I fear I've set the bar too high with this as my first ARC from netgalley.
5 luminous and resounding stars for the tale of River Greer. River is trying to save her youngest sister when she is stolen in the night and transported to a place light years from earth and straight into Arthurian legend. River will do whatever it takes to not only return home to save her sister but to save the foreign world of Thule from the mysterious blight. Along the way she will discover answers to questions of her past, including what exactly happened to her long disappeared mother and sister.

Now that the summary is out of the way, let me say this. I'm picky with writing styles. If I don't like the writing style I don't care how good the story is, I'm immediately taken out of it. C. Monk is such a gifted writer and story teller. I absolutely adored the writing. Descriptive but not droning, she knows how to paint a picture and tell a story without making it too flowery or losing me in the details. She kept me captivated the whole time. Normally I don't always like when modern/current language is used in stories because I feel it takes away from the fantasy/surreal element of sci-fi/fantasy stories. However, she uses the perfect amount of it to inject humor in the story and it offers us a way as the the reader to forge a connection with River.
I loved the characters and the world building, the story was paced very well.
Most of all, as an avid reader of romance I was a big fan of the romance in this story.
I can't wait to read more from this author and look forward to the sequel!

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the arc of ‘Of blood and light’ by C Monk.

It’s so well written and reads with ease. I wasn’t sure what genre this is but why should we label everything!

Stunning read! Another author to add to my favourites.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read rage and review this arc which is now available.

A bodice ripping fantasy in Proto-Celtic about Authorian Legends? Yes! A million times yes! Oh my god this was so so good and unique and good lord I loved every single word. It evoked such moments of clarity in my imaginings as I read. Go read this book now!

Review posted on Goodreads on May 3rd, 2023. Link to review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5523583043

<b>Arthurian legend, bodice-ripping, and capybaras: welcome to Thule!</b>

Oh yeahhh. This might be one of the most refreshing books I've read this year yet. I mean can we get some round of applause on this one?

<img src="https://media.tenor.com/029LgfMnsisAAAAC/applause-leonardo-dicaprio.gif" width="200" height="200" alt="description"/>

You have given me a new life, Ms Monk.

I came into this one with low expectations, as I usually do with new-to-me authors. Plus, it promised us an Arthurian legend (something I'm kinda in the mood for lately idk why), and, it features my newest animal obsession:

<img src="https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/large30x20/public/articles/2023/04/26/rdcapybara203_2.jpg?VersionId=_ABmGfqgpRfu82Yzl_53iGcfTJlIDqFz" width="250" height="200" alt="(the capybara, not the cat)"/> (the capybara, not the cat)

So, with that in mind, this book surprises me. The level of detail in the worldbuilding and backstory, I am impressed. I'm a whore for an excellent worldbuilding and this book delivered. I feel like I was transported right into the story the moment the book starts. It's not a generic sort of worldbuilding, you know, the one that you usually get with some other books. This one got a great magic system, interesting mechanics to them and even technology surrounded them. I mean, have I mentioned how impressed I am? The last time I was impressed by a magic system, it was the Hidden Legacy series.

And the characters? Oooohh, we got no asshole alpha hero in this one guys. WE HAVE A GENTLEMAN!

<blockquote><b><i>"Will you forgive me this one sin?"</i></b></blockquote>

<img src="https://media.tenor.com/Avxsk6MXOT0AAAAC/funny-girl.gif" width="270" height="200" alt="description"/>

I know, I'm regressing to a teen a bit here but bear with me for a while. It has been a hot minute since I read a genuinely good hero that doesn't overpower our girl with his alpha-ness. And our girl, River, what a fantastic protagonist. She's smart, something that I don't think the author portrayed that well, and drama free from what I can tell. You don't get that airhead attitude from her, the one that creates complicated situations wherever she goes. Well, she did create one huge complicated situation, not on her own will of course.

And the plot? I think I'll end it here since I want you to read it on your own. All I can say is that it's original and darker than I expected (not something I usually found in a fantasy romance but definitely in horror and those <i>dark</i> romances).

All in all, I have a massive fun with this book. A slower pace fantasy romance with great worldbuilding, interesting characters, an excellent magic system, and an original plot. Definitely an easily recommended book to those who love plot-driven fantasy romance with vibrant worldbuilding.

