A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena is a brand new fantasy romance following Vasalie, a prisoner wrongly-accused by her king who she used to dance for in his court. When she is suddenly called out of the dungeons to face her king, she is offered a deal: be his spy in enemy court in exchange for her freedom. This covert operation will push her to physical limits (due to her confinement disabling her) and make her question everything she knows. 

I am not a ride-or-die fantasy romance fan - it really just depends how the two genres are balanced because I am all in for fantasy but romance mmm 😶🤣 with a few exceptions. This balance is tricky to measure because I didn’t feel like fantasy OR romance took the spotlight for the most part, the focus is definitely court politics (I know that’s TECHNICALLY fantasy but you know what I mean) and scheming, but the pacing was good so I didn’t mind! I rated it 3 stars, but it would’ve been lower if not for the ending which I really enjoyed. 

I liked Vasalie and the chemistry she had with other characters, and she didn’t read like the ‘stabby fmc’ archetype that turns me off a lot of books in this genre which was a welcome relief. There were a couple of REALLY great reveals in the second half too! 

My biggest issues were that a lot of scenes were over-written - that’s not to say I disliked the prose, it was just TOO MUCH. This book is 448 pages (GR) and not nearly enough happened plot-wise to justify that many pages in my opinion. Even though the ending really picked me up, I can’t say it’s a must-read, but it might be a win for romantasy girlies don’t need OTT romance. 

I do not have a physical disability so I can’t comment on whether the representation was ‘good’ but I have seen a lot of reviewers express that it was an unrealistic representation of living with a disability, but I felt like the FMC’s limitations were clear and consistent.

I need 10 more books in my hand right now. This hit so hard, and I need it to go viral so that everyone can read it and I can discuss it so much more. I was lucky enough to receive it as an ARC, so thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, but all opinions are my own.

A Dance of Lies starts with Vasalie being pulled out of the prison she’s been locked in for years after King Illian has framed her for murder after being his favorite dancer in his court. He offers her a deal: if she performs at the Gathering, a 6 week party for the kings and queens of all the Northern kingdoms, and acts as his spy, she can be free. As his orders grow more dangerous and blood thirsty, revealing a much more threatening plot, Vasalie turns to Illian’s brother, the charming scoundrel King Anton, for help.

As the rivalry between brothers boils over, war is brewing between multiple countries, and Vasalie is caught in the middle of it all.

This was one of my favorite fantasy books ever, and that takes a lot. This book had so much delicious tension, lovable characters, gorgeous setting and magic systems, and a gripping plot. What was most impactful to me was the world-building. The descriptions of the different settings were so detailed, clearly crafted with love, and made it so easy to picture the glittering and deadly Gathering. It’s hard to describe how flowy and intricate the writing style is and how well it reflects the world that it’s building, because it’s that good. The author really nailed the atmosphere, which is so important in a fantasy like this one.

Besides just being in a different world, there is another fantasy element to the book, and that comes in the form of the Fates. The Fates are characters in old stories that may or may not have been real, but affect the story in great ways. The lore around them is interesting, and I’d love a prequel-style book or two focused solely on them. They reminded me a lot of the gods in Divine Rivals or the Fates in Once Upon a Broken Heart.

The setting and magic are all great, but the plot revolves mostly around the politics of the world. There are a couple of different countries involved, each with different ruling systems and important characters, and each is involved in some way with the rapidly evolving plot. There are a lot of moving pieces within the action, lots of fun reveals, which makes the book more interesting than if it had been focused primarily on the romance(s?). I thought it was written well, with enough plot to follow and have to pay close attention to, but not too much to the point where it’s confusing or there are too many characters involved.

As for the characters, I loved them. Vasalie is a good, strong main character without being too Netflix “strong=masculine and/or cold,” which is important in this genre. She was determined, willing to do whatever it takes to survive, but also sweet and caring about the people around her. She was a good character to follow in the sense that she’s involved in the plot, but she isn’t a Crown, so she gets to be more in the action than the strategy, if that makes any sense.

Illian was gross, period, but he makes an intriguing villain. I do think his motives could’ve been a little bit more unique, as the “brother took part of my kingdom and I want it back” feels like it’s been done before, but it’s alright. The other villains are engaging as well, and I hope we see more of them in the next book.

