Ah, Romantasy, the genre that seems to be taking over the book world one novel at a time. It’s an undeniable trend, with sales of science fiction and fantasy books rising by over forty per cent between 2023 and 2024 – and still climbing. So, when I spotted Brittney Arena’s A Dance of Lies, another addition to the genre, among my list of advance copies from the Hungerford Bookshop, I can’t say I was entirely surprised.

The story unfolds in a fantasy world spanning several kingdoms, though most of the action takes place in one setting: the Royal Gathering. Here, Vasalie – our protagonist – strikes a deal to become a spy for King Illian, a man she once danced for, until she was framed for murder and spent two years in prison.

Don’t worry, the book doesn’t linger on her imprisonment – the excitement kicks in right as her sentence ends, following her transformation into a spy. Enemies are made, alliances are forged, and Vasalie finds herself caught in the middle of a royal sibling feud. The question is, how much of herself is she willing to lose to win her freedom?

It dives straight in, gripping you from the very first page, joining Vasalie halfway through her story rather than at the beginning. As the novel unfolds, we backtrack in pieces, moving between past and present to uncover where it all began and how she ended up here.

The story took a different angle than I expected. We’re so used to seeing either the damsel-in-distress princess or the fierce, independent heroine who needs no one – a rags-to-riches arc or an unlikely warrior’s rise. But here, we get something else: a dancer, a crown jewel whose life is upended when she’s framed for murder, carrying a shadowy past. Vasalie works more behind the scenes, sly, calculating, not your classic “fighter”, and that twist on the usual trope was refreshing.

The ending threw in quite a plot twist, not at all what I was expecting. I appreciated that, because it’s always good to be caught off guard: especially in romantasy, which often sticks to a rigid formula and leaves little room for experimentation. Here, though, it felt like the author genuinely tried to bring something fresh to the table, at least with the main character.

I also think the representation of chronic illness and disability was handled really well, far better than another romantasy I could name (cough, cough, Fourth Wing, the wildly popular title that took the shelves by storm).

If you enjoy fantasy but aren’t looking for the heavy, high variety with dense worldbuilding, and just want a relaxed read with a touch of romance, this one’s for you. It’s easy, it’s quick, and it’s the first in a series, perfect for sinking your claws into if you’re running low on new sagas to devour.

Everyone is free to read whatever they like, in any genre. That said, this type of book is predominantly bought by women, and the stats make it clear who’s keeping the genre alive.

This novel is fun, expansive, and makes a genuine effort to break out of the carbon-copy mould we’re so used to seeing. It has a way of surprising you, in the most pleasant way.