Review by Ronny
A Dance of Lies is a vibrant romantasy filled with political tension, betrayal, and romance.
Favourite Quote:
Rise from your ashes, my dear. Don’t crumble alongside them.
Book Synopsis:
My protector is gone, revealed to be a monster. But I remind myself that I am not a damsel. I’m no princess bound within a tower.
I am a shadow.
Vasalie Moran was once a dancer in King Illian’s court, until he framed her for murder. Barely surviving her two years in the dungeons, she’s suddenly called to face her king. He offers her a deal: become his spy at the six-week royal Gathering and he’ll grant her freedom.
As Illian’s orders grow bloody and dangerous, forcing her to harm and betray those around her, Vasalie discovers that the monster she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster—one far closer to home. With her world threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian’s brother and greatest adversary, the infamous King of the East.
As the rivalry between brothers escalates, with Vasalie caught in the middle, the horrifying truth of her past comes to light. If she wants to survive, she must decide who to trust, who to fight for, and how much of her soul she’s willing to damn in the process.
Review:
I enjoyed this book. I will admit it did take a few chapters for me to get into the story. Sometimes, with fantasy books, the first introduction to this world the author has created, and its history can feel a bit drawn out. But Brittney’s descriptions are vivid and lush, and they really come to life on the pages of this book. One of the things that intrigued me about this book was that the main character suffers from chronic pain. I was curious about how the author would incorporate a heroine who suffers from a disability into the plot, as it is something that is rarely seen in a fantasy book. Overall, I think Vasalie’s character and her disability worked well with the story. There were times when I thought some of the things that Vasalie was performing/doing wouldn’t be possible for someone who suffers from chronic pain, but I think that was just a minor glitch with her character. Vasalie’s character was enjoyable, and it was wonderful watching her grow. She isn’t that typical brash, fearless heroine that you normally find in fantasy novels, which was a difference I rather enjoyed.
The plot and overall story are wonderful, filled with plenty of twists and turns, and it ends on quite a cliffhanger. There were some Throne of Glass vibes in the first part of the book, which I liked, and then the second half of the book takes a completely different direction. I enjoyed the court/palace setting because it often means that there will be a lot of secrets, betrayals, and twists and turns. The romance in this book isn’t always front and center in the plot, but it is there. There is a love triangle and an enemies-to-lovers vibe to this story. I adored Anton. There is just something about his character that just draws you in. He is flirty and mysterious, and you truly don’t know what his true motives are in this book.
A Dance of Lies is a fabulous romantasy that is truly hard to put down.
Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for sending us a copy in exchange for an honest review.
