A Dance of Lies surprised me in the best way.
The romance element was subtle but well-done. It didn’t distract from the plot, and it felt earned. The dynamic between Vasalie and the king’s brother added tension, but it was the kind that builds gradually instead of relying on cliché tropes.
The writing is clean and atmospheric, and the twists were handled well. There were moments I didn’t know who to trust, and that made the stakes feel so real. Overall, it’s a compelling fantasy that delivers on tension, mystery, and character development.
Now I can't wait to get my Faityloot edition of this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me an ARC in exchange for a free review.

My, this turned out better than I thought! The first few chapters had me nervous, I thought this was just going to be another typical fantasy story with the typical characters. Alas, this surprised me. I really felt myself loving Vas as a character, she was compelling, I hoped for her and her story. Illian was a great villain, he was compelling and interesting and I couldn’t help but love to despise him.

But my favourites were Anton and his court. Gustav, Laurent and Basile, they were the little glimmers of hope in this story. Anton was charming and intriguing, he made me want to be on his team, his band of friends that all loved each other dearly.

The world was very well thought out. I liked the prophecy that ran through it and the inclusion of some more mystical things such as the Fate of Morta, it made the world seem real and compelling. The politics were well thought out and intriguing and I honestly look forward to the next book because goddamn I need Anton back!

4/5 ⭐️

ARC REVIEW ✨

Political intrigue, secret arranged marriage, kingdoms divided. Secrets and prophecies. Slow burn and found family.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it was a strong 4.5 stars for me. I had the most amazing May reading month and I was nervous as to how June was going to measure up, but A Dance of Lies did not disappoint.

Vasalie is a strong, determined FMC who has to try and navigate politics and deadly secrets while dealing with physical disability and chronic pain. I love a book with chronic illness/pain representation when it is done well, and as someone who lives with the same disabilities that the author has woven into the FMC’s life this is one of those books that hit the nail on the head.

The world building, character development and development of love interests was done brilliantly, with the sort of emotion that keeps you invested very step of the way. I love the fact that throughout the book you continue to learn more and more about Vasalie, which sheds new light onto why she makes the choices she makes.

And it wasn’t until the very end that I had any idea of the twists that were coming. Let’s just say I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to see what Vasalie is going to do.

A Dance of Lies released in Australia at the start of this month and is a book I would highly recommend you go and read immediately! I am super excited about the fact it is strongly rumoured to be the Fairyloot July Adult book, so if that is the case I cannot wait to receive my copy 🤞

A huge thank you to the amazing author Brittney Arena, Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of A Dance of Lies in exchange for my honest review.

The writing is so beautiful and descriptive.

“I am little more than a husk. A corpse. A set of bones, waiting to be buried. I’m not sure my heart beats anymore. I’m not sure I want it to.”

My mind was racing the whole time, so many mysteries and such high stakes & I did not guess the plot twists… the ending is such a good cliffhanger.

I felt connected immediately to the FMC and caring about her & the side characters.


The constant betrayal in this had me on the edge of my seat biting my nails!

I devoured this and could not put it down.

3.5⭐️

Really intriguing for a debut novel and the title was perfect for the plot as it is a story filled with lies after lies, betrayals and schemings. I'm always smitten with the 2nd leads and this one delivered. Plot moved in a slow-paced but the foundation of the story got me hooked with our FMC chronic disability representation and wanting to know more about the histories, myths, mysteries, and courts' drama of it all. There is sensual tension and obsession. I'll be anticipating the 2nd book coz that ending y'all shooketh me!

Thanks to @netgalley and @delreybooks for the #gifted e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.
Pub date 10/June/2025

Ok this is an incredible read. We have a story within a story. We have a romance of all ages. Seriously. We have banter and incredible description. Vasalie is one of the best written female characters out there. Anton- well he is something else. I loved every minute of it. You have to read every word of this book right to the very end. Beautiful debut!! Thanks netgalley for this arc!

