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The Edge of Glass #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
About the author
Brittney Arena
4 books5,600 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 - 30 of 551 reviews
April 3, 2026
➸ 5 stars
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 thank you to netgalley, random house publishing / del rey and of course, brittney arena, for the advanced readers copy!! <3
✨ forced proximity
🪞 second chance romance
🔹 fall in love again and again
🪞 yearning
✨ glittering underworld court
this review will contain spoilers for book one, especially in the quotes!!
“If I must die, in his arms is where I want to be. Between his lips is where I want to exhale my last breath.”
this book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and i loved every second of it. i immediately fell in love with a dance of lies and i can say the same for its sequel, to dance with death. this duology has truly become one of my favorites.
a dance of lies was a book that caught me by surprise; it was unlike anything i’ve ever read before and i could not predict one thing. going into this book i had no clues how things would play out, how the characters would solve all the problems, how this story would progress. now that ive finished the book i can say my answer would simply just be beautiful. immediately picking up from where book one left off, we are thrown back into all the politics and sacrifice that occurred during the ending of book one. we follow our lovely vasalie and our lovely side character trying to figure out how to stop war from breaking out and trying to get a certain someone back. everything seemed impossible yet the progression was so intricately woven together into a beautiful story.
“When I hold you, I feel like something I’ve lost has been returned,”
i was so immersed in this story, it felt like i was THERE while reading the book. i found the underworld setting so cool and the descriptions were amazing!! one of my favorite parts of the book was exploring ansa, the scenes of vasalie and anton secretly exploring the city will forever remain in my mind, i loved them so much!!! vasalie and anton are one of my favorite couples ever and every time i think about them my mind just plays the words “fall in love again and again” in the background because they are the literal DEFINITION of those lyrics. there was so so much yearning and adoration for each other; they will forever stay in my heart.
“You, have driven me mad. Mad with all the ways I want to punish you, please you. You occupy every corner of my mind, every chamber of my heart, and I am tortured because of it. I have never wanted someone so much in my life. Be with me, Vasalie. I need to make you understand what I feel for you.”
“Vasalie, you have altered my very existence. My world is made brighter from your presence. I am fortunate to so much as hold you. Disappointment is not a word in my vocabulary—not with you.”
“I love you, Minnow.”
their love is so so precious to me and i’m currently tearing up rereading these quotes again!!!! and i did shed some tears when i read the word minnow bc i am so emotional over them I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!! i could reread these books again and again and i feel like each time i would love them even more. this duology is everything to me. this book is art.
(more) favorite quotes:
“A flush paints her cheeks, flaring brighter. Is that a temper he detects? Oh, please let it be a temper.”
“We all saw how infatuated he was with you at the Gathering. And it wasn’t mere physical attraction, Vasalie. It ran much deeper than that. I don’t think even a Fate could erase what drew him to you in the first place.”
“How very fast your heart beats for me, dancer.”
“Anger spurs it, Majesty.”
“His mind and memories may have changed, but the heart of my king—my immortal king—still beats.”
“Shall I lend you a cravat to wipe up all that drool? You must have been dreaming of something rather delicious. I do hope it was me.”
“His heart is wounded, enclosed in a shield of glass, but I need only find a crack where I might pry my way in.”
“What will you give me in return?”
“I don’t have much to give,”
“I disagree. There are a great many things you refuse to give me.”
“Such as?”
“A kiss. At a time of my choosing.”
“And in this moment, he is so irrevocably beautiful that my lungs refuse to fill, and I can do nothing but watch him. Long for him. He shines tonight—not from his jewelry, his decadent attire, but wholly from within. It’s as if coming home lit him up like the lanterns along the water’s edge.”
“I wish, so badly, that I could tell him that every angle of him is worthy of being loved. Even the worst ones. Even now. He reminded me of that when I needed it most—reminded me that all my scratches and dents, all the marred facets and shards that cracked deep into my soul, were what made me art. Like his stained glass—broken fragments fitted back together again to make something infinitely more lovely.”
“A mosaic of beautiful imperfections, and yet his heart still radiates, and so does his passion, his humor. His brilliance.“
“You loved him even as he was, and he, in turn, fell in love with you once more.”
“Admiring me so thoughtfully, are you?”
“Committing every detail to memory,”
“Soak in every moment. That, I would do. But not just today. Here and now, caught in the sea-glass green of his eyes, I vow to myself—and then to him, later, in the privacy of our bedchamber—that I will cherish every moment together. I will cherish his smiles, his concerns, his jokes, his tears. I will value every day waking up to him, knowing that this future is balanced on the edge of a knife. That it almost wasn’t ours. Every second of our future was fought for, and I will never forget it.”
“It is the most precious of belongings, no? Time affords us the ability to make moments and memories that shape us to our very selves. I might return to a world of pain, but I wouldn’t want to miss out on all the things I want to do before I die.”
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 thank you to netgalley, random house publishing / del rey and of course, brittney arena, for the advanced readers copy!! <3
✨ forced proximity
🪞 second chance romance
🔹 fall in love again and again
🪞 yearning
✨ glittering underworld court
this review will contain spoilers for book one, especially in the quotes!!
“If I must die, in his arms is where I want to be. Between his lips is where I want to exhale my last breath.”
this book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and i loved every second of it. i immediately fell in love with a dance of lies and i can say the same for its sequel, to dance with death. this duology has truly become one of my favorites.
a dance of lies was a book that caught me by surprise; it was unlike anything i’ve ever read before and i could not predict one thing. going into this book i had no clues how things would play out, how the characters would solve all the problems, how this story would progress. now that ive finished the book i can say my answer would simply just be beautiful. immediately picking up from where book one left off, we are thrown back into all the politics and sacrifice that occurred during the ending of book one. we follow our lovely vasalie and our lovely side character trying to figure out how to stop war from breaking out and trying to get a certain someone back. everything seemed impossible yet the progression was so intricately woven together into a beautiful story.
“When I hold you, I feel like something I’ve lost has been returned,”
i was so immersed in this story, it felt like i was THERE while reading the book. i found the underworld setting so cool and the descriptions were amazing!! one of my favorite parts of the book was exploring ansa, the scenes of vasalie and anton secretly exploring the city will forever remain in my mind, i loved them so much!!! vasalie and anton are one of my favorite couples ever and every time i think about them my mind just plays the words “fall in love again and again” in the background because they are the literal DEFINITION of those lyrics. there was so so much yearning and adoration for each other; they will forever stay in my heart.
“You, have driven me mad. Mad with all the ways I want to punish you, please you. You occupy every corner of my mind, every chamber of my heart, and I am tortured because of it. I have never wanted someone so much in my life. Be with me, Vasalie. I need to make you understand what I feel for you.”
“Vasalie, you have altered my very existence. My world is made brighter from your presence. I am fortunate to so much as hold you. Disappointment is not a word in my vocabulary—not with you.”
“I love you, Minnow.”
their love is so so precious to me and i’m currently tearing up rereading these quotes again!!!! and i did shed some tears when i read the word minnow bc i am so emotional over them I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!! i could reread these books again and again and i feel like each time i would love them even more. this duology is everything to me. this book is art.
(more) favorite quotes:
“A flush paints her cheeks, flaring brighter. Is that a temper he detects? Oh, please let it be a temper.”
“We all saw how infatuated he was with you at the Gathering. And it wasn’t mere physical attraction, Vasalie. It ran much deeper than that. I don’t think even a Fate could erase what drew him to you in the first place.”
“How very fast your heart beats for me, dancer.”
“Anger spurs it, Majesty.”
“His mind and memories may have changed, but the heart of my king—my immortal king—still beats.”
“Shall I lend you a cravat to wipe up all that drool? You must have been dreaming of something rather delicious. I do hope it was me.”
“His heart is wounded, enclosed in a shield of glass, but I need only find a crack where I might pry my way in.”
“What will you give me in return?”
“I don’t have much to give,”
“I disagree. There are a great many things you refuse to give me.”
“Such as?”
“A kiss. At a time of my choosing.”
“And in this moment, he is so irrevocably beautiful that my lungs refuse to fill, and I can do nothing but watch him. Long for him. He shines tonight—not from his jewelry, his decadent attire, but wholly from within. It’s as if coming home lit him up like the lanterns along the water’s edge.”
“I wish, so badly, that I could tell him that every angle of him is worthy of being loved. Even the worst ones. Even now. He reminded me of that when I needed it most—reminded me that all my scratches and dents, all the marred facets and shards that cracked deep into my soul, were what made me art. Like his stained glass—broken fragments fitted back together again to make something infinitely more lovely.”
“A mosaic of beautiful imperfections, and yet his heart still radiates, and so does his passion, his humor. His brilliance.“
“You loved him even as he was, and he, in turn, fell in love with you once more.”
“Admiring me so thoughtfully, are you?”
“Committing every detail to memory,”
“Soak in every moment. That, I would do. But not just today. Here and now, caught in the sea-glass green of his eyes, I vow to myself—and then to him, later, in the privacy of our bedchamber—that I will cherish every moment together. I will cherish his smiles, his concerns, his jokes, his tears. I will value every day waking up to him, knowing that this future is balanced on the edge of a knife. That it almost wasn’t ours. Every second of our future was fought for, and I will never forget it.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a great way to finish the duology. A dance of lies was one of the few recent romantasies that I feel are truly original and bring something that I haven't seen a thousand times before, and as you can imagine and I absolutely loved it. I'm very happy to be able to review to dance with death as an ARC(and so many months before!!) and I'm happy to say it loved up to my expectations.
