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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you Del Rey and Netgalley for this arc!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

📚✨Book Review ✨📚

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

🌟Rating: 4.5/5🌟

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for the eARC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.75 - really enjoyed this arc! Thank you💖🩰

A little hard to get into at first however I soon became hooked. A totally shocking ending that needs rectifying!

Your heart really goes out to Vasalie throughout and even at 96% I couldn’t see what would happen, it really felt like such a defeat. Her heartbreak and pain throughout her life and performances was very well written, she’s giving Tisaanah from Daughter of No Worlds!

Not sure how to feel about the choice of love interest, and the dance scenes were very flowery and lengthy which I found hard to imagine. Some of these characters are absolute arseholes who you can’t even love to hate, I just hated them, but the friendships she makes balance these out well.

I always get a bit lost when fate and prophecies are involved and Morta was a slippery character so I’m a bit unsure.

Will definitely read the next one if there is one!

Full TikTok review: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNeo5DPq9/

I went into this book completely blind and it blew me away. I was immediately invested in Vasalie’s story and loved her character development. The plot kept twisting and keeping me on my toes. Everytime I thought I had all of the pieces figured out, there would be something else that surprised me. The world building was so beautiful and the characters were complex and flawed and so endearing. I just wanted to keep learning more about them and more backstories. And that ending?!? It was not what I expected at all but it was so good. I cannot wait for the next book! <3

I quite enjoyed this debut novel! It was fast paced and each chapter left me eager to continue. I am surprised for a debut novel that book concluded the way it did, but it definitely left me questioning the stakes and needing more!

The novel follows Vasalie, a dancer who was convicted of a crime she didn’t commit, only to be released from prison on the condition she becomes a spy for the very king who convicted her. While at the 'Gathering', a meeting time period between all the ruling kingdoms, she must do the King's bidding in order to secure her freedom. Along the way she uncovers the truth of her purpose there and must decide whether or not to go along with it.

I really appreciated the chronic illness/disability representation in the story. At times it did feel overly exaggerated/stressed on in nearly every chapter—I have the same illness—however, I recognize everyone tolerates pain differently and I shouldn’t take away from others experiences. Take my warning/critic as you will.

This is a ‘romantasy’ novel, with love (but not spice which I also loved—too many romantasies are focusing on spice rather than plot) often overshadowing the fantasy elements. At times I wasn’t sure who I should be rooting for, but to me that adds to the mystery. If you love fast paced stories with twists and revelations, A Dance of Lies is definitely a novel for you.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.
3.5/ 5 stars
Despite its captivating premise, this story falls short of its full potential. The pacing often feels slow, causing the narrative to drag. I felt like it didn’t pick up until 30-35% into the book and that’s the point where I normally DNF a week. The central plot, revolving around the themes of deception and betrayal, occasionally delivers moments that could have been truly captivating, but ultimately fails to make a lasting impact. The twists and turns that are meant to surprise and shock the reader instead come across as underwhelming.

I really appreciated the representation of disability through the female main character.

The cover and name of this one drew me in immediately. I'm so happy I got to read this one early! I think this one will really connect with a lot of people.

Vasalie is our heroine and we start off with her at her lowest point. She accepts a deal to get out of her prison cell. Become a spy and earn your freedom.

I really felt the tension increasing as her tasks got harder and more morally complicated. How far would you be willing to go if it meant your death otherwise? I could feel myself tensing up during some of these scenes and felt the same mixed emotions she did.

We are also following her recovery journey after being locked away for so long. She struggles to feel at home in her body when it doesn't function the way that it used to. She needs to be creative to impress with her dancing in a way she's never had to.

And finally there's the romance! I can't say much here without spoiling, but it takes a while before you truly know who her love interest is. I think I figured it out pretty early, but the author did a great job keeping us unsure who to root for. This is a true slow burn though so not much happens between the leads in this first book. I'm really excited to see how the second book goes after that great twist at the end! Heartbreaking (in a good way!)

I also really enjoyed the amazing descriptions of the palace. I almost feel like it was another character in the book.

I am very excited to read the sequel and I will definitely be picking up a copy of this one when it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for a review copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

Despite the intriguing premise of A Dance of Lies by Britney Arena drawing me in, it unfortunately did not live up to its potential. The story arc had promise but the pacing felt stilted with little to no build up to what should have been pivotal moments in the book. The characters felt flat and the prose dramatic yet boring at the same time. Deception and Intrigue were the main themes of the plot and yet everyone seemed to read like an open book.

4.5. Rounded up. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

In a world full of struggles for power, a dancer fights to survive after being stripped of her strength. I loved the FMC, Vasalie. The representation of disability in the story was so well done and I loved the powerful way Vasalie navigates her choices, and ultimately her decisions. Without spoiling the story I will say that the imagery, feeling, and plot sucked me in and didn’t let go. It took a few chapters, but once I was invested I devoured Arena’s world and story. I am only sad I have to wait longer to see how this twisty tale continues.

A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena.

Vasalie is pulled from her prison cell to stand before the King she once danced for as his Jewel. He has a task for her - attend the Gathering as a performer and spy on his brother. The only problem? After so much time spent not being able to move about in her cell she is a shell of her former self, pain and fatigue plaguing her and hindering her abilities.

A very bingeable debut romantic fantasy!
Vasalie is a fantastic character to follow. Through the story, she goes on a journey from a broken human who can barely remember who she is and what she loves to someone with courage who knows exactly what she wants and is not afraid to take it. I also really appreciated how her disability was a constant thread and not something that popped up and disappeared whenever was convenient.

The other characters were interesting too and I enjoyed how the various relationships developed, especially between Vasalie and the two potential love interests. The author kept me on my toes - I wasn't sure who would be the one, and I liked reading Vasalie's thoughts as she questioned all her relationships - who can she really trust? Why does this person feel shallow all of a sudden?

The plot is solid too, and the politics underpinning it all were great. You could never tell which power had the upper hand, and all the twists and turns caught me off guard which I loved.
Arena's writing is lovely, lyrical and descriptive. The settings we found ourselves in were gorgeous and I could easily imagine them myself. I noted that some people struggled with too much detail and felt that it slowed the story down, but that wasn't the case for me at all as I do love some immersive worldbuilding.

Overall this was a brilliant read and a very strong debut novel! Romantasy fans who also enjoy some political manoeuvring will no doubt love this book!

Than you SO much to Brittney and her publisher for sending a review copy my way! (Let's take a moment for the STUNNING cover. *swoon*)