I was able to get an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest review. A captivating story, set in the fantasy world of King Arthur and Camelot. The story we know is basically a lie and the characters in the book have magical powers that they use to fight, heal, feed the land etc
It reminds me of beauty and the beast where the princess for the stern but loveable and charming master of the “castle”. This book gave me lots of laughs and tears from heartwarming scenes. Its a story of forgiveness, redemption, self revelation and fighting for what is truly right.
Thank you Netgalley for approving me to be an ARC reader for this book.

First I want to thank C.Monk and Yaypub for this ARC. This is my honest opinion

Welcome to a fantasy story inspired by the myths of king Arthur and his knights of the round table
The author takes us into an urban fantasy where our MC finds herself kidnapped and thrown into a world not her own.
I loved the author's writing style, her way of introducing us to the world, and the rapid introduction of this new "universe".
Lots of revelations in this book, a romance that's a little fast but so obvious and cute. I liked the different characters, and the little touches of humor to keep the story from being too dark.
This book is a standalone, I would have liked a sequel for our main cut but we got a real ending which I enjoyed.

I'm happy to have discovered this author and I'm going to read more of her books.

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing, and C, Monk for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"All life on Earth, born and reborn in an eternal cycle, a Celtic symbol of wisdom and eternity. Dad gets occasional requests from middle-aged women to have one tattooed: over a bell that bears the battle scars of pregnancy, or the smooth ruins of a breast stolen by cancer."

3.75/5**
Arthurian legend, vast magic, and a dash of steampunk. This book wasted absolutely no time in throwing you straight into the action. We learn of River's desperation, her willingness to do anything for her dying sister. All of that is thrown into turmoil when she is unexpectedly thrown into the world of Thule.

I struggled with this book to start. As much as I enjoyed the immediate action there were some moment that put me off of the writing style (ex: "every gulp of saliva felt like icy goo trickling down my throat" and "the laws of physics have left the chat").

I'm really not a fan of fantasy books that use pop culture references. There were several moments where I would be deep into the book only to be pulled out of the fantasy by "'Do come in,' I intone in my courtliest voice-basically Stevie Griffin from Family Guy" or "So evil Smurf's, basically". It just breaks the illusion and makes me cringe.

My feelings about this book are all over the place. I was unsure to start, loved the beginning, felt bored in the middle, loved the climax, was bored with the ending, but was overall happy with the finale.

"Child of my blood, of my land. You are home."

This book is packed to the brim with lore and magic. I absolutely loved the magic system, it was so fascinating and beautiful. I've read plenty of books where they draw their magic from the land and while this book plays on that C. Monk still managed to make it entirely unique.

"We do not own our blood. It is merely borrowed, entrusted to our cafe by the land for a few short centuries in exchange for our oath to nurture and protect it."

C. Monk weaves a tale influenced by King Arthur into a Victorian-Steampunk world. It's clear the author has a passion for Arthurian legend and put hours of effort into researching these tales. I loved the choice of a Victorian setting over the go-to medieval setting. What I can't understand is the go-to stereotype of "omg corsets I can't breathe". It's clear the author put in research into Victorian fashion, so I don't understand how they couldn't come across the multiple historians who have proved again and again that corsets aren't anti-breathing contraptions.

"She's lying in a hospital bed in the dark, touched by the glow of a heart monitor. In my mind I try to tune my breathing to the soft, regular beeping, the week puffs fogging her ventilator mask. A universe apart, we breathe together."

River is unwavering in her goals throughout this book. Despite the connections she makes with those in this unknown world, her ultimate goal throughout is her sister. I only wish she did more. There were so many moments where it felt like she was just there to be an observer in the story and not a participant.

The romance was just okay for me. I would be rooting for them and then the author would remind us that this whole books takes place over a week and I would feel unsure again. But overall I am happy with the main couple and their story together, I almost wish this was a duology so we could have explored their time together more. I wouldn't call this a bodice-ripper as it's described, there are just a couple mild spicy scenes.

Where to start! Steampunk fantasy, Romantasy meets hilarious pop culture references and enough Canadian references to make you laugh out loud. Great world building, excellent characters, amazing plot twists and a certain fuzzy creature that will win your heart. Don’t pass this book up, such a fantastic read.

I admit it started slow and I wasn’t sure this books was for me but I pushed on and I don’t regret it even a little. Can’t wait for the next book!

This is a DNF for me. I think that the overall premise of the book is intriguing but it’s a little too complicated for me at the moment. I wasn’t able to get lost in the world too much. The time differences from Thule and Earth were just too much and took me out of it.