I can say that almost everything that I loved in the first one is present here, the atmosphere is still superb, the descriptions and dialogues are great, I love love love the banter and the romance is next level. The setting, or should I say the setting of most of the story, is very different and I love that. In the beginning I was a little afraid it would be one of those sequels where the couple is separated for 80% of the story which I HATE, but I knew this author wouldn't disappoint me like that.
The only thing I can point out that wasn't a big problems but I feel like I need to say just in case you're like me and this is somewhat important to you: the side characters are not as prominent here. I only say this because I feel like the cast of characters was something the first book did perfect, and I just wanted to see a little more of them here, but I understand that's just a preference thing. Also, I feel like there was a tone shift, not a bad thing just different.
(Maybe a little spoiler ahead, not really but if you don't want to risk it skip this paragraph)I went on a journey with the ending because does everyone get the perfect happiest ending?!? But then I thought: what the hell with real life being the way it is let the fictional characters be as happy as possible, why not.
If you liked the first book, or you're looking for a good romantasy, go read it immediately!!
Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey for the ARC.
I can say that almost everything that I loved in the first one is present here, the atmosphere is still superb, the descriptions and dialogues are great, I love love love the banter and the romance is next level. The setting, or should I say the setting of most of the story, is very different and I love that. In the beginning I was a little afraid it would be one of those sequels where the couple is separated for 80% of the story which I HATE, but I knew this author wouldn't disappoint me like that.
The only thing I can point out that wasn't a big problems but I feel like I need to say just in case you're like me and this is somewhat important to you: the side characters are not as prominent here. I only say this because I feel like the cast of characters was something the first book did perfect, and I just wanted to see a little more of them here, but I understand that's just a preference thing. Also, I feel like there was a tone shift, not a bad thing just different.
(Maybe a little spoiler ahead, not really but if you don't want to risk it skip this paragraph)I went on a journey with the ending because does everyone get the perfect happiest ending?!? But then I thought: what the hell with real life being the way it is let the fictional characters be as happy as possible, why not.
If you liked the first book, or you're looking for a good romantasy, go read it immediately!!
Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
To Dance with Death by Brittney Arena
Publication date: August 4th 2026
Thoughts
What a way to end April reads! I loved this book not only was it the perfect ending to the duolgy but the perfect ending 🙌🏻 now I won't lie, it did start off slow but once it picked up I couldn't book the book down! The descriptive setting was just so beautifully done! Vasalie and Anton have got to be one of my favourite couples when it comes to romantasy, their second chance romance in this book was everything THE SLOW BURN WAS SLOW BURNING 🫠 actually what made it even better was that it wasn't the cliché second chance where they're separated for the majority of the book and I love the author for that, best believe I ATE IT UP! If you enjoyed the first book and miss the atmosphere as a whole let me tell you we're thrown right back into the political glittery court! Thoroughly enjoyed this! I can't wait to see what else this author puts out!
Plot Summary
After sacrificing herself to stop a war, Vasalie is brought back to life—but at a cost. The man she was beginning to love, Anton has lost all memory of her and now believes he’s been betrayed, choosing to rule the underworld. With her world on the verge of collapse, Vasalie sets out to bring him back, but the man she finds is cold and unrecognisable, and to save him; and their kingdom she must restore his memories, even if it breaks her heart.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC
My Bookstagram
To Dance with Death by Brittney Arena
Publication date: August 4th 2026
Thoughts
What a way to end April reads! I loved this book not only was it the perfect ending to the duolgy but the perfect ending 🙌🏻 now I won't lie, it did start off slow but once it picked up I couldn't book the book down! The descriptive setting was just so beautifully done! Vasalie and Anton have got to be one of my favourite couples when it comes to romantasy, their second chance romance in this book was everything THE SLOW BURN WAS SLOW BURNING 🫠 actually what made it even better was that it wasn't the cliché second chance where they're separated for the majority of the book and I love the author for that, best believe I ATE IT UP! If you enjoyed the first book and miss the atmosphere as a whole let me tell you we're thrown right back into the political glittery court! Thoroughly enjoyed this! I can't wait to see what else this author puts out!
Plot Summary
After sacrificing herself to stop a war, Vasalie is brought back to life—but at a cost. The man she was beginning to love, Anton has lost all memory of her and now believes he’s been betrayed, choosing to rule the underworld. With her world on the verge of collapse, Vasalie sets out to bring him back, but the man she finds is cold and unrecognisable, and to save him; and their kingdom she must restore his memories, even if it breaks her heart.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC
My Bookstagram
February 18, 2026
4.25⭐️ this was a perfect ending to an amazing duology. We pick up where book 1 left us hanging.
This is a true slow-burn. Which fed my soul.
Ms Arena knows how to tug at the heart strings. And she can write some good banter and yearning!!
I don’t want to give too much away, since you need to read book 1 first and too much of what I loved would spoil it.
I will forever adore this duet. Please, give this series a chance if you like fmc’s who are a bit on the softer side, disability rep, and the “bad boy” exterior with a gooey center.
Thank you Bloomsbury and Brittany Arena for the e-arc.
This is a true slow-burn. Which fed my soul.
Ms Arena knows how to tug at the heart strings. And she can write some good banter and yearning!!
I don’t want to give too much away, since you need to read book 1 first and too much of what I loved would spoil it.
I will forever adore this duet. Please, give this series a chance if you like fmc’s who are a bit on the softer side, disability rep, and the “bad boy” exterior with a gooey center.
Thank you Bloomsbury and Brittany Arena for the e-arc.
May 14, 2026
2.5-3⭐️
‘To Dance With Death’ follows up ‘A Dance of Lies’ with high stakes and tension fueled romance. This is a very well written romantasy, 1st person pov book, compared to the repetitiveness that the romantasy genre is turning into. I love that there’s disability rep, diverse characters, with lush descriptions.
This review is going to come across a lot harsher than it should be taken, as it was all preference for me.
(Note, book 1 spoilers are going to be a given for this, since it’s book 2)
I’m a firm believer, and i had been since the first book, this only needed to be a standalone. That after Anton brought Vasalie back from the dead, after surviving the Gathering and taking down their enemies— they should have been together and it wrapped up with that— there didn’t need to be the memory loss plot, a prophecy from gods, or the plot with Vasalie’s dad becoming king. idk, it felt too ambitious of a plot considering the FMC had nothing to really give it past her job as a dancer/spy, she came across as forced into the plot and I had a hard time believing the stakes/actions in this book, I was left unconvinced.
Other points that didn’t work for me, and truly i think romantasy fans will love this and while I liked the first book, this felt the exact same essentially —
— ‘To Dance With Death’ is basically book 1 re-hashed with Vasalie having to dance to accomplice her goals. While it was super cool for book 1, I was more so bored with it this time.
— Memory loss trope during an established relationship is not my thing. It’s one thing for a book 1 with characters we aren’t familiar with to have memory loss that goes along the plot, but in this case it came across frustrating and not entirely written in a satisfying way. But after the book 1 cliffhanger i had to know what was going to happen.
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
(spoilers)
idk i may be petty but i wouldn’t have been able to get over the fact my man slept with multiple people even though he’d lost his memory. that would take me yearssss, i am nowhere near as forgiving as vasalie regardless of nuance. like girlie had to watch him do so multiple times 💀 it’s just crazy to me that when a girl loses her memory in a book, the guy yearns and works to win her back and never leaves her side, it’s almost romantic- but here it felt the opposite. i sadly found this so annoying than interesting to find it rewarding to finish.
i feel bad writing a not so stellar review since this author is local to me 😭 the first book had so much promise and i’m obsessed with my FairyLoot edition
‘To Dance With Death’ follows up ‘A Dance of Lies’ with high stakes and tension fueled romance. This is a very well written romantasy, 1st person pov book, compared to the repetitiveness that the romantasy genre is turning into. I love that there’s disability rep, diverse characters, with lush descriptions.
This review is going to come across a lot harsher than it should be taken, as it was all preference for me.
(Note, book 1 spoilers are going to be a given for this, since it’s book 2)
I’m a firm believer, and i had been since the first book, this only needed to be a standalone. That after Anton brought Vasalie back from the dead, after surviving the Gathering and taking down their enemies— they should have been together and it wrapped up with that— there didn’t need to be the memory loss plot, a prophecy from gods, or the plot with Vasalie’s dad becoming king. idk, it felt too ambitious of a plot considering the FMC had nothing to really give it past her job as a dancer/spy, she came across as forced into the plot and I had a hard time believing the stakes/actions in this book, I was left unconvinced.
Other points that didn’t work for me, and truly i think romantasy fans will love this and while I liked the first book, this felt the exact same essentially —
— ‘To Dance With Death’ is basically book 1 re-hashed with Vasalie having to dance to accomplice her goals. While it was super cool for book 1, I was more so bored with it this time.
— Memory loss trope during an established relationship is not my thing. It’s one thing for a book 1 with characters we aren’t familiar with to have memory loss that goes along the plot, but in this case it came across frustrating and not entirely written in a satisfying way. But after the book 1 cliffhanger i had to know what was going to happen.
