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Andy Monk
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The King of the Winter (In the Absence of Light Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Andy Monk (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 137 ratings

A heart without love is like a world without light. It is where the monsters live...


Fleeing England and the hangman's noose, Caleb Cade followed the road across Europe for twenty years. In search of happiness, whether in a woman's eyes, the turn of a card or the depths of a brandy glass, the next horizon was always the cure to all his ills. Across those long dusty years, he became a womaniser, then a thief living behind a charmer's smile until, eventually, the road ensnared him in insanity and murder.

It is 1708, the Age of The Enlightenment, and Caleb has returned to London a broken man, incapable of love and terrified of the grave, his only friend the half-imagined ghost of his long dead brother. Haunted by his own demons, he relives the tragic events of his childhood while fearing the King of the Winter is still peering through his window, all cold of heart and sly of eye, finally ready to take him down to the damnation he knows he deserves.

But when one road ends another begins. A Huguenot libertine, a strange man around which strange things happen, befriends Caleb. He is a man with an insatiable appetite for all the pleasures of life, a man who can seemingly bend people to his will and make them dance to his own debauched tune, a man with sparkling blue January eyes and snow-white hair.

A man who might not be a man at all...

A dark historical fantasy that is by turns haunting, romantic, humorous, disturbing and ultimately moving.

Book One of In the Absence of Light; a story of love, loss, vampires and the black hearts of men.

Come take a journey upon a dark road...

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  1. Book 1 of 4
    In the Absence of Light
  2. Print length
    374 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    September 8, 2012
  6. File size
    2.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 4 books in this series.

From the Publisher

Group of figures in 18th century clothing, beneath the legend "6 women, 3 vampires, 2 brothers"
Group of figures in 18th century clothing, beneath the legend, "One Broken Man"
Four books next to the legend "In the Absence of Light, the Complete Series

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00988N75U
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Andy Monk
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 8, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 374 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ In the Absence of Light
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 137 ratings

About the author

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Andy Monk

Andy Monk

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Andy Monk is an independent writer of dark, speculative fiction, a professional daydreamer and inventor of worlds who lives in Suffolk in the UK

His mind, however, is usually to be found in various other fantastical places.

Andy always wanted to be either a writer or a professional footballer. As his fledgling footballing career was hampered by an inability to kick, head, pass or doing anything with the ball other than trip over it and faceplanting in the mud, he eventually decided to plump for the writing.

Though he is still more than capable of tripping up and faceplanting in the mud...

The majority of Andy's books are dark historical fantasies, focussing on vampires and the humans who find themselves drawn into their orbit. This world currently encompasses three separate series and three novellas, In the Absence of Light (primarily set in London between 1679 and 1737) is Andy's first published work. All works branded as In the Company of Shadows - currently Rumville (set in London in 1710) and The Night's Road (set in the Holy Roman Empire between1630-1631), and the novellas Precious Things (1837), The Burning and A House of the Dead (both 1630) - are all subsequent works, featuring both new and returning characters in the same universe.

Outside of his vampire universe, Andy has published the Hawker's Drift series, a fantasy saga chronicling the inhabitants of a remote town in the old American west and their interactions with the town's mayor, who may, or may not, be the Devil. Plus the standalone fantasy novels The Sorrowsmith and The House of Shells, which, while not forming a series, are both set in the same universe.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
137 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's story with its many twists and turns. They appreciate its historical accuracy, with one customer noting its thorough descriptions of time and place. However, the book receives mixed feedback regarding its writing quality, with one customer mentioning numerous grammatical errors.

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6 customers mention "Story quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, which features many twists and turns.

"...All in all, a good book and worth my time to continue with the series." Read more

"...What a great story. I was truly sad when I finished the fourth book, because I know it may be awhile before I find one quite like this again...." Read more

"...the book goes from past to present - each chapter, but it keeps your interest - mainly because you are so engrossed in the story and want to know..." Read more

"...character development, thorough descriptions of time and place, unexpected twists and turns...." Read more

4 customers mention "Historical accuracy"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book, with one customer noting its thorough descriptions of time and place, while another mentions how it flows from past to present.

"...It was also a bit more physical, historically honest and brutal than Ms. Rice's more fanciful and overwrought prose...." Read more

"...What I like about books written in historical times is that human nature never really changes much...." Read more

"...Clever and attention holding the book goes from past to present - each chapter, but it keeps your interest - mainly because you are so engrossed in..." Read more

"I enjoyed the book--excellent character development, thorough descriptions of time and place, unexpected twists and turns...." Read more

3 customers mention "Grammar"0 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's grammar, with one customer noting numerous errors.

"...Well, this author is AWESOME. Now, there's some typos on occasion, but nothing that will deter you from enjoying this adventure yarn that follows..." Read more

"...There are a few grammer errors, but they can be overlooked. Definetly a keeper - fascinating story...." Read more

"...However, the numerous grammatical errors and misplaced words were, at times, distracting...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This has all the features of an historical romance with the action and mystery of the vampire horror genre. It felt very much like the work of Anne Rice, but focused on an earlier era than most of her work. Also, the author's encyclopedic knowledge of London really helped anchor the action to that location. It was also a bit more physical, historically honest and brutal than Ms. Rice's more fanciful and overwrought prose. All in all, a good book and worth my time to continue with the series.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • M. Nord
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've ever read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    There are four books to this story, and this one is the first. I'm always searching for a good, well written book...that involves vampires. So as many of you may know, it's not always easy to find such gems. Well, this author is AWESOME. Now, there's some typos on occasion, but nothing that will deter you from enjoying this adventure yarn that follows the life of a man on a journey of discovery, only to find himself in so much more that he ever anticipated.