Anton was a chef’s kiss, amazing, incredible, a diva, hilarious, so charming, ugh. Talk about a charismatic love interest. He has a reputation for debauchery and being a scoundrel, which he lives up to, but he’s also a dashing hero and a good King, who knows exactly what to do in stressful situations. He’s really funny as well, with clever one-liners, and balances out some of the tension quite well. He was definitely my favorite character, and the plot twist with him at the end had me so gagged.

The other side characters, particularly those in Anton’s staff, were also great additions to the cast. They were heartfelt and added a lot of emotion to the story, making me really root for them.

There is technically no spice in this book, but it’s quite sensual and filled with sexual tension, so take that as you will.

Everything in this book was great, except for the fact that it took about half of the book for any true action to kick in. That’s not to say the first half is bad at all. I appreciated the world-building and development of character relationships, but I do wish it could have been a tad more interesting or shortened a bit. Or, what may have been better is if the 40-50% area had been building more in anticipation, because it felt like such a clear line of “world building” then “PLOT PLOT PLOT”, there wasn’t a smooth transition. I haven’t reread the book yet, but I am a little worried that the slow pace of the first half might worsen the re-readability of the book. Idk though, we’ll find out eventually.

Anyway, other than that, I ate this book up. It truly helped remind me what a GOOD romance can look like in a time when bookish social media is oversaturated with the genre. This was such a crazy debut and I need every book she comes out with next.

Hear me when I say: This. Is. Not. A. Debut.

This is a PREMIERE, because I was delivered a whole performance. 🩰 ✨ 👏🏻

I was absolutely captivated by the beginning of this book, and Vasalie is a character who represents a part of the author’s own struggle with chronic illness, and I believe that’s why it worked and that’s why it was written so well. 😮‍💨 I felt for her, but I did not pity her, and that’s the difference. I knew she wanted to fight through her circumstances, and through many ups and downs in this story you feel like you’re looking through a stained glass window catching a glimpse. It was beautiful and painful. And yet, you forget about her pain at times because she doesn’t lead with it.

The dance. The torment. The descriptions. The romance. It’s all there. The ending took me off guard and I think I’m still processing? 😅 So I’m going to need that next book as soon as I complete all 5 ballet positions. 🙆🏼‍♀️

A Dance of Lies is a fast paced romantasy that plays on a lot of classic tropes and will most definitely give romantasy lovers a new read to obsess over. I enjoyed the lush worldbuilding and how sumptuous the setting was, and seeing a chronic illness in a romantasy was definitely a breath of fresh air! The writing style is very easy to sink into. I wasn’t particularly keen on the romance as someone who avoids love triangles at absolutely all cost. I think this will go down well with romantasy lovers who love a brooding love interest and a twisty plot!

This was quite different to the Ramantasy I normally read. I quite enjoyed it though. I really enjoyed the characters. I loved how resilient Vasalie is and I loved her creative flare. The way she was able to deliver such a unique show despite her disability was great. And king Anton….say no more. Swooning!!! This book kept me on my toes and guessing throughout the whole book. Many times I thought I had figured it out just to find out that I hadn’t. And that cliffhanger ending. Wow! I need book 2 now please. I feel like things are just starting to really ramp up.

What if we just kind of mess around doing next to nothing the whole book and then do everything imaginable including death, death, and more death, all at the end??

I did not have the highest hopes, but this was both an ARC (thanks Netgalley & Del Rey!) and also my tiny book club's (me & my best friend) pick for June. SO. Here we go.

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Vasalie is a dancer, or at least she was until she was framed for murder and imprisoned by the king she trusted more than anyone. Now pulled out of her cell after 2 years, she is forced to dance again and deal with the agony of a body that will never recover.

While at a gathering of rulers that occurs every 9(?) years, Vasalie is surrounded by men that just want her sooo bad. Who will she pick! Also she has to poison people, get people arrested, and maybe commit regicide too. But don't worry about that!!! Look instead at pretty dancer boy who just feels so alive dancing with her! Or maybe bad reputation younger king that is definitely flirting with her!! Or what about the king that imprisoned her in the first place!! Who will she choose?!?!

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The biggest disappointment to me was that the love interest is so much the stereotypical dark haired, misunderstood, bad reputation, actually a good guy that he is just... so boring. Nothing about him could hold my attention all that much. Vasalie and him have what is supposed to be that type of "love to hate them" snarkiness and yet it falls flat. I am also severely spoiled at the moment after reading The Moth and The Knight...