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
(spoilers)
idk i may be petty but i wouldn’t have been able to get over the fact my man slept with multiple people even though he’d lost his memory. that would take me yearssss, i am nowhere near as forgiving as vasalie regardless of nuance. like girlie had to watch him do so multiple times 💀 it’s just crazy to me that when a girl loses her memory in a book, the guy yearns and works to win her back and never leaves her side, it’s almost romantic- but here it felt the opposite. i sadly found this so annoying than interesting to find it rewarding to finish.
i feel bad writing a not so stellar review since this author is local to me 😭 the first book had so much promise and i’m obsessed with my FairyLoot edition
March 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC releasing August 2026.
This is the second part of the duology, following A Dance of Lies, which I was also very grateful to ARC read and loved. I am so happy with how the author chose to write this book - and it was sooo good. A little slow to start, but then I couldn’t put it down.
This book picks up shortly after the first ends, Vasalie is brought back from the dead after Anton makes a deal with death herself. In making this deal, death takes all his memories of Vasalie and the happenings of the last months - including all the politics, betrayals etc. She takes away what made him good - which in part is his love for Vasalie. Locked up for his own good, he thinks all his friends and allies have betrayed him. On the other hand, Vasalie must leave him to continue their mission to let the syndicate know of her father’s treachery and Illians betrayal (before his death) - to try and prevent all out war. But her father is always two steps ahead - arguing his way out of the accusations. So the syndicate decides that Anton has 30 days to present himself to them and validate the accusations (that he can’t remember), and that Vasalie is to go back to her father’s household. There in starts the time clock that sees Vasalie going to any depths to get to Anton and break the curse dealt to him by death, prevent war and defeat her tyrant of a father.
This is the second part of the duology, following A Dance of Lies, which I was also very grateful to ARC read and loved. I am so happy with how the author chose to write this book - and it was sooo good. A little slow to start, but then I couldn’t put it down.
This book picks up shortly after the first ends, Vasalie is brought back from the dead after Anton makes a deal with death herself. In making this deal, death takes all his memories of Vasalie and the happenings of the last months - including all the politics, betrayals etc. She takes away what made him good - which in part is his love for Vasalie. Locked up for his own good, he thinks all his friends and allies have betrayed him. On the other hand, Vasalie must leave him to continue their mission to let the syndicate know of her father’s treachery and Illians betrayal (before his death) - to try and prevent all out war. But her father is always two steps ahead - arguing his way out of the accusations. So the syndicate decides that Anton has 30 days to present himself to them and validate the accusations (that he can’t remember), and that Vasalie is to go back to her father’s household. There in starts the time clock that sees Vasalie going to any depths to get to Anton and break the curse dealt to him by death, prevent war and defeat her tyrant of a father.
February 19, 2026
I really enjoyed A Dance of Lies last year, so I was excited to jump back into this world and spend more time with the characters. And while I did like this sequel overall, it just didn’t reach the same level for me as the first book.
The beginning and the ending were definitely the strongest parts. The first 20% pulled me in right away, and the final stretch was fast paced and packed with action. But the middle really dragged for me. It actually took me over a week to finish, and I ended up reading two other books in between because I kept losing momentum.
A big part of the issue was the shift in focus. Most of the story takes place in the underworld and centers almost entirely on Vasalie and Anton. What made the first book so engaging for me was the rich cast of secondary characters and all the political intrigue. Those elements are mostly missing here, and I really felt that absence. I missed Copelan, who is barely present in this book. The opening worked well because we still had some of those interactions, but as the story progresses, everything narrows and becomes much more isolated.
I also found parts of the middle quite repetitive. A lot of the interactions between the main characters revolve around relationship drama, which didn’t feel as compelling as the more politically driven plot of the first book. The central conflict, Anton losing his memory, also ended up being resolved in a way that felt a bit too simple given the stakes.
The ending picked things up again, and I enjoyed it much more than the middle. It’s much more dynamic, though I can see some readers feeling that the political resolution is rushed. Considering how important that aspect was in the first book, wrapping it up so quickly felt a little underwhelming.
Overall, I’m still glad I got to return to these characters and this world. I just wish the sequel had kept more of the political depth and strong supporting cast that made the first book stand out, instead of leaning so heavily into a more typical romantasy direction.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The beginning and the ending were definitely the strongest parts. The first 20% pulled me in right away, and the final stretch was fast paced and packed with action. But the middle really dragged for me. It actually took me over a week to finish, and I ended up reading two other books in between because I kept losing momentum.
A big part of the issue was the shift in focus. Most of the story takes place in the underworld and centers almost entirely on Vasalie and Anton. What made the first book so engaging for me was the rich cast of secondary characters and all the political intrigue. Those elements are mostly missing here, and I really felt that absence. I missed Copelan, who is barely present in this book. The opening worked well because we still had some of those interactions, but as the story progresses, everything narrows and becomes much more isolated.
I also found parts of the middle quite repetitive. A lot of the interactions between the main characters revolve around relationship drama, which didn’t feel as compelling as the more politically driven plot of the first book. The central conflict, Anton losing his memory, also ended up being resolved in a way that felt a bit too simple given the stakes.
The ending picked things up again, and I enjoyed it much more than the middle. It’s much more dynamic, though I can see some readers feeling that the political resolution is rushed. Considering how important that aspect was in the first book, wrapping it up so quickly felt a little underwhelming.
Overall, I’m still glad I got to return to these characters and this world. I just wish the sequel had kept more of the political depth and strong supporting cast that made the first book stand out, instead of leaning so heavily into a more typical romantasy direction.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 27, 2026
4.5 ⭐️/5
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t think I could love this sequel more than the first—but I did.
If you love LONGING, YEARNING ( I MEAN A YEARNING FMC) and emotional intensity, this absolutely delivers. SO DEEPLY ROMANTIC, I am swept away and in love with the world, the story and our main couple..
A perfect conclusion to a must-read duology for anyone who enjoys deeply romantic stories in enchanting settings. I NEED MY PHYSICAL COPY ASAP PLEASE!!!!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t think I could love this sequel more than the first—but I did.
If you love LONGING, YEARNING ( I MEAN A YEARNING FMC) and emotional intensity, this absolutely delivers. SO DEEPLY ROMANTIC, I am swept away and in love with the world, the story and our main couple..
A perfect conclusion to a must-read duology for anyone who enjoys deeply romantic stories in enchanting settings. I NEED MY PHYSICAL COPY ASAP PLEASE!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
To Dance with Death brings to conclusion a duology that will remain forever cherished in my heart. A love that began in A Dance of Lies, one of the greatest reading experiences I’ve had. I went into that book without any expectations and left it utterly exhilarated by it. It also left me with massive anticipation for this sequel. A sequel I heartily loved, even if I did find myself at times stressed reading but that just fortifies how much I came to care for our leads. They had me in love, in awe, and yes, even in stress, and maybe that’s the way it should be.
This sequel continues the determination left in Vasalie in the last book: she will do whatever it takes to restore Anton’s memories so he can retake his rightful place as king to save his people from an incoming war.
Vasalie shines so bright and beautiful within this journey. This is her journey to reclaim her agency and power, and she does so with so much resolve. She is a character full of resilience. Even with a wounded heart, even if she believes her own future may be bleak, she still fights for her causes. In this case, to see Anton restored and a kingdom saved. Similarly to Anton, she is willing to sacrifice anything and everything to achieve her selfless goals. Even at the cost of heartbreak. She courageously pushes forward through every rip of her heart, but she also steadies herself as she fights to get Anton’s memories back. Actually, it becomes less about his memories and more about finding his true self still at his core, a core she hopes to unbury so he can lead and save his people as both he and they deserve. Over the course of these two books, Vasalie has flourished as a heroine, all while remaining a soft heroine, one full of love, courage, kindness, and a resiliency that inspires.
I’m always nervous about amnesia plots, but this one began quite well. I felt so badly for Vasalie as she attempted to navigate the underworld of souls to fully restore Anton. She has to witness his countless dalliances along with a disposition so unlike his true self, one presenting as uncaring and unfeeling, and it wounded her over and over. I appreciated how the narrative always acknowledged and validated how hurt she is over this even as she understands the Anton she witnesses is not his true self. And I understood too, but I also found myself quite frustrated at how long this cycle went on for. I just missed the true Anton and wished the amnesia plot didn’t take as long as it did to resolve, because for too much of this work, Anton felt like a different character. And yes it makes sense given what he sacrificed to save Vasalie, but I cannot help but miss the playful rakish charmer who cares so deeply and selflessly. In his place is a broody, self-destructive, and at times cold man that did not shine quite the same. One whose true self is masked similarly as he was in his initial encounters with Vasalie, but the mask felt too different here. He becomes too unfamiliar. To be fair, Anton is without certain memories, and it has affected the way he wears his mask this go around. Not to mention, given all that has transpired, it’s impossible not to be unchanged in some way, regardless of lost memories. This book leans towards a heavier tone, amplified by its main setting of death which may contribute to the darker shift in Anton’s character. He now resides in a realm where souls exist but slowly lose their connection to previous life and loves. Anton is still mortal and of flesh but the parallels between the souls and his own is poignant, and we see how he tries to sever all connections to languish in a place of escape. An escape from discovering what he has lost, or perhaps buried deep within himself. And I get it and I appreciated the purpose of the amnesia plot, but it simply resided in the narrative for far too long and I missed Anton for all of it. Which in turn affected my engagement and enjoyment of the romance.
A romance I still love, even if I felt it missing a component, it’s a love I never wavered in believing. Seeing Vasalie never give up on Anton, no matter how steep the hill to climb, is the stuff of true love. She believes in him, just as much as he did in her when their journey began.
One of my favorite parts of the first book is the rich supporting cast, it feels a lot more condensed this go around, at times I missed certain characters who only pop up in the end, but at the same time, having a bit more focus on a character like Sundar is a very welcome addition. He was one of the highlights for me! And with the love story at the heart of this journey, I do appreciate the main focus stays on Vasalie and Anton. Who receive a beautifully fitting and highly earned ending. I was so happy with the ending, in fact! The ending is perfect!
All in all I loved it, it does not shine quite as bright as its predecessor but it beautifully completes an experience I’ll treasure always.
Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
_____
Quick thoughts before full review: Another one where I’m torn on how to rate. I loved it, I loved it so much but there’s a certain thing that frustrated me almost as much and I’m not sure if I really shook it off by story’s end. But still…I can confidently say I loved it. Not as much as the first book, but still an overall beautiful sequel (minus the thing that frustrated me arghhhh) and a duology I’ll forever treasure.!
This sequel continues the determination left in Vasalie in the last book: she will do whatever it takes to restore Anton’s memories so he can retake his rightful place as king to save his people from an incoming war.
Vasalie shines so bright and beautiful within this journey. This is her journey to reclaim her agency and power, and she does so with so much resolve. She is a character full of resilience. Even with a wounded heart, even if she believes her own future may be bleak, she still fights for her causes. In this case, to see Anton restored and a kingdom saved. Similarly to Anton, she is willing to sacrifice anything and everything to achieve her selfless goals. Even at the cost of heartbreak. She courageously pushes forward through every rip of her heart, but she also steadies herself as she fights to get Anton’s memories back. Actually, it becomes less about his memories and more about finding his true self still at his core, a core she hopes to unbury so he can lead and save his people as both he and they deserve. Over the course of these two books, Vasalie has flourished as a heroine, all while remaining a soft heroine, one full of love, courage, kindness, and a resiliency that inspires.
I’m always nervous about amnesia plots, but this one began quite well. I felt so badly for Vasalie as she attempted to navigate the underworld of souls to fully restore Anton. She has to witness his countless dalliances along with a disposition so unlike his true self, one presenting as uncaring and unfeeling, and it wounded her over and over. I appreciated how the narrative always acknowledged and validated how hurt she is over this even as she understands the Anton she witnesses is not his true self. And I understood too, but I also found myself quite frustrated at how long this cycle went on for. I just missed the true Anton and wished the amnesia plot didn’t take as long as it did to resolve, because for too much of this work, Anton felt like a different character. And yes it makes sense given what he sacrificed to save Vasalie, but I cannot help but miss the playful rakish charmer who cares so deeply and selflessly. In his place is a broody, self-destructive, and at times cold man that did not shine quite the same. One whose true self is masked similarly as he was in his initial encounters with Vasalie, but the mask felt too different here. He becomes too unfamiliar. To be fair, Anton is without certain memories, and it has affected the way he wears his mask this go around. Not to mention, given all that has transpired, it’s impossible not to be unchanged in some way, regardless of lost memories. This book leans towards a heavier tone, amplified by its main setting of death which may contribute to the darker shift in Anton’s character. He now resides in a realm where souls exist but slowly lose their connection to previous life and loves. Anton is still mortal and of flesh but the parallels between the souls and his own is poignant, and we see how he tries to sever all connections to languish in a place of escape. An escape from discovering what he has lost, or perhaps buried deep within himself. And I get it and I appreciated the purpose of the amnesia plot, but it simply resided in the narrative for far too long and I missed Anton for all of it. Which in turn affected my engagement and enjoyment of the romance.
A romance I still love, even if I felt it missing a component, it’s a love I never wavered in believing. Seeing Vasalie never give up on Anton, no matter how steep the hill to climb, is the stuff of true love. She believes in him, just as much as he did in her when their journey began.
One of my favorite parts of the first book is the rich supporting cast, it feels a lot more condensed this go around, at times I missed certain characters who only pop up in the end, but at the same time, having a bit more focus on a character like Sundar is a very welcome addition. He was one of the highlights for me! And with the love story at the heart of this journey, I do appreciate the main focus stays on Vasalie and Anton. Who receive a beautifully fitting and highly earned ending. I was so happy with the ending, in fact! The ending is perfect!
All in all I loved it, it does not shine quite as bright as its predecessor but it beautifully completes an experience I’ll treasure always.
Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
_____
Quick thoughts before full review: Another one where I’m torn on how to rate. I loved it, I loved it so much but there’s a certain thing that frustrated me almost as much and I’m not sure if I really shook it off by story’s end. But still…I can confidently say I loved it. Not as much as the first book, but still an overall beautiful sequel (minus the thing that frustrated me arghhhh) and a duology I’ll forever treasure.!
February 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
🫶🏽 Summary:
To Dance with Death is the conclusion to the A Dance of Lies duology, following Vasalie as the cost of sacrifice finally comes due. With the realm on the brink of war and the man she loves lost to the underworld, Vasalie is forced to do the unthinkable: descend into Death’s domain to reclaim what was taken and try to restore what was broken.
As gods, kings, and old enemies move their pieces, Vasalie must navigate shifting alliances, dangerous bargains, and truths that cut deeper than any blade. The underworld reveals its own rules, its own cruelties, and its own twisted sense of justice and not everyone who returns is the same as they were before.
This is a story about love tested by loss, memory, and power, about choosing hope in the face of impossible odds, and about whether saving the world is worth the pieces of your heart it may cost.
🖤 Vibes:
💀 Journey to the underworld
👑 Queen energy FMC
🖤 Love tested by sacrifice
🔥 High-stakes romantic fantasy
🕯️ Gods, death, and dangerous bargains
🗡️ Political tension & looming war
💔 Memory loss / changed lover
🌒 Dark fantasy atmosphere
✨ Found family & purposeful side characters
⚔️ Fate vs. choice
😭 Emotional damage (but in a cathartic way)
🌹 Bittersweet → hopeful payoff
📝 My Review:
Wow. I knew after I finished the first book that I had to jump straight into the second, and I’m so thankful to NetGalley and Del Rey for allowing me an ARC copy. This book doesn’t come out until August 4th, 2026, but wow… it is absolutely worth the wait.
We continue the story with Vasalie and Anton, and can I just say 👸🏻 she is a literal queen. The way Illian comes back into play in this book and how she handles him? Major boss energy. We also get to learn so much more about the underworld and what it means to deal with Death, and honestly, I feel like the way Brittney wrote this was really unique within the romantic fantasy genre.
There were twists and turns I genuinely did not expect, and I loved that every single character served a purpose in the story. Nothing felt wasted. It all came together in a way that made the world feel fuller and more complete.
And that ending… it absolutely tore me up. Everything turned out in such a perfect, almost fairytale way… everything I wanted to happen, happened exactly how it should have by the end. The part with the codex coming into play literally wrecked me.
Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say this: if you loved the first book, you will absolutely love this one. We get new settings, deeper character development, and a chance to truly understand even the most unloved characters.
🫶🏽 Summary:
To Dance with Death is the conclusion to the A Dance of Lies duology, following Vasalie as the cost of sacrifice finally comes due. With the realm on the brink of war and the man she loves lost to the underworld, Vasalie is forced to do the unthinkable: descend into Death’s domain to reclaim what was taken and try to restore what was broken.
As gods, kings, and old enemies move their pieces, Vasalie must navigate shifting alliances, dangerous bargains, and truths that cut deeper than any blade. The underworld reveals its own rules, its own cruelties, and its own twisted sense of justice and not everyone who returns is the same as they were before.
This is a story about love tested by loss, memory, and power, about choosing hope in the face of impossible odds, and about whether saving the world is worth the pieces of your heart it may cost.
🖤 Vibes:
💀 Journey to the underworld
👑 Queen energy FMC
🖤 Love tested by sacrifice
🔥 High-stakes romantic fantasy
🕯️ Gods, death, and dangerous bargains
🗡️ Political tension & looming war
💔 Memory loss / changed lover
🌒 Dark fantasy atmosphere
✨ Found family & purposeful side characters
⚔️ Fate vs. choice
😭 Emotional damage (but in a cathartic way)
🌹 Bittersweet → hopeful payoff
📝 My Review:
Wow. I knew after I finished the first book that I had to jump straight into the second, and I’m so thankful to NetGalley and Del Rey for allowing me an ARC copy. This book doesn’t come out until August 4th, 2026, but wow… it is absolutely worth the wait.
We continue the story with Vasalie and Anton, and can I just say 👸🏻 she is a literal queen. The way Illian comes back into play in this book and how she handles him? Major boss energy. We also get to learn so much more about the underworld and what it means to deal with Death, and honestly, I feel like the way Brittney wrote this was really unique within the romantic fantasy genre.
