Such an exciting new story which was a thrill to read. I really appreciated the complex representation of health and disability. It is so important to have these perspectives in literature and I feel like I have also been learning as well as enjoying the book.
I liked that the direction of the plot and the twists were unpredictable. I was constantly guessing the secrets and mysteries, often to be proven wrong.
A quick paced plot with an addictive writing style.

A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena is such a good book. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

5⭐

Thank you Brittney Arena, Bloomsbury UK and NetGalley for the ARC!

Holy shit! I dove into this book blind but it blew me away in the best way possible, making me escape a reading slump while having me immersed the entire time.

The world-building and lore was every well developed and very intricate. The political tension q standing in the book was very well shown and described.

The writing style was purple prose which immediately hooked me to the plot. The very first page had me hooked and I only put the book down to get some sleep. The writing style is very lyrical and whimsical, which made the world and enchanting experience to read about.

Vasalie, the FMC, is a strong willed character. She was a dancer to King Illian but was thrown into captivity by him for two years and she was finally released—only to face the aftermath of her traumatic experience. Chronic pain, health issues, and physical limitations now affect nearly everything she does. But the trauma goes deeper than that, Vasalie also has to confront deep childhood wounds she hasn’t fully processed. I love that Vasalie wasn't healed by magic of any sort and withstood the emotional and physical pain that was put on her.

Anton, the King, is a cocky, flirty, charming character with a wounded and secretive past. His character was a maze to explore and it was fun and emotional to read about him.

As much as I love romance, this book is so much more than that. It’s a journey of healing, self-discovery, freedom, and learning to trust others again. Vasalie’s vulnerability makes her incredibly strong—not just because of what she’s been through, but because of how she adapts and learns to live in a world that feels like it’s constantly shifting beneath her feet. There are no easy answers, no quick fixes.

The ending of this book had my jaw on the floor and I cannot wait for the sequel!