“Why do you dance?” … “because there is power in it” -Power in commanding the attention of my audience, a power I lack in every other area of my life.

I’m so conflicted with this review, the world building was EXTRAORDINARY however I had zero emotional connection to the characters, the love triangle/square didn’t sizzle and the motives linked with the plot fell flat.

I absolutely loved the representation of chronic illness/pain!

“I’m proud of surviving, of persisting, despite my pain.”

This book will be for you if you love:
💃 Court politics
💃 Vibrant world building
💃 Undercover spy
💃 Blackmail, lies & betrayal
💃 Love triangle/square with low spice
💃 Chronic illness representation

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**This book has been hinted to be included in an upcoming special edition book box**

A Dance of Lies is a wonderful start to an adult fantasy romance series full of politics, plotting and intrigue. This one isn’t heavy on the fantasy though, it’s more focused on rival courts and kingdoms with a sprinkle of fates and original mythology. The initial setup gives Plated Prisoner vibes. The protagonist Vasalie, a dancer, has been kept as the treasured possession of a king she was once enamoured with, but he has since betrayed her leading her to look for new allies in other courts and a way to escape him.

What really stood out about this story for me was the setting. The majority of the book is set at a conference between the kingdoms within a luxurious glass palace, the stunning cover really captures the aesthetic of the whole story. It’s full of beautiful descriptions of the seaside palace with walls covered in mosaics and wisteria, stained glass windows, glass bridges and a pet white tiger! Vasalie’s dances and costumes are also described in elaborate detail and woven into the plot. It’s beautifully written and if you’re like me and vivid imagery is important to you then this book is for you. The setting also makes it a perfect fantasy read for summer.

I loved the way the characters were written. It was nice a nice change to read about characters in their twenties and thirties and I also appreciated that the FMC is chronically ill, however would have liked this to be woven into the plot a bit more. It was mentioned a lot towards the beginning but that dropped off later, I’d really like to see this explored more in later books.

The romance is definitely a side plot in book one, there’s more focus on getting to know the characters and their backstories and understanding the political conflict. It starts out with hints of a love triangle and you only start getting tension with the actual love interest after the halfway mark. There’s great chemistry between the main characters though, and this book does a great job of creating unresolved tension and setting up the relationship for the rest of the series.

I really enjoyed my time reading A Dance of Lies and I will be picking up book two when it’s released!

This is the first book in such a long time that made me excited to read again. I could not put it down, and just needed to know what happened next. I love romantasy, it’s my fave genre, but sometimes I think it can be quite predictable. Not this! I was on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought the plot was going in one direction, it took a completely different turn. The characters are so well written and I cannot wait for the sequel.

A Dance of Lies is a rich romantic fantasy debut filled with politics, secrets, betrayal, and moral complexities.
I found myself gripped by the writing and the storytelling was really intriguing. It was a perfect blend of mystery elements, performances, romance and politics.
I liked the fact that the main character has flaws, she has dealt with neglect and emotional abuse, so perfection would be unrealistic.
Overall this is a fantastic fantasy debut and I highly recommend it.

I dnf'd at 60%, I felt a little bit edged with this one. Some scenes were exciting but then others were overwritten and I felt bored for the remainder of the time. I wasn't fully invested in any teased romantic relationship, which felt like there was many and none of them I rooted for. I just kept wanting to put it down and read something else.

While I may have taken a long while to finish this book (mostly because other books kept coming in between) I am more than happy to report, that I am still reeling after finishing it at 3 am this morning.

I've seen this one floating around bookstagram for a while now and was more than delighted when Del Rey approved of my request on Netgalley basically the same minute I hit the button (or a few minutes later at most). I've seen so many people rave about how good this book truly is that I desperately wanted to see for myself.

I am going to hit it off and say, this one was a full-blown 5 stars for me because it made me FEEL. I had my stomach in its clutches basically over the whole second half and I just couldn't put it down yesterday, going as far as taking my phone with me in the shower and continuing on reading between sprays of water.

A few things stand out that you don't really read all that often about in the usual fantasy or romantasy genres, and I absolutely loved these aspects. Vasalie is a headstrong but definitely damaged young woman, both mentally and physically. Getting a diagnosis at the beginning of the book, telling her that her dream of being a dancer will never again be possible, at least on the level she was used to. I loved how even as the story went on, even as she got stronger and found creative ways to work around her aching, weak body while still executing her love for dancing, she didn't magically heal and was while again. She learned to live with this, learned her new reality, and still tried her best with it.

