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tanith 's review for:
A Dance of Lies
by Brittney Arena
“But scars are powerful things, because they show your resilience. So rise from your ashes, my dear. Do not crumble alongside them.”
What to expect:
- Disability rep
- Dancer turned spy
- Hidden Identities
- Love triangle
- Court Intrigue & Rival Kingdoms
- Prophecies & Fates
“I not only accept myself as I am now, but I’m proud of it. I’m proud of surviving, of persisting, despite my pain.”
Vasalie, a dancer formerly known as "The King's Jewel", is released after being held in the dungeons for two years after being falsely accused of murder.
King Illian, ruler over Western Midrian, makes a deal with her: spy for him at The Gathering (a six week annual event where leaders of all the nations of Midrian join together). She is to do what he tells her and in exchange he'll grant her one wish: her freedom.
Vowing never to be imprisoned again, Vasalie has no choice but to accept.. Not fully knowing the extent to how Illian will use her. To enter the Gathering, she will need to perform again, but after two years of captivity and isolation, her body is not what it used to be - it has deteriorated greatly and so has her mind.
Vasalie doesn't let this stop her. She proves just how smart and resourceful she is; how quickly she's able to think on her feet. She can no longer dance the way she used to; her body does not move the way it once did and so she comes up with ways to use the stage and "special effects" to distract the audience during her performances. But she also has to convince Copelan, the Master of Revels, that she's worth being part of the performers...
“I am not a thing to be used.”
The more Illian asks Vasalie to do, the more we see how she is torn between wanting to do what is right vs what is right for herself. From spying to poisoning, we can't help but wonder what is Illian's end game.. and just how far will Vas go to secure her freedom.
We see just how long the political games have been at play for as we learn more about Illain and the other rulers. Anton, The King who reigns over Eastern Midrian, immediately catches your attention. There's more to him than meets the eye. He's said to have evaded death itself which immediately creates intrigue.
Vasalie is caught between what she needs to do, navigating her growing feelings, balancing her need for revenge... and what happens when someone unexpectedly shows up from her past.
Prophecies come into play and so do the Fates, creating a richer story than just politics and romance.
“May every deed you have bestowed upon others be returned to you tenfold.”