A Dance of Lies is a dancing/spy debut novel that fell a bit flat for me. However, there are some highlights to note within this novel. There is a strong disability/chronic pain rep, political intrigue, great imagery within the novel. But, even with these highlights, I felt disconnected with the characters and the prose was redundant. Poor Vasalie is a pretty good descriptor for this entire novel and repetitions of that could/should have been cut. I think it could have done well and maybe this novel will connect with certain readers but for myself it was a slog.

This was great! I loved the writing so much - it was lyrical and very emotional. The repetitive in the prose really added extra effect for me (I know with some people it didn’t), but I loved it. I could feel Vasalie’s hurt. The plot with all the political intrigue and espionage was really well done - I enjoyed learning everything. Overall, the world was seductive and the chronic pain rep was authentic. Two reasons why I’m knocking a star - it felt clunky in the middle (although the ending paid off!) and there was a love square which prevented any of the love interests from being fully fleshed out in my opinion.
All in all, I’d recommend this for fans of classic romantasies.

This book was absolutely incredible. The world was so lush, the main character made me want to root for her the whole time and the romance was great, I really loved this book all the way through every page.

✨A stunning and immersive debut fantasy that I couldn’t put down!✨

This story follows Vasalie, a favorite dancer of King Illian, who after being framed for murder, is locked away by the King who had once been her protecter. After 2 years in prison and isolation, she is released with a task — infiltrate the Gathering (a revelry among nations and their Crowns) as a dancer and spy for King Illian, the man who broke her spirit and her body. After prison, Vasalie is weakened with chronic illness and pain that forever changes her day to day life — and of course her dancing. And beyond her physical limitations, she must also confront her hidden and traumatic past from childhood that unexpectedly arise.

I love that the author uses her own personal experience with chronic illness and pain to write the beautiful and realistic character that is Vasalie! Throughout Vasalie’s story, there is grief, anger, sadness, and acceptance of her illness — and not in a linear order! She is constantly battling with her own body throughout the story and learns how to accommodate this new pain through creativity in her dance. Her childhood trauma is so painfully visceral as well that I can’t help but have the most empathy and admiration for her resilience and courage (even amidst the deception she is forced to spread).

The court politics, deception, and “tasks” Vasalie is forced to complete was keeping me on the edge of my seat! I had so many “no way!” moments that kept this story feeling fast paced and exciting! The world was also immersive and I loved the descriptive prose that painted the scenery, architecture, and people of this world so vividly. In other fantasy books I’ve read, it takes me awhile to understand all the lands, countries, and characters but I felt that I was able to easily jump in to this story and everything made sense very quickly (and thank goodness for maps!).

I love how multi-faceted this story is. It goes deeper than the usual “romantasy” and I was so invested in not only the FMC but all the loveable characters! I felt that the romance was second to the plot of the story, which was exactly how it needed to be! I had a moment where I didn’t know who our love interest would be, which was very fun (and hard not to spoil for myself!). I very much appreciated the natural progression of this “slow burn” and it was built on trust and mutual understanding instead of lust. Because of her past, Vasalie isn’t falling in love with every handsome man she sees, but man was I falling HARD for our MMC 😂 I was giggling and kicking my feet in the air with their banter and confessions hidden behind humor. The ending left me so excited to see what’s in store next!!!

I have already pre-ordered A Dance of Lies for when it comes out June 10th and I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Del Rey for the eArc for this binge read! 🫶

Enemies to lovers meets court intrigue with a dash of hidden identities - A Dance of Lies is the kind of book that keeps you turning the pages long into the night. Brittney Arena’s lush writing and twisty plot make this fantasy romance an absolute delight.

The story centres on Calista, a skilled dancer-turned-spy who infiltrates the royal court to uncover dangerous secrets, and Prince Kael, the brooding heir to the throne, who’s more cunning than anyone gives him credit for. Their first meeting? Full of tension, lies, and barely concealed attraction. The dance metaphor extends beyond the ballroom as the two engage in a game of wits, each trying to outmanoeuvre the other while slowly realising they might have more in common than they thought.