*I received an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange of my honest review. *

After an interesting twist on the legend of King Arthur and his round table? Well, you’ve found it in Of Blood & Light.
Learn about the world of Thule alongside River, who is abducted from Earth due to mistaken identity. There is a lot at play – politics, families, and Blight, the illness that is slowly killing the land of Thule, despite all efforts – and they are all cogs that turn to make the story as wonderful as it is.
The world-building is well-developed - a mix of magic, Arthurian legends, and some Victorian stylings (unfortunately the Victorian sentiment somewhat carries over with the way in which women are treated in the book – characters can come across as misogynistic in certain aspects).
It is also worth noting that there is romance in this book (a little bit complicated, seeing as he is technically her brother-in-law…) but only black pepper amount of spice.
Would recommend if fantasy with a splash of romance is your thing.

I was able to read this book thanks to Net Galley, and I am so happy I was able to read it. I will admit that one of my unpopular opinions is that I didn't really love the ACOTR series. This book, however, felt like it had a similar vibe, but I found it much more enjoyable.

The story is a mix of the modern world, pseudo-Victorian England and Arthurian myth. To be honest, I had a lot of skepticism that this would work, but thanks to the author skillful prose, it does! The characters feel fully developed, multi-dimensional, and fully believable. The mystery is actually interesting, and keeps the page turning. And the sex scenes are pretty spicy to boot ;-)

While no book is perfect, and I certainly had some quibbles with the way the relationship between the main character and her love interest developed, I found those easy to overlook given the overall excellent quality of the book. Can't wait to read more in this universe!

4.5 stars rounded up.

This was close to a 5-star for me. It's just a bit too long and meandering. The writing is excellent. The characters are interesting and dynamic. The worldbuilding is fantastic. We get to see a few different places here that were really unique and magical. The magic system was also intriguing, though I would have liked it expanded upon. I was also a fan of the humour.

"In another drawer, she finds a sheaf of fashion plates featuring detailed instructions on how to style your hair so that you, too, can look like a sentient chandelier this season."

"It's my second awkward and silent carriage ride in less than twenty-four hours: I'm getting the hang of this. The trick is to pointedly avoid each other's eyes and keep your expression as inviting as a gas station restroom. You may choose to ramp up the tension by slowly stroking your capybara like a supervillain"

This book is described as a bodice ripper. A bodice ripper it is not. Nary a bodice gets ripped. There are 1-2 intimate scenes, but they are vague and not why you should be reading this book. It is a romance, and the romance is written well, but don't go into this expecting smut.

We start off with River in modern day Toronto, but this is a portal fantasy with a historical romance flare, and so soon River's cell is dead with no way to recharge it, and she has to wear crotchless ginch for practicality's sake.

I was quite delighted to find that this book was most excellent, having been so greatly disappointed in my last few reads. Were it a bit shorter, or perhaps arranged slightly differently, I would have given it 5 stars.

This is an awesome twist to the Arthurian legend. I couldn't put it down and has to keep reading. Nice twists and turns that keeps you engaged. Well developed world building, with it’s own language. If you like fantasy and adventure with a dash of romance, give OBAL a try. You’ll love the characters and the story.
Caring for her sick sister, River finds herself abducted and transported to another world, which is inhabited by ichorites and where there’s a blight nobody knows how to stop.
Looking forward for more from this author.

The level of detail in the world-building and backstory are just fantastic, though I did find it difficult to follow the more the story progressed. Nonetheless, it didn’t impact my enjoyment as the writing is excellent, with a quickly moving storyline. The plot is a mix of historical romance/fantasy/Arthurian legend. It was extremely engaging overall, and I couldn’t put it down.
We learn about the world of Thule alongside our heroine River, who is abducted from Earth due to mistaken identity, embarking her on an epic adventure and romance along the way.

I love Camilla Monk’s Spotless series, and this book did not disappoint!
 I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Camilla Monk for allowing me access to Of Blood and Light

I have long been a fan of Camilla Monk’s books and so was thrilled to be offered an ARC of her latest book. Tonally this is quite different to her earlier books, such as the Spotless series. Thematically it is closer to Still, both taking a modern American/Canadian woman and placing them in a world of ‘magic’ and using an existing mythology on which to base that world. I really enjoyed the way that worked in Still and likewise in this book.

This book takes the legends of Camelot as its basis and the weaves its own mythology around that in a new and interesting way, leaving enough that you recognise the references but taking things in a very different direction.

The characters were mostly well developed and I enjoyed River’s interactions with the people (and animals) she meets throughout the course of the story.

Overall this is a darker, more serious story than most of the author’s previous work but it does still have humorous characters and moments of levity and does a good job of expressing River’s difficulties in adjusting to a world with very different rules and mores.

I will admit I occasionally forgot who some of the minor characters were when they reappeared later on in the story as there are quite a lot but there was a handy glossary at the end if needed.

This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to more stories set in this world.

I absolutely fell in love with this book, it’s a mix of Arthurian legend, magic and romance and everything is done so well. The world building is amazing, although I takes a bit of time to fully understand everything, I loved learning about this new magical system and found everything so interesting. The characters were also incredibly well written, with a strong female lead who is also very compassionate and funny (there’s a lot of great humour in this). Overall this is a really great book and a strong start to a series I can’t wait to read more of.

“You will always be half of my heart”

I really fell in love with this one.
The beginning was a bit confusing with alot of worldbuilding. But so so good!
I loved the writing style and the way the story has a build up.

Characters were well thought out, most had a very established presence which gave the story even more heart.

The lovestory was so good ! The slowburn, touch her and you die.
This was one of the best reads of 2023 so far !

THIS WAS SO GOOD - I can feel a reading slump approaching because of how much I enjoyed this book

Hadrian and River 🩷🥹

The world building is INTENSE but well written - the addition of Thulish gave the story a very distinct setting and vibe

The characters in this story were incredibly well written, in my opinion, and there was a lot of character growth 🤩

I also loved the fact that our MC stayed true to her goal <3 River is very inspiring 😌

I might have tuned out a lot of the world building - but my god was I hooked with Of Blood And Light! I love River and her willingness to always sacrifice herself for those that she love. Hadrian is the only blonde MMC that I don’t hate! He is all gentleman but still would go to war. Reading OBAL had leaked an interest in learning more about the legend of the round table and the lore of Arthur and Lancelot.

Of Blood and Light was quite the fantastical journey! We meet our MC River right at the beginning as she is racing with her sister Sage to the hospital. Sage has a chronic illness that the doctor's can't seem to determine the cause of and it seems as though she is nearing her end. River, ever determined to save her sister converses with the doctors only to end up in the fantasy land of Thule. There she is in search of solving several mysteries, with the aide of the handsome Hadrian, and did I mention there are capybaras?!

This fusion of fantasy with Arthurian legend mixed with Victorian era elements will immediately draw you in. I loved how the author so seamlessly melded the two ideas, gives us a little romance, a lot of fantasy, and overall a captivating story that will have you staying up late to read just one more page.

Overall, if you love fantasy (or capybaras) you will love this book. I truly couldn't put it down!

Of Blood & Light
Of Blood & Light #1
by C. Monk

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy, romance, new adult

Well, you know how it is, new to you author but the premise sounds interesting so – do you or don't you? I did, and I'm so glad, this was a fabulous read, bringing a different slant on the supernatural side, weaving in a bit of Arthurian legend, combined with a strangely Victorian Britain theme....
There are secrets here, secrets upon secrets and poor River is lost. Who Are these people? Where Is she? They seem to feel she is someone else, a wayward wife no less.
I loved so much about this story, the fabulous new world I entered, the strange characters within it, some who were decidedly not what they seemed. And of course the magics :-)
I really felt for River, loved her determination, her love for family, and her attitude of DLTBGYD. Then Hadrian, who appears cold and aloof, but time proves otherwise. So many fabulous characters here, and some real nasties too. I do love finding those in a story.
Its an intense read, full of drama, action, ballgowns and corsets ;-) and a hero who is a true gentleman, not the usual pushy Alpha grunting type! There's a really useful section at the back explaining about Thule and its inhabitants, I found that excellent as I was a little confused to begin.
I'm off to look for what else the author has written, and I really, really hope we're getting more of this.

Stars: Five, a cracking, unusual take on the fantasy romance genre.
.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

A wonderfully fabulous read! Cool magic, parallel universe, capybaras, slow burn romance, battles, mystery, and deceit....oh and did I mention capybaras? Yup! This was an Arthurian legend story I didn't know I needed. Sometimes I got lost in some of the names, people, world building, but overall a very enjoyable story that I'd love to read more....highly recommend.
Posted this rating and review on Goodreads and Amazon as well

WOW WOW WOW.

I did not find the second half of this book slow and could not wait to get back into the world of Thule when I wasn't reading it. I am a hopeless romantic and I was cheering for River and Hadrian immediately.

I enjoyed the different twist on magical characteristics with ichor being the source of magic and life in Thule. The spice level is low, but still swoonworthy.

I truly did not expect the twists regarding River and Floe's parentage or the awful experiment her uncle was spearheading.

My only critique is that I found it difficult to switch to the Thulish dialogue explanation and definitions in the back of the book during the course of reading. I ended up foregoing this pretty quickly into reading and chose to figure it out in context.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This book was my first introduction to Camilla Monk’s writing and I am hooked! This was an addicting mix of sci-fi, fantasy, legend, and just enough romance that it didn’t take away from the plot.