The ending didn't make me want to keep reading. Are there ever any stakes if anyone could just come back to life literally on the same page they "died"?

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As always, thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an eARC of A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena in exchange for this honest review!

DNF.

I just couldn't get into the writing style for this one. It felt very overwritten and flowery, but not in a way where the prose was lovely/interesting to read. It was just overly sentimental with a lot of telling instead of showing that made it difficult for me to enjoy the story.

3⭐️

“Rise from your ashes, my dear. Don’t crumble alongside them”

Locked away for a crime she didn’t commit. Betrayed by the king she adored. Now to live, she must dance a lie.

In A Dance of Lies, Vasalie Moran, once King Illian’s prized dancer, is imprisoned and framed for a crime she didn’t commit. Two years later, the king offers her a harrowing deal: perform at the Crowns’ Gathering—a royal summit involving Illian and his rival brothers—as his spy, or remain caged forever. Sent to the Isle of Anell, Vasalie must navigate political treachery, covert missions, and her own past trauma, all while yearning for the freedom that always seems just out of reach.

💗 what I loved:
• Writing & Pacing: Arena’s prose is lyrical yet accessible, drawing you into the court’s grandeur and looming danger in equal measure. Vasalie’s voice—resilient, wounded, curious—grounded the story emotionally.
• High Stakes Intrigue: I was along for every whispered secret, every shifting alliance, every pulse-quickening twist—especially once the Gathering began. The simmering tension between brothers added real depth to the political landscape.
• Spying as Central Tension: The espionage layer added weight. Not just political power plays, but moral ones. It kept me guessing and glued to the pages.

💔 what fell short:
• Disability Representation: The book introduces Vasalie’s POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) as key to her character, yet the ARC glosses over her recovery and adaptation. After being released from the dungeon, she goes through 5 weeks of training that we don’t really get to see, and is then performing and spying without realistic physical struggle. And by the last quarter of the book, it felt like the disability aspect was sidelined completely.
• Dance Clarity: Some reviews hail the dance scenes as vivid, but I struggled to visualize them. The movements felt like a backdrop rather than central art—something I wanted more texture and grounding in.
• Romance Arc: The dynamic with Copelan, her dance partner and the first person to offer her safe, gentle touch after years of isolation. Their moments felt soft and meaningful at first, but ultimately it wasn’t connection—it was comfort. A lifeline, not love. When the romance shifted to someone else, that arc was left feeling unfinished and unnecessary.

Final Take: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A Dance of Lies is structurally strong and emotionally gripping. Vasalie’s journey through political espionage kept me hooked, and the world felt fresh. But the sidelined disability arc and uneven romantic beats pulled me back from fully rooting for it.

That being said, while some threads didn’t land as deeply as I hoped, the world, tension, and character journey kept me engaged. For fans of morally grey leads, slow-burn tension, and courtly intrigue: this is worth your time.

──. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁
Thank you to the author and publisher, Del Rey, for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena
Release Date: June 10, 2025

This was an alright debut story. I've seen some other people describe their experience with this book as a rollercoaster and that's exactly how I feel about it. There were some good, exciting moments and some bad ones. As much as I loved the premise, I had a really hard time picking this book up at times.
I think my biggest issue was the pacing and the writing style. There were times where it was really slow and times where it all felt really rushed. You'd have some really exciting moments and then some really flat chapters.
I do like Vasalie and Anton's relationship, I just hope it gets more fleshed out in book 2. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of love triangles.
I also really enjoyed the atmosphere/world, even though there wasn't too much world building.
Overall I think book 2 has a lot of potential and I'm intrigued to see where it goes.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

This is a lush and emotionally charged romantic fantasy that delivers a gripping blend of espionage, court politics, and slow-burn tension. At its heart is Vasalie, a former royal dancer wrongfully imprisoned and forced to spy for the king who betrayed her. What unfolds is a compelling story of survival, strength, and self-discovery, with chronic pain representation woven seamlessly into her character arc. The writing is immersive and the political stakes are high, and the romance between Vasalie and the enigmatic King Anton simmers with just the right amount of distrust and longing. The novel’s atmosphere and emotional depth make it a standout. Perfect for fans of morally grey characters, dangerous courts, and heroines who fight with both vulnerability and resilience, I can't wait to read more!

