A Dance of Lies is a mesmerizing high-stakes fantasy romance featuring a beautifully represented protagonist who struggles with chronic pain, physical injury, and emotional trauma. The plot revolves around a slow-burn romance set against a love triangle at the heart of complex and dangerous political machinations between rival kingdoms. Brittney Arena’s writing is beautifully descriptive, emotionally evocative, and multifaceted, with intricately woven characters and a tense, treacherous world-building.

Vasalie is a powerful protagonist because she’s broken in mind, body and soul at the start of her character arc that takes her from her darkest moment to starting to thrive as she discovers strength in her resilience, finds new ways to work with the limits of her body and uses her artistic flare to design costumes to conceal and props to enchant her audiences. Her vulnerability and struggle make it very easy to relate to her character and become emotionally invested in her dances of deception and fight for her life, as a single misstep could cost her everything.

You can feel how much of the writer’s soul and experience has fashioned her writing to show a genuine representation of living with pain, frustrations of limitations, and mental health trials of when your body becomes the enemy and no longer feels like your own. The descriptions of the dancing were phenomenal - each dance was vividly depicted, allowing the choreography and physical motions to flow through the imagination, interlaced with the strain, frustration, and agony felt by the protagonist as she forced her body to perform. You felt each winded breath, painful muscle tremor, and quivering heart flutter as if it were yours.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and Brittney Arena for approving my Netgalley eArc of A Dance of Lies.

read this for:
- new adult romantasy
- kingdom politics & courtly intrigue
- invisible disability & chronic illness rep (inspired by the author's own life)
- a whirlwind of romance that has you asking, who even is the main love interest?

From the moment I opened this book and read the first few pages, I knew I was going to love it. There's just something about how it is written that is just so.. I don't know... GLORIOUS! Exquisite writing, enchanting descriptions, luxurious prose. Oh, how I adored this book.

Brittney Arena's debut fantasy spins a tale of mythical lands, reluctant espionage, treacherous plots, and haunting prophecies that deserves widespread adoration and praise. You might be thinking, "oh there goes Aqeelah with her dramatics again," but trust me folks, this is a good one! And when am I ever wrong about good books?

We follow Vasalie, a dancer framed for murder, whose incarceration changes her body irrevocably. Let out of the dungeon, Vasalie is forced into the political machinations of the many kingdoms. Acting as a spy for the ruthless King Illian, Vasalie experiences a journey of hope and despair as she tries to untangle herself from the increasingly intricate knot of royals on the edge of war. It's one hell of a tale!

Despite the fantasy, Vasalie's experience with disability and chronic illness was something so REAL to read about. As someone suffering from chronic illness myself, I felt a strong kinship with the disabled dancer, and I really appreciate having more invisible illnesses explored in fiction (even if Vasalie's illness did not affect her life as much as I expected). Beyond her illness, Vasalie is a captivating character with a rich history, personality, and mind that made reading her point of view both thrilling and heartbreaking.

Main character aside, I loved all the side characters. I ESPECIALLY loved the dashing young King Anton. Tragically beautiful and beautifully tragic, he is JUST MY TYPE. See that flirtatious and dramatic golden boy who leaves trails of rumours and hedonism in his wake while hiding a deep dark past and inner soul filled with pain? Yup, that's the character I am going to fall in love with. Every single time. (*sobs* Anton, I love you!!!!! 🥹)

With well-crafted characters and a riveting storyline, this book is one I'll be raving about for ages. I NEED A SEQUEL ASAP!! And I need you all to read it so we can * s C r E a M * together!!!

I’m so sorry I hated this. I loved the first 20% the. It went downhill so fast. Won’t be posting about it don’t want to post negative reviews !

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

This book is such a strong romantasy entry that I was blown away. It had amazing disability representation and the concept of our FMC being pulled from prison to start our story was a great jumping off point. The beginning reminded me of Poison Study by Maria Snyder, which is my favorite fantasy story (before romantasy was even a subgenre), so I knew I was going to love this. It also had elements of characterization that reminded me of Danielle Jensen's A Bridge Kingdom series (another favorite of mine). The idea of a court dancer who has been left disabled, but is still being used for political aplomb, intrigued me.