River, the main character, is kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity and finds herself in an unfamiliar land. I don’t want to give anything away but fans of classic literature and lore will love the connections made and nods to some of your favorite stories.

Dimensional family relationships add to the relatable factor of the book- you are rooting for River from the very first chapter. The world-building was fantastic (I would love to visit the fantastical Thule), and there are some plot twists that I didn’t see coming.

If you like books with a satisfying ending- you will be happy with this one. I am looking forward to more in the series to explore other characters in depth.

Overall, Monk finds a brilliant balance of fantasy and reality within the pages of this book, and you will find an enjoyable escape as well.

Of Blood and Light by C. Monk
Absolutely honored to be granted a chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A kidnapping, and the hunt for a vanished mother and sister, with links to clues guarded by plesiosaurs. Her reality in question, a suspicious stranger’s interrogation, and a newly discovered magic, twist everything River Greer previously knew about Arthurian legend, teasing her hope of saving her dying sister.

An undeniably satisfying read in the fantasy genre, I was pleasantly surprised by the artful execution of such a great story idea. The dedication to the development of Thule, its inhabitants and their language, and what drives their existence is apparent throughout. Fulfilling plot twists and a great balance of humor and conflict kept me easily intrigued.

An innovative and gripping use of Arthurian legend I didn’t see coming. C. Monk’s clever and well-balanced use of literary devices creates vivid imagery with prose that allows effortless reading, understanding, and connection to well-developed, relatable characters with natural and well-executed arcs, granted me the type of immersion that causes irritation at the requirement for sleep.

I kept hoping there was more and am looking forward to the continuing adventures.
I’ll be watching out for more from this author, for sure.
Saljārād for an incredibly enjoyable read, C. Monk!

In short: I really enjoyed the book.
The romance is beautiful and you can feel the chemistry between these two characters blow up the pages. I really enjoyed the main character, her personality is very relatable. The love interest is so healthy and his development in the book was extremely enjoyable and swoon-worthy.
I really love books where a person from our world goes into a fantasy world, I think it makes it easier for us to related the MC and also is so much for to see characters experience our world through the MC's references. And that is exactly what happened here.
I did have a hard time at times understanding the world, but in general I think the world-building wasn't bad at all.
The plot twists were really good, although at a certain point you can definitely see them coming. I did feel there was too much fluff in the writing, sometimes I had to skim a bit since the pace was feeling incredibly slow.
I also liked the ending A LOT, it was unique and beautiful, but I wish we'd gotten to see more of the main couple.

As a last comment, I feel making it so related to the legend of Camelot, Merlin and Arthur was a huge disservice to the story. The plot, characters and the world were so good, they should've stood on their own, especially when it isn't even similar at all to Camelot and Arthur.

Welcome to Thule with its Victorian values and Arthurian memories because yes Arthur and Merlin were real not myth ! Perhaps not much of a welcome though for River as she’s kidnapped from Earth due to her uncanny resemblance to a runaway Duchess. The Duke is cold and aloof but the alternative to staying with him is definitely worse yet River is determined to get home . This world full of magic is dying and as River gets closer to answers about why she finds herself falling in love but around her are lies, trickery and deceit !
Oh my such a fun idea to give the Arthurian legend a bloody twist and yes pun intended ! The idea that blood calls to blood and feeds the land was very original and then to pair it with the impossibly fussy Victorian lifestyle made for often hilarious results as corsets and crinolines definitely don’t help our heroine. Oh yes you will like River as she is fiercely loyal and not shy in speaking her mind. As for Harkin it took a while to see beneath his posturing but if you want a perfect gentleman with morals then he’s definitely your man ! The side characters added greatly to my enjoyment as they enriched the plot and the bad guys are absolutely truly heinous but then who doesn’t love a good villain ? Definitely not what I expected and all the better for it .
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I’m not sure what genre to classify this book. It’s historical, fantasy, some romance and maybe a dash of sci-fi? It’s different for sure. There’s was SO MUCH world building and I had trouble keeping up, however that doesn’t negate from how much I liked this book. This isn’t a book you can read and not pay attention, the details matter. The main characters and love interest are likeable. Amazing plot twists and a beautiful ending!!

OMG! I absolutely loved this book! I'm not going to lie, there was so much world building that I couldn't take it all in and I wish there was more romance, but, man, what a book! Read it, read it, read it!

This is a well written book, as well as a quick read, enjoyed it and got through it quicker then i thought i was going to, even though i wasnt sure on the genre this was in the end, but this didnt stop me for really enjoy it. worth the read highly recommended.

Wow, what an incredible read!!