Of Blood and Light, by C. Monk, was an intriguing read, and I found the clash of the two worlds--modern Toronto and Victorian Fae--were balanced well and hilariously contrasted.
The Thulish culture was a curious thing, and I immediately loved the linguists note in the front of the book--interest was 100% piqued. The elements of ichor was a fascinating concept, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed, not to mention the complex amount of hours in a day that forced the society to work on a completely different time system.
Teetering on science fiction, this work is still rooted firmly in fantasy and mythical lore, set in a world that split from ours hundreds of years ago, and now lives millions of light-years away in the Victorian Era with hoop gowns, strict social conduct, and pet capybaras that are all the fashion among the gentry. Oh, and their government is modeled after their founding father--King Arthur and his round table.
Ambitious and fantastical, I found it hilarious to see it all through the eyes of a modern-day outsider, who is posing as a member of their court, for... you know... reasons. I found that the resolve of the climax only managed to scrape into believable, and I was also disappointed to come across more than one scene of sexual nature throughout the book. What ever happened to romance that wasn't built on the need to get into another person's pants? Come on, guys, there's more to love than this.
But if you can sweep those elements away from your sensibilities, it's an intriguing book, and well written.

How do I categorize thee...let me count the ways!!! Historical fiction. Futuristic. Arthurian tale. Forgotten fae. Mythological creatures.
There are so many interesting concepts in this book that I can't put my finger on a single element with certainty. That is not a complaint!

Thank you to Camilla Monk and NetGalley for the eARC copy!!! I fully enjoyed the journey.

If I did have a complaint it would be the tongue tying language throughout that I gave up on and just glanced over as I read otherwise my eyes tripped and it annoyed me. Also, the woman hater's club rules. Blah!!!
I was a huge fan of the Arthurian elements woven in and the magical originality of this totally separate universe. I've always thought it was odd not to have some sort of police agency looking over and regulating that sort of travel. The love interest was definitely a slow burn while also probably being way too fast. River and Hadrian don't seem to connect at all at first and them BAM so, that was a bit awkward and hard to believe.
I liked the mystery the most in this book. While the love interest definitely kept me reading, it was the mystery that kept my review high. Not only was there the mysterious disappearance of her twin sister to figure out, but also the reason their mother escaped to Earth in the first place and who was their biological father.

This was a quick and entertaining read and I will definitely recommend for our library catalogue.

NO REGRETS!!!!

The world of Thule is mesmerizing! The world building is incredible and includes capybaras! Enemies to lover trope, but it dissolves quickly without the tedious back and forth. Hadrian is a perfect gentleman and River is kind and caring when it comes to the people and customs of Thule. I love the Arthurian aspects of this book, as well. It has a some what historical feel to it, as Thule is a realm that is in many ways stuck in the past. There is the perfect amount of romance and perfect amount of action as Hadrian and River fall for each other while preparing to sacrifice it all.

The book was okay. Not very memerable but I did manage to finish it. The story had promise but the execution just wasn't there in my opinion.

The description "Arthurian Legend, Bodice-Ripping, and Capybaras" instantly hooked me and I knew I had to read this book!

I found the world building a little complicated and did have to remind myself of who characters were or about the information which had been given to us, as the reader, previously but I managed to get over this and follow it and I found that I quite enjoyed the plot.

The story follows River Greer, who is kidnapped from the hospital of where her younger sister is very ill and she finds her life upside down when she is dumped in another world completely - Thule - and what's more, she is believed to be the missing wife of the Duke, Hadrian Landeville.

River is desperate to escape and get back to her family, however she discovers family secrets here in Thule and is summoned to Camelot. She must play the part of the Duchess to stay safe and to learn the truth of what is happening in Thule and that of her family.

The plot is always moving, with some twists thrown in and it is clear very early on that there is a connection between River and Hadrian. If you are looking for spice, this probably isn't the book for you as the intimate scenes were described in a way that wasn't too graphic but I didn't mind this at all as it was more about the connection the two characters shared, than it was about just trying to be explicit.

Overall, it definitely kept me interested and I found myself having to know what happens next.

4⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Yaypub and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Genre: Sci fi/ Fantasy
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5

Just when River thought her night could not get any worse she finds herself across the universe in a world nothing like her own.

After being confused as the wife of the Thule leader River finds herself forced to play the part in a unique take on the fake dating trope.

This book has incredible world building and was such a refreshingly unique story.

The only downside for me is the complexity of the world did leave me confused for the first 50% of the book. Having said that once I got into the thick of the story I was wildly entertained.

Thank you #netgalley for providing this arc for review.

This was a good book. I really like this and thought it was good and enjoyable. I thought it was really good.
I just reviewed Of Blood & Light by C. Monk. #OBAL #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Of Blood and Light was a beautiful fantasy with so many elements that made for an interesting read! Within this new world Of Blood and Light, there is mystery, betrayal, with a hint of romance. The story had its own history based on Arthurian legend. The book takes place in a place separate from earth called Thule. Here, the people are connected to the land through this lightning-like energy that runs through their skin called Ichor..

Our main character River Greer is dragged into this world where she is mistaken for someone else. In this place of Thule she must prove her innocence to the round table, learn the customs of Thule, as well as find out who the real perpetrator the people of Thule were really supposed to catch.

What I loved overall about this book was how much work you can see the author put into the book. One thing I found interesting was the fact that the people of Thule had their own language called Thulish in which we learn different phrases. The world building in this story is amazing but I will say I could get lost at times. Some parts felt like over explanations, especially when given the background of the descendants of the round table.

