From the very first sentence, A Dance of Lies had me completely hooked - I knew I had to keep reading to know what happened next. Brittney Arena has written a tale of court intrigue, betrayal, and romance that is irresistible.

The book tells the story of Vasalie Moran, once the prized dancer of King Illian, is thrown into the dungeons after a false murder accusation. When the king offers her freedom in exchange for spying on the royal Gathering, she reenters a court filled with secrets, lies, power games, betrayal, bloodshed, and jaw-dropping twists. I literally dropped my jaw several times while reading!

The book is paced well and the worldbuilding will transport you to Vasalie's world. I appreciated how Arena had written a main character with chronic pain and vulnerability. I also enjoyed reading about the slow-burn romances, sibling rivalries, and shifting alliances, which only added to the drama. There were some things that I couldn't follow, like the dancing steps - I just couldn't imagine it in my head! I also didn't like how all the men seem to like Vasalie and want to be with her? There were also some parts which I felt that she could have done things differently. The ending had me hanging and hope there will be a sequel soon!

A Dance of Lies is a stunning debut that had me hooked from the start due to all the tension and surprises. This is a must read for readers of fantasies with scheming and moral complexity.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey/Random House Worlds for the e-ARC!

A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena is a captivating fantasy romance that pulled me in with its unique integration of dance as a form of power and expression. I really enjoyed the originality of this element, and the chronic illness representation added depth and a refreshing layer not often seen in the genre. The court intrigue also kept things tense and engaging throughout. Vasalie is such a strong and resilient main character — flawed, clever, and deeply human. I especially admired how she adapted her dances to maintain control and influence, which showcased her intelligence in such a beautiful, graceful way. Anton was a standout for me from the start — who doesn’t love a cheeky, handsome royal? I have a feeling there’s even more to uncover with his character, and I’m eager to see where his story leads. I also appreciated the impact of the side characters, particularly Laurent and Gustav, and I’m hoping to see more prominent female secondary characters in book two. I get the sense we’re on the verge of a found family dynamic, and I’m here for it. The world-building was rich and immersive, with distinct regions and a compelling use of prophecy that kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story twisted in new and exciting ways. That ending? Absolutely hooked me — I need book two immediately!

My only real critique is that some of the descriptive passages felt overly long, which occasionally pulled me out of the pacing. I found myself skimming those sections to get back to the action or character interactions.

If you love enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, chronic illness rep, and political intrigue with a touch of prophecy, I definitely recommend this one. It’s a fresh take on fantasy romance that blends elegance with edge.

Favorite quote:
"My protector is gone, revealed to be a monster. But I remind myself that I am not a damsel. I’m no princess bound within a tower. I am a shadow. I can be broken apart and put back together.”

4.5 stars!!

This is such an excellent debut!!!

I did have some trouble getting into the world building at the beginning - it was a touch clunky, but it smoothed out as the story went on.

Vas was such a fun FMC. She’s dealing with a lot - loss of ability, struggling with new limitations, being thrust into new environments; and on top of that trying to make the right decisions about who to trust and the woman she wants to become.

This story really had everything I love in a romantasy - distrustful foreign royalty, feuding royal brothers, betrayals upon betrayals and seduction and hidden motives and romance!!!!

No spoilers about the romance, but it has me kicking my feet and squealing like a little fangirl 🫶🏼

I really enjoyed the disability rep. I know that some people had strong opinions and issues with it. I highly encourage you to read Brittney’s FAQ on her IG page to appreciate where she was coming from when writing Vasalie’s journey.

There were quite a few twists that had my jaw on the floor, and that ending!!!!!!
I just know that the next book is going to wreck me emotionally and I CANNOT WAIT

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Delrey for the eARC copy of the book in exchange for review. All opinions are my own!

This book unfortunately was not it for me as I couldn’t wrap my head around why everyone thought the main female character here was so special and deserved all this special treatment. Being a dancer in a court setting sounded intriguing. I also enjoyed the beginning as it’s very descriptive and immersive. Once we were introduced to the first major location change I quickly found it tedious and at times modern in writing. I ended up DNFing around 42%. Others might like this if they enjoy fantasies that involve dancers defying odds.

Several times I picked this up and started but was easily distracted and put it back down. The premise was interesting but unfortunately the writing, the characters and the plot were just lacking IMO. Could have just been in a reading slump kinda mood though. 🤷🏻‍♀️. But I did find that the wrong words were used in some descriptive prose which felt off. More editing needed? And for being a first person narrative, I just couldn't feel connected to the FMC.