Of Blood and Light by Camilla Monk begins with River Greer rushing her little sister, Sage, to the hospital after finding her unconscious at home. Sage has suffered from ill health since she was born and River has helped to care for her most of her own life along with their dad. It is in the anxiety and confusion of Sage being admitted to the hospital that River is kidnapped from her world and taken to another that holds no bearing or familiarity to the one she just left. As River scrambles to try and get back to her sister and dad she starts to uncover one truth after another about her own background and the world that she has been pulled into.

Whoa, this was so good. As River was sucked into Thule, so was I into this powerful, imaginative story. I didn't want it to end! Camilla Monk has done an absolutely wonderful job of building the world of Thule. A world that is so different from our modern earth realm and yet one that sits in a dimension alongside it and is interspersed with its influences. I thoroughly enjoyed going along for the ride through Thule and reading River's journey. I also loved the world building, the buildup of emotion, the turns of the story, and also that the book wasn't finished after the big event at the end. I really appreciated all the loose ends being tied up and the time that was taken to give the story a proper ending.

I truly loved this!!

Thank you to Camilla Monk, Yaypub and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

"Thulē lawenotwag !"

I'll start by saying that a story based on Arthurian legends is a first for me, and probably explains my 4-star rating. I really enjoyed immersing myself in this new universe, parallel to our own, and discovering this story and Thule.

Several points bothered me, such as the romance between River and Hadrian (I adore that name, though), which seems too fast, insta-love almost.

The plot-twist (related to River and Floe's family in particular, and the fate of the latter) left a big impression on me. That was a clever idea. In reality, apart from the romance that seemed forced at times, the plot is great and the characters are likeable.
The fact that a language, Thulish, was created by the author for this novel, using reconstructed Proto-Celtic words, is absolutely huge ! I loved that aspect and the ending lexicon was welcome and a delight to read.

A story that for some is perhaps not worth 4 stars but deserve them in many ways.
I look forward to reading the novella and I hope that the second volume will be published ! I want to to discover the story of Floe and Eliud.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!!

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!

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.

Of Blood and Light is absolutely Brilliant. A fast paced action packed tale of magical adventure.

Absolutely steller world building in this book with a fantastic backstory that is well laid out for the reader. Super characters you will absolutely fall in love with.

I loved this book… it was totally immersive you will be consumed into this wonderful world through this fantastical journey throughout this book.

I can't stop thinking about this book. It was such great world building and I loved so many characters! Full review on goodreads.

This book was such a delightful read, the level of detail with the language and worldbuilding was amazing but not overwhelming, the romance was great (although I'm a slow burn girlie myself) all wrapped up in a fast paced plot and Arthurian legend influences.

The plot of this story follows River Greer as she is plunged headfirst into the world of Thule, a parallel world where the descendants of Arthur and his knights of the round table still hold court, oh... and they have magic powers and Capybara's as pets.

What was really impressive to me was that although the worldbuilding is extensive and detailed at no point did I feel like I was being lore-dumped on, which is quite a feat given this is also a fish out of water story so would have been very easy to do. But neither did I feel overly confused by how this world worked, again, impressive. The only thing that did sometimes confuse me was trying to keep the many characters straight as some have similar names and there's a lot of them but this only happened occasionally and really only with more minor characters.

As for the romance, again this impressed me, I'm normally a slow burn girlie who can't stand when characters fall in love or lust too fast, but as much as I would have preferred it to take longer for these two to fall for each other it made sense that it happened sooner rather than later and I at least understood what they saw in each other and I was still very invested in them.

Now I will say although I did like certain other side characters I wasn't super invested in them except maybe 1 or 2 that I did want to know more about. I will say that for me River as protagonist was decent but wasn't amazing, she was smart and I really liked that, for example her figuring out bits of the Thule language from context clues of bits she'd heard before e.g. learning "come here" from someone calling the Capybara. But outside of this I didn't really have many strong feelings either way.

Overall I definitely enjoyed my time with the book and would for sure recommend it, especially if you love Arthurian legends with a twist.

<b> Thank you C. Monk, Yaypub, and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. </b>


River carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. Daughter to a single biker turned (mostly) upstanding citizen, and sister to the medically complex, best friend Sage - she is keenly aware of her role in keeping her family protected, supported, and together. One night after rushing Sage to the hospital after collapsing River is kidnapped and taken from the world (literally) that she knows and thrown into Arthurian-meets-Victorian Thule. A world across the galaxy attached through a magical pathway/wormhole. In Thule she discovers that the reason for her abduction is a matter of <spoiler> not quite</spoiler> mistaken identity as she's assumed to be the missing wife of an ailing Duke. <spoiler> River discovers that the Dukes actual wife is actually her missing twin sister, who (along with their mother) had been kidnapped back to Thule almost two decades earlier) </spoiler>. Finding unlikely allies, unraveling the mysteries of the true history of Arthurs legend and finding a way home to save her sister become her new life mission -- oh and let us throw in a growing affection for the Duke <spoiler> and the complications of lusting over your twin sisters husband </spoiler>.