While I took a while to truly get into this book, it was mostly because I kept getting distracted by other books. Once I'll give this a reread (something I'll do as soon as book 2 is on the horizon), I'll make sure to give it my all from the beginning, as it deserves.

Technically, A Dance of Lies is marketed as a romantasy but I feel like (as I do rather often these days) that it doesn't quite fit in this in-between genre. I much more feel like it's a fantasy book with a romance subplot because for me, what was still at the centre of the plot was Vasalie's life. Her, as a person, learning to handle her damaged body, her love for dancing, which was now tarnished and left a bitter taste in her sore body and mind. And above all, her need to not only survive but also find a way around the impossible tasks she's forced to do.

There is romance, yes, in the classical sense (one that was rather surprising for me, but all the more enjoyable), but there is also romance in the not-so-classical sense. Namely, Vasalie is falling in love with herself again. Accepting what this body she once knew so well was now able to do and work with that. Accepting herself even in the face of jealousy when seeing other able-bodied people doing what she can no longer do. And all the while, overcoming more than one trauma while facing the injustice of men using her as nothing more than a tool for their will.

I would even go as far as saying, this one has a subtle hint on female rage, something that not always needs to be bold, loud and blazing hot. Vasalie's rage is subtle, cold and unforgiving and still as valid and as much part of this story.

Apart from the plot and everything that makes this story so unique and impactful, I really connected with Brittney's writing, her prose and the way in which she introduced new characters throughout the story and let them take their course. People arent always as they seem to be at first and Brittney wrote a fantastic take on this, showing just how much they can change or hide their true selfs.

All in all, this is not only 5 stars but well worth a reread, and I can't wait to read more and experience what else Brittney's world has to offer.

I really wanted to love this book. The premise was strong, and I thought the dancing element was a unique twist. But one of my main issues was that I just couldn’t connect with Vasalie. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but two things definitely didn’t help: first, she wasn’t a reliable narrator, and second, she came off as really whiny.

The love interest was fine—he gave off major Rhysand vibes—but I figured out his motives long before Vasalie did, which made her obliviousness frustrating.

There’s a lot of info-dumping throughout the book, which made the story feel heavy and at times overwhelming. It was also super confusing—maybe that was intentional, but if so… mission accomplished. The plot itself was fairly standard, but I struggled to keep track of the many rulers and political factions. It just felt like too much.

All of that aside, what really killed the book for me was the ending. It wrapped up with a trope I personally can’t stand, which left a bad taste. I'm not sure if I’ll pick up the next book because of it, which is a shame.

Iba con la mente un poco en blanca y sin expectativas, el libro empieza muy bien, lento pero con orden, de cara al final todo empieza a ser más lioso y lo que sucede no termina de convencerme, aún así es un libro bueno y espero mucho más de la autora

Thank you NEtGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book!

This was a fun read with a solid mix of court drama, secrets, and slow-burn tension. I liked the world and the intrigue, and the romance had its moments but it didn’t fully keep me engaged... The pacing felt a bit uneven at times, and while the plot had potential, it didn’t always hit as hard as I wanted it to. Still, I believe the book is worth checking out. Just not an all-time fave for me.

A Dance of Lies is easily one of my top reads of the year,, I devoured it in just over a day!

This book had everything: hilarious banter, steamy moments, and emotional gut-punches. It completely pulled me in—this fantasy romance really took me on a journey. I especially loved the uncertainty around the love interests; you’re kept guessing the whole way through. Vasalie was such a standout main character. Fierce, passionate, and vulnerable, she had so much depth. The way her chronic pain was portrayed felt incredibly real and respectful. The world-building was absolutely stunning, and the way Arena wrote about dance? Chef’s kiss. I felt like I was right there with Vasalie, moving with her. No one’s ever captured the emotion of dancing through words quite like this.

Huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, I’m still thinking about this one! <3

I liked this, but didn't love it.

I enjoyed the atmospheric writing, the world the author has created sounds positively beautiful. The descriptions of the glass were stunning, and I like that the cover ties in so well to the story.