As a debut author, Brittney Arena can, and should, be proud of her first book. A Dance of Lies isn’t perfect but it’s certainly an entertaining read, with a lot of potential, very well written, even if at a certain point I doubted about how much I was enjoying it. But, no worries, the end cleared all my fears and let me curious for what is coming.

First of all, because I think it’s mostly there that resides the beauty of this book, let me talk about the writing. This book is so beautifully crafted and deserves to be appreciated for it. It’s gorgeously descriptive, physically and emotionally, and I was surrendered by it instantly. It was my favorite thing about it, no doubt and, yes, the dance scenes are so good that is unreal. My second favorite thing was the plot. I can’t resist a complex, twisty power hungrily plot, with a political genius game and this book served it. I wasn’t expecting it and I loved it. The final was brutal and I can’t wait to see how things will develop.

But, as I said before, there was a point where I doubt this book. And that was because I’m not the biggest fan of most characters, or the way they’re presented at least, nor the romance parts. I really like Vasalie as a main character, but I don’t like how everyone wants/trust/love her immediately. Because of it, the connection with and between the characters was a miss for me.

But, I think the second book will be better in that point and I really want to know what will happen next. Overall was a good debut and first book of a series, and I believe the author has a lot of potential and I can’t wait to see where she is taking her story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for giving me an eARC in exchange of an honest review 💜

I DEVOURED THIS BOOK!! It gripped me from the get go and I could not put it down, 100% deserves way more hype!

It’s so well written with vivid imagery and a storyline that sunk under my skin. I loved the description of Vasalie’s performances, her resilience and strength. Her character was brilliantly complex and I just loved her interactions with Anton the most!

There was a solid mix of political intrigue, romance and characters that simmered with tension. I loved the plot twists, heartbreaks and pure scheming along the way.

This book completely caught me by complete surprise, it had me in a chokehold, swallowed me whole and spat me back out! I’m obsessed, can’t wait to read more from Brittney!

Ordered my physical copy the second I finished!

WOW! Stunning, magical! This book had my jaw on the floor by the end, and I loved every minute of the journey!

This is truly such a beautifully written story, and it paints such a unique picture. I was so immersed in the dancing and the gorgeous palace scenery with all of its glass and vivid colors. And the characters, themselves, had such real struggles and a dynamic that had me intrigued by every interaction.

The focus of our story is a palace dancer - the King’s Jewel - who is wrongly convicted of a crime and spends two years forgotten in the palace dungeons. Suddenly, by seeming happenstance, she’s pulled back out and enters into a bargain with the conniving king who sent her there. The reward for her cooperation? Her freedom.

She’s sent to a gathering of the crowns from across the realm with a dancing troupe tasked with the entertainment. Her only job is to earn her place among them and to stealthily complete whatever tasks the king sends her way.

This book has so much political intrigue (mysteries, secrets, lies, promises), found family, beautiful settings, a roguish sort of romance, and so much more! I was on the edge of my seat so many times, and I cannot WAIT for the next book in this series!

Do yourself a favor and grab this book!! It’s earned its hype, in my opinion, and I can already tell this is going to be an auto-buy author for me!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of the digital arc in exchange for my review! I've also written my review on goodreads and on my book social media.

A Dance of Lies…wow this my new obsession, I really enjoyed this fantasy romance! This book had me absolutely hooked from the beginning with my jaw dropping at the end.
I loved how beautifully the story was written. The writing was immersive with detailed scenes that truly captivates the reader. The plot twists in this, I did not see coming and had me gasping chapter after chapter!

I found myself super invested in the slow burn romance. I did enjoy that the book has you questioning Vasalie's love interest and it is not made clear immediately, which was a different to other romances I have read.

I did find that the disability representation wasn’t mentioned after the second half of the book. I’m not sure if it was the intention of the growing strength of the character.

This is a fantastic read, from the way the book ended…I am hoping there’s a book 2! I cannot wait to read the next one!

If you loved The Folk of the Air by Holly Black or Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber, you'll probably enjoy this too. It has that same feeling of glittering danger, sharp court dynamics, and characters who never say what they mean.
I don't usually go for romantasy, but this one pulled me in. The politics, the spying, the tension between characters, all of it was so well done. Vasalie as a main character is honestly great. She's been through hell, and you can feel that in every decision she makes.
There's no melodrama, just someone trying to stay ahead in a world that's already broken her once.
The romance is one of the best parts. It's unpredictable. You think you know who the love interest is, then things shift. It's slow, emotional, and full of power play. I changed ships more than once, which almost never happens.
There's also a quiet sci-fi thread running through the story that I didn't expect. It doesn't take over, but it adds this strange edge to the worldbuilding that worked really well.
It's smart, emotional, and full of tension. I was never bored. If you like morally complicated characters and stories that don't hand you easy answers, I think you'll love this.
Thank you@netgalley@penguinrandomhouse @delreyuk for the review copy
Thank you @reverieandink for writing the book

Ok this was AMAZING!! Can’t believe it’s a debut! This was not a cookie cutter romantasy but instead a breath of fresh air in what is quickly becoming a market saturated with stories that all feel similar. I loved the political intrigue and the scheming and the slow burn romance that actually had a great build up and wasn’t instant lust. The found family and the character development of the FMC were great too. The ending?! Cannot wait for the sequel really hoping it’s SO soon!

I was really impressed with this debut romantasy by Arena. The amount of imagery captured was impressive. I could easily picture the dances and movements that Vasalie performed. I was also impressed with Arena’s ability to surprise me. I’m usually pretty good at guessing the “big reveal” in books, but this one kept me guessing until the end. I will say, if you like to try and solve stories while reading, there is a lot to keep track of that’s happening in the book. There were a few times I had to reread sections to pick up what all was occurring during the scene. I also appreciated how Arena approached Vasalie’s character and the concessions she had to make to be able to dance after her imprisonment. Anton and the friends he surrounded himself were the real winners for me. I really enjoyed their characters and the depth to them, especially Anton. I do think they were all a little too trusting, though, especially with the secrets they were keeping and trying to expose. I’m excited to see where book 2 goes.

An excellent, intriguing, and twist fantasy debut.
There's plenty of potential, excellent world building and character development.
I found it a bit slow at the beginning but I was hooked after some chapters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Solid 5 star read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Dance of Lies snapped me out of a months-long reading slump—and I was hooked from the first chapter!

Brittney Arena’s debut novel is a sweeping, emotionally charged fantasy that hits all the right notes. The world-building, character development, and emotional depth all strike a near-perfect balance between scene-setting and reader freedom. The author's descriptions are vivid enough to anchor the reader in the moment but never so drawn out that you’re stuck wading through pages of scenery. It felt cinematic but still left room for the reader's imagination to play.

Vasalie is an incredible main character who is layered, fierce, and vulnerable in all the right ways. She is strong, complex, and unforgettable—I cannot wait to see the journey she takes in this book series.

And that ending? I have no words 🤯 I need book two immediately and probably 3–5 business days to emotionally recover. This was a stunning debut, and I’m already desperate for the next installment of this series. Brittney Arena is officially on my auto-buy list!

4.75! ⭐️
Vasalie’s journey is one of the most compelling I’ve read in a long time. She’s a protagonist who lives with chronic pain and physical limitations, which the book handles with striking authenticity. Her pain doesn’t magically go away—she adapts, she struggles, she perseveres. Watching her rise from the ashes of her trauma, rediscover her strength, and begin to define herself beyond her suffering is both heartbreaking and empowering. I loved that she wasn’t defined by her disability, but that it was still a central part of her experience—present in every moment of her life, yet never overshadowing her identity.
The world building is vibrant and rich—especially the City of Glass, which felt almost tangible in its beauty. The political stakes were high and the espionage plotline felt genuinely tense and unpredictable. I’ve read a lot of fantasy with court intrigue, but this one really leaned into the spycraft element, which made it all the more interesting.
And then there’s the romance. Or rather, romances—yes, there are several potential love interests, and while that could’ve felt overwhelming, it was handled well. Copelan, the Master of Revels, had a mysterious allure and a layered relationship with Vasalie that kept me guessing. But it was Anton, the King of the East and Ilian’s younger brother, who completely stole the show for me. Charming, wounded, and impossible not to love, his evolution throughout the story was one of my favorite parts. I adored his interactions with Vasalie, and even when she didn’t trust him (rightfully so at first), their chemistry was undeniable.

I also appreciated that this book doesn’t offer easy answers or quick fixes. It’s a story about surviving—about learning to live in a world that constantly shifts beneath your feet. There’s power in Vasalie’s vulnerability, and her story made me feel seen in ways I didn’t expect.