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A Dance of Lies #2
To Dance with Death
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26In the epic conclusion to the fantasy romance duology that began with A Dance of Lies, Vasalie must journey to the realms of the dead to restore the memories of her beloved prince and stop a mounting war.
Once a spy for the ruthless King Illian, Vasalie sacrificed herself to kill him and prevent a prophesied war. But Illian’s brother, Anton—the king she allied with and began to love—struck a deal with Moranya, the goddess of the underworld, to bring Vasalie back. The his compassion, his memories of her, and all the events of the past six weeks.
Now stripped of the truth, Anton believes his friends betrayed him and accepts Moranya’s offer to rule the kingdom of the dead. But with the kingdom he leaves behind on the brink of civil war, and her cruel father threatening to invade, Vasalie realizes only Anton can reunite a fractured realm.
To save her world and the man she was coming to love, Vasalie must journey to the underworld and reclaim him. But the Anton she finds is the worst version of the arrogant, debauched king she once thought he was. To restore him, she’ll have to restore his memories first… even if it means sacrificing her own heart.
Once a spy for the ruthless King Illian, Vasalie sacrificed herself to kill him and prevent a prophesied war. But Illian’s brother, Anton—the king she allied with and began to love—struck a deal with Moranya, the goddess of the underworld, to bring Vasalie back. The his compassion, his memories of her, and all the events of the past six weeks.
Now stripped of the truth, Anton believes his friends betrayed him and accepts Moranya’s offer to rule the kingdom of the dead. But with the kingdom he leaves behind on the brink of civil war, and her cruel father threatening to invade, Vasalie realizes only Anton can reunite a fractured realm.
To save her world and the man she was coming to love, Vasalie must journey to the underworld and reclaim him. But the Anton she finds is the worst version of the arrogant, debauched king she once thought he was. To restore him, she’ll have to restore his memories first… even if it means sacrificing her own heart.
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 4, 2026
3523 people want to read
About the author
Brittney Arena
2 books5,493 followersWith a background in both brand and visual design, Brittney has always found solace in art. However, after a challenging health journey, she turned to writing, and what began as a coping mechanism evolved into a journey of exploration, allowing her to traverse new worlds from wherever she might be.
When she’s not penning tales, Brittney spends her time obsessing over k-dramas, playing with her camera, and waging war against ungodly amounts of pet hair. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and two pups, and is always ready for the next adventure, whether it be on page or in real life. A Dance of Lies is her debut novel.
She is represented by Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency.
When she’s not penning tales, Brittney spends her time obsessing over k-dramas, playing with her camera, and waging war against ungodly amounts of pet hair. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and two pups, and is always ready for the next adventure, whether it be on page or in real life. A Dance of Lies is her debut novel.
She is represented by Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Want to read
January 15, 2026Another absolute stunning cover!!
My most anticipated release of 2026 for sure!
My most anticipated release of 2026 for sure!
2026-releases
February 14, 2026RCT
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
This was a fantastic ending to this duology. After I finished I was in tears.
I will say, the beginning of the book dragged a little bit for me. It was hard to get back into the world. But after we are reunited with certain characters I was able to consume it so easily, to the point I couldn't put the book down.
I think the way the relationship is written is so beautiful. The lines Anton says... the lines Vasalie says... it's all so beautiful and heartwrenching. I really fell hard for their love and the sacrifices they make for one another. It's truly just beautiful. And the "spice" is done so tastefully and focuses on love rather than lust. Overall, so sweet.
I relate a lot to Vasalie with her self-doubt and body image issues, and feeling unlovable and inadequate, so being in her head was really relatable. I love her and her strength and the way she carries herself. Sometimes FMC's like this can come off as having a victim complex, but she doesn't come off that way at all, she is very sweet and just wants to love and be loved. It's refreshing.
I absolutely loved that we got Anton POV chapters, and I LOVED that they were scattered throughout. We didn't get a lot of his POV, but when we did it was impactful and helped tell the story. I thought the few chapters here and there was a great idea.
The banter and snark between Anton and Vasa was so fun, they play off of one another so well, and challenge each other. It was fun to read.
I loved where all the characters stories went. I loved getting to see kind of another side to Illian, I still am so comflicted on him, cause you see little seeds of him being "good" but in his own messed up way. I think his character is intriguing. I loved seeing Copelan again, they have such a sweet moment towards the end of the book and I was so happy we got to see that conclusion. Just great. I loved that we got to see more into Moranya and end up understanding her, was a great touch and had great depth to the character.