Cannot wait to see what is next for this author.
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

I really wanted to love this, but after pausing it for a few days and going back, I realized that I didn’t miss this story or the characters at all. There’s nothing wrong with this, nothing major I can point out as the reason, the only explanation was that I wasn't able to connect with the main character and her journey. As soon as I started skim-reading around the 35% mark, I knew it was time to give up.

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Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for providing this eARC. All opinions are my own.

4 stars rounded up! I think this was a compelling and unique story, though I think calling it a romantasy is a bit misleading. There is no fantasy aspect until the end, and the romance is not the biggest part of the story. I was also mildly disappointed about who the love interest ended up being, but I still enjoyed them together. The plot was well executed and as the book proceeds, there are so many twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I had so many emotions reading this! The FMC is disabled, and while I've seen other reviewers criticize the disability rep is in this book, I personally think she did a great job. As someone who lives with chronic pain, I could relate to her character a lot. Not only did the author showcase her strengths despite the weight of everything she's going through; it is also noted, many times, just how hard it is for her to continue dancing. It's clear that she pushes through the pain, that it takes a huge toll on her, and completely exhausts her by the time she's done performing. The ending leaves me to assume that there might be a second book and I would definitely be interested in reading that! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

A dark, lyrical fantasy with a smart heroine and brilliantly portrayed disability rep – A Dance of Lies is a rich, layered read that left me genuinely intrigued for what’s to come.

We follow Vasalie, once the King's prized dancer, now a broken scapegoat imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commit. Illian knew she was innocent but locked her away anyway, and after two years of pain, starvation, and isolation, he drags her back into the spotlight with an impossible bargain: spy for him at a royal gathering, or be publicly exposed as a murderer. Her freedom is dangled like bait, but every step forward seems to cost her a piece of herself.

What I really loved here - beyond the lush world-building and courtly tension - was the depiction of chronic pain. As someone who lives with it, I found the portrayal incredibly relatable. The tension between wanting to perform and having a body that simply won’t cooperate, the physical cost of pushing through... it’s all here, subtly but powerfully done.

The dance scenes are vividly written, the romance slow to reveal itself (which I loved), and the secondary characters bring warmth and complexity. The ending shifts into something unexpected and devious – full of uncertainty, grey areas and the kind of power play that keeps you guessing. A strong, smart read – and I’m looking forward to seeing where book two takes us.

Anything Brittney Arena puts out in the future will be an insta-buy for me.
This book is a gorgeously rich tale of reclaiming agency. It has amazing disability representation.
The characters was addictively layered, with so many nuances and motivations that made them feel very multi dimensional.
The story is intriguing, in some places it pulls you along in a quick pace, and in others it lets you savour the tender and thoughtful moments.

I absolutely LOVED this book and I can’t stop thinking about it!!

The world building was phenomenal and Vasaile’s character development was top tier- a story with politics, schemes and twists that I ate up. Whilst there wasn’t much spice, the slow burn and tension were incredible!!

This is a true slow burner of a story. There is good disability/chronic pain rep and the potential for romance on a couple of fronts leaves Vasalie with some options - neither of which seem very safe bets!

The storytelling is beautiful and the depictions and descriptions of the performances are stunning. As someone who suffers from chronic pain, I can feel for Vasalie and the doing more than the body is ready for and then suffering when you have the time and energy to deal with it! There is plenty of royal politics and Machiavellian plots to usurp crowns to keep you interested.

The gods have potentially been interfering in the structure and government of the land and I was a bit aghast when we finally met one of the Gods and Morta was just spoken to like A.N. Other! I did feel it was rushed a bit at the end and I could have done with a bit...more. Also not complete struck on Vasalie's nickname, I know it comes from her main foe, but it really grated on me for some reason!

I'd be happy to read book 2 and see where the story (and potential romances) go.

<b>DNF at 50% — Not for Me</b>

I really tried to give <i>Dance of Lies</i> a fair shot. After a slow start, I hoped it would pick up—but unfortunately, <i>it didn’t</i>. The writing leans heavily into overly dramatic and lengthy descriptions that often felt unnecessary and weighed down the pacing. Details were shared that added little to the plot, and the balance between action and description felt off throughout.