Calista is a compelling protagonist - intelligent, resourceful, and with a vulnerability she hides behind her fierce exterior. Kael’s character development is equally strong. He’s not just your standard brooding prince; his sharp mind and hidden sense of justice add layers to his personality. Their chemistry is undeniable, filled with sharp banter, stolen moments, and that irresistible I hate you, but I also want to kiss you tension.

The court politics and intrigue are top-notch. Secrets, betrayal, and unexpected alliances keep the stakes high, and the twists will have you gasping. There’s also a fair share of action, including some heart-pounding chase scenes and a finale that left me stunned.

The only reason I didn’t give it a full five stars is that the pacing in the middle slows a bit as the political setup takes centre stage. However, the payoff is absolutely worth it, with an explosive climax and a romantic arc that hits all the right notes.

If you love slow-burn enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, and a richly detailed world of intrigue, A Dance of Lies will sweep you off your feet. Highly recommend - this one’s a keeper!

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc!!

There are a lot of things I feel about this book, the first of which is that the writing is BEAUTIFUL. I would definitely love for more fantasies to be written like this rather than the subpar writing that predominates the romantasy genre.

I really enjoyed reading about the heroine and her struggles with her health/chronic pain (not bc I'm sadistic, but bc I think it was done well). I do think her talents lent more to choreography instead of dancing, though.

The first half of the book was a treat. At some point I was tempted to give it 5 stars. But I will say the latter half dragged a little, and I did wish the MMC was a little more competent. It felt more like the main characters were dancing to the beat of the villain's drum until the very end. (The ending, though? Very, very interesting!!!)

I can't say I was extremely invested in the romance but I adored the prose and the gorgeous worldbuilding, and how Illian's schemes unfolded. Those were exceedingly well done!

All in all, definitely one of the better romantasies out there and I'm grateful for the opportunity to read it early.

In her debut novel, Brittney crafted an intriguing story about a dancer who can no longer perform as she once did. She gave a voice to what it’s like to live with a body that works differently than it has before. She portrayed the grief, the anger, and the betrayal one can feel towards a body that is no longer what it once was. She also showed that we can still live even with a body that doesn’t function how we want to. That having to do something differently doesn’t mean you’re broken.

This was very much a character driven story which I think worked out well, but still enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing about who our main character can trust.

As someone who has followed Brittney on Goodreads and Twitter for YEARS now, the excitement I felt when I heard she got a book deal AND THEN when I received this eARC was immense. Being that I am on maternity leave, having a book to read that is good enough to hold my interest during those late-night feedings is rare. With A Dance of Lies, I found myself staying up for "just one more chapter" long after my daughter went back to sleep.

Vasalie was a great FMC. I loved her tenacity and the creativity she used in her dance choreography to make up for the fact that her body couldn't keep up like it used to be able to. I also loved seeing how she navigated through Illian's treacherous BS and the intrigue that plagued all of the gathered kingdoms.

I honestly think that's why this was such a page-turner for me (other than all of the scenes with Anton but more on him later). Vasalie, for all intents and purposes, starts off as this seemingly normal character. Obviously, she had experience performing for a King but she wasn't ever a person who dealt with political intrigue behind the scenes. Then she's suddenly tasked with being accepted to perform at the Gathering and not only that, but to be a spy. She is INSTANTLY thrown into this web of chaos and navigates it all as best as she can for having no experience...I was just super impressed with how strong she was throughout the entire ordeal, especially as things became more and more messy.

As stated above, I also fell in love with Anton and basically everyone Vasalie meets from his court. I won't give anything away but...let's just say I was rooting for him all along. I am absolutely dyingggggg for the second book in this series.

Finally, the writing itself was top-notch. The world-building, the plot, the characters as stated above...each and every element was woven together perfectly to create what, to me, was a 5+ star book. I can't wait to see what Brittney comes up with next!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Del Rey for approving me for an eARC of this book. All feedback is honest, and my own.

