First off, Brittney Arena, I love you and I want to give you the biggest Bear Hug!!

This book contains a chronically ill rep, and while I cannot relate to EDS I can absolutely relate to the POTSie life.

Vasalie Moran has not had an easy life so far. She fled her home, became the King's favourite dancer and was framed for murder. 2 years o prison have taken their toll on her body. Despite all, she is forced to dance for the most prestigious festival of all and in order to win her freedom, she will have to push through her pain and morals.

This book has touched me in a way, no book has managed to so far! The descriptions are lovely and grand, while Vasalie's pain can be felt through the pages of this book. She might be frail in body, but her soul seems to be made of steel. Driven by revenge and a yearning for freedom, this woman pushes through all the stereotypes and it made me wish I could be as strong as her. I cannot wait for Book 2 to be in my hands, and that really says something since this book isn't even out yet!

This is definitely in my top 10 for 2025, if not for all my life!!

A huge thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing, Brittney Arena and Tandem Collective Global for the physical copy of this grand book in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars

This was a lovely whimsical read. Such stunning writing! The world building and how everything was described was so beautiful and a joy to read. A key part of this story is our FMC Vasalie being a dancer, and I loved how her performances were used as lore for this world.

I thought that Vasalie’s strength both emotionally and physically, despite her physical impairment, was empowering and a joy to read. I know that the author based Vasalie on her own lived experience with disability, and I know so many people with appreciate and enjoy this representation.

This book has an abundance of political and royal intrigue, so if you love that you will love this story. Vasalie’s mission as a dancer turned spy is very high stakes and this together with the court politics kept me really engaged with the plot as everything unfolded.

I didn’t actually know who the MMC was until about half way through the book which I LOVED! I love when something keeps me guessing, especially if it’s multiple love interests. And talking of the MMC, I really loved him - he had so much rizz but as the book progresses you start to see his softer side and the truth about who he really is at his core.

I wouldn’t say this book is spicy, but the tension and yearning and flirting was all that was needed and it was done really well - there’s one particular scene where Vasalie goes undercover in a brothel which I enjoyed…I won’t say any more!

I did guess something that happens toward the end, however I did NOT guess the actual ending and how everything ties up which ripped my heart out with a savage cliffhanger! This is the first book in a duology so I will for sure be reading book 2.

The reason this didn’t get the full 5 stars was the ending. To me it felt a bit rushed, with a lot of stuff happening and very quickly. A character came into play who had been mentioned on multiple occasions throughout the book, but I was still left a little confused about their involvement and their relationship to another character. I know this will be the main plot point of book 2 though so we will get that explained!

A Dance of Lies is Brittney Arena’s fantasy debut. I admire the way this story was inspired by the author’s own chronic illnesses.

Vasalie has escaped from her abusive father and is taking back control of her life - or so she thinks… at just 13 years old she runs away and becomes a dancer, desperate to escape her fate she becomes a treasured jewel in King Ilian’s court…. Unfortunately she is wrongfully accused of a crime & locked away for the next two years. She is able to win back her freedom through agreeing to become a spy for the king & going back to dancing & providing entertainment to the kingdom.

This one has a bit of a love triangle and is absolutely a slow burn. There’s a lot of trauma that the FMC is processing specifically involving her “stepmother” who tried to escape from her father with her.

This book has some great character development & side characters along with pretty easy to follow world building and a unique political system. I would have enjoyed more romance, but perhaps the sequel will give us that satisfaction.

I would recommend this to romantasy lovers who enjoy books focused more on the fantasy aspect and character development!

Thanks so much to Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I am SPEECHLESS. I genuinely believed it's gonna be just a solid four star read during the first 40%. And then everything changed IN A HEARTBEAT. So many things were happening, so many intrigues were brewing and so many characters coming into play like chess figures. I- I still can't fully comprehend everything that happened in those last chapters, like, WHAT?? Oh and the plot twists?? Absolutely mind blowing. I mean, that ending was NOT what I expected. At all. But my favourite part was Vasalie and her character development. The way she embraced that fire inside her was simply a *chef's kiss*. Her finally coming to terms with the fact that she's not broken even made me tear up a little bit. That girl deserves a hug. And I need the next book.