Thank you to Net Galley and Orbit Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.75*

this was a solid romantasy! i enjoyed the romance and the characters, but i had some issues with some of the ending. overall i really enjoyed myself and i cant wait for the sequel

Some books find you at exactly the right time—Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena was one of those books for me.

This story sank its claws into my heart and never let go.
Yes, there’s royal intrigue, betrayal, forbidden magic, and a romance that simmers with delicious tension—but at its core, this is a story about identity. About survival. About learning to trust again after life teaches you not to.

The heroine? Raw, resilient, and deeply layered. She’s not just surviving—she’s scheming, adapting, feeling everything deeply while pretending she doesn’t. I saw so much of myself in her strength and in her fear. Her growth was the kind of quiet power that sneaks up on you—and leaves you breathless.

And that romance. Whew. It’s messy, magnetic, full of friction and longing and devastating tenderness. The tension is so thick it could snap. The emotional stakes are so high that when things finally shift—you feel it in your chest. These two don’t fall in love easily. They fight for it, whether they mean to or not. If you’re into slow burn and a lot of sensual tension. This book will literally make you burn for more.

Brittney Arena’s writing is rich and elegant, filled with moments that make you pause and reread—not because they’re complex, but because they’re true. Her world is alive with danger and secrets, and the characters live and breathe in every scene. It was a beautiful, and lyrical journey. The way Brittney composed her story was an intricate dance that Vasalie, herself performed. It was such a new way to experience a story.

And the ending? Explosive. Unforgiving. That cliffhanger had my jaw on the floor. I flipped the last page and realized... I had to wait for the story to continue.

If you’ve ever:

🌙 Hidden parts of yourself just to get by
💔 Wanted someone to see past your walls
🗡️ Loved a romance that starts with distrust but ends in emotional devastation...

Then Dance of Lies isn’t just a book—it’s an experience that taps into all of your five senses.

I’m obsessed. I’m unwell. And I’ll be first in line for book two.

Thank you Del Rey / Penguin Randomhouse and Brittney Arena for the ARC! I absolutely adored it!

THIS MIGHT BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE ROMANTASY'S OF 2025!! This book called to me and it did not dissappoint!! It was a literal dream. It was a slow burn for the plot but man it was worth it. I can't wait for whatever is next!

This was an enjoyable debut romantasy featuring a dancer with chronic pain turned spy, making for great disability rep. The story line kept me intrigued and wondering where things were going. The ending had me on the edge of my seat. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2 in this duology!

Thank you to Del Rey for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you so much for the ARC, it is always appreciated!

This book was an unexpected gem (no pun intended) and a standout in the fantasy genre, especially in how it handles disability representation. The author does such a phenomenal job of highlighting the physical limitations and lived experiences of our FMC, Vasalie, but in a way that feels respectful, nuanced, and deeply authentic. It’s rare enough to see disability explored with this kind of care in any genre; especially in the fantasy romance genre. It often leans into magical fixes or healers that have some herb that fixes all. But here, it’s not treated as something to be pitied or overcome, but as part of who she is, influencing the way she moves through her world literally and emotionally.

I've seen a number of reviewers mention they wished the author had gone deeper into her internal experience of pain. Personally, I had the opposite reaction. I think the author struck a careful and intentional balance. We do get a sense of the physical toll her condition takes, but it's not centered in a way that defines her. Instead, the story focuses on how she interacts with her environment, how her mind works, and how her artistry shapes her worldview. As someone who works as a professional photographer, this really resonated with me. There’s something incredibly hard to explain about how artists—whether photographers, dancers, painters—see the world. It’s not linear, and it’s not always easily articulated. The author managed to tap into that inner perspective in a way that felt so real. At first, I didn’t even realize what she was doing—it just felt different. Then it clicked. She was writing from the mind of a dancer. The flow, the rhythm, the focus on movement and space; it all came together, and once it did, I realized how rare it is to see this level of authenticity in books about dancers. Honestly, I think this book may have ruined other dance-centered fantasy stories for me—in the best way possible.

The character development overall was so well done. Even though much of the plot is driven by political intrigue and the complexities of the court, the emotional arc of our FMC is never lost. We’re seeing more fantasy stories shift toward softer, emotionally complex female leads, and this book strikes that perfect balance. She’s resilient, yes—both mentally and physically—but we also get to see her gentleness, her hesitation, her moments of grace. Watching her push against the limitations of her body and circumstances without losing that core softness made her incredibly compelling. She’s not a trope or a caricature—she’s layered, raw, and fully realized.

