War & Lies

Tales of Kiraly #1

by T.C. Havlok

A slow-dark fantasy, and tragic love story, with demons, vampires, wolf shifters and more

Is Atalan truly such a savage place?

With a broken heart, Kiraly is swept from Earth and thrust into Atalan, a world where vampires, demons, and wolf shifters exist. Until she can find a warlock to send her home, she must remain with the Alliance as they prepare for war against demons.


When a stranger targets Kiraly, she begins training with the wolves for protection. But after being struck down in combat, she discovers her wounds heal with impossible speed. She hides the truth, unwilling to accept that her body is changing.

A growing attraction toward the prince and a hidden desire for a demon, has Kiraly torn between returning home or embracing a new life in Atalan. But her hopes are shattered when war erupts.

Thrown into battle, Kiraly must decide between saving the friends she's come to love, or killing the one person that is supposed to get her home.

But war isn't the only obstacle blocking her path back to Earth. A far more powerful foe lurks in the shadows, a cunning creature who knows the truth. The truth of why she was brought to Atalan. And he will stop at nothing to awaken her powers.


War & Lies is book one in the Tales of Kiraly Trilogy.
This heart-wrenching story follows the journey of Kiraly and what her role is in this cruel world.

Tales of Kiraly is a tragic romance and does not have a HEA

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal

395 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2026

Reviews

[Shelby Haugen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good! Such a unique story and it was really easy to get sucked into. I’m usually pretty good at guessing where the story is going to go or what’s going to happen next, but this book was so unpredictable. This had me questioning everything and my emotions all over the place! I really did enjoy this and now I can’t wait for the next book to come out so I know what happens next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank You T.C. Havlok for the ARC of this book!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had so many twists I never knew what was going to happen next. You become quickly invested in the characters and story. This is not a lighthearted read and the series is not HEA. if you're looking for something gripping and immersive to dive into and have your feelings hurt give it a go.

🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a mix of emotions I felt through reading this story!

It literally grabbed me by the throat and touched me, as I was part of the story!

This first book feels like a big teaser for the next books to come! Can’t wait!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Guin Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

War and Lies by T.C. Havlok truly lives up to its title. This romantic fantasy delivers a gripping blend of war, deception, and slow-burning romance that kept me hooked from the very first page.

The story follows Kiraly, a woman suddenly swept from Earth and thrust into Atalan, a world where vampires, demons, and wolf shifters exist. Stripped of everything she knows, she must quickly learn who to trust, how to survive, and whether finding her way home is even possible. Havlok does an excellent job of placing the reader directly in Kiraly’s confusion and fear, making her journey feel immersive and urgent.

One of the book’s strongest elements is its fast-paced narrative combined with multiple points of view. The shifting perspectives add depth to the story and allow the reader to understand the motivations, secrets, and lies shaping a realm torn apart by war. That said, be warned: in a world where survival is never guaranteed, no character is truly safe. Just when you start to feel attached, the story reminds you of the brutal reality of war.

The romance is a slow burn, layered with tension and uncertainty, and features multiple love interests. Rather than overpowering the plot, the romantic elements are woven naturally into the story, heightening the emotional stakes and making each interaction feel meaningful. The push and pull between trust and betrayal keeps you guessing about who truly has Kiraly’s best interests at heart.

Overall, War and Lies is a compelling read for fans of romantic fantasy who enjoy high stakes, morally complex characters, and a story that refuses to play it safe. If you’re looking for a book filled with danger, desire, and difficult choices, this one is well worth the read.

[Taylor Grimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked immediately I read this book so fast! The FMC is extremely interesting the side characters are memorable. The war is heart wrenching and also interesting. It does end in a way that sets it up for the next book but not in a cliff hanger way but in a why that makes you think about everything you have ever learned in this book and whether it is something that you can trust or not. I think types of beings in this story are done well. The characters are memorable and the emotional connection is also interesting. There is trauma, loss, grief, and lies obviously that are a part of this as well. If you want a good Fantasy/ paranormal romance with an amazing amount of world building and a plot twist I didn't see coming I highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Is Atalan truly such a savage place?"