Overall, I think this story is well suited for people looking for a new fantasy read and unique fantasy world. If you don’t read this book for anything that I’ve mentioned already. Read it for the fact that in the world of Thule, they have pet capybaras. PET FREAKING CAPYBARAS.

While rushing her sick sister to the hospital, River is abducted by Pathfinders (just like her mom and twin sister were when she was 5) and ends up in the realm of Thule. The people of this Arthurian realm mistake River for Isolde, the Duchess of Caid, who went missing a month after marrying His Grace, Hadrian of Landevale, a Knight of the Round Table. This is a story of adventure, magical blood, a realm slowly dying, and forbidden love while River tries desperately to find her missing twin, Floe, and get back to her dad and dying sister.

This book hooked me earlier and I enjoyed reading it, but it felt like a bit of a beast. It’s a 500-page standalone fantasy novel, so there is a lot of world-building, politics, and history in this Legend of Arthur retelling. It definitely has misogynistic vibes, which unfortunately doesn't face much pushback from our modem FMC. The days in Thule are 60 hours long, but the book takes place in about 3 days and A LOT happens in that timeframe. There is insta-forbidden love between River and Hadrian - like in the first day. It would have made more sense if there was some kind of mate-bond, but this book does not have that trope. The relationships seem to take a bit of a backseat to the world-building, but I do get that in a stand-alone fantasy. It almost would have made sense to make this into two books to be able to create more feelings for the characters. I liked some of the side characters as much as the mains, and I felt like I knew them just as well.

While this book does include a few spicy moments, they are very non-descript (basically fade to black), so I would call this more of a fantasy adventure than a fantasy romance.

Interesting world and premise, it just took me about twice as long to read as normal.

⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️

I received an E-Arc from Netgalley and the publisher/author for an honest review!

I could not put this book down. I had to know what was going to happen. The summary explains what goes down. I'm not going to repeat that. I was literally wrapped up in this world of fantasy, a whole new world of fantasy, shall I break out into song and sing "A Whole New World?" Yup I really really liked this book and everything about it. The ups and downs, the magic/fantasy, the world, the creatures!

River, the main character had learn about this world as well and I think she liked some of the aspects of it. She is a gal who stands up for what's right and for those she cares. You can see that popping up many times. That's a great quality! I just really like her. I loved how she tinkered with some artifacts but in her mind they weren't artifacts, they were part of home.

The story just kept going and going which made me feel like I was on an adventure with River! I loved it!

There was a twist on Arthurian legend. I didn't realize it until I was later in the book. I was so super focused on River and Hadrian, gee..I wonder why?

Hadrian is a perfect gentleman. It was nice to see that in a fantasy adventure world. What more can I say? New book boyfriend maybe?? I dunno I have to think on that right.

This book is filled with fantasy adventure, enemies to friends to lovers kind of aspect, kindness, humor, romance and so much more! Oh we can't forget the capybara mention. Are you wondering why I mention that? Well you gotta read the book to find out. I will say the ending wraps up in a nice bow which I adored. I believe the story or that world could be left open for more adventures?

Give this book a read and hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

An engaging, Arthurian inspired fantasy romance. I enjoyed the modern day settings contrasted with the fantastical and time travel elements. Several twists caught me off guard and kept me up late reading.

I loved this book.
I was instantly hooked into the story. I read the first 60 percent in a day and fell in love with every character. Even if I didn't love them the way they were described the way everyone had was more then just a character but felt like a real person.

I started to get scared near the end ... worried about the end and how much I didn't want it to end at all.

Thank you for providing this book in return for an honest review. This book was a take on Arthurian legend which I loved because it’s not an overdone retelling. The world and language in this world are ingenious although sometimes there would be patches in that piece of the story. The one unbelievable aspect of the story was how quickly the main characters love story happened. Overall a fantastic read!

The story was engaging and I enjoyed the fantasy elements of it. The sci-fi side wasn't really for me but I enjoyed it none-the-less. I did find the world building a little complicated as there were a lot of complicated storylines and jumps around that has me re-reading parts.
A lot of the pop culture references also felt very forced and I found them to get a bit repetitive.
I loved the family within this book and through it was really interesting to see the dynamics of River's household.
I also loved the amount of effort the author put into the book. There were so many details included within the story that it was hard not to appreciate the story.

As a main character, I didn't love River. It felt as though she wanted to have MC energy but she was lacking. She was a push over when it came to Hadrian and didn't really stand up for herself, which was disappointing. She gave off a very strong damsel in distress vibe, which I felt took away from her being the main character of her own story.
The instant love storyline also wasn't for me. It felt very force and there wasn't anything romantic or loving about it at all. Considering the book didn't have a very long time frame (about a week) it would have been hard to add a slow burn, but I felt like the romance side of the story was unnecessary and could have been better spent building River's character.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC

This book was a truly wild ride. The story was engrossing from the beginning and I enjoyed the plot. The main character was likeable and the overall plot was a fun mix of modern world and magical. I did think that the book could have been a bit shorter and I was wary of the insta love between the two main characters. Overall I enjoyed this book.