A Dance of Lies hit so many of the notes I’ve been looking for in a fantasy novel: authentic disability representation, political depth, emotional growth, artistic expression, and grounded romance. The fact that this is just the beginning of a series? I am already impatient for the next installment. The author has built something truly special here, and I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.
Sign me up for book two immediately—I am all in!

Well written, captivating. Kept me reading until the early morning. The plot, the chemistry and the dialogue all amazing. Best read of 2025. Immediately ordered a signed copy. Posted and shouting about this book everywhere! So excited to have a new author to obsess over!!

DNF @ 62%

I really wanted to like this, but no matter how much I tried, I just couldn’t get into it. I wasn’t connecting with the story or the characters, and overall it felt like something was missing—like something just wasn’t clicking in my brain.

I was initially drawn in by the premise of a dancer-turned-spy, but I found the MC Vasalie to be pretty underwhelming. She often came across as oblivious and naive in both reactions and perceptions. It didn’t seem like she had to work particularly hard for anything—other characters were quick to trust her and grant her requests. I struggled to care about her or root for her.

The romance fell a bit flat for me. I much preferred one love interest over the other, but honestly both relationships felt underdeveloped (take that with a grain of salt since I did DNF). They lacked chemistry and buildup. The one thing I did like about the romance was that it wasn’t immediately clear who she would choose, which kept things somewhat interesting.

I liked the writing style at first—the rich detail in the setting, the costumes, etc—but as I kept going, it started to feel like too much. Which I hate to say, because I love beautiful descriptions that immerse you in a world, but this was like description fatigue. I want to use my imagination a bit too. The prose could be overly wordy sometimes. For example, “Dichroic, cathedral windows reveal a granulated, prismatic moon.” Maybe my vocabulary is lacking, but I have no idea what I should be picturing when I read that.

I didn’t hate this, but I wasn’t particularly excited to pick it up either. I think there is an audience for this, but unfortunately it's not me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this book for review consideration.

N.B. A list of content warnings (spoilers!) can be found below this review.

He was her everything. She was his Jewel, his most revered dancer. And Illian was Vasalie's confidant, her savior, her King. Perhaps one day, the man she could fall in love with. But instead her closest friend revealed himself to be a monster, framing and imprisoning Vasalie for murder. A captivity so cruel, over the course of 2 years it has altered her once powerful body into a withered, tired version of what it once was. When Illian tells her she has one chance to earn back her freedom, Vasalie has no choice but to pick up her broken body and push herself to new limits. She has to prove herself to Copelan, the charming Master of Revels, and infiltrate his dance group; they are tasked to perform for Royals of the Northern Kingdoms at The Gathering, a highly political and volatile event. Once she's in, she is forced to carry out any task Illian commands, or risk being imprisoned once more. It doesn't matter how kind the people she meets are, how utterly innocent. For as she dances her nights away, Vasalie learns Illian has aligned himself with an even more dangerous enemy, one with the capability and intention to tear down Kingdoms. The stakes are higher than ever, and Vasalie has to do everything she can, no matter how despicable, to safeguard her unique position of power for the sake of working with a new ally and possibly the only man who can put a stop to Illian's plans: his biggest rival, his brother. King Anton.

Fellow readers will understand how the phrase “I have the worst book hangover!” summarizes perfectly just how recommendable this book is. I'm not sure a concise review can do it justice, so this will be long, but I'll try my best to pick out the highlights and keep it... not quite novella-length.

A Dance of Lies by debut author Brittney Arena is a fantasy novel with a strong romantic subplot that ended up holding my somewhat tender heart in its grasp. There is a love triangle of sorts: it can be said that it's not clear from the start who Vasalie's eventual love interest will be, but regular romance / romantasy readers can probably pick him out of the proverbial line-up swiftly enough. He's wonderfully written and one of my favorite MMC's in a long time. The romance is slow, but it burns so good. I won't lie, it was one of the best things about this book. This book has no spice, but rather great chemistry between characters, unexpected sensuality and slow burning tension.

