The Voyages of Trueblood Cay

Being an Especial Accounting of His Life and Times at Sea, as Told by Gil Rafael (Venery)

By: Suanne Laqueur

Narrated by: Darren Eliker

Winner of AudioFile Magazines Earphones Award for fantasy narration.

Pelippé Trueblood is on the voyage of a lifetime and hosting a temperamental, half-man half-horse onboard his ship. He just might end up killing his difficult guest. Or kissing him.

Trueblood is descended from giants and poised to be one of the world's great mariners. Raised by his father on the mighty ship Cay, he's chosen at nineteen for a perilous voyage predicted in ancient prophecy: find the lost Tree of Life and anchor her branches back to the sky. Young and unseasoned, Trueblood fears the gods may have picked the wrong man for the job. Worse, scripture demands he be accompanied by the beautiful, brooding Fen il-Kheir. Nothing in Trueblood's life at sea has prepared him for this dangerous new crew member, nor the feelings he plants in Trueblood's heart.

Fen is a kheiron--a creature with the ability to shift between man and horse. With his dark past, his distrust of humans and his contempt for prophecy, Fen proves a reluctant passenger who could jeopardize not only the voyage, but the very future of the world. As the journey progresses, Fen finds himself more and more drawn to the Cay's charismatic commander, bringing the kheiron closer to everything his human nature longs for, and everything the beast in him fears.

©2019 Suanne Laqueur (P)2024 Suanne Laqueur

Critic reviews

"Every sentence is another piece of a poem, the characters are all heroes in every story you've ever loved, and the worldbuilding is absolutely phenomenal." Kate Douglas, author of Wolf Tales

"A fantastical, magical sort of book... Recommended for anyone who likes beautiful stories that have a lot of heaviness, fantasy worlds, storytelling as a theme, and loving relationships of all kinds." Metaphors & Moonlight

The best story anywhere, ever.

This is simply the best story anywhere, ever, performed by the most amazing narrator I've ever had the privilege of listening to. ❤️❤️❤️

Speechless!

Honestly, I don’t know how I could ever put into words how much I love this book, but I’ll try. Trueblood is a young captain of giant’s blood, at the helm of an ancient giant’s ship. Raised aboard another ship in another time by his kind but firm father, Trueblood hopes to be half the captain his father was. We follow Trueblood from the time he was a boy until he’s a grown man. Watching as he becomes a formidable man in his own right. Trueblood is surrounded by the most especial and brave men and women, and I can only single out three. Raj, Leho, and Fen. The three men that hold his heart. I won’t say anything more about any of them, just trust me when I say you should listen to this book. But only after you listen to An Exaltation of Larks and A Charm of Finches, because all of the especial people in those books appear in the magical world of Trueblood Cay.
My heart was in my throat through most of the best, the voyages and adventures were very exciting! But rest assured, this book does have a happy ending, although not before the author puts you through the wringer. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Once again, the spectacular Darren Eliker brings this book to another level. The cast of characters in this book is huge, but with Darren’s range, we’re never lost. His width and breadth of accents is absolutely astounding. Seriously, where has this guy been hiding? He’s the best voice performer I’ve ever heard.

Fenomenal

If I could give my review endless stars instead of 5, I would. This book......In true Suanne fashion, it thoroughly breaks you but rebuilds you so beatifically it's worth it. While reading the previous novels in the Venery series, I fell in love with Javier Landes (the mostest, because all her characters are divine). During the later part of his journey, Jav becomes a published author that constantly scribbles notes and drawings in his leather journal while muttering to himself. I hoped this was foreshadowing of what was to come. I wanted to read his book, knowing where its intriguing/heartbreaking roots were formed. I was overjoyed to learn that his book made it to fruition in the real world. I downloaded the audio immediately, because once you hear the fantastic voice work of Darren Eliker, you will be a forever fan. I savored listening to the audio, because once I started, I didn't want this epic tale to end. Some of the beloved characters from Venery are reborn in a new fantastical way. The world building is superb. There are so many horrors and atrocities happening in the world that most are unaware. It takes an especial person to take on these horrific subjects and turn them into something beautiful. The underlying messages weaved throughout this book and series are some of the best that humankind has to offer. Suanne, I take my pork pie hat off to you. This masterpiece will forever live in my heart. Gelang <3

Phenomenal!

I’ve read very few books that have made me feel as much emotion as this book has. As the entire Venery series has, to be honest. This book, though—it’s incredibly special. Months after reading it, it’s still on my mind. I will never forget it.

The Voyages of Trueblood Cay is way outside of my norm, as I have read very little fantasy. This book, these characters and the world they live in, the events that change their lives… I can’t stop thinking about it. Taking me from the highest of highs to lowest of lows and back again, it’s the most wonderful, heartbreaking, exhilarating, devastating, inspirational statement of love and hope I have ever read. The cast of characters is large and they are all so wonderfully written. The growth and depth of Pé’s character throughout this book is extraordinary.

I read the ebook and listened to this story. The audiobook is PHENOMENAL. Darren Eliker’s narration of this story is nothing short of stellar. There are so many different characters in this fantasy novel; Mr. Eliker’s vocal performance is impeccable, giving each character its own unique voice. Every emotion this story brings forth is heightened by his expert, emotional performance. It’s mesmerizing.

While not necessary, I recommend reading or listening to An Exaltation of Larks and A Charm of Finches before reading or listening to The Voyages of Trueblood Cay. Ms. Laqueur writes this book as Gil Rafael, the pen name of Jav, one of the MMCs in A Charm of Finches. You’ll recognize the many people he loves and other meaningful moments of his life that have found their place in this gorgeous fantasy world.

Lastly-it’s taken me months to write this review. How could I possibly do justice to this brilliantly written epic story that touched me so deeply… It’s not possible. It’s the most breathtakingly beautiful book I’ve ever read.