Brittney Arena provides excellent disability representation in a high fantasy adventure. Vasalie demonstrates great agency throughout the novel while at the same time experiencing the genuine challenges of chronic illness, pain, and physical disability. With a realistic perspective on the limits of treatment, Arena gives Vasalie work-arounds as she finds her own path to strength and success working with her disability. A great addition to fantasy collections!

My Quick Takes:
- 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 mild
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 none, kisses only
- Content 🤔 imprisonment, death, murder, misogyny, light themes of same sex attraction, chronic illness rep

A lyrically woven debut with ethereal world building, A Dance of Lies quickly captured my attention and left me wanting more.

If you’re looking for a romantasy with political intrigue, beautifully rendered lore, and a tangled web of lies, A Dance of Lies is for you. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and the vivid world she built alongside a realistic female main character.

The female heroines in the fantasy novels I’ve read are resilient in the way that they continue to physical fight and conquer. Vasalie, the female protagonist in A Dance of Lies is resilient because she continues to show up and push through pain and befriend others and outmaneuver her opponents. It felt so much realistic to me compared to the fantastical warrior women in other fantasy novels.

Already looking forward to book 2 and all that is to come.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review.

OH MY GOSH! Brittney Arena, you have created an absolute masterpiece. A Dance of Lies has everything that you could need in a book.
Absolutely stunning. Full review to come very soon!

Dance of Lies is a book with a lot of interesting plot lines, characters, and particularly vivid description of the world and landscapes. The book is really ambitious - and makes me very excited to see how Brittney Arena continues to write and especially, to bring her personal experience of disability into her writing.

Vasalie was imprisoned for several years for a crime she didn't commit and has been retrieved from prison on a mission - to spy on King Anton of the East for his brother, King Illian. Life at the palace brings her into incredible intrigue and entanglements.

This book creates incredibly vivid pictures and Arena does a great job in painting the setting. The book also is deeply interested in ideas as to what makes a good and just ruler, and I enjoyed the court intrigue very much. One particular character, the queen of Razam, has some interesting ideas about governing her country, and I loved getting to spend time with her.

Vasalie is a really honest portrayal of someone who has experienced abuse and torture, and I admit, sometimes I struggled with how disengaged her trauma made her seem to other people. As part of her debt to King Illian, she does some incredibly hurtful and damaging things. I think the book lets her off the hook a little too much, and though it is incredibly realistic for someone in a traumatic situation to be so singularly focused, I wish she had been pushed on that a bit more. I also found the romantic interests to be a bit of less developed plot line - one particular interest seems to exist as a red herring, rather than to illuminate the characters.

Authors with disabilities tend to be under-published, so I was so excited to read Arena's work and see the perspective she brings to a main character who is struggling with her body. A plotline where Vasalie is working to come to terms with her body felt very deftly handled, and I'll look forward to seeing what she writes next. This is a book for fans of Kate Golden and K.A. Linde.

Thank you Del Rey for the ARC!

I am not sure if this book or series was for me! The premise of the book was really interesting but unfortunately I had to dnf @ 60%. Every time I picked it up to read, nothing was going on and I ended up either falling asleep or wanting to pick up another book. It was slow in plot and the world-building was not very engaging either. I did enjoy the revelation of the FMC's father but even then, it did not keep me engaged long enough. The politics could do some more explaining as well since I usually love political intrigue but nothing really made sense there either. I think maybe I will pick this up another time and give it another chance when the next book is available.

For a debut novel this book was really good. There were some parts in the first half of the book that I did find slow, however I have been in a long book slump so this very much could be me not the book itself. The characters were interesting and I found the concept of the gathering with the dancing element really unique. As the book progressed I started to find myself more and more invested in certain connections between characters. The ending was very much unexpected and I am intrigued to read the next instalment.

This is a good book for those who love political intrigue and a character-driven story. There are lots of twist and turns, and I really enjoyed the way the secrets were unveiled throughout the stoty.
I wouldn't call this a romantasy - there is romance, but it's secondary to the story.
I loved the disabilty and chronic pain representation!