*4.5* Thank you NetGalley and Del Ray Books for my ARC in exchange for a review. This book was incredible! Vasalie was one of those main female characters that you immediately connect with in some way. I found myself cheering for her throughout the entire book. Her past has tried to completely break her, but she still finds ways to keep pushing through her physical and mental pain in order to grow stronger. The plot wasn’t predictable and kept me guessing, particularly on the motivation behind some of the characters. I did feel it dragged in parts, primarily due to the extensive descriptions of some rooms/surroundings. The author writes beautifully and you feel as if you are fully immersed within the surroundings she describes. However, there were times the details distracted me from the actual plot. I also found the plot between Vasalie and one of the male characters a bit confusing. Due to the focus in it, there seemed to be led less time and focus on her growing relationship with the MMC. Therefore, the book felt a bit rushed in that regards, especially towards the end. Overall, what a spectacular book that makes you feel so many emotions as you immerse yourself in the characters’ world. That ending makes me already ready for the second book to be released!

I enjoyed my time reading this--I read it over the course of three days, and my usual reading time for a 400+ page book is closer to eight days. It was engaging and I enjoyed the dancer-turned-spy aspect. The pacing felt well-done. It took me a while to figure out who the main love interest was going to be, and I loved that--I like being able to grow attached to characters first before the romance. I did find the first half of the book fairly repetitive and a tad overwritten. It's first person, and the main character's narrative repeating itself over and over again, saying the same thing just using a different metaphor. But I'm excited to see where this author goes in the future!

Also, when I first saw this book, I did a cursory search to see if it was going to be part of a series. I couldn't find anything, and assumed it was a standalone. It is not. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I was disappointed by that.

This will be one of my most favorite books of the year, of that I have no doubt.

While a little slow for the first 50%, the story seemed to sink its claws into me and I devoured the second half.

Vasalie is a refreshing fmc in a fantasy story. Strong and determined, but also so very human. While her passion is a driving force in her ability to work through her disabilities, she doesn’t completely “overcome” them. She isn’t “cured” as the story continues, the strength and muscle she builds back helps her work through, or oftentimes around, her limits. Its what makes her all the more stronger

It should go without being said that Anton is such a charming and swoon worthy character. He very quickly became a welcome sight on the page. Copelan too, but unfortunately he was a little outshone by the king (I’m not complaining). Still I couldn’t find it in my heart to ever hate him.

The imagery was wonderful. Arena was able to truly convey the beauty of everything from the setting, to the costumes, to the dances.

The twists were delicious. Everything fell together so perfectly. I feel both fulfilled and am left craving more from that ending!

I cannot wait for more of this series, truly. I can’t wait for more of Vasalie, more of Anton, the fates, and more realistic and hopeful, disability rep.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

So I just finished this and honestly, it was... fine. Like, a middle-of-the-road 3/5. The pacing was kinda weird and uneven and dragged a bit in parts where nothing important was happening. And the writing? Kinda overwritten, if I’m being honest. Lots of unnecessary details and flowery descriptions that didn’t really add much and got a bit tiring.

That said, the story itself wasn't bad. It had enough interesting bits to keep me going and the way it ended makes me curious enough to look out for the sequel.

This book has a really intriguing premise with good supporting cast. I enjoyed Vasalies journey to recovery and he ingenuity when dealing with her disability and her tasks she is required to perform. The main male character was genuine and honest with Vasalie, he felt more than one dimensional which made for a refreshing read.

I do have to agree with other reviewers who have noted the book was overwritten. While it had a strong premise and was an enjoyable ride so to speak I believe there was a lot of reiteration in the book. For example noting the King had never touched her, noting how nice another characters arms felt, noting very frequently how her body was not able to perform due to her ailment - I believe some of this would have done better as "show, don't tell" to drive the point home.

I will also note the love triangle felt superfluous to the romance plot and didn't at any point feel like "who will she chose".

In saying this I'd absolutely read the sequel, Vasalie generally makes the intelligent decision throughout the book. I enjoyed the reveal with the main male character and the foreshadowing there was particularly good. Very excited to see the change in him in book 2.