This was a pretty good debut! Our MC Vaselie is a dancer with a disability after being framed for murder and thrown in a dungeon for two years. When she’s forced to become a spy at a royal gathering for the same king who betrayed her, she’s severely tested both mentally and physically. I thought she had great growth throughout the story - she was strong, determined, and willing to own up to her mistakes.

The Fates and prophecy storylines were interesting as was the political intrigue. There were some great twists I didn’t see coming and the ending left me wanting more. The romance is very much slow burn and is in more of a developmental stage in this book, but I really liked the MMC and I’m definitely intrigued to see where it goes.

Thank you to Random House/Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Your story is not a kind one,” Brigitte says, kneading my hands softly between her own. “But though you’ve suffered your own fire, child, you won’t always smell of smoke. And yes, it may have burned you,” she tells me, and I lift my gaze. “But scars are powerful things, because they show your resilience. So rise from your ashes, my dear. Do not crumble alongside them.”

I was exited to read this book! The book follows a dancer named Vasalie who has become a spy. I really liked that it was not immediately clear who the romantic interest was and that there was disability rep in it. I also liked that it has a court setting with royals. The setting and dances were very nicely described so I could imagine it well.

The ending was interesting and I am curious to see how this will develop in the next book. dws going to I can't wait to read the next book!

I would recommend this book for romantasy fans!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC!

I am absolutely floored that Brittney Arena is a debut author. Her writing is so unique and unlike anything I have ever read. I loved her lyrical writing and intricate details that really brought both her characters and story to life. If you ever need a true example of a slow burn romance THIS IS IT. The twists and turns were unexpected and beautifully calculated.

I am so excited for readers to read this book in just a few weeks. And I will be recommending it to everyone I know.

Thank you to NetGalley and DelRey for the early eARC. I am so excited for what is to come.

How do I even begin to describe how it felt reading A Dance of Lies?

It was… Exhilarating. Breathtaking. Astonishing. Vivacious. Gripping. Heart-wrenching. Utterly Triumphant.

And still those words aren’t enough to encompass the whole of how I felt. How I still feel.

I have been blown away by this gorgeously written tale. I cannot believe it’s Brittany Arena’s debut! Talk about making an epic, unforgettable entrance! For this book is one that will be imprinted on my very soul for all time.

Our heroine Vasalie was the prized dancer in King Illian’s court, until he framed her for murder and threw her in a prison cell. Two years pass, Vasalie becomes a shell of her former self, but bait in the form of a future is dangled in front of her as Illian promises her freedom in exchange for becoming his spy at a Royal Gathering that will feature his brothers. Faced with a decision, Vasalie must decide whether to aid in the atrocious deeds for a chance of freedom or turn for help from Ilian’s rakish, rivaling brother, Anton the King of the East.

To describe Vasalie is to describe a heroine who is full of power, not one of magic or brawn, but strength in her spirit.For Vasalie is resilience. She is determination. She is resolve. She is heart. Illian tries to break her, but her spirit forges on. While her body may never fully recover from the strife it suffered for years, it’s a pain Vasalie learns to live with, learns to adapt from. Her physical limits do not equate to a less valuable living. She may initially see herself as broken but we witness her as anything but broken. We witness her rise like a phoenix, determined to take the reins of her life once more. She blossoms as beautifully as she dances, and she is truly, truly a work of art. A vision of a heroine, a heart of a warrior without sword, Vasalie is a protagonist for the ages.

The romance in this book takes an unanticipated course. I don’t want to give anything away, but let me just say that the way to love had more than route and I initially walked the wrong path along with Vasalie. It’s a path riddled with chemistry until that chemistry shifted into something far less desirable. On paper one may think taking this route far too much a detour from the right path, but considering what Vasalie has just come out of– a hell hole that depleted her body, mind, and soul– I think establishing this route first allows her time to grow, to get to know herself once more, and to learn to look for the right things in love, which goes beyond a physical connection. It makes the next path worth it.