I'll definitely be reading book two - I need to know how this ends!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena is a first person-POV political fantasy. Vasalie was once a dancer for King Illian and was also once in love with him. For the past two years, he’s kept her locked up, unable to leave the castle and either giving her a chronic illness or making a pre-existing one worse. Now, Illian needs Vasalie to seduce his brother Anton as he makes moves among the other kings of the land.

I would not call this a Romantasy. There were three different characters that I thought could be the love interest until the sixty percent mark and I felt that the political plot held a lot more weight than the romance itself, which felt like more of a C plot. Technically, Vasalie is sent to seduce Anton, but due to her history with Illian and her close relationship with the male dancer at the meeting of the Crowns, I was not quite sure which direction it was going to go. For me, I want to know who the love interest is and we meet them by 10% at the latest in a fantasy romance and I want the couple to meet by either the 15% mark or their meeting is the inciting incident. I think political fantasy is more where this sits.

The worldbuilding involves a lot of sexism as women seem to lack power and it is legal for Vasalie’s father to not only engage her at thirteen to an older man, but also to make her move into his home to marry him. Vasalie runs away, but it is pretty clear that men move through the world with more freedom. Where I felt this the most strongly was seeing how almost every single person in power is a man and the women who were in power often had struggles keeping it or were under the thumb of a man.

Another reason I think this is more of a political fantasy is how many political machinations are mentioned throughout the book and how they connect to some aspect of Vasalie’s life and the broader world. The author shows a very interesting web of politics that I think is well-developed and acknowledges how hard it is to get any power when you’re born without it and the lengths some people will go to take power away.

I would recommend this to fans of political fantasy who like multiple parts and pieces moving

I found this book full of quotable and relatable moments!

The chronic pain homage that is paid is achingly beautiful.

This story is lighter on the fantasy elements but please don’t let that be a sticking point for you either way. I found myself relating to both the Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas in multiple, but unique ways. I enjoyed how King Anton was giving Rhysand-esque qualities!

The love triangles/shapes going on in this story I found to be well done and each captured my attention.

“Because I don’t know whether he’s the safest of them all. Or he is, by far, the most dangerous.”

The ending wraps up quicker than I was expecting, however, I only think I feel that way because I truly wanted more!

Thank you to Del Rey Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena.

Wow this book was a ride.

The first few chapters felt heavy, emotional, and honestly a bit repetitive, which made it difficult for me to connect at first. Vasalie’s grief and betrayal were portrayed vividly, but her inner monologue lingered so much on the same pain that it almost weighed down the pacing. That said, I’m so glad I kept going, because what followed was an intensely immersive, emotionally resonant, and captivating story that had me flipping pages deep into the night.

The emotional depth of Vasalie’s journey really struck a chord with me. After spending two years imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit, she suffers from muscle and nerve damage—something rarely explored in fantasy. Her physical struggle, the disconnection between body and mind, was written in a raw and real way that hit home. Her pain wasn’t just emotional, it was visceral, and I appreciated how her resilience was portrayed not with cliché superpowers, but with determination, passion, and the will to survive.

And then came Anton. A character so charismatic, clever, and full of layered charm that I nearly highlighted every line he spoke. His banter with Vasalie, his confidence, and the way he carried himself it all made for such a compelling romantic interest. Their chemistry leapt off the page, and even though I usually prefer a slow burn, I was thoroughly entertained by the dynamic and… ahem… spicy turns their relationship took. (That brothel spying scene? Unforgettable.)

King Illian, on the other hand, was a character I loved to hate. Cold, manipulative, and deeply complex, his arc had me hoping for a more dramatic downfall. I found myself wishing for a slower, more satisfying resolution to his story, but that’s a testament to how strongly I was invested in Vasalie’s need for justice.

The court intrigue, layered politics, and vivid worldbuilding were captivating. While there were times I struggled to visualize certain descriptions, especially some of the performance scenes, the writing overall was atmospheric and emotionally charged. Each chapter painted a scene I could step into, especially during the palace and espionage moments.