This book HURT in the best way.

War & Lies is Book 1 in the Tales of Kiraly Trilogy by T.C. Havlok and it's exactly the kind of slow-burn dark fantasy that sneaks up on you. Kiraly gets ripped from Earth with a broken heart and dumped into Atalan - vampires, demons, wolf shifters, warlocks, and an entire Alliance preparing for war against demons. She just wants to find a warlock and go home. Obviously, Atalan has other plans.

What I loved:

Kiraly herself. She's not an instant badass FMC and I loved that. She's a little weak, a little whiny at first, very human - but the character growth? Incredible. You can feel her starting to tip toward either villain arc or absolute badass, and I'm here for both.

The world-building. Atalan feels lived-in. War-torn lands, mysterious saviors, political manipulation, deceit, and that constant feeling that everyone knows more about WHY Kiraly was brought there than she does.

The romance is tragic and messy. No HEA here (author warns you upfront). You're torn between the prince and... a demon you absolutely should NOT want. It's protective cinnamon roll vs. dangerous obsession, and Kiraly is caught right in the middle while literally trying to survive combat training with the wolves.

And that last 25%? That twist hit me like a brick. The reveal about her healing abilities / powers awakening, the battle, and who she has to choose to save vs. kill to get home - I was not okay.

It's not super fast-paced, it's atmospheric and character-driven. If you want non-stop action, this isn't it. But if you want moody, dark fantasy with spice, lore, found family, war, lies (title is literal), and a heart-wrenching ending that will make you scream for Book 2 - read it.

Please heed the trigger warnings at the start.

T.C. Havlok, I need Book 2 NOW. Atalan isn't done with Kiraly and I'm not done with it either.

Read if you like: isekai meets dark romantasy, ACOTAR vibes but more brutal, wolf shifters, vampire courts, demon shadow-daddies, tragic love.


[Mouse Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[angsaysroar · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Into a World of Monsters & the Demon Steals the Show

I wasn’t initially drawn into War & Lies, by @T C Havlok and admittedly, a lot of that comes down the way the book opened. Kiraly is in a relationship with Brian, and it's clear, after hearing her best friend Adrianna’s thoughts on it, they were not on the same page. They’d been together three years and still hadn’t moved in together, so when the night she expected a proposal went the way it did, it was no surprise. The writing was on the wall—for most everyone, but Kiraly.

Kiraly, a graphic designer who has spent years supporting a man who never put in the same effort, ends up somewhere she never expected. She surfaces through a sheet of sea ice in Corlint, a winter kingdom in a world called Atalan, and wakes up in a palace surrounded by a prince, a wolf shifter, a vampire, and a demon. Prince Tavish is building an Alliance to fight Arlas, a lesser demon who has gotten his hands on a relic that has made him far more powerful than he should be, and a warlock in the City of Tunmen may be able to send her home. Until then, she's a Lady of the Court, stuck in corsets and trying to make sense of a world where magic is real.

Kiraly arrives in Atalan carrying everything Brian left her with. She's convinced she isn't enough, that nothing about her is special, and that she's a burden to anyone who helps her. She compares her curves to the thin, polished ladies of the court and assumes she doesn't measure up. She tells herself she isn't princess material. And she apologizes constantly, even when she has nothing to apologize for. It made the early chapters slow for me, but I understood it. That kind of damage doesn't disappear because you've landed in a new world.

What I liked is that her kindness is there from the start. She's the one who kneels down to help a servant clean up broken glass that two of the other ladies walked right past, and she treats the staff as her equals when no one else in the court does. Her real growth starts when she begins training with Darren's wolf pack. There's a scene where she spars with Naydeen and puts everything she's been holding in into each punch, and that's when I started to care about her. She gets knocked down over and over and keeps saying "again," and when Darren asks her why she kept getting up, she doesn't have an answer yet. I liked that the book let her find one over time.