I loved the ending, how she was the one to risk it all. It was so beautiful and I had tears streaming down my face as I concluded this story. I think this duology is just plain beautiful and I am going to miss this love. I already want more Anton and seeing more of their happily ever after... maybe a novella at some point? (crosses fingers).
This was a fantastic ending to this duology. After I finished I was in tears.
I will say, the beginning of the book dragged a little bit for me. It was hard to get back into the world. But after we are reunited with certain characters I was able to consume it so easily, to the point I couldn't put the book down.
I think the way the relationship is written is so beautiful. The lines Anton says... the lines Vasalie says... it's all so beautiful and heartwrenching. I really fell hard for their love and the sacrifices they make for one another. It's truly just beautiful. And the "spice" is done so tastefully and focuses on love rather than lust. Overall, so sweet.
I relate a lot to Vasalie with her self-doubt and body image issues, and feeling unlovable and inadequate, so being in her head was really relatable. I love her and her strength and the way she carries herself. Sometimes FMC's like this can come off as having a victim complex, but she doesn't come off that way at all, she is very sweet and just wants to love and be loved. It's refreshing.
I absolutely loved that we got Anton POV chapters, and I LOVED that they were scattered throughout. We didn't get a lot of his POV, but when we did it was impactful and helped tell the story. I thought the few chapters here and there was a great idea.
The banter and snark between Anton and Vasa was so fun, they play off of one another so well, and challenge each other. It was fun to read.
I loved where all the characters stories went. I loved getting to see kind of another side to Illian, I still am so comflicted on him, cause you see little seeds of him being "good" but in his own messed up way. I think his character is intriguing. I loved seeing Copelan again, they have such a sweet moment towards the end of the book and I was so happy we got to see that conclusion. Just great. I loved that we got to see more into Moranya and end up understanding her, was a great touch and had great depth to the character.
I loved the ending, how she was the one to risk it all. It was so beautiful and I had tears streaming down my face as I concluded this story. I think this duology is just plain beautiful and I am going to miss this love. I already want more Anton and seeing more of their happily ever after... maybe a novella at some point? (crosses fingers).
February 16, 2026
A Dance of Lies has long contended as my favorite book - for good reason. I was unsure that any other book would match the lyrical writing, the honest description of chronic illness, and the yearning between two characters.
But I was glaringly wrong. And of course, the book to exceed all of my expectations, was the concluding book in the duology, To Dance with Death.
I read this book in one day. ONE. I refused to go to sleep until I had finished the last chapter. I stayed up until after midnight, giggling and cackling and kicking my feet like an evil little gremlin, cuddled up in my blanket. Every chapter or so, I would become the Leonardo DiCaprio meme where he points at the television. Instead, I pointed at the book, gasping over scenes, running around my room with pure delight. I loved this book.
The yearning is tenfold, sure to make a reader blush. And the tropes? Oh, the tropes. All masterfully done, in a way that feels new and yet familiar; the makings of a great book that leads the reader wanting and wanting.
(The waterfall scene, oh my!)
I won’t spoil the ending, but it was everything I could have wanted, and more.
Bravo, Brittney Arena!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Brittney Arena for the digital ARC.
But I was glaringly wrong. And of course, the book to exceed all of my expectations, was the concluding book in the duology, To Dance with Death.
I read this book in one day. ONE. I refused to go to sleep until I had finished the last chapter. I stayed up until after midnight, giggling and cackling and kicking my feet like an evil little gremlin, cuddled up in my blanket. Every chapter or so, I would become the Leonardo DiCaprio meme where he points at the television. Instead, I pointed at the book, gasping over scenes, running around my room with pure delight. I loved this book.
The yearning is tenfold, sure to make a reader blush. And the tropes? Oh, the tropes. All masterfully done, in a way that feels new and yet familiar; the makings of a great book that leads the reader wanting and wanting.
(The waterfall scene, oh my!)
I won’t spoil the ending, but it was everything I could have wanted, and more.
Bravo, Brittney Arena!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Brittney Arena for the digital ARC.
February 15, 2026
Oh my goodness-she is just such an amazing writer!! I’ll be honest-I wasn’t sure with some of the choices she made at the beginning of this book, but once it took off, I was hooked yet again, and the ending more than made up for any angst she put me through. I was literally sobbing happy tears at the end!! Such a satisfying conclusion if you loved the first book as much as I did!! This series is now at the top of my all time favorite lists! I hope Fairyloot prints this book!
Want to read
January 22, 20261) A Dance of Lies ★★★★☆
The conclusion to Brittney's adult fantasy romance duology will be published in August 2026 :)
The conclusion to Brittney's adult fantasy romance duology will be published in August 2026 :)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews