A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena tells the story of Vasalie; once a Royal dancer considered King Illian’s jewel, who was wrongfully imprisoned for murder. After two years imprisonment she is summoned by the King and offered a deal; attend the Crowns’ Gathering as a dancer and spy for him in exchange for her freedom.
I found Vasalie to be a really interesting main character. After being shackled for two years she has chronic pain and physical limitations and it’s good to see chronic pain and disability representation in a main character. The combination of childhood trauma and King Illian’s betrayal is a lot for Vasalie to process and it affects everything she does and every decision she makes.
I like that Vasalie wasn’t given a quick fix, she endures the physical and emotional pain and learns to adapt when her body no longer performs like it used to. She’s imaginative, determined, strong yet also vulnerable, which made for an interesting character journey.
“But scars are powerful things, because they show your resilience. So rise from your ashes, my dear. Do not crumble alongside them.”
The Crowns’ Gathering was where things really stepped up a notch and the descriptions of the city of glass, its characters, clothing and buildings was vivid and immersive. The descriptions of the sea glass were so beautiful I was tempted to go beachcombing in search of some coloured glass for myself!
My favourite part of the Crowns’ Gathering was meeting King Illian’s brother, the famed King of the East, Anton Orvere. Anton is flirty with deep, sea-green eyes, which I would very much like to stare into thank you very much! Anton is the reason Vasalie learns to trust and while I loved the banter between them I also loved the honest, heartfelt moments they had.
“I am broken.”
” You are art.”
There was a lot of information in A Dance of Lies to absorb, as you would expect in a story full of political intrigue, but as the story progressed the lies unravelled and it all came together in a conclusion that has me desperate to read book two!
“He kissed me like it was inevitable.”
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Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Format: Ebook
ASIN: B0DXB82WXY
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Here’s the 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 month-long 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 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 King of the East.
As the rivalry between brothers escalates with Vasalie caught in the middle, the 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
What Caz Read 