Once she picks up a bow and proves she can hit anything she aims at, and her bruises start healing overnight, she has to face the fact that she might be more than she believes. I was initially impressed with Kiraly. She committed to her training, even when it hurt, and when the Alliance needed someone at the Herculean fortress, she pushed herself through a brutal challenge despite her injuries. By that point, I felt she'd grown from the woman on the bridge at the beginning of the book.

That changed quickly. As the war takes its toll, Kiraly falls apart over men she'd known only a short time, and some she didn't really know at all. Grief makes sense, but the way she shuts down instantly turned me off, and I was unimpressed. After everything she'd pushed through, I expected more resilience from her. Even now, after finishing the book, I feel she's taken several steps back. In my opinion, she ends the story more like the Ladies of the Court that Tavish had no interest in than the woman who kept getting back up on the training mat.

I was drawn to Darren immediately. He's steadfast, loyal, and cares about Kiraly as a person, not what he can get out of her. When he trains her, it isn't about winning; he wants her to be able to protect herself, and he lets her decide how far she wants to take it. I appreciated that he's willing to put someone else's happiness ahead of his own, even if it frustrated me at times.

I loved Raedas. Demons in Atalan can't lie, though they can twist words, talk in riddles, and make deals, and I thought that was one of the author's cleverer choices. Raedas doesn't hold back with Kiraly. He tells her exactly what he wants and never pretends to be anything other than what he is, and I found that refreshing. I also liked that a bargain he makes with Darren leaves a mark that burns him whenever he crosses the line, because it shows how much he's willing to put up with just to stay close to her.

I did not like Tavish. Despite his appearance, and the act that he cares about his kingdom, his actions were selfish. Yes, there's a war going on, but he should have considered his men and Kiraly, rather than using her as a tool.

Kain is an intriguing character. He's an ancient vampire lord who shows almost no emotion, yet he gives Kiraly some of the book's best advice. I liked him, though I'm still not sure what to make of him.

I haven't formed an opinion on Merik yet, a stranger who keeps showing up when Kiraly needs help. It's clear he cares about her, but I'm not convinced his actions always match what he says he wants. Calcifer, a warlock pirate who controls water and calls himself King of the Sea, concerns me. I think he's up to something, and I suspect we won't discover it until the next few books.

I thought Atalan's rules were the strongest part of the book. Every species has a "first," the original and most powerful of its kind. Warlocks are human men with a rare gene that only shows up after a traumatic event, and each controls a single element. Demons are ranked from lesser to greater to elite, and there are no gods, because, as Kain explains, people in Atalan have power instead. I especially liked that the Herculean Army built their fortress from the remains of a floating island that fell after a war. It would have been nice to learn more about that war, the species that lived there, and the first vampire we meet in the prologue. My bigger issue is how the lore is delivered. Most of it comes from someone sitting Kiraly down and explaining it to her, whether it's over drinks, in a journal, or on a long wagon ride, and after a while, it started to feel more like a history lesson than a story.

I was unhappy with the war. There was a lot of lead-up to what ended up being a flop. Many lives are lost along the way, but the Herculean events were far more climactic than the final fight with the greater demon, which felt too easy and left much to be desired. That's also when the book lost its appeal for me. I finished it because I was close to the end, but the final stretch felt like filler and, in my opinion, didn't add much to the story.

Heads up: this one is open door and explicit, and the scenes at the Herculean fortress are graphic. Content warnings include violence, death, non-consensual touch, torture, manipulation, and thoughts or actions that allude to suicide.

I do intend to read the next book, mostly because I want to know what Calcifer is planning. However, I don't have high hopes, and I'm concerned I'll ultimately end up DNFing the series.

Verdict: Raedas and Darren carry this one, and Atalan’s rules are worth exploring. The war doesn’t live up to its build-up, though, and the trip to the Herculean fortress hits harder than the final battle.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Krypto · Rating 5 out of 5]

- I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. -

War & Lies by T.C. Havlok is a reverse harem (tragic) romantasy following our FMC's adventure through the world of Atalan. Kiraly, our FMC, wakes after a trauma and finds herself trapped in a strange world with magic and creatures she thought only existed in movies. The MMCs of this book are introduced with an appropriate amount of skepticism, both from and toward Kiraly. By the end of the book, all five main characters have gone through the wringer and popped out on the other side with an abundance of well-deserved character development.