And there is more than just romantic connections at play. Connection is a cornerstone in Vasalie’s character development. She connects with a variety of people across this venture, and must assess who is friend or foe, and must determine if she is capable of overthrowing friend at a chance for a free life. I loved how these different points in connections with the cast of characters aid in both softening and sharpening Vasalie. Ilia is a man she thought cared for her, and in turn, she cared deeply for him. Feeling protected and respected by him, especially as he never crossed any physical boundaries. She trusted him. Trust paid in dust as he throws her in a cell for a crime he knows she did not commit. This hardens her and creates an abyss of mistrust for anyone who gets close. But then she meets the people she is forced to target for Illian’s nefarious plans. And she sees, no she feels, goodness she’s not felt in years. She slowly but surely learns to trust. Then there’s Illian’s rival and brother, who Vasalie is tasked to spy on, King Anton. This connection is paramount to all the rest in Vasalie’s rebirth of life. I don’t want say too much, so instead let me describe this incredible character that is Anton.

Anton is a refreshing breath of air in character. He is the antithesis of cold, broody male leads. He is light and laughter. He has the endless charm (and reputation) of a historical romance rake. He possesses a vanity and mysterious allure that rivals the likes of Howl Pendragon. His playfulness is made from both mischief and mask. And his composure never slips, he skips with merriment. The question becomes, how much of this is mere disguise? For beneath his public persona he is also perceptive, kind, comfort, and determined to right wrongs. In him, there just may be salvation.

A Dance of Lies carries strength in its eclectic and electric cast of characters, in its awe-inspiring world-building, and its deeply moving storytelling. There are twists that come along the way that had me gasping out loud. My heart is still beating wildly, wondering what does this mean?! I need more, I need more! Alas, more will have to wait until the second installment. Until then I will safeguard this story in my heart and revel in its dazzling beauty.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily. And I leave infinite stars.

A Dance of Lies is the first in a series by debut author, Brittney Arena. It follows Vasalie, who has been wrongly imprisoned by her king that she was once close to. Vasalie's story is one of strength and perseverance, the story has numerous twists and unique world building, and plenty of yearning.

Could this book be 50-100 pages less? Yes. Could this book be 50-100 pages more? Also, yes. Unfortunately, this is the slowest of slow burns, without anything rewarding at the end. I desperately wanted more from our MMC. Hopefully we will see much more in the subsequent books. I do feel this should be marketed as a fantasy. There is minimal romance in this, with only one somewhat explicit scene (honestly, mild).

Thank you to the publishers for this ARC!

3.75 ⭐️but I'm rounding this up and giving a 4⭐️ because I really enjoyed this more than I expected. There wasn't a much of a different with other books but the lore, the political and royal intrigue, and the overall vibe? It was interesting. The book gives major Egyptian/Middle Eastern court fantasy energy — and it's not a romantasy but enough romance and mythology with a sprinkle of sci-fi. The premise was unique which makes to bump this a higher rating and even though some plot points were predictable, I still got caught off guard near the end which I appreciated.

The pacing, though… extremely slow in the beginning. I was honestly tempted to DNF at one point. The story doesn't exactly unfold evenly — some parts drag while others move too fast. That said, once it picked up, it was really good. But I do wish the author had trimmed down some of the slower sections at the start and used that space to build more depth into the characters and more plots especially during the climax — it felt like there was room to really explore their motivations and expand some of most obvious questions in the climax more evenly.

Character-wise, I loved the distinct personalities. Some were fantastic, others I couldn’t stand. But they had their own voice and presence, even if I didn’t vibe with all of them.

Since Vasalie is a dancer, there was alot of descriptive elements of it. I skimmed most of it — not because it was badly written, but because I personally couldn’t visualize it. That’s on me. Still, I get why it mattered: Vasalie seemed most alive when she danced. That’s when she actually had some control.

As for Vasalie herself — she was... okay. I didn’t dislike her, but she often felt like she was reacting to things instead of doing things. It makes sense, given everything happening around her, but I found myself wishing she’d stand her ground more, show a bit more fire which she did at the end. I hope we get to see more of her emotions in the next book.

There were definitely some flaws — awkward scenes, overly descriptive passages, and repetitive internal monologues. Also, the chemistry with one of the love interests felt rushed and forced. There’s some love triangle energy, but it’s kind of obvious who she’ll end up with, so I wasn’t too bothered.