It's also light on the fantasy, there is no magic or non-humans, just a prophecy and a death goddess.

But...
Something was missing for me.

The main character, Vasalie, is left disabled following a 2 year imprisonment, having been accused of a murder she did not commit. After her release by the king with certain conditions, she is left with atrophied muscles, issues with joints, heart flutter, overall weakness. She initially talks about it being difficult to even stand, but is forced to return to dancing, whilst learning the new limitations of her body. I thought this could have been expanded on more.

It also glosses over the trauma and work after her release from prison - there are mentions of it taking weeks for the nightmares to whittle down, but we don't know any of this until a brief sentence, once we've moved on from this, and she is setting off for the isle.

The plot becomes interesting at this point, with a nice pace - not too slow, but also not incredibly fast either. There's a lot of betrayal and intrigue, although I really didn't like the way Vasalie was justifying her actions. I understand she's meant to be in a difficult position, seemingly without having any choice, but the mental maths just wasn't working for me.

There is a love triangle here, but the first relationship is described so briefly and not often at all. We are suddenly told that these two have this chemistry, which makes sense considering the close proximity and the intimacy of dancing, yet we don't get to experience it along with the characters. It's quite obvious that this guy is not the endgame, because of how underdeveloped this relationship is.

The second love interest had me intrigued, but everything about him was so predictable and cliché, and I just couldn't believe their attraction either. I'm purposely avoiding using names, as I think it's best to go in not knowing this information.

If we take away the romance, this is a decent fantasy with an interesting political plot, but some frustrating decisions and actions.

The plot line with Vasalie's father didn't go where I expected it to, and honestly, I didn't like the ending. I hate it when it isn't made obvious that a book is part one of a series. I honestly thought this was a standalone, and I am unlikely to pick up the next book due to the omission from the publisher.

When I read the summary of this book I thought it sounded like something I would really enjoy, and features several tropes I usually love. However, I didn’t have a great time reading this, something about it didn’t sit right with me and I found myself wishing that certain aspects were executed differently.

To start with what I liked, I liked that we had a disabled FMC, and that she was able to find ways to continue her life despite it. Did it get conveniently forgotten whenever she wasn’t dancing? Yes, but I can just about forgive it because I think if we were told explicitly any more times I would have found that annoying too.

My main issue was how transparently evil the King was. There wasn’t a moment where he could have been a good person, and that just removed a lot of the tension from it because we never had to process whether his actions had alternative motives. I think what could have been done differently would for Vasalie to not know that he was the one who framed her, but just that he was offering her a second chance, then she might have had some reason to be loyal to him and a reason not to take the opportunity for freedom when offered by other characters.

I also found quite a few aspects of this really convenient. There is a difference between and underlying plot and reveals, as opposed to plot conveniences that give characters the perfect moment to act, and the exact right combination of knowledge to figure out how to solve a problem. I just wish that she had encountered a problem that didn’t get resolved in the next chapter, and I’m not counting the ‘reveal’ at the end because that was always going to be set up for the next book.

Reviewer’s note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Dance of Lies is an absolutely gripping fantasy full of layered secrets, court politics, and a slow-burn romance that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Brittney Arena builds a world of masked intentions and dangerous alliances where every decision carries weight. The heroine is sharp and resilient, forced to navigate a world that demands performance and perfection while searching for truth—and holding onto her own.

The emotional stakes are high, especially as the romance begins to simmer beneath the surface of all the political intrigue. It’s perfectly paced: subtle, angsty, and full of tension that builds beautifully as trust slowly grows (or unravels). The writing is clean, atmospheric, and compelling, balancing plot and character with skill.

What stood out most to me was how the story blends court drama and intimate emotional stakes so seamlessly. It feels both grand and personal, with a heroine who refuses to be a pawn in anyone else’s game.

I devoured this book and can’t wait to see what comes next from Arena. Highly recommended for fantasy readers who crave intrigue, tension, and characters who surprise you at every turn.

This book! This book!

