The Mouse Kingdom Blog

Category: Mouse’s Book Reviews

  • Book Review of War & Lies By T.C. Havlok

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.

    War & Lies by T.C. Havlok is a tragic reverse harem romantasy that completely pulled me in and then emotionally wrecked me in the best (and worst) way. It follows Kiraly, whose life is already unraveling before a traumatic accident leaves her stranded in Atalan, a brutal, war-torn world filled with vampires, demons, and wolf shifters. Her only goal is simple: find a way back home. Actually achieving that? Not so simple.

    From the start, I felt immersed in Kiraly’s confusion and fear. Waking up in a world that shouldn’t exist, surrounded by people who don’t fully trust her (and who she definitely doesn’t trust either), creates a strong emotional hook. The skepticism between Kiraly and the men around her felt natural, and watching those dynamics evolve was one of the most engaging parts of the story. Kain, Tavish, Darren, and Readas each bring something distinct to the table, and their growing connection to Kiraly adds both tension and complexity.

    The world-building is a standout. Atalan feels vivid and alive, with descriptions that made it easy to picture every scene. That said, the same level of detail extends to the violence this is not a soft fantasy. The brutality of war is front and center, and the graphic moments really drive home the emotional weight of what the characters are going through.

    The plot itself starts off slower, leaning into romance and discovery, before shifting into something much heavier full of grief, betrayal, and twists that genuinely caught me off guard. Some moments felt a bit rushed, but they still landed emotionally. And this is absolutely not a happily ever after kind of story. It hurts, repeatedly, and doesn’t apologize for it.

    Kiraly as a character worked for me in some ways and frustrated me in others. I appreciated her resilience and determination in such a harsh world, but I did struggle with how quickly she seemed to accept certain circumstances and how she transitions into being highly capable without much training. That said, I was still deeply invested in her journey and wanted to see where it would take her.

    By the end, all five main characters feel like they’ve been put through everything imaginable and come out changed. I finished the book needing a moment to process, immediately started theorizing, and then found myself wanting to reread just to catch all the foreshadowing I missed the first time.

    Is it a perfect, polished masterpiece? No. But it didn’t need to be. It left me thinking about it long after I finished, and that emotional impact is exactly why it’s a four star read for me.

    If you’re looking for a romantasy with high stakes, slow burn tension, multiple love interests, and a story that leans hard into tragedy rather than comfort, War & Lies is absolutely worth picking up. Just be prepared it’s going to hurt, and you’ll probably be counting down the days until book two.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 2 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 3 according to romance.io stem rating guide.

    Links
    Amazon
    Goodreads

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  • Book Review of Into the Witch’s Garden by Jeka BC

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through BookSirens. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review. This is an ARC copy.

    I felt like Into the Witch’s Garden was one of those books that’s just really easy to fall into. It follows Rhiannon, a self-taught green witch who moves to the city hoping to find others like her and hopefully get some answers about her missing aunt. I thought the premise was really interesting, especially once Leon shows up with a literal death curse tied to him and pulls her into something much bigger than she expected.

    What I enjoyed the most was the overall vibe. I felt like the book had a soft, cozy, almost fairytale-like atmosphere with all the flowers, quiet magic, and gentle pacing. It’s the kind of story I’d reach for when I want something comforting and low-stress.

    I thought the pacing worked well for how short it is, but I did feel like that meant some things weren’t explored as much as I wanted. I found myself wishing for a bit more depth when it came to the world and the magic, because it all felt a little surface-level at times.

    I really liked how the romance was handled. I felt like it stayed in the background just enough and didn’t take over the story, which I appreciated since I was more interested in the mystery behind the curse. The balance between the two worked well for me.

    That said, I didn’t fully connect with the characters. I felt like Rhiannon could be frustrating at times, and I didn’t always understand her decisions. I also really wish there had been more from Leon’s point of view. I felt as if he felt a bit distant, and I think getting inside his head more would have made a big difference.

    I also thought the ending wrapped up a little too quickly, and some moments felt more told than shown. It’s definitely not a super complex or intense fantasy, so I think it works best if you go in expecting something simple and cozy rather than super detailed.