The world building in this book is incredible - the descriptions are so vivid that I feel like I'm walking through the scenes with the characters. But the vivid descriptions don't end there. This book features adventure and violence - and with that violence, we have some pretty vivid descriptions of gore. I found this to be incredibly impressive in making sure that the scenes had the intended emotional impact.

War & Lies follows a very well thought out plot that starts off slow and romantic and ends with grief and betrayal. Do not go into this book expecting a HEA - you are not going to get it, and you are going to go through a thousand different kinds of hurt. There are twists and turns that leave you confused, heartbroken, or just down right shocked. Some of these scenes felt slightly rushed, but did still manage to pack an emotional punch.

I finished this book and soaked everything in for a few minutes, letting my theories run wild. And then I started it over and began picking out all the moments of expertly placed and well hidden foreshadowing.

I loved this book more than I can put into words. Is it a literary masterpiece? No. Did it leave me in such emotional turmoil that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it? Absolutely - and that is precisely what makes it five star worthy for me.

War & Lies is perfect for those looking for a steamy and tragic romantasy series that will leave you theory-crafting like it's your full-time job.

[Kristian Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity! These are my own thoughts and feelings.

I really, really wanted to love this book, but I just could not connect or get lost in the story, at all. There were parts I enjoyed, I really liked the maze scene, where Kiraly is battling and racing up against the enemy. To be completely honest, Calcifer was a character that I could never stop thinking about, even more so than the MMC’s. I liked him a lot. And I enjoyed Merik a lot, too.

The pacing was I think my biggest issue. I totally get this is the first book in the series, I truly enjoy a slow burn, but I felt like it sort of jumped all over a lot with time, like all of a sudden it was weeks later, but there was just not a fluidity to the time passing or jumps.

It also felt like a lot of the time I was being told the story, instead of experiencing it as a reader, like when you feel like you’re the main character and you’re feeling what their feeling and you can picture exactly what’s happening like you’re actually right there, I just never felt that way with the book, it was more or less like hearing the story or being told the story.

This is also described as being a dark fantasy, but for me, I just didn’t have that experience with this book. That could totally just be a me thing, I read a lot of dark fantasy and darker themed books, so I may have just had higher expectations when it came to that element. What could not be dark in my opinion, may be to someone else!

I think I wanted that emotional connection and it never quite happened for me during my reading experience with War & Lies. Again, these are my own opinions, and what I experienced or felt while reading this, someone else may have a completely differing opinion or experience.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

War and Lies by T.C. Havlock was definitely a rollercoaster ride! I truly never had a clue what was about to come next, so each new twist was such a surprise! Who to trust, that is the question.

This book follows the story of Kiraly, a woman who was suddenly thrown into an entirely new world and has to risk it all for her own safety and the safety of those she grew to care about. This book is full of twists, turns, guts-and-glory, and a slow-burn that had me screaming at times (in the best of ways).

Admittedly, it did take me a bit to get into the book, but once it gripped me, I couldn’t put it down! The relationship Kiraly had with each of our main four male characters was all so different and endearing, I couldn’t help but fall a bit for each of them. (Though, I will concede to having a soft spot for the gentle giant, Darren!) While I’m not usually a huge fan of the damsel-in-distress trope, I still feel like the overall plot and the twists really made up for it!

I did especially love the world-building, and do hope we get to see more of the fantastical world of Alatan in the next book, which I definitely will be tuning in for! I do think it is safe to say that this book has given me some trust issues, and I do relate to Kiraly in the sense that I’m not even sure who to trust anymore! What I do know is that I’ll be anxiously awaiting this book to officially go on sale and for book two to find out what happened after the cliffhanger!

I want to thank T.C. Havlock for the opportunity to read this ARC! Keep up the amazing writing!