I really enjoyed reading this retelling of Arthur and his Knights. I loved Rivers a plomb and Hadrian's stoic moral compass. I'll be looking for book 2 in the series...

Definitely a great read, I appreciated its ability to capture my attention from the beginning and continue to hold it through out. I love how the world of Thule is in a way futuristic but Victorian. Definitely will read more from this author!

I'm not a terrible fan of Arthurian lore, I feel it's a legend that's been overdone. HOWEVER, this was riveting and really enjoyable! I'd say the story was more of an intricate dance of the author's unique world with wisps of established reference and an extension to the already created fable.

Monk does an incredible job of world building. Descriptions were on point and nothing felt overly repetitive. Her writing style is refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed River's introduction to Thule's culture and how the reader discovered the meanings of each Thulish world along with her. Of Blood and Light contains one of the most naturally written exposures to a new language I've read in a long time.

Plot? 10/10. There were several times I audibly gasped due to a cliffhanger or unexpected outcome. I'm not a physically reactive reader so this even threw me for a surprise! I didn't know where the story was going next. There was a time or two when some bigger moments felt rushed and slightly anticlimactic but the aftermath was well composed so I didn't really mind it.

Speaking of rushed.

The connection between the main characters did seem that way considering they knew each other all of one day before throwing themselves at each other. It felt wrong considering Hadrian was her twin sister's husband--whether or not they consummated the marriage. So, I had a hard time rooting for their relationship. Once it was acknowledged that things were running too fast and that it wasn't proper, I felt a little better but still wished there was more tension and moments of non-sexual intimacy/bonding before they became so infatuated with each other. I suppose I discovered I'm not a fan of the quick or insta-love trope. That really is my only complaint and it faults on my own preference, otherwise, I loved this book.

I'd recommend this to NA readers who like in-depth world building, an awesome plot, a gentlemanly romance interest, and intimate scenes.

I received this title as an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Camilla Monk for the opportunity to read this treasure!

This book surprised me. I’m genuinely impressed by the level of detail in the worldbuilding and backstory. The world-building and mythology of the world are compelling original despite the nods to other works, so Thule feels both fresh and comfortingly familiar. I’m a lover of excellent worldbuilding and this book delivered exactly that. I felt as though I was transported right into the story the moment the book starts. A nice little surprise was the setting being in Toronto (where I live) so it helped bring more life into the story. It's not a generic sort of worldbuilding either, you know, the one that you usually get with some other books, this one was so refreshing.

Of Blood and Light has a great magic system, interesting mechanics to them and even technology surrounded them. The world is old, yet also new and I personally loved that. I mean, have I mentioned how impressed I am?
 
All in all, I had massive fun with this book. A slower pace fantasy romance with great worldbuilding, interesting characters, an excellent magic system, and an original plot. Definitely an easily recommended book to those who love plot-driven fantasy romance with vibrant worldbuilding.

**Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.***

This was a really interesting fantasy, romance from C Monk. Very easy to read, with fantastic Arthurian inspired world building. Standalone novel with potential spin offs.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review of this book**

Of Blood & Light by C. Monk is a wonderful story that will definitely captivate readers. Monk writes with an
enchanting blend of polished and ornate talent. The book presents readers with a portal style fantasy, where the hero River, gets kidnapped and taken to another planet incredibly similar to our world. Except, the world is imbued with magic, the same magical ichor that flows through her veins. She needs to find a way back home to take care of her little sister who is on her deathbed, but when she discovers her long lost twin might have been taken to the same place when she was five she teams up with her twins estranged husband. An enthralling adventure ensues. Queue enemies to lovers, strong sibling love, rich history, and an exciting new magic system. The premise of the story is immediately enthralling, filled with elements of magical blood, a haunting blight, family secrets, and my favorite forced proximity/enemies-to-lovers trope. C. Monk's storytelling abilities are nothing short of remarkable and gifted, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in a world crafted with immense depth and attention to detail.

