meaningful.

If you’re looking for a novel that combines stunning prose, unforgettable characters, and a deeply important message, “A Dance of Lies” is an absolute must-read. It’s the kind of book that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. A masterpiece in every sense of the word!

Wow, I am blown away at how good this book was. I love this kind of heroine where their strength isn't through fighting and snarky remarks and is so refreshing to see this kind of heroine

The writing is so whimsical like that adds to the whole story, I would say it's rather similar to Stephanie Garber writing style. The world building is so good and the characters are all likeable.

The plot was so interesting and it was a very well done book for a debut novel. It really captured my attention within the first few pages and I honestly can't wait to see how she continues on with this series