A Dance of Lies follows a dancer ravaged by long term imprisonment and the burden of a crime she didn’t commit. This book had a lot of potential — and I can’t believe i’m saying this, because I don’t see it often — but it was very overwritten. Everything was very overwhelmingly written, with far too many details and over explaining that wasn’t really necessary. This was very character driven, but it didn’t seem like it was character driven in the right way. Things were just repeated over and over and became frustrating to read. The one thing I LOVED and really appreciated was reading disabled rep. As a disabled person, we don’t see characters rhat reflect what we go through often, especially in fantasy and it was very nice to read. There was lots of potential, a good premise, and a sort of interesting story, but it fell short.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*I really enjoyed A Dance of Lies by Brittany Arena! The story was so interesting and kept me hooked from the start. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and I couldn’t wait to see how it all played out.

The characters were well-written, and I found myself rooting for them throughout the story. Brittany Arena has a great way of blending suspense and emotion, which made the book hard to put down.

It was such an exciting and enjoyable read. I’m giving it 4 stars because while I loved it, I felt like a few parts could’ve been explored more. Still, it’s a great book, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good story with political mystery and drama!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I really liked A Dance of Lies by Brittany Arena! The story was so interesting, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The plot had just the right amount of twists to keep me engaged, and the characters were so well-written.

It was an exciting and enjoyable book that kept me turning the pages.A great read overall, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Brittany Arena!

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance at reading this.

A Dance of Lies is a book that is very interesting - focusing on the intimacy of dance and what goals it can obtain. Our female lead is headstrong, but lacks court intrigue and knowledge. Which is what I like in a female lead, gives good growth.

The various male leads - good and bad - had me curious on which one she was going to end up with and which one was out to get her. I really liked the two princes. The King she is working for is a slime-ball though. He continues to remain one through the whole book.

The end makes me excited for book two and what will come of it all.

The reason I rated it down a star is that I find the world building with the gods to be lackluster. I do appreciate the backstory behind the goddess, but the reason / lack of the gods, or their importance to the story (except the one that plays an important bit) isn't strong enough. I hope in the later books the scope and understanding of the loss of the gods is seen and we get more political scheming. If this is a strong focus on romance, then, you will enjoy the book.

I really enjoyed this! The story centers on Vasalie, a former dancer, who has been unjustly imprisoned for over two years, enduring unspeakable mistreatment that has left her physically broken. When a second chance for freedom presents itself, Vasalie must dance once more to prove herself.

What truly stood out to me was the way the author portrays Vasalie’s physical and emotional journey. Her growth is both empowering and heartbreaking, as she transitions from shame and self-doubt to a powerful acceptance of her body’s limitations. Watching her push through the pain and reclaim her agency was beustifuI and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

The cast of secondary characters is also a highlight. I loved how Vasalie formed meaningful connections with those around her, and the way they supported and understood her was so heartwarming. This was a beautifully crafted story of strength, resilience, and redemption and I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this e-arc!

A Dance of Lies caught my attention with its court intrigue premise centering a disabled dancer. The prose flows well, but as some other reviewers have pointed out, how it can be overwritten. For example, when Vasalie is doing something she knows is morally gray but feels that she is forced to do anyway, the reader gets many and multiple sentences describing her guilt and how bad she feels. I understand that the repetitiveness is to help generate sympathy for Vasalie as she carries out terrible things, but it's still difficult to stomach to the point that I find myself wishing that she was more unapologetic.

I love fantasy, but the suspension of belief that was required for this book was too much for me. Every single potential love interest was incredibly beautiful and obsessed with Vasalie almost immediately, because Vasalie was just that special. Unfortunately, I stopped reading at the 40% mark even though I found myself pleasantly surprised by how an early plot point fleshed out.

I'm sure that others will really enjoy this book, but it just personally didn't work for me.

Thank you for the e-ARC!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it didn't disappoint! Vasalie is a fantastic main character--her struggles with grief and choosing her way forward felt so real. This kept me guessing all the way through to a cliffhanger ending that has me eagerly anticipating the next book. I loved the descriptions of dancing, the multiple uses of glass, and Vasalie's journey towards finding her own strength.

I recommend A Dance of Lies for anyone who likes their fantasy political, dark, and meditative! Also, I'm just so thrilled to see more disabled leads by disabled authors in fantasy books. Keep it coming!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.