[Angel aka BooksnCats007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love vampires, Wolf shifters, demons, and a handsome prince? Don’t go into this book, expecting the 'normal' fantasy story with a happily ever after, because this is nothing like that... it is dark, twisted, creative, and unquestionably unique. note the dark content, I think the author makes that clear in the trigger warnings. This is also a reverse harem so make sure thats something you like to vibe with before diving in.

Talk about deception, confusion, and sadness. Prepare to have your head swivel so fast, you might just get whiplash. (and you will). Enjoyed the multiple POV's, next book it would be nice to see headers of whose POV it is to help with the flow of the story (personal opinion).

The spice scenes are decent and don't overpower the book. If you're looking for more plot than spice, this book will give you that.

The pacing does ebb and flow, leaning more on the fast-paced side, which sometimes led to the action scenes feeling a bit rushed at points, but she pulls it back together quickly. I think that is something that comes with experience.

I will say I hope our FMC comes into her womanhood in book two. Totally understand the damsel in distress trope... but girl stop being so trusting of these good looking fellows 🤣 her reliance on other characters and her low self worth is super aggravating. Queen... pick that chin up, and come to know your worth. 👑

[Chaos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Compared to other books like this one, it was so easy to see where War & Lies was lacking. The world building wasn't nearly as strong as it should have been for book 1 of a trilogy. The first book should always set up the world and plot for what comes next. Even 200 pages in, I felt like something was missing. Always something just out of reach. The multiple povs, while great in some parts, should've had better headings. I spent way too much time trying to keep track of whose head I was in versus enjoying the story. Kiraly is an odd character to say the least. She under reacted to being in a whole different world. I would have liked maybe a bit more drama with her realizing where she was. She took it too well but considering how she was immediately attracted to the guys, i shouldn't be surprised. The romance was a bit flimsy since it didnt seem Kiraly had any real connection with any of them. Still, I finished it. I think I will give book 2 a try because of the fast pace so thats what im hoping continues to the next book.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

War & Lies is a high-stakes, shadow-drenched tale of deception, forbidden desire, and the cost of power. T.C. Havlok spins a story where loyalty is fragile, hearts are weapons, and every secret could ignite both love and ruin.

The plot follows characters trapped in a web of political scheming and war, where nothing is as it seems and betrayal lurks in every corner. Amidst the tension, a charged romance burns slowly but dangerously, fraught with mistrust, longing, and temptation. Every stolen glance and hesitant touch is loaded with danger, making the romance pulse with intensity.

Havlok’s world is immersive and unforgiving. Battlefields, court intrigues, and shadowed corridors create a gothic and suspenseful backdrop for a romance that is as thrilling as it is risky. The characters’ struggles with power, desire, and morality make their choices feel weighty and the stakes feel real.

[SimpleReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're someone who likes multiple povs from a variety of supernatural love interests, this is the perfect story for you. Romantic feelings, and interactions, are a big part of the book, but don't expect a happily ever after here. There are a few open door spicey scenes (maybe one of them would be considered dark due to the nature of the male character, but for the most part it's on the vanilla side of things). This book does seem to emphasis a little more on dialogue, which I didn't mind because of the different character personalities, but also, a lot of the worldbuilding details blended into the characters' conversations which was fun to read.


Overall, I enjoyed reading through this novel and I'm looking forward to following the heroine's journey into the next installment of this trilogy.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
After her boyfriend dumps her, Kiraly literally finds herself crashing into another world. A world where vampires, wolf shifters, warlocks, and demons are all real and about to go to war.

The author warns the reader from the first page how ruthless this story will be, "Sacrifices will be made." And for the war portion of this book, it is brutal. No character is safe, and hearts will be broken.
Then for the lies. Holy crap, the twists at the end. To see what felt like almost two different stories come together. My jaw literally hit the floor.
My compliant with this story is that some of the relationships happened a little fast. Hence, the loss of a half of a star.
But overall, I loved the story and can't wait to see what happens next.
Thanks for choosing me to be an ARC reader.

[Yesilovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodnes! I had so many feelings while reading this! The slow burn was killing me. The tension was intense, specially when it came to Raedas. He was secretly my favorite and a Demon. The last 100 pages had me in suspense and worried for Kiraly. My girl just wanted to go home! And I was ready to jump in to beat someone to get her there. Also why would you make fall in love with them all just to break my heart like that?? I want to see how Kiraly is going to grow and surpass her fears in the next book. Oh I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

[Arie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC from booksprout in exchange for my Honest opinion:

This book by T.C Havlok - War & Lies it lives up to its title!!! I loved this Fever Dream Rollercoaster ride of a book. I'm still in shock & in love with this book. I need book two!!!
The Surprise twists and shocks you see & don't see coming chef's kiss 💋 If You love vampires, a prince, a couple Demons, wolf shifters and you can have who you want kinda thing = Multi love interest!!! Highly recommend reading this book 😍♥️😈😉
🌶🌶🌶

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Kiraly. A woman from our world who is transported to another realm. I did like that you get MPOV. Kiraly was a likeable MFC. I liked the tournament portion of this story the most. It kind of came out of no where but it ended up being my favorite part of the book. You find out some new and interesting information towards the end and get introduced to a new character. It was also well written.

[Jessica Blackman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 as I enjoyed the narration. Story was just a tad lacking and at times past the 50% mark hard to keep up with.

Listened 🎧 via Audible

[The Bookshelf Revelation · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I got to read War & Lies as an ARC and I'm giving my honest opinion about it.

Kiraly is the main character. In the beginning of the book she gets dumped by her boyfriend of three years Brian. Before she has any chance to recover from those emotions, she's swept away to Atalan, a world filled with vampires, demons, wolf shifters and other supernatural beings. The first 'people' she meets there are a prince, a wolf shifter, a vampire and a demon. Hoping to find a way back home, she joins their Alliance as they prepare for war against the demons.

One of the things I liked most was the cast of characters. I felt at home with them surprisingly quickly and there were several I wanted to know more about. I don't even know exactly why, but I had a soft spot for Darren (the wolf shifter) from the very beginning. He seemed honest and loyal, and, well, let's just say that being muscular doesn't hurt either. ;-)

I also enjoyed the romantic side of the story. There was enough to keep me interested and I could understand why Kiraly was drawn to the different men. However, I sometimes found her behaviour a little strange. She has recently gone through a painful heartbreak, yet she seems to develop an interest in other guys fairly quickly. At times, she also came across as rather casual about her romantic connections, which made it difficult for me to understand where her loyalties lay.
And that's not the only thing that I found difficult to understand about Kiraly. Don't get me wrong, I like her a lot. I really enjoyed reading from her point of view. She's a really lovely and sweet person. But sometimes I struggled a bit with her reactions. For example, she initially seems very insecure about her body around Brian, yet when she arrives in Atalan, she doesn't appear nearly as bothered about being naked in front of other people. Personally, I think I would have been much more self-conscious in that situation.
She also adapts to her new circumstances remarkably quickly. On the one hand, good for her! She doesn't have many other options, after all. On the other hand, I would have liked to see more doubt and questioning in her thoughts. Can she really trust these people? Why has she ended up here? Is there something more going on than she knows? I wanted to feel a little more of that uncertainty as she tried to find her place in this strange new world.

The pacing of the book is also something I have to mention. The first part pulled me in and felt very easy to read. The pace is a bit slower there, but that seems normal, considering she's trying to find her footing in this whole new world. Once the war really begins, everything suddenly moves much faster. Some action scenes work really well. The maze scene, for example, was one of my favourite parts because I could clearly picture what was happening and really get caught up in the action. Other events, however, felt rushed. I sometimes struggled to keep up with everything that was happening and certain moments didn't have as much impact as they could have because I didn't get enough time to process them. I love it when a story gives you hints that something is about to happen, allowing the tension to build before everything unfolds. That also gives more room for the characters' emotions and reactions. Some moments could have been much more shocking or powerful if the story had slowed down just a little and allowed them to sink in.