There were twists and turns I genuinely did not expect, and I loved that every single character served a purpose in the story. Nothing felt wasted. It all came together in a way that made the world feel fuller and more complete.
And that ending… it absolutely tore me up. Everything turned out in such a perfect, almost fairytale way… everything I wanted to happen, happened exactly how it should have by the end. The part with the codex coming into play literally wrecked me.
Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say this: if you loved the first book, you will absolutely love this one. We get new settings, deeper character development, and a chance to truly understand even the most unloved characters.
April 23, 2026
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
To Dance With Death is a seamless part two to its predecessor that matches the captivating storyline and one-of-a-kind emotional connection I have had with all these characters. Needless to say, Arena knows exactly how to make her audience truly know loyalty, tragedy, and love.
As a sequel warrants, we get to explore new areas that expand the worldbuilding and new relationships between different characters, but as a five-star sequel accomplishes, everything new is written with purpose. To Dance with Death does this and more.
While I’m not able to elaborate on any specific scenes, I will say that there multiple moments I felt my heart actually beat a little faster or twist in trepidation. For a story to truly connect with the soul like this happens very rarely for me, though for it to happen twice with both volumes is truly remarkable.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy). This review is based off of an uncorrected proof.
To Dance With Death is a seamless part two to its predecessor that matches the captivating storyline and one-of-a-kind emotional connection I have had with all these characters. Needless to say, Arena knows exactly how to make her audience truly know loyalty, tragedy, and love.
As a sequel warrants, we get to explore new areas that expand the worldbuilding and new relationships between different characters, but as a five-star sequel accomplishes, everything new is written with purpose. To Dance with Death does this and more.
While I’m not able to elaborate on any specific scenes, I will say that there multiple moments I felt my heart actually beat a little faster or twist in trepidation. For a story to truly connect with the soul like this happens very rarely for me, though for it to happen twice with both volumes is truly remarkable.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy). This review is based off of an uncorrected proof.
February 23, 2026
Five enthusiastic stars for To Dance with Death, the beautiful conclusion to the epic duology by Brittney Arena.
Immediately back into this story with book 2, like I’d only set it down yesterday. (Who could forget the court dancer to the king who was thrown into a dungeon for two years and then forced into espionage for a man she despises?) it begins with a whisper of mystery. Secret tunnels. Danger. You will be hooked before you even settle into your chair.
At first, this book felt like a vibe shift from the first, different realm, different tone, different atmosphere, until suddenly it was exactly everything I loved before, and I was kicking my feet at how good it was.
Vasalie continues to be one of my favourite kinds of heroines: resourceful, observant, resilient. She doesn’t just survive—she thinks. She adapts. She endures.
And the tension? The missing memories trope is always delicious, but here it was exquisitely done. I was on the edge of my seat devouring every interaction. The “leaning”. The almosts. The charged proximity. When he calls her, “a persistent little miscreant.” 🤣❤️ Banter and yearning in perfect balance.
But the ending. It’s been a LONG time since I cried happy tears at a book (I am not a crier). This one touched my heart, deeply. Self-sacrificing love conquering absolutely everything no matter the cost.
This duology was perfect for me: romantic, tense, mysterious, and ultimately deeply satisfying. One of my favourite reads of the year, and one I will absolutely dance back to again.
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey / Random House for this Advance Readers Copy, thrilled to read this early!
Immediately back into this story with book 2, like I’d only set it down yesterday. (Who could forget the court dancer to the king who was thrown into a dungeon for two years and then forced into espionage for a man she despises?) it begins with a whisper of mystery. Secret tunnels. Danger. You will be hooked before you even settle into your chair.
At first, this book felt like a vibe shift from the first, different realm, different tone, different atmosphere, until suddenly it was exactly everything I loved before, and I was kicking my feet at how good it was.
Vasalie continues to be one of my favourite kinds of heroines: resourceful, observant, resilient. She doesn’t just survive—she thinks. She adapts. She endures.
And the tension? The missing memories trope is always delicious, but here it was exquisitely done. I was on the edge of my seat devouring every interaction. The “leaning”. The almosts. The charged proximity. When he calls her, “a persistent little miscreant.” 🤣❤️ Banter and yearning in perfect balance.
But the ending. It’s been a LONG time since I cried happy tears at a book (I am not a crier). This one touched my heart, deeply. Self-sacrificing love conquering absolutely everything no matter the cost.
This duology was perfect for me: romantic, tense, mysterious, and ultimately deeply satisfying. One of my favourite reads of the year, and one I will absolutely dance back to again.
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey / Random House for this Advance Readers Copy, thrilled to read this early!
April 6, 2026
✨2.5 stars ✨
“Vasalie, I think I will keep you forever. Would that be all right with you?”
This review may contain spoilers for book 1 ‘A Dance of Lies’ please read on with caution.
What to expect in this
* Sequel to ‘A Dance of Lies’
* Dual POV
* Romantic fantasy
* Life/death
* Political intrigue
* Memory loss
* Fates
First off, thank you to Del Rey for the e-arc copy of this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
I was super stoked to get back into this series as I adored book one.
In the first book, I absolutely loved seeing Vasalie and Anton relationship grow and Vasalie grow as a character so this book was an interesting one in far as direction take.
I’ll say it straight out, I’m not the biggest fan of the amnesia/memory loss trope. I think a lot of the time it dissolves the whole previous past development and I think that in this case, it’s kinda showing that. In this case, Antons memory loss made him a completely different person and I wasn’t the biggest fan.
It took me a little while to kind of catch my bearings and dive back into the story but I feel that Part 2 was where I was vibing the most. I felt that this is where we got most of the romantic tension and unravelling secrets which I always like.
I will say that this book was a bit of a hit or miss moment unfortunately (it’s killing me to say it). I think the book would have benefitted from more revelation moments between Anton and Vasalie rather than an all of a sudden “I remember!” (that’s not actually how it went but like you get my jist)
Unfortunately, not a win for me but 100% see where people are going to love this! There was some epic romantic scenes in this I will admit!
Check TWs and CWs
Happy reading 🤍
“Vasalie, I think I will keep you forever. Would that be all right with you?”
This review may contain spoilers for book 1 ‘A Dance of Lies’ please read on with caution.
What to expect in this
* Sequel to ‘A Dance of Lies’
* Dual POV
* Romantic fantasy
* Life/death
* Political intrigue
* Memory loss
* Fates
First off, thank you to Del Rey for the e-arc copy of this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
I was super stoked to get back into this series as I adored book one.
In the first book, I absolutely loved seeing Vasalie and Anton relationship grow and Vasalie grow as a character so this book was an interesting one in far as direction take.
I’ll say it straight out, I’m not the biggest fan of the amnesia/memory loss trope. I think a lot of the time it dissolves the whole previous past development and I think that in this case, it’s kinda showing that. In this case, Antons memory loss made him a completely different person and I wasn’t the biggest fan.
It took me a little while to kind of catch my bearings and dive back into the story but I feel that Part 2 was where I was vibing the most. I felt that this is where we got most of the romantic tension and unravelling secrets which I always like.
I will say that this book was a bit of a hit or miss moment unfortunately (it’s killing me to say it). I think the book would have benefitted from more revelation moments between Anton and Vasalie rather than an all of a sudden “I remember!” (that’s not actually how it went but like you get my jist)
Unfortunately, not a win for me but 100% see where people are going to love this! There was some epic romantic scenes in this I will admit!
Check TWs and CWs
Happy reading 🤍
June 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of A Dance of Death by Brittney Arena. I was absolutely over the moon to receive this book, and despite being in the middle of moving, I couldn't put it down!
I ended up enjoying this duology far more than I ever expected. Brittney Arena creates a compelling story full of twists and turns that kept me invested from beginning to end. One of the standout aspects of this series is the world-building. The different worlds Arena so thoughtfully brings together felt rich, unique, and fully realized. In fact, I would happily read an entire backstory book dedicated to each of them. There is so much depth to the setting, and it added another layer of enjoyment to the story.
My biggest struggle with this book was Vasalie. In the first book, she had developed into a character I was truly rooting for, but in this installment, I found her much harder to like. Her constant pining for Anton and repeatedly having to watch him with other women became frustrating and, honestly, heartbreaking. It happened so often that I found myself hurting for her. In a way, I think that speaks to the strength of the writing—you really feel what the characters are going through. At the same time, it made me think less of Vasalie, and by the end I wasn't as emotionally invested in her as I expected to be. I understand that Anton didn't remember her, but it was still difficult to watch.
I also wished the side characters had been given a little more room to shine. They all felt like they were on the verge of being fully developed, and I kept wanting more from each of them. One thing I loved about the first book was how much attention was given to the wider cast, and I felt that was missing somewhat here.
That said, I really appreciated the ending. It surprised me in such a positive way, which is becoming increasingly rare for me as a reader. Even more than that, I loved how thoroughly the story was wrapped up. So many books leave me wanting more answers or feeling like loose ends remain, but this ending gave me the closure I needed while still leaving me satisfied with the journey.
Overall, this was an engaging conclusion to the duology with excellent world-building, plenty of surprises, and a satisfying ending. While I had some frustrations with the character development, I still found it to be an enjoyable and memorable read.