The richness of the world-building is a testament to Monks writing skill. The world building is akin to that of Tolkien's work. The intricacies of the magical world and its history draw readers in, while the incorporation of various languages adds a certain authenticity and lived in feeling to the setting. One of the most outstanding aspects of the book is how Monk expertly blends modern linguistics with the eloquence of older forms of speaking. This blend adds a layer of sophistication and allure to the prose, while at the same time being relatable and funny while using modern slang within our heroines inner monologue. However, it's worth noting that if you find books like Lord of The Rings, or Pride and Prejudice a bit overwhelming or verbose, this book might present similar challenges as it, too, provides a substantial and language rich experience.

In conclusion, "Of Blood & Light" is a gem for fantasy enthusiasts who relish complex world-building, consuming storytelling, and an artful combination of language styles. If you're prepared for a substantial and rewarding reading journey, this book will easily leave you eager for more. I honestly can’t wait to hear Floe’s journey next.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
A pet capybara, unicorns, inspired by Arthurian Legends and a little romance/spice. I don’t know about you but I’m sold on those alone.
I really enjoyed this book, from the moment she woke up in a different world. I was in it needing to know why, how and when will she get home.
Some of the reveals were obvious to me, that didn’t stop me from saying “oh my gosh” to myself when they happened. But no spoilers from me to anyone who wants to read ;)
Save to say, I want more from the world of Thule.

I loved the use of language and culture in Of Blood and Light, and see it as a promising start to a new series of work and worlds. As a fan of science fiction/fantasy, I'm always looking for books that are unique and satisfying in these genres -- and this text does that.

Why you should consider picking this up:
*Based in Arthurian Legend, but they are steampunk Victorian aliens
*Feisty pet capybaras
*Interesting magic system & world building
*original plotting

Why you should stay:
This book is not just sassy capybaras & steampunk aliens. It's raw and original, full of exploration about duty and birthright. The pacing for this book is consistent, slowing when there needs to be depth and exposition and racing during high-stakes battles and moments. It does not feel like a 500 page book with how quickly I flew through it.

I am not a huge fan of insta-love types stories, but I feel as though the author handled the romance well with the main characters. I found the side characters to be interesting and I certainly didn't see the twist coming. Additionally, there were tons of words that I learned/rediscovered with this reading as I often do not come across them in every day life or in books I read. The language of the book does not feel overly clunky or pretentious, which can happen when utilizing the Thesaurus Soup to add to the setting.

I received a free ebook ARC from Netgalley and am never paid for my opinions.

Engrossing and exciting. Really well done and an enjoyable read!

I have not read any books by this author, so I was excited to find another author that ranks with Maas and writers of her caliber. The story was complete and well-written, and I happily turned page after page.

The author, Monk, is undeniably brilliant, and what I love most is that she writes without compromising her intellect. I have never felt that she dumbed down her content or held back, a practice that often irks me in other authors. Instead, Monk keeps me engaged, alert and sparks curiosity and personal growth.

The perfect blend of fantasy and modern references captivated me from the start. The romance between Hadrian and River was a delight, and I appreciated how Hadrian's character evolved from being initially uptight and demanding to become a supportive and respectful partner. River, as a strong and intelligent protagonist, stood up for herself and her loved ones, which made her all the more compelling. The characters in the story charmed and endeared themselves to me. At the very least, they were quite likable. I wholeheartedly recommend complementing the reading experience by exploring the artwork on the author's website—it adds an enjoyable dimension to the narrative.

Their romance felt incredibly natural, given their shared loyalty and willingness to do anything for their people. Hadrian's selflessness in protecting his land and its inhabitants, even at the cost of his own health, was touching. Likewise, River's dedication to safeguarding her sister Sage, and her pursuit of becoming a doctor to find a cure for her, showcased her admirable strength of character.

As the story unfolded, I found myself becoming curious about the other characters in the world. I sincerely hope that future books will feature River's sheltered sister, Sage, and her journey toward finding her own path. Additionally, a book exploring River's other sister, Floe, and her experiences after living a traumatic life would be enthralling.

In conclusion, this series truly enchanted me. The fantastic world-building, well-crafted romance, and compelling characters made it an immensely enjoyable read. I eagerly look forward to any future installments in this captivating universe.

"Of Blood and Light" is an absolute gem! Despite not being a huge Arthurian lore fan, this book had me hooked from the start. The author's masterful blend of a unique world with nods to the classic legend is sheer brilliance. The world-building is vivid, and the plot is a breathtaking rollercoaster with unexpected twists that left me gasping. The scorching chemistry between the main characters is electrifying, making their instant love utterly irresistible. We love a true gentleman! I couldn't put it down! For readers who crave immersive world-building, thrilling plots, and passionate romance, this book is a must-read! Prepare to be enchanted and captivated!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this amazing eArc

The world of Thule features in this lovely fantasy romance, it was very engaging from start to finish. Full of all of the good kind of chaos and interesting take on a parallel universe that shut its doors (mostly) to Earth a. Our heroine River is well written and the romance is a little insta-love, which isn’t my fave but was pleasantly surprised, not particularly spicy. There was a lot of in-depth character building including some side character which was a little over whelming at times but over all really good. Worth a read if you like romantasy.