All things considered, I genuinely enjoyed reading War & Lies. The characters made me feel invested in the story and I reached the end wanting to know what happens to them next. So I'm definitely reading the next book and I hope the story will continue to grow and reach its full potential.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tonya · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 ⭐
Slow start, great yearning, lots of heartbreak, and an ending that absolutely refused to let me walk away from the series. 📚🏴‍☠️✨

War and Lies was a solid fantasy read for me, though it took quite a while to find its footing. The first 75% felt slow at times, with a heavy focus on world-building, politics, and relationship development. While I understand the need to establish the world and characters, some of the romantic connections felt rushed compared to the amount of time spent setting everything else up.

One thing the book did well was tension and yearning. The emotional pull between characters was often stronger than the actual romance, and I found myself invested in the FMC's journey and the people she chose to trust. Unfortunately, she experiences a significant amount of loss throughout the story. While some of it added emotional weight, there were moments where the constant deaths and betrayals started to feel excessive.

That said, the final stretch completely changed my experience with the book. The last 5% delivered twist after twist, revealing hidden identities, shocking betrayals, vampire and angel lore, and a cliffhanger that left me staring at the page wondering what had just happened. Several mysteries that had been simmering in the background suddenly clicked into place, and the ending was by far the most engaging part of the book.

Overall, War and Lies was a good read that suffered from pacing issues (in my opinion) but redeemed itself with a dramatic and intriguing finale. If not for that ending, I'm not sure I would have continued the series. However, the final revelations and cliffhanger were strong enough to convince me to pick up Book 2, and I'm hopeful that with all the groundwork now laid, the sequel will be even better.

I picked up *War and Lies* through Kindle Unlimited, and thanks to an opportunity offered by the author herself, I'll be ARC reading Book 2 next! 📚⭐

Now shhhh i HAVE to find out what happens next 😶‍🌫️

[Kayla Sims · Rating 3 out of 5]

War and Lies- T.C. Havlok
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶

" you and I both know she's not going to live happily ever after with the prince" my 1st thought was foreshadowing

Kiraly is transported to another world when she fell into the water after her jerk wad of a boyfriend broke up with her. Four guys four men who were myth now become real

a prince.
a wolf shifter.
a demon.
a vampire

Tavish a prince and apparently the prince of consent lol I really enjoyed his character a lot

Darren a wolf shifter who is fiercely loyal even to the detriment of his own feelings and within his pack there's Naydeen who is a friend that everybody needs

Radeas a demon who is supposed to have no feelings and only care about manipulating others is super soon worthy and protective especially in my favorite part chapter 32

Kain a mysterious vampire with many secrets to unlock

The first half of this book was pretty well paced and very interesting it really built the world up especially with her being transported not knowing where she was and introducing all these characters I really felt that the first half was really well written the second half I feel was rushed I feel like it was one thing right after another right after another and it was almost too confusing to keep up with.
the ending was good where it makes me want to read the second book to find out what happened

There were a lot of betrayals and a lot of surprises throughout this series

[Lavena Spade Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The name wars and lies pretty well sums up the basic summation of this book.

It is a romamtasy with a good bit of spice and quickly develops into a why choose type of romance.. There is one girl,Kiraly, and a bunch of hot guys including a vampire, a human prince, a wolf shifter and a powerful demon.

Our FMC Kiraly, was living in modern day America when one day after being dumped by her boyfriend the bridge she’s standing on collapses and she falls into an icy river. The next thing you know she wakes up and she’s in an entirely different world. A world where is an everyday occurrence to be surrounded by werewolves and Shapeshifters and demons and other various types of beings. She seems to be overly attracted to a variety of them. It doesn’t seem to be able to help herself.

Meanwhile the world she’s living in is about to go to war and as she has quickly succumb to the princess charms she has agreed to go along with him with the others keeping watch over her as well. There is nobody who appears to be telling the truth, everybody seems to have an agenda and things really go awry for her in a lot of different ways.