    Overall, I felt like this was a sweet, easy, and comforting read. It didn’t completely blow me away, but I still enjoyed the experience and the cozy, witchy atmosphere it created. It’s a good pick if you’re in the mood for something light and relaxing.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 3 or 4 according to romance.io stem rating guide. I’m taking a guess on what the rating would be as this book is not out yet.

    Links
    Amazon
    Goodreads

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  • Book Review of A Bond of Storms and Stitches By Elizabeth F. Shearly

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review. This is an ARC copy.

    A Bond of Storms and Stitches ended up being one of those reads where I felt completely pulled in by the characters and emotional weight, even more than the action itself.

    I really connected with Mellia right away. Knowing she had already gone through multiple failed and painful binding rituals made her desperation feel very real to me, and I found myself fully understanding why she would go to such extreme lengths to escape that fate. Her choice to devote herself to the Golden God, despite the personal loss tied to that deity, added this layer of grief and inner conflict that I thought was handled really well. It made her journey feel less like a typical fantasy arc and more like something deeply personal.

    Alroth worked so well for me as a counterpart to her. I liked that he wasn’t just protective in an overbearing way. His steadiness and sense of responsibility grounded a lot of the chaos around them. Their bond, even though it started accidentally, felt meaningful as it developed. I liked watching them learn how to trust each other while everything around them kept raising the stakes.

    The world-building was another part I really appreciated. I felt like I could clearly picture the setting, especially with the influence of North American and Ice Age elements. It gave everything a distinct feel that stood out from other fantasy worlds I’ve read. The magic system and political intrigue were layered enough that I had to pay attention, but in a way that made me more invested rather than overwhelmed.

    Emotionally, this book hit pretty hard for me at times. The themes around trust, sacrifice, and the cost of power weren’t just background elements. They really shaped how the characters made decisions. I will say there were a few moments where I felt like character reactions didn’t fully line up or shifted a little too quickly, and some of the action scenes felt more told than shown. I found myself wishing those moments had been given a bit more space to breathe.

    Even with that, I genuinely enjoyed this book. It feels like a strong start to the Syphon Bound series, and I’m especially interested in seeing where some of the side characters go because they have a lot of potential.

    If you like romantasy that leans into emotional depth, complicated relationships, and morally grey characters, I definitely think this one is worth trying.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 4 according to romance.io stem rating guide. I’m taking a guess on what the rating would be as this book is not out yet.

    Links
    Goodreads
    Amazon

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  • Book Review of His Surprise Baby by Hannah Rio

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.

    This one honestly surprised me in the best way. I picked it up expecting a quick, slightly dramatic romance, but I ended up way more invested in Ava and Ethan than I thought I’d be.

    What really stood out to me was how much depth the characters had, especially for a shorter book. They didn’t feel one-dimensional at all! There were layers to how they acted, how they handled their past, and how they showed up for each other (or didn’t). I really liked watching both of them come to terms with their own flaws while also recognizing what they deserved.

    The setup hooked me immediately. Ava finally gets her dream job, and then on her first day she finds out that her boss is Ethan, the guy who broke her heart 14 years ago and never gave her a reason why. I felt that tension right away. You can tell there’s still something there between them, and that unresolved history just simmers under everything. And yes, the chemistry is very real. It builds and then kind of explodes in a way that changes everything.

    I’m usually not the biggest fan of second-chance romances, but this one worked for me because it didn’t feel forced. Enough time had passed, and I really appreciated that Ava didn’t just forgive him instantly. She made him work for it, and she actually took the time to process everything. I also liked that she recognized her own past mistakes too. It truly made her feel more real and grounded.

    There’s definitely spice in this one, but for me it didn’t take away from the story, it actually fit with everything they were working through emotionally.

    Overall, I just really enjoyed this. It’s emotional, a little messy, and still gives you that satisfying resolution. If you like second-chance romance with history, tension, and characters who actually grow, this one is worth it.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 4 according to romance.io stem rating guide.

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