⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/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

I love seeing disability rep in fantasy romance, and as a POTS patient I loved the way that disability was dealt with realistically in this book,

THIS IS THE BEST fantasy romance read ( coming from someone who isn't big on that genre) I DEVOURED this... I don't even know where to start with this it was that good... plot follows a disabled dancer Vasaile who escaped from an abusive father, she becomes King Illian’s "prized jewel"... After King Illian imprisons her for a murder he knows she didn't do, ends up releasing her but this "freedom" comes with a brutal price....

The world building in this book is just stunning  -- the world building in fantasy books aren't my cup of tea but with this read I ATE it up -- it literally felt like watching a movie in my head and I LOVE when books have that effect on me! Vasaile's character development was just phenomenal 👌🏻also as someone who has a physical disability/ limitations I loved that I could resonate with some bits

Check the trigger warnings 🫶🏻

Grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this work of art!

Dance of Lies was a beautiful dance of will power, heartbreak, trust and mysteries. I enjoyed reading the book. It was a pretty heavy read at times, with the female lead being an enigma. I loved the writing style, the explanations of every small detail bringing key highlights to the dances performed and acts displayed. Overall, I am looking forward to read the next book in this series. It's a perfect book for a mystery lover.

Obsessed. This is my favorite type of fantasty book. HEAVY on political intruigue, strategy, and manuvering and heavy on character development. With a sprinkle of romance.

I loved all of the characters in this book. I thought every single one of them was layered and complex, making you not know what their next move was going to be. The main character and her development was really well done. The representation of chronic illness and PTSD and what a different kind of strength can look like in a fantasy book was so well done. And also, the love interest (I won't name names) was swoon-worthy.

Can't wait for the rest of the world to read this.

☆ ☆ .8
We👏🏻love👏🏻a👏🏻book👏🏻with👏🏻a👏🏻map👏🏻 but also thank GOD this book had a visual aid because I was on struggle island trying to remember every city and who’s from where at the start WHEW.

This is a great debut novel, I enjoyed this. I must admit that I wasn’t sure at first but it do really picks off after 40% in! The pacing at the start is a little flimsy and the plot seemed unclear, I was just confused, you also get a lot of world building dumping information while there’s A LOT of character to remember, but I swear everything gets clearer after.

The characters are great, they each have their own personalities with their own way of talking and own mannerisms, I liked our protagonist (she’s the king jewel, don’t worry you’ll remember it I think it’s said about 20 times.) I liked that her chronic illness didn’t just disappear and she actually had to learn to live with it, she might’ve felt a tiny bit whiny at times but honestly towards the end she gains some confidence and it gets better. I absolutely LOVED Anton, great sense of humour, great dialogue whether he was concerned, just an overall great character. I thought Illyan was a little unclear, it’s a case of “you get told, you don’t see” as a vilain he fell a little flat for me, he’s not horrible and I liked the twist and turns of him but he was a tad “meh” in comparison to our protagonist father. I do wish this book had multiple POV’s I think it would’ve been better seeing as there’s a lot of different people.

The plot itself was entertaining (once I understood what was going on and who’s who), I think it could’ve been a tiny bit more fast paced because I do agree that this book suffers from a case of overwriting but I liked the plot twists and the fact that the book is separated in three sections!

Overall, it’s a great debut novel, the tropes are well executed, the characters are well written and I enjoyed reading this! Oh! And the cover is to die for, it’s absolutely gorgeous. As always thank you netgalley, del rey and random house publishing for the arc, review will be posted close to publication day!

I have to start this review out by commenting on the author's note at the beginning of the book as well as the video she made on TikTok about it. The author mentions how this story reflects her journey with chronic illnesses and pain conditions (and the anxiety that often goes hand-in-hand with that) and how she uses fantasy novels as her escapism when dealing with these issues. I really related to that, so I was really excited to read this. She also mentioned that this book follows how that can impact a person over time (and as someone who also struggles with many chronic illnesses and pain conditions, I wanted to see how that was written). I was nervous but also excited to read this. I do NOT like sick lit, but I like the representation when reading about an issue from someone who suffers from that same thing. I prefer it to be an aspect of a character, something they deal with randomly, I don't want it to be their entire personality. And this book did a good job of just making it a single aspect of our main character.

This book also explores dance a lot, and how it can mean different things and how it can be used. (This book has quite a bit of political drama.)

This book has lots of secrets and deception, spies and very unlikely allies, and quite the slow-burn romance.

I do wish this book had some more world-building, I just wanted this to feel a touch more fantastical and whimsical. But overall, I had a good time!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

This book was just OK to me. I am not a typical fantasy reader, or a romance/fantasy reader. The book felt like it had a lot of fluff and unnecessary bits to it. I did not keep my attention, and it was hard to read and finish the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!