I ended up enjoying this duology far more than I ever expected. Brittney Arena creates a compelling story full of twists and turns that kept me invested from beginning to end. One of the standout aspects of this series is the world-building. The different worlds Arena so thoughtfully brings together felt rich, unique, and fully realized. In fact, I would happily read an entire backstory book dedicated to each of them. There is so much depth to the setting, and it added another layer of enjoyment to the story.
My biggest struggle with this book was Vasalie. In the first book, she had developed into a character I was truly rooting for, but in this installment, I found her much harder to like. Her constant pining for Anton and repeatedly having to watch him with other women became frustrating and, honestly, heartbreaking. It happened so often that I found myself hurting for her. In a way, I think that speaks to the strength of the writing—you really feel what the characters are going through. At the same time, it made me think less of Vasalie, and by the end I wasn't as emotionally invested in her as I expected to be. I understand that Anton didn't remember her, but it was still difficult to watch.
I also wished the side characters had been given a little more room to shine. They all felt like they were on the verge of being fully developed, and I kept wanting more from each of them. One thing I loved about the first book was how much attention was given to the wider cast, and I felt that was missing somewhat here.
That said, I really appreciated the ending. It surprised me in such a positive way, which is becoming increasingly rare for me as a reader. Even more than that, I loved how thoroughly the story was wrapped up. So many books leave me wanting more answers or feeling like loose ends remain, but this ending gave me the closure I needed while still leaving me satisfied with the journey.
Overall, this was an engaging conclusion to the duology with excellent world-building, plenty of surprises, and a satisfying ending. While I had some frustrations with the character development, I still found it to be an enjoyable and memorable read.
July 8, 2026
GOD TIER. INCREDIBLE. GIVE ME FIVE HUNDRED.
I just finished this after binging it almost in one sitting and now that my eyes have stopped leaking I can write a real review. I am in AWE. This book was so magical and heartwarming and painful and and and!!!! I cannot get over it.
After absolutely loving A Dance of Lies last year, I had really high hopes for this one and BRITTNEY KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.
I think I spent the last 15% in tears. I truly can’t think of a better way to have wrapped up the story and I already miss these characters.
It’s such a beautifully unique and fresh romantic fantasy that everyone needs to read immediately. I cannot wait to see what Brittney writes next.
Thank you so much to Del Rey for the earc!! Pub day is 8/4, so only a few more weeks!
I just finished this after binging it almost in one sitting and now that my eyes have stopped leaking I can write a real review. I am in AWE. This book was so magical and heartwarming and painful and and and!!!! I cannot get over it.
After absolutely loving A Dance of Lies last year, I had really high hopes for this one and BRITTNEY KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.
I think I spent the last 15% in tears. I truly can’t think of a better way to have wrapped up the story and I already miss these characters.
It’s such a beautifully unique and fresh romantic fantasy that everyone needs to read immediately. I cannot wait to see what Brittney writes next.
Thank you so much to Del Rey for the earc!! Pub day is 8/4, so only a few more weeks!
![Profile Image for Aleksandra [semi hiatus].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1755513187i/65058031._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
dnr
July 7, 2026this is actually disgusting
Texa’s review to book 1 has it all:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Not safe
Texa’s review to book 1 has it all:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Not safe
March 3, 2026
Far too soon for a full review, but this was everything.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
March 22, 2026
•••
“Through this, I have learned that love does not erase pain. But real love, true love, makes it all worth it. It is a different kind of healing but healing all the same.”
If I could, I would give this duology 6/5 stars. That’s how much I loved it. It’s hard to put into words the way this book made me feel. There was so much there… it is deep and rich and just full of life. There are struggles and pain and sacrifice, yet also triumphs and joy. The writing style is so eloquent and just draws you in. I was sad when the story ended because I want so much more of this author’s writing.
To write such a deep and compelling story about life and death and make it a book hard to put down- that is some talent there.
I honestly can’t say too much about this book without giving spoilers, but let me just say that if you picked up book one and loved it, then you will love this one just as much. The characters are so well-defined and there’s so much depth to each of them. There’s no feeling of characters being glossed over as I sometimes find in books. It doesn’t feel as though you’re rushing to the end of the book, but it also doesn’t drag at all. The pace is perfect. The love story is break-taking. It’s a story of healing, self-discovery and strength.
I’m so glad I preordered this book because it will be one I definitely plan to reread.
•sacrificial love
•journey to the underworld
•dangerous bargains
•dark fantasy
•memory loss
•illness rep
•found family
•slow burn romance
•high-stakes romantasy
•politics and war
•bittersweet/emotional
CW: at least 15 uses of the word d-mn, a handful of other words used throughout the book, death, murder, lies, talk of f debauchery, chronic pain, disability, imprisonment,
Note: one cracked door scene in chapter 35 (obvious what is happening but not very explicit, and easy to skip)
Thanks to NetGalley and Brittney Arena for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
•••
“Through this, I have learned that love does not erase pain. But real love, true love, makes it all worth it. It is a different kind of healing but healing all the same.”
If I could, I would give this duology 6/5 stars. That’s how much I loved it. It’s hard to put into words the way this book made me feel. There was so much there… it is deep and rich and just full of life. There are struggles and pain and sacrifice, yet also triumphs and joy. The writing style is so eloquent and just draws you in. I was sad when the story ended because I want so much more of this author’s writing.
To write such a deep and compelling story about life and death and make it a book hard to put down- that is some talent there.
I honestly can’t say too much about this book without giving spoilers, but let me just say that if you picked up book one and loved it, then you will love this one just as much. The characters are so well-defined and there’s so much depth to each of them. There’s no feeling of characters being glossed over as I sometimes find in books. It doesn’t feel as though you’re rushing to the end of the book, but it also doesn’t drag at all. The pace is perfect. The love story is break-taking. It’s a story of healing, self-discovery and strength.
I’m so glad I preordered this book because it will be one I definitely plan to reread.
•sacrificial love
•journey to the underworld
•dangerous bargains
•dark fantasy
•memory loss
•illness rep
•found family
•slow burn romance
•high-stakes romantasy
•politics and war
•bittersweet/emotional
CW: at least 15 uses of the word d-mn, a handful of other words used throughout the book, death, murder, lies, talk of f debauchery, chronic pain, disability, imprisonment,
Note: one cracked door scene in chapter 35 (obvious what is happening but not very explicit, and easy to skip)
Thanks to NetGalley and Brittney Arena for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
•••
February 21, 2026
how will i ever read another book after experiencing such incredible writing and storytelling from brittney? this was the most perfect example of a sequel done well. i was truly truly truly enamoured every single page. my emotions went on a ride that is for sure.
to dance with death picked up right where a dance of lies left, and i was immediately sucked right back into the world. vas is one of the strongest fmcs i have ever read, both mentally and with the chronic pain she lives with day to day. this duology means so much to me to feel seen and be able to a relate to a character who is constantly faced with invisible pain. the representation is so important and sheds a light on a topic that is not always given the attention it deserves. and anton… down bad even with no memories? CARRYING HER because he sensed her pain. he is the standard.
i also loved the yearning from vas, it made the plot all the more compelling. and yes it was a slow burn but the pay of was beyond worth it. i couldn’t part with my kindle for the last 40% of the book. there is nothing i can fault honestly, this duology has forever changed me for the better.
brittney arena please write more books asap, i don’t think i can live without the magic you create.
thank you so much del rey and brittney for the e-arc, i am so so so grateful.
to dance with death picked up right where a dance of lies left, and i was immediately sucked right back into the world. vas is one of the strongest fmcs i have ever read, both mentally and with the chronic pain she lives with day to day. this duology means so much to me to feel seen and be able to a relate to a character who is constantly faced with invisible pain. the representation is so important and sheds a light on a topic that is not always given the attention it deserves. and anton… down bad even with no memories? CARRYING HER because he sensed her pain. he is the standard.
i also loved the yearning from vas, it made the plot all the more compelling. and yes it was a slow burn but the pay of was beyond worth it. i couldn’t part with my kindle for the last 40% of the book. there is nothing i can fault honestly, this duology has forever changed me for the better.
brittney arena please write more books asap, i don’t think i can live without the magic you create.
thank you so much del rey and brittney for the e-arc, i am so so so grateful.
March 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc! Spoilers ahead:
I finished the first book in this duology, A Dance of Lies, around July last year and thought it was okay. Nothing too exciting, yet it kept me reading. I would say it’s the same with To Dance with Death.
After the cliffhanger of the first book, I wanted to get my hands on the next book to get some closure. And closure we got. While I love me a happy ending, I’m honestly not sold on it.
First off - Vasalie, she drove me mad. She already made me furious in the first book. Every few pages, she is described as this super fragile, tiny woman. Literally walking up two floors had her almost fainting - but then she constantly continues to surpass herself. Basically every dance seemed to be flawless, she had no problem running away from guards chasing her and literally fought in a war.
I love to see disability and diversity in books, but it made absolutely no sense for Vasalie to keep conquering it all.
Anton - the highlight of the book. He was funny and vigilant, soft yet stubborn. But: why did I have to read 400 pages of Vasalie trying to get him to remember his past life, when he had her codex right from the beginning to recollect his memories? I‘m also not convinced how he suddenly went from wanting to jump Vasalie‘s bones to being deeply in love with her. It wasn’t a process, it was like a switch had been flipped. Meh.
Straight to the war now. The war was so minimally mentioned that it did not have the impact it was supposed to have. During those few pages, Vasalie quickly saved them all and it was already over.