I did like the ending. It was satisfying, the reveals were mostly solid (though some motives didn’t fully add up), and I was left curious — particularly about the MMC and how he’ll evolve after that ending. That curiosity alone might be why I’d pick up the sequel. I initially thought it was a standalone but it is not, so, I'm genuinely looking forward how it splayed out evenly.

Not perfect, but definitely enjoyable.

3,75/5 stars

This was a good first book of the series. I enjoyed it a lot and my jaw dropped during the final chapters. I also couldn't believe this was the debut novel, it was written so well and the pacing was good in my opinion. Now I really want to know how the story continues from here.

I loved how Vasalie was described. It's always refreshing to read about someone who has some kind of chronic illness/disability and how it affects their daily life. Vasalie was also an interesting FMC, being turned to a spy from a dancer (the dancer part made me intrigued because it's something I've always liked). I also liked how there were a few different possible love interests. The court intrigue/politics were also well written.

Highly recommend this one!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.

This had very little to offer for the fantasy/romantasy genre. The politics were very generic and unoriginal, as was the world building. The disability rep was nice to see, but it seemed more like a cop out than trying to show actual rep due to the fact that the character was able to overcome her disability because she “tuned it out” or focused hard. It was never really addressed the way it should’ve been. The prose was nice as well, but the flowery writing seemed to try to distract from the lack of substance.

NetGalley and the publisher were kind enough to send me a free arc.

I enjoyed this one more than I expected. While I’m not a fan of romantasy, I do liked how this story was presented. Throughout the whole book I was thinking that it’s a standalone, but it’s not. It’s actually the first book in a trilogy or series, I’m not sure yet.

I enjoyed a lot the way that, even if it’s a romantasy, I wasn’t only romance. The worldbuilding was cute, together with the prophecy and the myths. I wanted more about the gods and the mythology, it sounded so intriguing, but we just heard about for maybe 50 pages in the whole book. I’m sure more things will be explored later in the series, but it would’ve been nice to read more about it.
While I had moments when I was bored and felt like the story is dragging, the plot is fast paced. It’s intriguing, with a mysterious atmosphere and vibes. It is a little predictable, but I was surprised by the twists and turns.
While there were some good things about “A dance of lies”, it did felt like, while the author put a lot of work into describing how the clothes were, the buildings, the dances, and so other aspects of the world, the ending was a little rushed.

The romance was nice, I wasn’t so pleased with the love triangle, but I was happy to see that she gave up on that fast.
The main character started to become boring, repeating for the whole book how her life was so hard and how she was the king’s jewel. I know, you had it rough. She had some moments when she was annoying, saying that she can’t trust anyone, but everyone trust her immediately. She is supposed to be a spy, but everyone loves her just like that. No one is suspicious about her. She is too easy to manipulate and, while she tries to get revenge for what happened to her, she gives up in a second. I mean, if you don’t fight for yourself, who will??

Overall, it was a nice debut. I don’t know if I will read the next book, but I am curious about the male character more than anything in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for this arc, it is truly appreciated.

For me this story started off just okay and unfortunately, did not get much more interesting.. I liked the representation of the FMC having a disability but at times, I felt like this was put on the back burner. In the beginning it was a constant thing that was being noted but then It kind of dwindled away. I also felt like at times this book read a little too YA for me. I think that might be a bit of a unique experience but at times it felt too young, I think it could have been the constant talk of how miserable Vasalie's life felt and how she would constantly reminisce about it. I also thought that the descriptions of the dancing was a little hard to follow. I could not imagine any part of the dance besides the flour part and after each dance I was left feeling no emotional impact about these performances. While the writing was beautiful and the world building was very detailed, this book did not resonate with me but it might for someone who has a background in dance? Because of this I unfortunately had to DNF at the 30% mark.