The book is plot-driven with lovely characters. Vasalie's personality is a little withdrawn and closed off, but that makes perfect sense given what she's been through and what she's tasked with. I think it would have been strange if she'd been extroverted. Vas is surrounded by jovial and exuberant people and they balances her and the scenes they're all in perfectly. A Dance of Lies is beautifully written: the prose is very descriptive, almost lyrical, especially in the first half of the book. I appreciated the author's care in wording things just right. The plot lifts off in the second half and that's when I really found myself inching closer and closer to the edge of my couch.

The premise is unusual, a touch reminiscent of Celaena's beginning in the Throne of Glass series, but still unique. Brittney Arena wanted to write a FMC representing chronic illness and disability, a “love letter to those who feel unseen in their pain”. Having an imprisoned FMC becomes somewhat of a metaphor of what illness, pain and disability can feel like for those who have to live with it on a daily basis, and her “freedom” (however contingent) becomes the start of a rehabilitation for her. Vasalie's unusual circumstances force her to work with what she has and to rethink how she can perform to the best of her ability. She has to power through it all, like many people with chronic pain. It's quite on the nose. The way Arena chose to represent this in a fantasy context works well, also because there is absolutely a solid explanation (not an excuse – but a motivation) for the choices Illian makes regarding Vasalie. It will make sense.

That's another thing this book does well. We get many answers in this book. If you like Royal / political intrigue and scheming taking place in an imagined world, and are not adverse to descriptions of a crueler way of life (please check the content warnings below this review), this should be right up your alley. The plot keeps thickening with more layers of deception and checkmates – my head was spinning that direction and back as it all came together by the end of the book. A lot of full circle plotting while still keeping the door open for the story to evolve further.

They often say the best cure for a hangover is more of the same. While there is no announcement or indication that this book will be a series, the ending leaves me reasonably expectant and really hopeful that we'll have a sequel at some point.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group: Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.

N.B. May be considered spoilers: Content warnings provided by the author:
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Emotional abuse, physical abuse, alcoholism, PTSD, panic attacks, trauma, violence against children, sexual themes, graphic death, chronic illness, disability, and sexism.
I will add threat of rape by someone other than the MMC to that list.

When I tell you I DEVOURED this book in 24 hours & stayed up until 1 am to finish it, all while battling a stomach virus. I’m basically telling you to RUN to your nearest bookstore! I am so unwell at home much this book has consumed my soul. 😆

“A debut fantasy romance filled with hope after heartbreak, secrets, and betrayal, as a dancer-turned-spy must decide how far she will go to secure her freedom.”

Today I feel like there can be such an imbalance of plot and romance, but this book will make both the fantasy & romance girls happy. 👏🏻 The plot and writing were strong. The characters felt so genuine and I LOVED our protagonists and HATED our villains.

I had myself kicking & squealing at some of the banter by our main and side characters. I loved the plot. The kingdom, court drama, the SCHEMING. There were parts near the end, where I sobbed. My jaw was on the floor at the many twists and turns that happened throughout the book. I never for a second guessed where the plot was going to go.

It was a ride and one I’m devastated to be done with. 😭😭😭😭 Please for my sanity, read this and then immediately slide into my DM’s so I can kick, giggle, and mourn with you!

A Dance of Lies out now! Thank you a million times over again Del Rey for the advanced copy ⚔️❤️‍🔥🏹🩰

This book is gripping from the first page. It’s been awhile since I read a book that wasn’t quite so predictable. I’m obsessed with the way this author developed not only this romantasy but its characters.

I finished this a few weeks back and wanted to wait until closer to release to post the review and then totally forgot (ADHD) problems.

This was a complete and total masterpiece for me. I have quite literally no notes, no criticism. It was perfect from start to finish. I gobbled this one up slowly, because I KNEW it was going to be that good, and I didn’t want to leave the world so soon.

I haven’t read a book with this level of mastermind craftery since probably SJM or the early YA days when everyone was writing bangers.

Brittany has brought back the era of amazing storytelling with a unique , fresh fantasy world I still miss all these weeks later.

Characters were easily lovable (and the villains were so unlikeable!!). I wish I could erase my memory and read this book again.

Thank you to Del Ray and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of A Dance of Lies to review.

2.5 stars

A Dance of Lies follows Vasalie, who once was the King's Jewel; a talented dancer and performer. When she is framed for murder, she is thrown in prison for two years, only being released when King Illian has a task for her to accomplish. Two years in prison has affected her body and mind; she now suffers from chronic pain and mental health struggles along with that. When she is sent on her task she must decide whether she wishes to fight for her freedom or keep serving the man who imprisoned her.

I'm so sad about this one, not going to lie. I really wanted to love this, as the plot sounds right up my street. A dancer-turned-spy, court politics and betrayal sounded so good, but unfortunately it just didn't grip me as much as I wanted. The beginning was quite slow, and the language seemed too flowery and overwritten which isn't my preference for writing styles, so I tended to end up losing focus at quite description-heavy parts, which I didn't enjoy. There was also a lot of telling us information, almost info-dumping, and also telling us about certain things that happened between the chapters or between scenes, which irritated me.

Vasalie didn't seem to have much agency of her own as well, she just went along with everything she was asked to do, and just didn't start to properly question him for a while. I understand why, but I just wanted her to break free from her constraints earlier than she did. The disability rep with Vasalie's chronic pain was interesting to read about, however it did seem like it didn't affect her that much when she was dancing, and she never had major consequences for dancing while her body was supposed to be in so much pain.

The romance was okay but not spectacular. The love triangle thing came at me out of nowhere as I'd only heard about one of the MMCs, so it was surprising when she started getting close to another man. It seemed reasonably obvious who she would choose in the end, but having the other man in there threw me for a loop for a little bit. Anton did make me smile a bit with his banter, but I also didn't feel super connected to him by the end. Also Little Minnow as a nickname?? No thank you!

What I did like was the descriptions of dancing; they were so well written and really sucked me into them, unlike the rest of the book. One of the first dancing sequences was really engaging and I wish that level of engagement carried on throughout the book. I also enjoyed the Fates part of the worldbuilding; I love a god-like figure of legend in a story. I also really liked Emilia's character and how much her life impacted Vasalie's; it's really nice to see a stepmother character who isn't villainised!

I'm definitely in the minority here; so many others have loved this book, so definitely give this a go yourself if you're interested! I hope you love it more than I did.

When I look for a book that has rep of chronic pain, I think that this one is an excellent example. We see it in every one of Vasalie's actions - how it shapes her, how it impedes her, how she works to get around it and, ultimately, how she works with it. When you have chronic pain, even simply daily tasks can feel insurmountable, and I appreciate that she experiences those kinds of days early on in the story.

I also loved that we got to watch her grow. First through her feelings of defeat, then to acceptance. Then pushing beyond that, into her anger. Into her desire to not be pushed around again. How her past relationships have shaped how she approaches her new ones, how she has doubts about them and keeps herself at a distance. How, again, she learns and is able to set her reservations aside to break free.

I was able to predict one of the twists early on, but watching it play out was still very satisfactory to me. Additionally, as I had gone into the book expecting it to be a standalone, I was mildly disappointed that we were left on such a cliffhanger. However, I do appreciate how it sets up for a sequel - and I will be anticipating its release.

Happy Book Birthday to A DANCE OF LIES by Brittney Arena!

I have been desperately waiting for A DANCE OF LIES ever since Brittney mentioned her WIP about a disabled dancer way back in 2021! I can’t describe how happy it makes me to see a fantasy centered on a disabled main character thrive and succeed!

Once the favorite dancer of the king, Vasalie was falsely accused of murder and imprisoned. Her king blackmails her into becoming his spy at a royal celebration. As she’s forced into increasingly dangerous deceptions, Vasalie discovers that the monstrous king she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster—one far closer to home. With her world threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian’s brother and greatest adversary, the infamous King of the East…

Thank you to the publishers for my early review copy! A DANCE OF LIES is a lush political fantasy with wonderful chronic illness representation. The world-building is incredibly immersive and the plot twists had me on the edge of my seat!

Vasalie is the main character of my dreams! Raw and traumatized after her imprisonment, she’s wrestling with her body’s new limitations after becoming disabled. It’s so emotional to see her grieve her old life and ultimately find strength and belonging in her new reality.

However, I still feel a bit undecided about the romance. I wasn’t expecting a certain twist and admit I got invested in the wrong dynamic… It went from slowburn to fastburn a bit suddenly for my taste, but I hope the sequel will give me the development I’m looking for in the romance department.

Overall, A DANCE OF LIES is just as delicious and stunning as its cover! I’m so glad this book exists and I can’t wait for the sequel!

P.S. Please be aware of the content warnings, specifically for a past toxic relationship and abuse during the MC’s backstory.

3.75! Really enjoyed this! It felt new to me with the dancing aspect mixed with a disability rep. The beginning was a bit slow for me but eventually I found myself getting into it and really enjoying it.