While I’m glad I got the closure I wanted, this lacked suspense and action for me. Everything worked out way too easily in everyone‘s favor.
I finished the first book in this duology, A Dance of Lies, around July last year and thought it was okay. Nothing too exciting, yet it kept me reading. I would say it’s the same with To Dance with Death.
After the cliffhanger of the first book, I wanted to get my hands on the next book to get some closure. And closure we got. While I love me a happy ending, I’m honestly not sold on it.
First off - Vasalie, she drove me mad. She already made me furious in the first book. Every few pages, she is described as this super fragile, tiny woman. Literally walking up two floors had her almost fainting - but then she constantly continues to surpass herself. Basically every dance seemed to be flawless, she had no problem running away from guards chasing her and literally fought in a war.
I love to see disability and diversity in books, but it made absolutely no sense for Vasalie to keep conquering it all.
Anton - the highlight of the book. He was funny and vigilant, soft yet stubborn. But: why did I have to read 400 pages of Vasalie trying to get him to remember his past life, when he had her codex right from the beginning to recollect his memories? I‘m also not convinced how he suddenly went from wanting to jump Vasalie‘s bones to being deeply in love with her. It wasn’t a process, it was like a switch had been flipped. Meh.
Straight to the war now. The war was so minimally mentioned that it did not have the impact it was supposed to have. During those few pages, Vasalie quickly saved them all and it was already over.
While I’m glad I got the closure I wanted, this lacked suspense and action for me. Everything worked out way too easily in everyone‘s favor.
May 18, 2026
⋆˙⟡ ── ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ 3.4⭐️
ⓘ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊.
I am so pleased to have received this much anticipated ARC from Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore to conclude the beloved Edge of Darkness duology.
First things first, Brittney is the GOAT for providing a recap of A Dance of Lies to refresh readers of what we may have forgotten.
I ate up Book One! With that said, I really wanted this to live up to what I felt reading that…unfortunately, it didn’t. I enjoyed parts of it, but I did feel it was a bit repetitive and a lot of time was spent reminding readers of Vasalie’s goal: to help restore Anton’s memories and why it was necessary.
Most of the book is told from Vasalie’s POV, and we get a few from Anton’s. We spent most of the time in the Underworld with them and not with everyone we loved (and hated) from Book One, which was disappointing. This book spends more time exploring their relationship that it does tackling the political tensions from the first book, which I personally enjoyed more. The journey is long, and the payoff wasn’t as great as I had anticipated. While everything came together at the end, Moranya’s added story was a bit…much. While it was necessary to wrap that up, I personally wasn’t a fan.
All in all, it was good, but I was a little underwhelmed with the journey.
ⓘ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊.
I am so pleased to have received this much anticipated ARC from Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore to conclude the beloved Edge of Darkness duology.
First things first, Brittney is the GOAT for providing a recap of A Dance of Lies to refresh readers of what we may have forgotten.
I ate up Book One! With that said, I really wanted this to live up to what I felt reading that…unfortunately, it didn’t. I enjoyed parts of it, but I did feel it was a bit repetitive and a lot of time was spent reminding readers of Vasalie’s goal: to help restore Anton’s memories and why it was necessary.
Most of the book is told from Vasalie’s POV, and we get a few from Anton’s. We spent most of the time in the Underworld with them and not with everyone we loved (and hated) from Book One, which was disappointing. This book spends more time exploring their relationship that it does tackling the political tensions from the first book, which I personally enjoyed more. The journey is long, and the payoff wasn’t as great as I had anticipated. While everything came together at the end, Moranya’s added story was a bit…much. While it was necessary to wrap that up, I personally wasn’t a fan.
All in all, it was good, but I was a little underwhelmed with the journey.
May 22, 2026
trigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
First of all, A HUGE THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!!
ALSO, beware of spoilers for the first book in this series!!
I have some mixed opinions of this book. The first 65% of the book made me think "WOW! This might be one of my new favorite book series!" But then the rest of the book happened...
I am not saying that the rest of the story was bad at all! But I feel like it didn't meet my expectations, especially because of how much I liked the first book.
In the first installment of the duology, I feel like Vasalie was shown to be much more of a fierce, strong, independent character than she was here. This book felt like the entire story was about her relationship with Anton and her desires to make him remember her. And I think the author did an okay job explaining in the beginning why it was so important to get Anton's memories back. But I feel like, because so much of the story revolved around them as a couple and Vasalie's desire to get him back, it really dimmed her character and I feel like it didn't do justice to all the time we spent developing Vasalie in the first book.
I also felt like the ending was a bit underdeveloped and felt too fast-paced compared to the rest of the book. I feel like it wasn't as impactful or foreshadowed as much as it should have been.
I did really like some of the twists, though, and I overall thought this book was really good! I loved how original it felt in an oversaturated market of similar-feeling-books! So much love for this series as a whole!!!
_________________book info____________________
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance, Fiction
Recommended Age Rating: 15+
Reasons Why: Violence, Romance
Overall Rating: B++++
First of all, A HUGE THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!!
ALSO, beware of spoilers for the first book in this series!!
I have some mixed opinions of this book. The first 65% of the book made me think "WOW! This might be one of my new favorite book series!" But then the rest of the book happened...
I am not saying that the rest of the story was bad at all! But I feel like it didn't meet my expectations, especially because of how much I liked the first book.
In the first installment of the duology, I feel like Vasalie was shown to be much more of a fierce, strong, independent character than she was here. This book felt like the entire story was about her relationship with Anton and her desires to make him remember her. And I think the author did an okay job explaining in the beginning why it was so important to get Anton's memories back. But I feel like, because so much of the story revolved around them as a couple and Vasalie's desire to get him back, it really dimmed her character and I feel like it didn't do justice to all the time we spent developing Vasalie in the first book.
I also felt like the ending was a bit underdeveloped and felt too fast-paced compared to the rest of the book. I feel like it wasn't as impactful or foreshadowed as much as it should have been.
I did really like some of the twists, though, and I overall thought this book was really good! I loved how original it felt in an oversaturated market of similar-feeling-books! So much love for this series as a whole!!!
_________________book info____________________
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance, Fiction
Recommended Age Rating: 15+
Reasons Why: Violence, Romance
Overall Rating: B++++
March 30, 2026
Thank You to Del Rey for sending me this NetGalley E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adored this ending it was an incredible conclusion to the duology and I absolutely just love Brittney’s lyrical writing.
Something I wish was if maybe there was a little more flow to the story sometimes the time jumps just didn’t flow too well for my tastes and there were some points in the book that felt slightly forced and I also wish we saw more of the background characters as the deaths felt very secondary to the main plot of the book. But overall I really enjoyed this book and well done to Brittney for completing the series!
I absolutely adored this ending it was an incredible conclusion to the duology and I absolutely just love Brittney’s lyrical writing.
Something I wish was if maybe there was a little more flow to the story sometimes the time jumps just didn’t flow too well for my tastes and there were some points in the book that felt slightly forced and I also wish we saw more of the background characters as the deaths felt very secondary to the main plot of the book. But overall I really enjoyed this book and well done to Brittney for completing the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2026
I am so glad I got to read this early ✨
This duology is seriously under hyped!!!
This duology is seriously under hyped!!!
Want to Read
April 2, 2026Another absolute stunning cover!!
My most anticipated release of 2026 for sure!
My most anticipated release of 2026 for sure!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much to NetGalley, DelRey publishing and the phenomenal Brittney Arena for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.
Oh.
My.
Gosh.
Can I give this book eleventy billion stars? Because I want to! Everything about this book was completely and totally perfect and I had full body chills when I finished reading it! I stayed up entirely too late finishing it and just wanted to cry all the happy tears at the conclusion!
Okay, first of all, Brittney, THANK YOU for the recap! I just finished an ADOL reread so everything was nice and fresh but this is so nice for being able to pick up book 2 without having to reread book 1.
The prose in this book is beyond gorgeous. I pictured everything in my head and I want to live in this book. The way the dance numbers are described is some of the most beautiful writing I've ever had the privilege of reading! The architecture, the scenery, the clothes were all so well described.
Now, Vasalie and Anton! My sweeties! I was really nervous about how things were going to go down after the cliffhanger in A Dance of Lies. The romance and getting to see it all happen again had me kicking my feet up and squealing! I can't even pick my favorite quotes because there's so many and I don't want to spoil anything. And their ending was utter perfection! (Have I said how perfect this book is? 🤣)
The world building, the lore, the politics, the expansion of the locations and the magic were all so well done! My favorite part was Vasalie coming more into her power and belief in herself and her accomplishments.
I adored the new characters (well, most of them, looking at you Dahlia. Don't mess with Anton and Vasalie!) and also appreciated that we got to see our favorites from A Dance of Lies.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. The disability rep, the romance, the writing, everything. And the ending was everything I've ever needed. I don't even know how to stop talking about it long enough to post this review!
This book felt like falling in love on a warm Spring day. I want to bottle up this feeling and bask in this book until the end of time. I will be shouting from the rooftops for everyone to read this book until the end of time. Thank you, thank you, thank you Brittney for these characters and sharing their story. I cannot wait to see what you write next!!!
Oh.
My.
Gosh.