The descriptions lack balance—either overly detailed or frustratingly vague. One scene involving a shared glass made zero sense (keeping it spoiler-free, but how exactly was the other half of the glass consumed by the second party). It feels like the author was aiming for the Jude Duarte vibe, but it just didn’t land.

I couldn’t grasp why such a key moment in the FMC’s backstory was told in hindsight—it weakened the stakes. Also, with so many potential love interests, it was hard to tell who the actual one was (though I’ll guess, since it’s tagged enemies-to-lovers).

To end on a lighter note: this book *did* help me fall asleep faster than melatonin. I’m sure it’ll find its readers, especially among those who enjoy flowery prose and slower, atmospheric fantasy—but I just can't continue reading it.

A Dance of Lies focuses on Vasalie, who after being imprisoned for two years is now struggling with chronic pain. Despite this, she manages to get an esteemed place as a performer at the Crowns Syndicate where the rulers of the land meet. She spies and tests her morals with the aim of getting her freedom.
3.5 stars. The writing is very beautiful and while this sometimes slows down the plot, if you enjoy descriptive prose this is for you. The world is very immersive and pretty. You will especially love this if you like theatre or dance shows because there are lots of performances described.
The romance plotline started quite late on and there was a bit of a love triangle, which I didn’t find myself connecting with massively. Towards the end I started to feel more invested in the main love interest, but we do not get a happy ending. The plot twist at the end was a big redeeming factor and it has made me want to read on.

As a reader, I was utterly captivated by Brittney Arena's "A Dance of Lies," a thrilling plunge into a world teeming with political intrigue and dangerous secrets.

The story centres on Vasalie Moran, once a dancer in King Illian's court, whose life is irrevocably altered when she is framed for murder. After enduring two years in the dungeons, Vasalie is unexpectedly called before the King, who offers her a perilous deal: infiltrate the month-long royal Gathering as his spy in exchange for her freedom.

This book was amazing! The intricate plot twists and high stakes kept me utterly engrossed from beginning to end, with the climax leaving me chomping at the bit for the next instalment. offers a powerful and refreshing element by allowing those with chronic illnesses to be seen and heard within a fantasy setting, providing a unique and valuable space for representation. It's a compelling and thought-provoking debut that has definitely left me eager for more from Brittney Arena.

Thanks to net galley for the ARC.

As one of my most anticipated reads, 'A Dance of Lies' promised an intriguing blend of fantasy and political intrigue. However, despite its promising premise, I found myself struggling to truly invest in the story or fully immerse myself in its world.

What intrigued me about this book is the inclusion of disability representation. It's a vital and often overlooked aspect in fantasy, and the intent here is commendable. However, I have to admit, it felt a little too unrealistic at times, even for a fantasy novel.

Overall, 'A Dance of Lies' has a solid foundation and some genuinely interesting concepts. Yet, the inability to fully connect with the narrative ultimately kept it from reaching its full potential for me.

This book should have been my thing — secret identities, rebellion, dancing, and a touch of darkness? Yes please. But the execution just didn’t hit like I hoped.

The FMC felt immature for most of the story, and her logic didn’t always logic. She did get better later on, but it was tough staying emotionally invested when I couldn’t always get behind her choices. Also… I’m still a little confused about the love interest? We don’t even know who it’s supposed to be until like 70% in 😭 That’s not slow burn, that’s slow guess-who?

The second half did pick up, and I wanted to like it more than I did — but the emotional payoff wasn’t really there. Not a total loss, just not one that stuck with me.

⸻

For those who like:
🩰 secret identities
🔥 rebellion + sabotage
😶‍🌫️ morally gray (ish) worlds
📜 court intrigue
⏳ stories that take their sweet time to get going

This book was so amazing, I am unsure on how to proceed with my day after that cliff-hanger. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I’ll be honest, I requested this ARC solely based on Jason Chuang’s gorgeous cover. I cannot thank Bloomsbury enough for letting me read it. And what a breathtaking read this was!