There’s a lot of battle scenes, a lot of blood and Gore but there’s also a lot of spice and sexual scenes as well. This is an interesting book I did keep my attention and seems to be well written. It all built up for a plot twist at the end as well as building for a book 2.

[she just Reads too much. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title truly lives up to its name. It keeps you hooked from the beginning all the way until you’re begging at the end but the surprises keep rolling in. If you love a book jammed packed with supernatural creatures this one is for you. You have demons, vampires, warlocks, werewolves, angels, halfbreeds the whole rainbow of creatures.

War & lies keeps you on a wild adventure from the starting heart break to emerging in a new world only to find out that new world is on the verge of war and oh wait your surrounded by creatures you thought were imaginary. Our FMC is a heart broken woman who is learning to build herself back up but she keeps getting her legs knocked out from under her. Her new mantra is “AGAIN’’ and man does she live by it with all the twist and turns the punches keep coming and she just might be stronger then she thinks.

I would say this is probably a good 🌶️🌶️🌶️ with open door romance. What can I say my girl gots it’s and she is long over due. All jokes aside I loved this book and can’t wait for the next to come out. I mean just when I thought I had finally caught my breath that bonus chapter just through me for another loop.Thank you T. C. Havlok for an amazing ride!!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stacy's Reads · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I went into War & Lies hoping for a good read, but I ended up getting completely caught up in this story. There was something about the mix of tension, secrets, lies, and emotional moments that kept pulling me back in. I love books that make me feel invested in what's happening, and this one definitely delivered.

I found myself getting attached to the characters, questioning everyone's motives, and constantly wanting to know what was coming next. I loved the twists and the way the story kept me curious. There were moments that had me feeling all the feelings, and I genuinely enjoyed being swept up in the chaos of it all.

This was one of those books where putting it down wasn't nearly as appealing as reading just one more chapter. And honestly, that's always a good sign for me!

A thoroughly enjoyable read that kept me entertained and invested from beginning to end. ❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars!

[Jordie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chaotic— in a good way.

Full disclosure: I read this book because I was given the opportunity to ARC the second in the series. I am SO glad I stumbled upon this series and the author.

The storytelling was unique in that we got to see different people having interactions but we are unable to see into their minds.

The twists and turns have been great! Although there’s a certain character that I wish had a different fate. (But this is meant to be tragic so 10/10 on that).

I would suggest that anyone who cannot handle descriptive gore to proceed with caution. This book embraces the violence.

Definitely worth the read!

[Roxie Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

War & Lies truly lives up to its name, but also adds in romance.

Atalan is at War and anyone could be the next victim. Kiraly has been brought from Earth and thrown into the middle of it all.

There were moments when I was ready for the book to become a why choose romance. Even though that didn't happen, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I gave this book 4 stars because I felt that Kiraly could have had more character development with everything she goes through. She seems be to stuck in the same mindset as when she first arrived.

I look forward to reading the rest of this trilogy!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brittany Michaele · Rating 0.25 out of 5]

This book is a mess. Kiraly is, perhaps, one of the dumbest people I've ever seen. She trust every single person without questioning a damn thing. She got her heart broken, drown and was thrown into another world but all she can think of is how hot everyone is. And the world building? The build up to the war? The relationships with the characters? All non existent. And the thing with Kain? Clocked it early in the book. So the twist was not that surprising to me. Overall I'm left wishing this wasn't a trilogy.

[Charming Chapters Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐ War & Lies by T.C. Havlok

You might consider this book if you enjoy:
💜 Romantasy
💜 Vampires
💜 Wolf Shifters
💜 Demons
💜 Multiple POVs
💜 Forced Proximity

This book was very interesting because it was filled with unique characters and lots of plot twists, I never knew what to expect next. I really enjoyed the variety of character species and the different personalities that they each had. Can't wait to find out what happens next in the story!

Thank you to author T.C. Havlok for providing me with an ARC. I am leaving this review completely voluntarily and all thoughts are my own.