I flew through this, it was brilliant and gripped me in a way that romantasy hasn't been of late. I absolutely loved the premise, the inclusion and the characters! I really like Anton as a character and I hope we will get to see more of him and his court in future books because I fell head over heels... The romance was beautiful and I hope it continues to grow. Illian gives such strong Darkling vibes (Ben Barnes was on my mind the WHOLE time hahaha) and this whole story reminds me so much of Throne of Glass which is one of my favourite series ever 😍

A couple of times I thought I knew where things were going only for them to be completely thrown off course, the twisting and turning only adds to the appeal and I was utterly gripped. The setting was so beautiful, I felt like I was in the Summer court and the world building in general was excellent which helped me feel so immersed in the book right from the start. I hope in future books we will explore more locations and really understand the people of this world and their politics.

That ending was the perfect dramatic conclusion, I am so happy that some of the hints I picked up throughout the novel came to fruition and I cannot WAIT to see what's next

I've run out of things to say because all I can say is it was brilliant!
Get me book 2 ASAP! And congratulations Brittney on your brilliant novel 🫶

5 stars

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury for my e-ARC, you're the best 🥰

I knew I had to read this the moment I saw it was a romantasy featuring a chronically ill and disabled protagonist. Finally, a fantasy heroine that isnt the norm.

Vasalie’s journey from royal dancer to reluctant spy is completely gripping. Her resilience, vulnerability, and sharp wit made her such a standout character, and the way Brittney Arena explored chronic pain and trauma without magically erasing it was deeply moving. I felt seen in a way that fantasy books rarely allow.

The court politics, simmering tension, and beautifully layered romance had me hooked from the first chapter. I also loved how dance was used not just as backstory but as a living, emotional part of Vasalie’s identity. Arena’s writing style is rich and lyrical, and the worldbuilding felt vivid and immersive without being overwhelming.

There were moments of heartbreak, tenderness, and even humour, and I was fully invested in every twist even if I did clock the ending coming a bit early. Still, that final chapter? Jaw. On. Floor.

A brilliant debut full of heart, danger, and aching beauty. I am already counting down the days to Book Two.

4.5⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and of course Brittney Arena for the ARC!

'Little Minnow' lol. I am tired of all the diminutive names given to FMCs by the MCs to show how tiny they are.

I appreciated the representation of a disabled fmc but I was slightly baffled by how her disability hindered her in no way. I have disabled members of my family and you cant just 'ignore' the pain. Also all the flour!

If you love fantasy stories with plenty of politics, scheming, multiple potential bad guys and more than one love interest, this book was written for you.

Set in a magic-free universe, this book has excellent world building and character development, delivering political intrigue and so many twists you don't know who to trust and what to believe.

Vasalie's journey is heartbreaking but also empowering and I think she might be one of my favourite FMCs in a long while.

I couldn't put it down and I've been left with absolutely no idea where the next book will go but I need to find out as soon as possible.

This might be a book that gets bumped up to 5 stars the longer I sit with it.

Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing Dance of Lies around 50%.

I was completely sold on the premise and was hooked at the start of the book! A dancer framed for murder by her own King has to become his spy at the royal Gathering – sounded like a top tier book for me, but it did not deliver.

One of my main issues comes down to the characters, especially the male characters. At this point in the story, I’m not completely sure who the love interest is meant to be, I think I have a good idea of who it will be, but either way none of the options have been endeared to me in anyway. I’m not rooting for any romance. It also feels like maybe the author is trying to set-up an almost love triangle without setting up a love triangle.

I also became frustrated with Vasalie at various points. I become annoyed over the repetitive mention of her guilt, and the constant mention of secrets, especially her internal thoughts when in conversation with certain characters. And, I found that characters trusted Vasalie way too easily, like sharing secrets that hardly anyone knows kind of level in a very short time.

Honestly, I’m not sure I care for any of the characters and when I feel that way I struggle to connect with a book.

Another issue I faced was the plot. When I was considering DNFing it felt like a bit of a slump, the classic not much is happening in the middle of the book. When I actually DNF’d I had just read the scene in the kitchen (you’ll know what I mean if you’ve read it), but it wasn’t enough to draw me back in. I guess I was expecting the plot to move a long a bit more than it actually was. I’m a big fan of court politics and intrigue, but it was taking too long to get to the interesting parts and potentially big reveals.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, and was excited at the start, so it’s a shame it ended up not being a book for me. When there are so many other books I’m wating to read, I can’t continue with a book I’m not enjoying hoping it will get better.