I loved the synopsis and was so hype for it, but it kinda felt a bit flat. First of the constant repetitive sentences about the FMC is not the dancer she once was and was the king’s jewel. Yes I got it thank you after 20 times I think it’s enough but no let’s give more. Second I didn’t understand how people could trust her so easily I mean it’s court and politics how you trust a person that fast.
And the back and force between the amount of potential love interest was a bit frustrating. At the end I couldn’t care less who end up with her. That part wasn’t interesting at all, at least the plot was a bit better. Didn’t see the ending coming so that’s a plus but I’m not that invested to continue the rest of the books.

DNF at 50%.

I really really REALLY wanted to love this book. I thought it was going to be a new favorite. I mean, a romantasy with a disabled spy-turned-dancer? That has me written all over it!
Unfortunately, this book fell so short for me. As in I've been trying to read it since February and it's now May. And I've finally admitted to myself that I just can't do it.

For my dislikes:
First, I dislike marketing a book as a romantasy when there's literally not a single fantasy element in the entire first half of the book. All mentions of anything mildly fantasy related thus far have been "myths."
Second, I felt zero connection to any character. I loved the disability representation, but that was the only thing I cared about at all. There was a ton of telling what was happening, not showing the FMC or her personality. She just glides in, somehow charms everyone without a semblance of personality, and keeps on going.
Last, I couldn't keep any of the men straight. Granted, it might have been how long I tried to read this over. But it felt like, because I didn't care about any of them, they just all ran together.

I wanted to love this book so much it hurts. It definitely has an audience, as evidenced by all the great early reviews. But it just did not give me the execution I wanted for the wonderful premise.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc of A Dance of Lies. I was so excited for this. I have seen so much hype around this book and the description made me think this would be a favorite for me, but unfortunately it fell short. I didn’t feel connected to or invested in any of the characters. The plot was predictable and overall felt like every other Romantasy that is being published right now. I was really looking for an emotional connection (especially since the main character has disability rep) but I didn’t care about any character.

I can see why this is popular with so many, but I am burnt out on these Romantasy books with the same tropes copy and pasted.

ARC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a wild ride! I was sucked into this book the second I opened it. This haunting tragic heavy story captured me, and I sat back transfixed as the performance took place.

This had me coming back for more. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how this was going to end. I loved all the depth each character had. It took time to see all the layers and those flips from foe to ally or ally to foe? Fantastic.

Yeah, 100% going to be getting this one and the sequel💜


Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC!

Wow wow wow! What a debut!

Vasalie - once the king's favorite, now a prisoner of two years - has been given a chance at freedom if she can successful spy and sabotage to further the same king's unknown plot while performing at the talented dancer she once was, before the two years of imprisonment took a significant toll on her body. She's determined to do anything from her freedom, but that's before she meets those who's lives she's ruining at the behest of the king, a man she once trusted above anyone else, and it makes her second guess if freedom is worth the price of her morals.

I want more books like this. The tension was so good and ever rising. The more I read the more it pulled me in. I was pleasantly surprised (and shocked) by how far Vasalie went and compromised her own morals. The steaks were high and I genuinely was not sure what was going to happen and who was going to survive (this so rarely happens! I was so pleased.). So much about Vasalie was unique yet also made sense (something that sometimes feels rare). I assumed she would have a love interest but had NO idea who it was going to be. My guesses went back and worth until close to the end and I LOVED that additional tension. (I wouldn't say there's a love triangle, in case you were worried.)

I've seen it promoted as romantasy, I think romantic fantasy is a more accurate description but there are definitely romantic elements throughout the entirety of the plot so maybe I'm wrong. Either way, I'm a big fan.

I highly recommend this one. I cannot wait to read more of the series and see what else Arena writes. A really strong book and only more impressive that it was a debut.

I was very much looking forward to this one. The plot itself was intriguing and unique - especially the fact that our main character is a dancer and spy, and that she has a chronic illness. Unfortunately, this didn't quite land for me. I really wasn't attached to any of the characters, finding them to have no real personality. The love interest felt very cut-and-paste witty/careless yet manipulative with a trick up his sleeve. Starting at about 60% of the way in I started to get invested and actually determine who was against who, but then lost interest again shortly after. The pacing didn't feel consistent and the ending wasn't my favorite either. I'm giving it 3 stars because I think it could be a popular release with a good fanbase, plus I liked the ~20% I enjoyed, but it wasn't for me overall.