This book is shaping up to be one of the fantasy reads of the year! A debut author outshines herself by outstanding world building, character development and an addicting story.

i really enjoyed this book! i don’t usually read romantasy but this blew me away.
thank you NetGallery for this arc!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury ANZ for providing me with an e-arc of A Dance of Lies!

“I am a wildfire, and I intend to burn.”

If I didn’t have adult responsibilities, I could’ve finished this book in one sitting. I absolutely devoured this and didn’t want to put it down for a second. From the very beginning, I was entranced. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and held my breath through so many plot twists I didn’t see coming. The amount of times I had to put this book down and wipe away tears…these characters truly burrowed their way into my heart.

This book is beautifully written. The world building in this is absolutely stunning and so unique, I kept thinking to myself I’ve never read anything quite like this. I could picture each scene so vividly in my mind, could feel the pure emotion pouring through the each page. I genuinely had my jaw on the floor throughout the entire book.

I immediately fell in love with our FMC, Vasalie—a dancer who was unjustly imprisoned and now endures chronic pain as a result. Yet, she refuses to let this stop her, finding ways to adapt to her changed body. She is resilient, strong, and powerful in her own right. As someone who deals with chronic illness, I felt I could relate so closely to Vasalie. Her character was written so well and I enjoyed seeing her come into her own throughout the book.

I felt the romance was second to the plot - the deception, court scheming and betrayal took a front seat, with romance woven intricately and effortlessly in. The slow burn was masterfully crafted, making the wait completely worthwhile. The romance felt so genuine, it was like a breath of fresh air. The banter between the characters had me kicking my feet and smiling so much my cheeks hurt. Also, some of those dance scenes?! I didn’t know I needed that in a romantasy novel until now.

The ending had me screaming, crying, gasping and crying again. I could go on and on about how much I loved this but all I will say is please do yourself a favour, and pre-order this. You won't regret it.

I would also like to mention that the cover is STUNNING and I cannot wait to get my hands on a hardback copy. (I may have pre-ordered two copies already). I will be telling EVERYONE to go ahead and pre-order this beautiful book.

A great romantasy. Different from anything I’ve read before, had me hooked very quickly. I really enjoyed the plot and the unique elements of the storyline.

This was a great read! I think this book will hit a wide range of audiences as it fits nicely within the genres of YA and fantasy adult fiction. It was a nice change of pace with the story centering around art and dancing rather than the typical violence and fighting that is popular within the fantasy genre. I do wish the characters were given more depth especially the side characters such as Copelan as they lacked a proper personality and motivation besides the main protagonist. It is definitely a book I would recommend to others and library customers and I look forward to what else Brittany Arena publishes in the future.

A Dance of Lies by Brittany Arena is a slow-burn that absolutely pays off. Once I got into the rhythm, I couldn’t put it down—court intrigue, dangerous secrets, and a love interest that made my heart race? Yes, please. Vasalie is the kind of heroine you root for—fierce, broken, and brimming with grit. And the dance between duty and desire? Chef's kiss. Perfect for fans of romantic fantasy with a sharp edge. June 3 can’t come fast enough!

Review of “A Dance of Lies” with thanks to Bloomsbury ANZ, Brittney Arena, and NetGalley for gifting me the ARC for review.

🩰Summary:
Framed for murder, court dancer, Vasalie Moran secures her freedom by agreeing to spy for the very King who imprisoned her. As she navigates her new world of betrayal, bloodshed and unlikely alliances, Vasalie finds herself forced to choose between survival, loyalty and her own humanity.

📖What to Expect:
• An absolutely gorgeous cover
• Court intrigue
• Disability rep
• Low spice / high tension
• Rivalry between brothers

✏️My Thoughts:
Buckle up, friends and don’t let first impressions deceive you! In Brittney Arena’s debut Romantasy you’ll be gently lured into Vasalie’s world before being hurtled head-first into a faced paced second act full of bloodshed, deceit and yearning. It’s a wild ride with great disability rep, and a dedication that brought tears to my eyes. Out on June 3rd 2025, I highly recommend “A Dance of Lies", particularly to fans of Bridge Kingdom and Throne of Glass.

Firstly, thank you so much for providing this advanced readers copy! It is truly appreciated ☺️

Brittney Arena’s debut fantasy novel is so beautifully written, it captivated me from the very beginning and you felt truly immersed within this world. From start to finish, I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to see what would arise throughout every chapter.

“Your story is not a kind one. But though you’ve suffered your own fire, child, you won’t always smell of smoke. And yes, it may have burned you, but scars are powerful things, because they show your resilience. So rise from your ashes, my dear. Do not crumble alongside them.”

This follows dancer-turned spy, Vasalie Moran, who fled from her abusive father and joins King Illian’s Court who protects her and dubs her as his “Jewel”. That is until he frames and imprisons her for murder. He then makes a deal with her to spy on various individuals during the Royal Gathering, in return for her freedom.

Vasalie’s character development was incredible. During the story, she goes from a traumatised and broken person, but then flourishes into a strong, accomplished woman. Her story is one that people can resonate with on many levels. You go through rough patches and make wrong choices, but it’s what you do in the end that matters.

King Anton is my FAVOURITE! His character arc was elite and was so intriguing! I seriously can’t wait to read more of him in book 2!

That ending was not only cruel, but I secretly loved it 🤣

This was a 4.25 stars for me.