Vasalie was the most complex, nuanced and relatable character I have read in a long time. Clearly, I am biased as she’s both a dancer and suffering from chronic illness, so anyone who knows me will understand how close to my heart she immediately became.

The world-building is superb, with complex political alliances and conflicts, contrasting cultures and a fascinating mythology. I was swept into a glittering palace, of sea glass walls and dark passageways, where the brine of the ocean mixes with the scents of exotic flowers. Brittney Arena cleverly solicits all the senses to weave a spellbinding web of art, intrigue and betrayal. So many twists and turns, I am still reeling!

The romance is both spine-tingling and slow-burning. I won’t say anything more as I don’t want to spoil anything, but the love story alone would be enough to give this book 5 stars.

I loved the description of the dance scenes, they were written with so much artistry and poetry. Crucially, I felt all of them were truly used as a way to progress the story. Dance was a central component, not an accessory to the plot.

Finally and most importantly, I was so moved to see chronic illness given such a sensitive and accurate portrayal. Vasalie’s physical challenges were very realistic, but it was perhaps the depiction of her mental struggles that were the most heartbreaking. I think many chronic illness sufferers will recognise some of their own thoughts in hers. I certainly did. Her journey was incredibly uplifting and inspiring. The creativity she displays in finding ways to keep performing despite her body’s failings, the self-acceptance and pride she manages to find made me cry several times, but in a very cathartic way.

I just finished A Dance of Lies and can’t wait to re-read it. I already know it’ll forever hold a special place in my heart.

Book Review 📚

“Hearts are fragile things, like glass. They break far too easily in the wrong hands. Offer them only to someone who can care for them, who might polish them until they glow”

I fell in love with this quote as soon as I read it, as easily as I did by the end of this book.

The beginning of the book starts off slow, with a lot of focus on internal monologue from our FMC Vasalie who was previously the favoured dancer of King Illian, who falsely imprisoners her for murder, leaving her to suffer physically, mentally and emotionally until one day, he calls for her again.

King Illian offers Vasalie a deal, become his spy at the six-week royal Gathering, and he’ll grant her freedom. Sounds easy, right? Except Vasalie’s body is not as it use to be and in addition to this, Vasalie will be forced to betray those she befriends and cares for most, including the person she finally offers her heart too. But, the best bit? The author leaves us dangling as to who the endgame love interest is for a while!

As soon as Vasalie arrives at the Gathering, we are exposed to court intrigue, royal politics, tension, danger, grief but also the blossoming of friendship, kindness and love which are long overdue for Vasalie.

Its also worth mentioning that, from someone who is fortunate to not suffer from a chronic illness, I felt the author demonstrated the impact it can have on a person’s life through including this as a pivotal part of Vasalie’s story, although I am sure there is much more that is hard to put into words.

A Dance of Lies is a low fantasy romance that I would recommend for those who love detailed characters, political intrigue, and a spoonful of romance. It is beautifully written and one I would read again.

Thank you to Brittney and Bloomsbury Publishing for the advanced copy of A Dance of Lies, I really enjoyed the story and can’t wait to read the next instalment!

This book! Wow. When i first started it, i rated it at 4 stars but as i kept on reading, the plot got stronger and stronger to the point where i was flicking through the pages without being able to stop. I loved the twists and the setting.

Vasalie is strong no matter the pain and exhaustion she suffers. She's determined and fights for her freedom. I'm glad she finds a way through her struggles and that she meets people who treat her right. Anton portrays himself as a partygoer who loves to indulge in leisurely activities but he is so much more on the inside. He has a good heart and protects his people. I loved the grandeur of the palaces as it definitely gave royalty vibes.

The pacing was good and the characters were written well. I hated certain characters so much 😂. The ending was great. Each chapter just kept revealing more and at the end of chapter 38, my jaw dropped. I was literally the "😲" emoji. I probably would've looked funny if anyone had walked in on me at that particular scene.

In conclusion: am i saying you should read it? Heck yes, i am! You're welcome in advance. The book is out today in all stores so go grab your copy and then you can come to me and scream about it.

Thank you so much Bloomsbury Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an e-arc for an honest review.