The Voyages of Trueblood Cay: Being an especial accounting of his life and times at sea, as told by Gil Rafael

A clever novel-within-a-novel, 'written' by Venery protagonist Javier Landes under the pen name Gil Rafael, The Voyages of Trueblood Cay is an epic queer nautical fantasy filled with ancient lore, slow-burn romance, and mythical adventure.


Pelippé Trueblood, a nineteen-year-old mariner descended from giant shipbuilders, is chosen for a legendary quest: embark on a dangerous voyage across chartless seas to locate the mythical Tree of Life.


Joining his crew is Fen il-Kheir—a brooding, dangerous kheiron (a centaur-like shapeshifter) with a dark past he cannot outrun. Unwillingly bound together, Trueblood and Fen must navigate stormy waters, ancient prophecies, and a growing passion that neither anticipated.


Featuring giant shipbuilders, flying horses, and rich mythical worldbuilding, this standalone fantasy can be enjoyed as a companion to the Venery series or as an independent adventure.


AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award for Fantasy narration

“Darren Eliker provides an excellent narration of this complex and highly creative installment of the Venery series. Eliker's delivery allows listeners to become immersed in the adventures of Pelippé Trueblood and Fen il-Kheir, a fantastical kheiron, a creature that can shift between being a man and a horse. Each character and species has a distinguishable sound. The story encompasses high fantasy, queer romance, magical explorations, ships built by giants, a feud among the gods, a spice that brings beauty, murder, queens, centaurs, courtesans, warriors, and storytellers. The whole tapestry is enhanced by Eliker's voices and deft handling of the adventures, mysteries, and intimacies that carry listeners into this other world.”