Fairyloot Adult #41: July 2025
The theme for the July FairyLoot Adult box was revealed in early June, and to be honest, it didn’t immediately grab me. I did think the announcement illustration was stunning, but the theme itself left me a bit indifferent. For a brief moment, I even considered skipping this box. But, well… you know me by now, right? Curiosity always wins. So, of course, I looked up spoilers, read the blurb… and found myself intrigued after all. Bye-bye doubts – skipping wasn’t happening again, lol.
The July theme was Dancing with Danger, pitched as a story full of court intrigue, high stakes, fear, and desire. On paper, that sounds exciting and right up my alley. And yet, something was nagging at me. Maybe it’s a kind of saturation: lately, so many books seem to be promoted with the same buzzwords that they all start to feel interchangeable. That made me unsure of what to expect from this theme, but the blurb ultimately convinced me.
The book in question is A Dance of Lies by Brittany Arena, about a court dancer falsely accused of murder.
My protector is gone, revealed to be a monster. But I remind myself that I am not a damsel. I’m no princess bound within a tower.
I am a shadow.
Vasalie Moran was once a dancer in King Illian’s court, until he framed her for murder. Barely surviving her two years in the dungeons, she’s suddenly called to face her king. He offers her a deal: become his spy at the six-week royal Gathering and he’ll grant her freedom.
As Illian’s orders grow bloody and dangerous, forcing her to harm and betray those around her, Vasalie discovers that the monster she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster—one far closer to home. With her world threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian’s brother and greatest adversary, the infamous King of the East.
As the rivalry between brothers escalates, with Vasalie caught in the middle, the horrifying truth of her past comes to light. If she wants to survive, she must decide who to trust, who to fight for, and how much of her soul she’s willing to damn in the process.
The idea of a false accusation immediately reminded me of The Count of Monte Cristo—which makes sense. While this story will probably have little to nothing in common beyond that, the initial association was enough to spark my curiosity. On top of that, it’s refreshing to have a court dancer as the main character, something I’ve never encountered before in fantasy. And with the added spy element, it sounds like a story that will combine elegance with intrigue and tension. I’m very curious to see if the book can live up to these expectations.
The FairyLoot edition already brought the elegance with its appearance. Their cover is a variation on the original, with altered colours and some unique details. I find both versions breathtakingly beautiful and honestly can’t choose a favourite.
The standard cover immediately captivated me with its attention to detail and rich, vibrant colours. But the FairyLoot edition is just as impressive, with a fresh twist that still harmonizes perfectly with the original. That’s no surprise, as the same artist, @jasonchuangart, worked on this new edition as well. The result is two complementary jewels—different, yet each stunning in its own way.
On the reverse of the dust jacket, there’s an illustration of the main character by @gabriella.bujdoso, who has such a beautiful style—graceful yet powerful.
The hardcover itself has a gorgeous green hue, adorned with elegant illustrations by @aeadraws. What I love is how the style and chosen elements perfectly complement the cover illustrations, even though they were done by a different artist. It feels like a harmonious whole, where the cover and hardcover beautifully enhance each other.
The sprayed edges also create continuity, using elements from the cover so it feels like the illustration flows across the book. My only tiny gripe is that this effect wasn’t carried over to the top and bottom edges, which remain a solid green, but that’s really just nitpicking—overall, it still looks stunning.
Inside, @gabriella.bujdoso also created two lovely, elegant, and colourful illustrations for the endpapers. The book also comes with a bound author letter featuring a digital signature, a bonus chapter, and a ribbon bookmark.
Once again, FairyLoot has proven how exceptional they are at creating editions that are real showstoppers. This edition feels rich, carefully tailored, and packed with stunning artwork. It’s exactly why they make it so hard for me to ever skip a month—their editions are always so beautifully executed and they consistently showcase artists who create truly breathtaking illustrations. Whether all this visual splendor aligns perfectly with the story itself remains to be seen, but if the exterior is any indication, it promises to be a very special reading adventure!
Cheers,
Charlotte