Can I give this book eleventy billion stars? Because I want to! Everything about this book was completely and totally perfect and I had full body chills when I finished reading it! I stayed up entirely too late finishing it and just wanted to cry all the happy tears at the conclusion!
Okay, first of all, Brittney, THANK YOU for the recap! I just finished an ADOL reread so everything was nice and fresh but this is so nice for being able to pick up book 2 without having to reread book 1.
The prose in this book is beyond gorgeous. I pictured everything in my head and I want to live in this book. The way the dance numbers are described is some of the most beautiful writing I've ever had the privilege of reading! The architecture, the scenery, the clothes were all so well described.
Now, Vasalie and Anton! My sweeties! I was really nervous about how things were going to go down after the cliffhanger in A Dance of Lies. The romance and getting to see it all happen again had me kicking my feet up and squealing! I can't even pick my favorite quotes because there's so many and I don't want to spoil anything. And their ending was utter perfection! (Have I said how perfect this book is? 🤣)
The world building, the lore, the politics, the expansion of the locations and the magic were all so well done! My favorite part was Vasalie coming more into her power and belief in herself and her accomplishments.
I adored the new characters (well, most of them, looking at you Dahlia. Don't mess with Anton and Vasalie!) and also appreciated that we got to see our favorites from A Dance of Lies.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. The disability rep, the romance, the writing, everything. And the ending was everything I've ever needed. I don't even know how to stop talking about it long enough to post this review!
This book felt like falling in love on a warm Spring day. I want to bottle up this feeling and bask in this book until the end of time. I will be shouting from the rooftops for everyone to read this book until the end of time. Thank you, thank you, thank you Brittney for these characters and sharing their story. I cannot wait to see what you write next!!!
February 28, 2026
Brittney Arena has done it again🥹🩵✨
A Dance of Lies was one of my favorite books I read last year, so when I got early access to To Dance with Death, it shot up to the top of my TBR. It is such a beautiful, phenomenal conclusion to Vasalie and Anton’s story. Again, Brittney did such a great job describing the world and setting, and I really enjoyed exploring the underworld and some of the more magical/mythological elements of the story. I also really liked seeing some inventions/technological advancements that you don’t see in a typical fantasy world! I loved Vasalie and Anton, of course, Vasalie being so strong of mind and faithful and Anton being his charming and flirtatious but also noble and kind self, and I loved watching them fall in love again. I also really loved Sundar! I honestly don’t remember him much from book one, but he was hilarious and such a girl’s girl for Vasalie and her romance woes. I really just cannot express how much I loved this story, and the ending was absolutely perfect. I can’t wait to get a copy of this book in my hands, and I can’t wait to see what Brittney Arena writes next!
Content Notes: One cracked door scene in chapter 35 (you know what’s happening, but it is not written explicitly - very Rebecca Ross style). Some mild language. Trigger warning for chronic pain/disability, imprisonment, war, and death.
Thank you to Brittney Arena, Del Rey, and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.
A Dance of Lies was one of my favorite books I read last year, so when I got early access to To Dance with Death, it shot up to the top of my TBR. It is such a beautiful, phenomenal conclusion to Vasalie and Anton’s story. Again, Brittney did such a great job describing the world and setting, and I really enjoyed exploring the underworld and some of the more magical/mythological elements of the story. I also really liked seeing some inventions/technological advancements that you don’t see in a typical fantasy world! I loved Vasalie and Anton, of course, Vasalie being so strong of mind and faithful and Anton being his charming and flirtatious but also noble and kind self, and I loved watching them fall in love again. I also really loved Sundar! I honestly don’t remember him much from book one, but he was hilarious and such a girl’s girl for Vasalie and her romance woes. I really just cannot express how much I loved this story, and the ending was absolutely perfect. I can’t wait to get a copy of this book in my hands, and I can’t wait to see what Brittney Arena writes next!
Content Notes: One cracked door scene in chapter 35 (you know what’s happening, but it is not written explicitly - very Rebecca Ross style). Some mild language. Trigger warning for chronic pain/disability, imprisonment, war, and death.
Thank you to Brittney Arena, Del Rey, and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.
June 28, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
🌶️ — An epic love story (honestly, no spice needed).
Thank you to Brittney Arena, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey, and NetGalley for the eARC!
A Dance with Death is a story of strength, determination, and sacrifice. Even in the face of deception, danger, and impossible odds, it reminds us that the people who truly love and care for us will always find a way to stand beside us.
As the sequel to A Dance of Lies, this book continues Vasalie and Anton's story, and what an emotional journey it is.
This book had my heart in my throat from beginning to end. Every twist, every setback, and every hard-earned victory had me feeling everything right alongside the characters.
As a former dancer, all of the dance references and beautifully written performance scenes held such a special place in my heart.
This story broke me in the best way before slowly putting the pieces back together. It healed something in me that I didn't even realize needed healing.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was Vasalie herself. Through her chronic pain and fatigue, she continues to embody incredible strength, resilience, and perseverance. You can truly feel the author's heart woven into her character, making her journey all the more authentic and inspiring.
I highly recommend picking this one up when it releases on August 4th. You still have plenty of time to read A Dance of Lies first—and trust me, you'll want to.
🌶️ — An epic love story (honestly, no spice needed).
Thank you to Brittney Arena, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey, and NetGalley for the eARC!
A Dance with Death is a story of strength, determination, and sacrifice. Even in the face of deception, danger, and impossible odds, it reminds us that the people who truly love and care for us will always find a way to stand beside us.
As the sequel to A Dance of Lies, this book continues Vasalie and Anton's story, and what an emotional journey it is.
This book had my heart in my throat from beginning to end. Every twist, every setback, and every hard-earned victory had me feeling everything right alongside the characters.
As a former dancer, all of the dance references and beautifully written performance scenes held such a special place in my heart.
This story broke me in the best way before slowly putting the pieces back together. It healed something in me that I didn't even realize needed healing.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was Vasalie herself. Through her chronic pain and fatigue, she continues to embody incredible strength, resilience, and perseverance. You can truly feel the author's heart woven into her character, making her journey all the more authentic and inspiring.
I highly recommend picking this one up when it releases on August 4th. You still have plenty of time to read A Dance of Lies first—and trust me, you'll want to.
February 25, 2026
4.5⭐️
Thank you Del ray, netgalley and Brittney for and ARC of this book - it made my whole year to be chosen to read and review a copy of my most anticipated release early 🖤
What a fantastic end to such a beautiful duology. The premise, plot and characters will always be one of the most unique and underrated in a heavy saturated genre.
This book was so emotionally driven, every single page was filled with pain, betrayal and neglect but also yearning, faith and determination. The characters arcs were such a string display of character growth. And the love story continued to be a slow burn with the BEST banter. Anton is that MMC
“Through this, I have learned that love does not erase pain. But real love, true love, makes it all worth it. It is a different kind of healing but healing all the same.”
Thank you Del ray, netgalley and Brittney for and ARC of this book - it made my whole year to be chosen to read and review a copy of my most anticipated release early 🖤
What a fantastic end to such a beautiful duology. The premise, plot and characters will always be one of the most unique and underrated in a heavy saturated genre.
This book was so emotionally driven, every single page was filled with pain, betrayal and neglect but also yearning, faith and determination. The characters arcs were such a string display of character growth. And the love story continued to be a slow burn with the BEST banter. Anton is that MMC
“Through this, I have learned that love does not erase pain. But real love, true love, makes it all worth it. It is a different kind of healing but healing all the same.”
March 19, 2026
4 ⭐️
It was so fun to return to these characters and finish this story. I flew through it, and the tension at times between Anton and Vasalie was *chef's kiss*...BUT. But, but, but. This wasn't the 5 star read that I had hoped it would be as much as I hate to say it.
For starters, I'm not a huge fan of the memory loss trope, so I was already a little iffy right out of the gate. This is obviously a personal preference, so I'm not knocking a star off for this alone. But I also didn't feel that the plot hit a climax where I was just absolutely immersed in the story. Any conflict that was presented seemed to be smoothed over pretty quickly, or it didn’t give you enough of a backstory to truly care in the first place. I was interested, but I found myself a little underwhelmed at times. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I didn't feel that this story wasn’t as gripping as the first.
In no way would I say this is a bad book, quite the contrary, as I did truly enjoy it- the debut just simply outshined the sequel for me.
Huge thanks to Brittney Arena, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the chance to read the advanced digital copy.
It was so fun to return to these characters and finish this story. I flew through it, and the tension at times between Anton and Vasalie was *chef's kiss*...BUT. But, but, but. This wasn't the 5 star read that I had hoped it would be as much as I hate to say it.
For starters, I'm not a huge fan of the memory loss trope, so I was already a little iffy right out of the gate. This is obviously a personal preference, so I'm not knocking a star off for this alone. But I also didn't feel that the plot hit a climax where I was just absolutely immersed in the story. Any conflict that was presented seemed to be smoothed over pretty quickly, or it didn’t give you enough of a backstory to truly care in the first place. I was interested, but I found myself a little underwhelmed at times. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I didn't feel that this story wasn’t as gripping as the first.
In no way would I say this is a bad book, quite the contrary, as I did truly enjoy it- the debut just simply outshined the sequel for me.
Huge thanks to Brittney Arena, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the chance to read the advanced digital copy.
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