My only real critique lies in the pacing of the ending. While the rest of the novel struck a great balance between movement and character development, the final portion felt a little rushed. I would’ve loved a few more chapters to let things unfold, rather than a quick setup for the next book.

Still, for a debut, A Dance of Lies truly impressed me. It’s a beautifully written fantasy with depth, darkness, hope, and a heroine who feels real in all the best ways. I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel and praying that Vasalie gets the vengeance she deserves. Recommended for: readers who love court intrigue, complex heroines, trauma healing arcs, morally gray love interests, and slow-burns with a bit more heat than expected.


Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It took a little time to settle into the story, but once I did, I was completely hooked. The world-building is breathtaking—rich, immersive, and layered with political intrigue that kept me on edge. Every twist and revelation felt earned, weaving together beautifully to create an engrossing and rewarding read.

Vasalie was a standout character for me. Her internal struggles—questioning her desires, morality, and loyalties—added so much depth. The secret spying and the tension that came with it raised the stakes, making every moment feel significant. Her gradual evolution was beautifully done, as she wrestled with ambition and personal ethics in a way that felt authentic.

The political dynamics and world-building are incredibly detailed, enhancing the narrative without ever overwhelming it. The romance is well-balanced—present enough to add emotional depth, but never overshadowing the larger story. I really appreciated how it enriched the plot while allowing Vasalie’s journey to remain the focus.

While the pacing leans slower, it’s immersive rather than sluggish. The story gradually pulls you in before delivering a dark, haunting ending that will leave you eager for the sequel and searching for answers.

One of my favourite aspects of the book was its portrayal of dance. The author captures movement so vividly, making each scene dynamic and alive. The writing overall flows beautifully, and for a debut, the pacing is impressively handled. I especially admired how the world-building unfolds naturally—avoiding excessive info-dumping, which is often tricky in high fantasy.

At first, it was the writing that drew me in, but the characters completely won me over. Anton, in particular, had plenty of moments that absolutely melted me. I can’t wait for the next one in the series to see where this story is going!

DNF:
I have unfortunately decided to DNF this book. For me I could not connect with the FMC. The story in itself did not intrigue me enough to keep it going. And I will say that I could see how this could be the book for some people. But it was not for me. Therefore I made the decision for myself and the book to not continue it.

I would consider picking up another book from this author in the future if the premise intrigues me.

I would like to say thank you to the author and publishers for a chance to read this, in exchange for an honest review

First off I’d like to start by saying that the cover is beautiful for a fantasy book and the description drew me in. I think this is very much a new concept for a fantasy book and could get behind what the author was trying to create

You might be thinking why 3 stars, well for me, it was advertised as a love triangle romantic fantasy but I think the romances weren’t really developed at the moment, which I hope they will be in later books. The fmc I think I just didn’t gel with and found her quite frustrating maybe ? I know she’s gone through a lot, but I just couldn’t get on with her.

I think as well that the fantasy world that was being created was yes brilliant but I think I just wanted to have a bit more, some scenes as well I felt were very descriptive for what was happening but some weren’t described as clearly and I just couldn’t imagine the setting which I feel is important when reading a book

I will say that I would read the next books in the series despite of this, I just have so many questions that haven’t I don’t think been answered.

Please don’t read this and be put off, what I might not have enjoyed as much you might love

Vasalie used to be King Ilian's favorite dancer but she was framed for murder and locked away for 2 years, until for some reason she is released. Ilian offers her a pardon in exchange for sneaking into the royal gathering under the guise of a dancer in order to spy for him, he doesn't seem to care that her incarceration damaged her body leaving her unable to dance as she used to....
I loved how Vasalie found a way to still be a captivating performer in spite of her new limitations, the story does spend quite a while in the first half of the story focusing on her designing and making her costumes and the sets which got a bit boring after a while but the author switches gears in the back half of the book to focus more on all of the political machinations going on in the many different courts which sucked me back into the story. I was a little disappointed that this isn't actually a standalone like I thought so be aware there is a cliffhanger ending, now I'll just be ticked if book 2 never happens lol