Of Blood & Light

I read the ebook version a little over a year ago and had some issues at the time. Luckily, many were solved by having access to an audiobook! I did not previously have the benefit of a pronunciation guide, so having someone say names, phrases, etc. out loud kept them from being such a distraction to the flow of the story. It is unabridged, so you get everything from the print version. There are two narrators, which is definitely my preference, and also some sound effects. It can also be sped up quite a bit without issue. Like my first read, I enjoyed the premise, but there was a lot going on, and that made it difficult to follow at times.

Thanks to Yaypub and NetGalley for an ALC of this audiobook for an honest review.

This audiobook was AMAZING!!
Dual narration done in the BEST way possible
The most outstanding part to me was the sound effects? And music ??? Which was done at the begging of almost every chapter and helped set the scene amazingly well. The fact that muffled voices/voices behind doors or distant actually sounded it????
The story itself was so amazing. So different to ANY Arthurian re-telling l've ever read. The characters and their development over the course of the book was so well done.
ALSO. PET CAPYBARA??????
The ONLY negative thing I have to say about this book is that I felt like it was rushed? Like I feel like so so much happened in this book and I would have loved for it to be split over at least three books to be able to immerse in the story more.
But this was an absolutely wonderful story and I'm so grateful to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to get an arc audio. This is my second favourite audiobook ever

*of Blood and Light* takes readers on an imaginative journey across universes, blending Victorian elements, Arthurian legend, and magic. The story centers on River Greer, who, after the loss of her sister, is abducted and thrust into the world of Thule—a richly crafted realm where magic and mystery reign. Thule’s very existence is threatened by a blight, and River’s arrival plays a key role in its salvation. Alongside Hadrian Landevale, a knight battling his own demons, she embarks on a journey that intertwines fate and secrets.

One of the novel’s standout elements is its world-building. Monk creates a vivid, original setting, complete with its own language and a unique magic system. These details bring Thule to life and give the book a depth that fantasy lovers will appreciate. The characters are likeable, though the romance between River and Hadrian can feel a bit forced at times. Despite this, their bond evolves as the story progresses, adding tension to the plot.

The narration by Sarah Kisko and Brennen Blotner elevates the story, with exquisite delivery that captures the essence of the characters. Their narration is particularly immersive—you can sometimes hear the pages turning as they reads, which adds an extra layer of intimacy to the audiobook experience.

Overall, *The Book of Blood and Light* offers an inventive plot, engaging characters, and exceptional world-building. Though the romance could have been more organic, the magic and adventure make this a highly enjoyable read for fantasy fans.

*I received a copy of the audiobook from Netgalley*

I am so glad I asked for the ARC of this audiobook because it was so good! It was honestly a production with sound effects and music infused. Great narrator voices as well. There was a time or two where the additional sounds didn't seem to quite fit but overall it felt like an immersive audio.

I found this story so refreshing! I loved every second of it and I could not finish it fast enough. Give me three more! All the characters were likable, especially our 2 mains. Was there misogyny? Yes, but it aligned with the setting. There's a little bit of spice and it was done really tastefully (in my opinion).

I also felt like there was plenty of book left after the climax. I hate when a story hits its peak and 2 chapters later it's over and super rushed.

I honestly think this may be my favorite book of the year and this is book 150 for me. Seriously listen to the audio!

Arc review (audio book)

I really enjoyed this more then I thought.
It’s fantasy/scifi/urban

Tropes:
Slow burn
Found family
Lost family
Mystical animals
World jumping
Unique magic system (science)

The narrators done great they were picked so well.
I loved that this book was just it a stand alone and it had the perfect beginning middle and end. It was all compacted so well into 1 book.

This had everything a fantasy book needed and was such a refreshing listen.

Well done C Monk

Thank you netgalley, yaypub and CMonk for the arc

I honestly loved it!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC in return for my honest review. The start of this book is fantastic as you are tossed into the chaos of the main character, River, being kidnapped. This had me invested in the story very early on and I only wish that momentum would have continued. While the world building that followed was important, it felt like it dragged on a bit which left me a little bit bored.

I did enjoy all the ties to the knights of the round table but with modern flares thrown in. I felt like the world Monk created had a very Steampunk vibe and I was all here for that.

As far as the audio recording, I loved Sarah Kisko’s portrayal of River. Her voice matched exactly what I had in my head for that character. Unfortunately, Brennen Blotner’s voice just didn’t fit Hadrian for me. I did enjoy his portrayal of the other male characters though.

Overall, I did enjoy this story. I feel it read more YA than I was expecting but it was still a fun ride.

I have read this book already and enjoyed it very much, but I love listening to the audiobooks afterwards to see how someone else would tell the story and pronounce the names. I enjoyed this book the first time around, but I'm enjoying the audiobook way more because of the narrators and the background noises that add to the story to make it more realistic.