Sooo good. A little nerdy and a lot romantic. It’s kind of insta-lovey but it works for this story.
I think there were a few slow parts but the beginning immediately hooks you and throughout the rest of the story you keep getting hooked.
Loved the characters, fantastic world building (complete with an entire language with linguistic rules and everything!)
Really loved this story.

I don’t think I’ll be able to fully express how much I enjoyed this book. If I could give it more stars I would.

Arthurian, Greek mythology, Victorian era, CAPYBARAS?! All meshed beautifully.

Rivers mom and sister were taken when she was only 5, and it had been just her, her dad and her sister Sage.
River is kidnapped abruptly after taking Sage to the hospital, and taken to an entire new world, under the guise that she is someone else and going to be arrested.
Hadrian believed her to be his wife that had run away from him, for reasons he doesn’t understand yet.
As things slowly become uncovered they find out that you can’t trust everyone, even your closest friends and family, as well as the truth about her mom.

The details to the world building, intense, I know it’s not everyone’s favourite thing to have to fully think about how things work, but i thoroughly enjoyed it.


Thank you netgalley for the arc!

will be posting on my instagram Oct 3rd. 2023

I really enjoyed this. I thought it was a really good mash up of a magical world and the “real” world. It was easy to follow the plot, and I really enjoyed the main characters.

Thank you for providing me a opportunity to read this arc and am glad I requested for it because it was the fantastic world building and the character are equally amazing. The unique powers are amazing and I love it!! The portal world was soo good and the romance was lovely between the main characters! The secrets and mystery around the story was unlike I've ever read. I really loved and enjoyed. Of course, I am definitely forward to the upcoming books!

4.5/5 ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just start by saying I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought, and I devoured it in two days. The world building was delightful - original and in depth, which is something I always really like in any fantasy books. I especially liked that the author invented her own language for the book! The magic system was super interesting as well and not something I'd seen before.

The characters were all really likeable, and the romance was super cute, although if there's one thing I could say is that it went from 0 to 100 pretty quickly with the love story haha.

Overall I'm going to keep an eye out for more books from Camilla Monk as I really enjoyed her writing style!

I really enjoyed this magical story that combines so many elements of different myths and legends that I love. I don't really know if I can explain this book well enough without giving anything away, so I will just say that the level of detail that has gone into the writing of this is phenomenal and is worth reading just for that! It's a great historical (ish) fantasy, with and engaging plot, interesting characters and romance!

When I tell you, I fell head over heels for Thule, capybaras and all!
The worldbuilding was so eloquently done, I was blindsided by how easy it was to follow. I’m someone who can sometimes get a little overwhelmed by too much worldbuilding, too many characters too soon, too much drama - but this was truly perfectly balanced.

River is a lookalike for the runaway bride of a duke and is subsequently swept into a world unlike anything she has ever known. Forced into a role that she knows very little about, this headstrong girl is suddenly the epicentre of a series of events that lead her down a very slippery slope. All the while, dealing with all the emotions that come from having a very unwell family member.

In my personal life, I am that family member, and I am very fortunate to have a beautifully headstrong sister who I see shares many of the qualities of River Greer. This book was relatable, beautifully crafted and had me sobbing at times.
It was the slow burn romantacy that I had no idea I needed.

Capybaras are my favourite animal in the world, and I’m brutally honest, that’s what I signed up for. I had no idea that my love of capybaras would lead to one of my favourite romantacy books of 2023.
Go and read it, relate to it, laugh with it and maybe even cry with like I did. She’s a tornado and I was the flimsy tree that was swept off my feet.

I’d give it a solid 🌶️🌶️ spicy rating. It has spice, but much more of a romantic type of spice, not so much dirty take me behind the bike shed.
Highly recommend to fans of Sarah J Maas!

-I received the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book on Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, these are my own personal thoughts about the book. Thank you for the opportunity.-

I absolutely adored 'Of Blood and Light.' This book seamlessly blends intricate world-building with compelling characters and a gripping plot. What hooked me from the start was the author's ability to create a richly detailed universe where every element, from the political intrigue to the magical lore, felt immersive and believable. The characters are complex and relatable, each with their own struggles and motivations that kept me invested in their journey. Add to that the perfect balance of action, romance, and suspense, and you have a recipe for a truly unforgettable read. I couldn't put it down!