When Vasalie Moran, once a celebrated dancer in the King’s Court, finds herself unexpectedly dragged from the prison cell where she has languished for two years, she knows that freedom never comes without a cost. The very man who betrayed her, King Illian, offers her release on one condition: she must serve as a spy for the royal court.
With no alternative but to accept, Vasalie is thrust into a month-long royal gathering, where she must carry out the King’s covert and increasingly dangerous orders. As she navigates the court’s treacherous politics, she turns to King Anton, Illian’s estranged brother and sworn rival, in hopes of forging an alliance. But the deeper she becomes entangled in their conflict, the more uncertain her loyalties grow. To survive, Vasalie must decide who she can truly trust, and how much she’s willing to risk to reclaim her freedom…

Dance of Lies is the brilliant first instalment of a romantic fantasy duology filled with tension, court intrigue, glittering palaces and cunning schemes. Firstly, I have so much appreciation for how the author portrays chronic illness. Vasalie was such a refreshing FMC. Her determination felt real, and I loved that she wasn’t the typical strongest, most powerful, or prettiest character we usually see in romantic fantasies.

The aesthetics and world-building in Dance of Lies are also so gorgeous. The beauty of the sea glass town of Philam and palace on the Isle of Anell is depicted so vividly, it’s captivating, and pulls you right in.

At the start, my thoughts on it were more mixed - I almost did a complete 180 the more I read! The beginning felt a bit repetitive in places, and the pacing was slower. But as the story progressed I started enjoying it a lot more. After the first 20%, more characters are introduced, and the plot really starts to pick up with more depth and intensity. There's political drama, yearning, and plenty of unexpected twists that kept me hooked all the way to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC, I’m looking forward to the second book and the conclusion to Vasalie’s story!

Thank you to the author and publishers for the ARC via NetGalley. This did not influence my review and all opinions are my own!

Let me start this review off by saying that any ratings less than 5 stars for this are *criminal*. If I could give this 250 stars out of 5, I gladly would. This book is going to consume my thoughts until the sequel comes out. I literally told my partner ‘this is going to be a good book’ after I was about 15% of the way in!

Let’s discuss the main point of the book: the disability/chronic illness representation. I cannot put into words how thankful I am for this representation, particularly with the being popular prior to its release. Becoming chronically ill at 26 was not something I expected to happen to me, but this can cause so many feelings varying from loneliness, to guilt. This book made me feel so much less alone. Having a strong FMC who is able to battle through her chronic pain and fatigue is incredible, and whilst I’ve seen other reviews say it’s ‘unrealistic’ that the MC has these issues and is still able to dance, I feel the point that the author has tried to convey has been missed. Disabilities do not define us, and although they can be life-limiting and incredibly restrictive, we are still able to do some things. Vasalie is a really good example of someone who is able to do these things, but essentially ‘pays for it’ later. Although she may be able to complete the dances, her pain and fatigue are worse for days afterwards, which is a very real thing with chronic illness. It also demonstrates how those who are in chronic pain will often ‘mask’ the pain or ‘adapt’ to it. We don’t have the luxury of just ‘not doing things’, because it’s not realistic, and I think this book is a perfect example of how we may ration our energy when needed. The author’s lived experience is very clear within the writing, and to those of us who are chronically ill, it all makes sense. Having this representation is just so incredibly uplifting and inspiring.

The characters are just beautiful. I would give my entire heart and soul for Anton to live a happy healthy life. And Vasalie is such a strong character, to have lived through so much and still be capable of love and affection is a true testament to who she is. I found it really easy to relate to her and I would defend her to the death.

The plot is something that I found really intricate and interesting. There were a lot of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and I was surprised at each one! Although the ending tore my heart out repeatedly; the last 10-15% had me in absolute ruins, and I will be needing therapy for sure! The anger and upset I felt at various different points was really a good testament to the excellent writing as the author had a really good way of dragging me in and holding me completely.
I also found the pacing to be great - it was consistent throughout, and there were no ‘down’ periods. It was really easy to read and devour and I’m sad I’ve finished it now.

I cannot thank the author for the most genuine and realistic representation of a person who can have so many different struggles, but is deserving the title of a ‘main character’. This is one of the easiest 5/5 star ratings I’ve given.

Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)