Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. A Dance of Lies is situated within the recent “romantasy” boom, alongside series by authors like Sarah J. Maas. How does this book fit your expectations for the genre? Did you find the balance between the high-stakes fantasy plot and the developing romances compelling, and how does it compare to other romantasy novels you may have read?

2. What was your initial reaction to the introduction of Vasalie’s chronic illness and pain? Did you expect her condition to be magically cured by the end, and how did the novel’s focus on adaptation rather than healing shape your overall reading experience?

3. The novel concludes on a significant cliffhanger, with Vasalie vowing to save a memory-wiped Anton and expose her father. How did you feel about this ending? Did it feel like a satisfying conclusion to this part of the story, or did it leave you feeling frustrated?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Vasalie must reinvent her art form when she can no longer rely on her body’s former strength, turning her limitations into a new source of creativity. Think about a time in your own life when you had to adapt to a new set of circumstances. How did you find a different kind of resilience or creativity?

2. Trust is a scarce and dangerous commodity for Vasalie as she navigates the intentions of Illian, Anton, and Copelan. Think about how you decide who to trust in your own life. What actions or qualities make you feel that someone is worthy of your confidence, and how do those compare to the tests Vasalie faces?

3. The theme of survival at a moral cost is central to Vasalie’s story, especially when she’s forced to betray Laurent. In what ways do we see people in our own world making difficult compromises to navigate oppressive situations? What does this story suggest about the toll that such choices take?

4. What is the significance of Emilia’s glove to Vasalie? Think about an object in your own life that is a personal symbol or moral touchstone for you. How does it inspire or motivate you in your own life?

5. Brigitte encourages Vasalie by saying that scars show resilience and that she should “rise from [her] ashes” (34). How do you interpret this advice? 

6. Anton maintains a public persona as a flippant womanizer to hide his secret work and deeper loneliness. Have you ever felt the need to present a different version of yourself in certain social or professional settings? What do you think motivates such a façade?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does A Dance of Lies challenge or reinforce portrayals of characters with disabilities in the fantasy genre? In what ways does Vasalie’s journey, which centers on living with chronic illness, offer a different perspective on what it means to be a heroine?

2. Illian uses public spectacle, forged letters, and the strategic framing of innocent people to consolidate his authority. How do these tactics reflect the spread of misinformation and the performance of power in contemporary politics?

3. The novel depicts a system where powerful men like Illian and General Stova exploit vulnerable individuals, particularly women like Vasalie and Annais, as pawns in their political games. In what ways does the story serve as a commentary on systemic abuse and the fight for agency in patriarchal structures?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The complex political maneuvering and betrayals in Miridran’s court share some similarities with the power struggles in works like George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones. How did this novel’s focus on a single character’s perspective, rather than a large ensemble cast, change the way you experienced the courtly intrigue?

2. How does the meaning of dance transform for Vasalie throughout the novel? 

3. The novel contrasts the symbols of jewels and glass to define the two royal brothers. How do these recurring materials reflect the differences between the two kings?

4. Vasalie’s journey forces her into increasingly difficult moral compromises, from lying to Laurent to murdering King Rurik. How does her journey inform the theme of The Cost of Survival?

5. Do you think Illian makes a compelling antagonist? If so, how do the nuances of his character and his interactions with others inform your impression? 

6. The story’s climax shifts from political conspiracy to a supernatural bargain with the Fate of Morta. How did this transition affect your reading of the novel?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Anton’s invention, the Lensgraph, can capture objective truth in the form of stills. If you could use it to capture one scene from the book to prove the conspiracy to the Crowns’ Syndicate, which moment would you choose, and why would that single image be so powerful?

2. Imagine you’re adapting A Dance of Lies for the screen. How would you choreograph the final, symbolic dance where Vasalie embodies the Fate of Morta? What music, lighting, and movements would you use to convey its story of deception and warning?

3. The book ends as Vasalie arrives in Brisendale with her allies and evidence. If you were writing the opening of the sequel, what would be her first strategic move? How would she use her knowledge and new allies to challenge her father, now King of Brisendale?