    What a great story. I was truly sad when I finished the fourth book, because I know it may be awhile before I find one quite like this again. I really enjoyed the plot, and the author's style of writing. There's romance and humor as well as intrigue and adventure.

    What I like about books written in historical times is that human nature never really changes much. Fashions change, traditions begin and old beliefs are dropped off, but deep down we humans are still the same no matter how much time goes by.

    I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Fran Stiles
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly a Winner
    Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    An extraordinary book. Well written and although you pretty much think you see what's coming, you are totally suprised. Clever and attention holding the book goes from past to present - each chapter, but it keeps your interest - mainly because you are so engrossed in the story and want to know why Caleb is like he is and what happened to him. There are a few grammer errors, but they can be overlooked. Definetly a keeper - fascinating story. And to top that you are never introduced to the vampires (per say), and if you didn't know there were vampires in the book, you wouldn't be looking for them
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Chris Maynard
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read; needs proof reading
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the book--excellent character development, thorough descriptions of time and place, unexpected twists and turns. However, the numerous grammatical errors and misplaced words were, at times, distracting. A thorough proof reading would definitely improve the already enjoyable read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jreadseveryday
    5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I rarely write reviews, but I can't believe no one else has. What a great story this was. A must read if you like dark stories that are definitely well thought and intricately built. This man's discovery of a new facet to the world, just as he is trying to close the circle he has been on for two decades is wonderful. The back and forth from his youth to his present are so well done. best book I've read in a long time.

    Thank you
    4 people found this helpful
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  • cxl
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Read the entire series....author is amazing
    One person found this helpful
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  • E. E. ONEILL
    2.0 out of 5 stars Poor quality writing, with a couple of good emotional scenes
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2018
    Inconsistent "period" language and crimes against a thesaurus. Worst punctuation ever. The writing quality subtracts more than the one or two good scenes can make up for. I almost stopped reading because nothing was actually moving forward in the story. But since I was almost done, slogged through to the end. Shouldn't have bothered. The world is full of excellent books. Go read one of them instead. This author has a lot of learning to do. Kind of a shame, 'cause there's a not-terrible tale of regret and atonement hiding in there. Takes a lot of knowlege to convincingly mimic 17th-18th century storytelling.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • K. Carpenter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Twists and Turns
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Kristen Carpenter 5/27/13

    Loving this series! Many twists and turns, hard to put down. Can't wait for the next book to come out.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • MH, Surrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars A story with bite!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    The King of Winter is an entertaining, well paced book which intelligently weaves humour, fantasy, longing and history into an
    enjoyable read.

    In Caleb Cade the author has created an absorbing and complex character that at times you will despise, pity and even envy with equal measure. A classic anti-hero! I was easily drawn into his world of easy morals and conflicting desires; eagerly reading on to discover how Cade would deal with the fantastical situation he had found himself in as well as to know more about his (mis)adventures on the road that had ultimately brought him home. Yet despite acknowledging that the tragedies that drive Cade were mostly self inflicted, he is ultimately a sympathetic character caught up in extraordinary events.

    The story is played out against the backdrop of the other "star" of the book - London. This book gives you an excellent feel for the seedy underbelly of late 17th/early 18th century London and the sometime's brutal and base existence of many of its ordinary inhabitants; plus the whims, excesses and hypocrisies of the "quality" as exemplified by Defane and to a certain extent Cade's lost love, Henrietta.

    With a few clever twists thrown in and well developed supporting characters this is an excellent book and a great addition to the fantasy/Vampire genre.
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  • Mrs. Katherine B. Shaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best vampire saga
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Vampire stories are what I read the most after I first Dracula many years ago, this series of books is one of the best I have read since Anne Rice's excellent tales
    Most books of this genre are now weak stories with chapters filled with repetition of vampire sexual.prowess but have no depth to the characters and no accurate description of the history of the time line but this writer has created characters and landscapes that are fully rounded and I wish this data went of for many more book - well worth reading
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  • Gruffler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Atmosphere, Pacey and absorbing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I have to agree with the review by MH, Surrey. This was an unexpectedly good find. The book is well paced, character development is captivating and believable, and the setting atmospheric. The tale builds and develops with skill, and I couldn't wait to read the remaining three books in the series. There are twists and turns aplenty. Glad I came across this author.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A (very) dark romance!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    An old, world weary, cynic like me reading a romantic novel - never! However, I just did and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Then this was no ordinary romantic tale, it was dark, brooding and full of menace. Set in the late 1600s and early 1700s we follow the progress of a young libertine as he thieves, seduces and gambles his way across Europe. Out of luck and short of money he returns to his homeland and has the misfortune to meet - yes just who or what does he encounter. In some ways this book reminded me of an Anne Rice story. No doubt the sequel will confirm or deny my suspicions.
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  • paul
    1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Happens
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Well written, loads of detail, nothing happens. I got to 48% and gave up waiting for the action. I could smell the sweat of the fighters, I could see the crowd baying for blood. Nothing happens, loads of descriptive details, nothing happens, Ooh!! Did I say "Nothing Happens"
    Report

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