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kcsunshine25's review
5.0
Once upon a time a legantos (that means a reader) didn’t like fantasy books. Along came a beautiful especial rakantistos (that means a story teller) and the legantos changed her ways.
My fellow legantos, gather around and listen because this is a story you haven’t heard before but it is one you need to.
It is a tale of ships and tall trees. Of winged centaurs and witches. Stealers of stars and twins who know the way to go morally and geographically. Giants with the bluest jackets. Moonstones and silver rings.
Sit and listen.
The fact that a book character with a pseudonym wrote a book based on beloved book characters had my head spinning. Hi Stef, I see you. And Trueblood, it’s so lovely see you again. Hi twins! Oh and there’s a lark.
I laughed and cried. Godsdammit what is this whore shit, it’s horseshit. And I was in awe of the especial penmanship of the rakantistos.
Listen to tell it. Tell it to learn it. Learn it to teach it.
This book is magic. It’s like a voyage on the Iliad with Sinbad the sailor and some myths and legends thrown in along with biblical references.
It is one of those books that you will want to read again and again and again and at each re-read you will find something new, something a bit more magical.
I highlighted the life out of this book:
"We can't sit around and wait for the world to be made beautiful for us. We must find beauty in a troubled world. We must be the goodness."
"A story asks for little. Really at it wants and needs is a listener."
"It's all making love to me. All of it. If we lie down and go to sleep, it'll feel like making love. If we stand here and stare at each other all night, it;s making love."
"If you throw a rock at my head, making love?"
"If you shit on my feet, making love."
"You are my trueblood...And I love nothing the way I love you."
My fellow legantos, gather around and listen because this is a story you haven’t heard before but it is one you need to.
It is a tale of ships and tall trees. Of winged centaurs and witches. Stealers of stars and twins who know the way to go morally and geographically. Giants with the bluest jackets. Moonstones and silver rings.
Sit and listen.
The fact that a book character with a pseudonym wrote a book based on beloved book characters had my head spinning. Hi Stef, I see you. And Trueblood, it’s so lovely see you again. Hi twins! Oh and there’s a lark.
I laughed and cried. Godsdammit what is this whore shit, it’s horseshit. And I was in awe of the especial penmanship of the rakantistos.
Listen to tell it. Tell it to learn it. Learn it to teach it.
This book is magic. It’s like a voyage on the Iliad with Sinbad the sailor and some myths and legends thrown in along with biblical references.
It is one of those books that you will want to read again and again and again and at each re-read you will find something new, something a bit more magical.
I highlighted the life out of this book:
"We can't sit around and wait for the world to be made beautiful for us. We must find beauty in a troubled world. We must be the goodness."
"A story asks for little. Really at it wants and needs is a listener."
"It's all making love to me. All of it. If we lie down and go to sleep, it'll feel like making love. If we stand here and stare at each other all night, it;s making love."
"If you throw a rock at my head, making love?"
"If you shit on my feet, making love."
"You are my trueblood...And I love nothing the way I love you."
bjrupnow's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jengeraae's review
4.0
Pélippe Trueblood, descendant of giants, is destined to be captain on one of the very last giant made ships in the world. Following in the footsteps of his father and his crew, Pé learns about the world through stories. He knows that once there was magic, nye and happiness in almost every corner of the world. And then what always happens happened; war, conflict and jealousy brought it all to an end. The tree of life is adrift, as is everyone in the world, whether they know it or not. Waiting.
At the age of twelve the young kheiron heir Tehvan was taken and made to live through things no human, pegaso, giant or kheiron ever should. By taking a new name and creating a purpose for himself Fen tries to control what he can and avoid what needs to be faced with very little love left for mankind.
Pé and Fen seem bound together by something larger than themselves. They are searching for something they can't really place. Longing for what doesn't seem to be there, trying to find their place in a world that has forgotten what love and happiness used to be like.
The characters in this book are lovingly crafted, multifaceted and carry so much of Suanne's wit and thoughtfulness. The twins and their relationship with everyone around them is extraordinary and shows male love and companionship in a way that I wish was more often displayed in popular culture.
Read this book even if fantasy isn't for you.
Read this book if love and friendship is for you.
Read this for a beautifully told story within plenty of other beautiful stories.
Fantasy is where my heart is at. It was amongst those bookshelves in my local library that I first started drifting into the adult (book) world. A world full of things I had never imagined and can never let go of. Fair to say, my fantasy standards are really quite high, hence the slightly lower rating.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Now go and read it!
At the age of twelve the young kheiron heir Tehvan was taken and made to live through things no human, pegaso, giant or kheiron ever should. By taking a new name and creating a purpose for himself Fen tries to control what he can and avoid what needs to be faced with very little love left for mankind.
Pé and Fen seem bound together by something larger than themselves. They are searching for something they can't really place. Longing for what doesn't seem to be there, trying to find their place in a world that has forgotten what love and happiness used to be like.
The characters in this book are lovingly crafted, multifaceted and carry so much of Suanne's wit and thoughtfulness. The twins and their relationship with everyone around them is extraordinary and shows male love and companionship in a way that I wish was more often displayed in popular culture.
Read this book even if fantasy isn't for you.
Read this book if love and friendship is for you.
Read this for a beautifully told story within plenty of other beautiful stories.
Fantasy is where my heart is at. It was amongst those bookshelves in my local library that I first started drifting into the adult (book) world. A world full of things I had never imagined and can never let go of. Fair to say, my fantasy standards are really quite high, hence the slightly lower rating.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Now go and read it!
rara2018's review against another edition
5.0
This book was beyond exceptional. Wow. Before starting this book, I started the Venery series (which this book is part of in a way) and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't quite my taste. I couldn't find a way for me to read the second book in the series, and, since Laqueur said this book could be enjoyed as a standalone, I took my chances and boy am I glad I did. The ending literally made me weep, which I consider high praise for a book. Watching Pe grow up throughout the story was beautiful and all of the relationships in the story were so well thought out and the worldbuilding was fantastic. I could literally go on and on about this book. Despite my ambivalence toward An Exaltation of Larks, I found the easter eggs from that story strewn through The Voyages of Trueblood Cay to be utterly delightful. I read the two books literally back to back and many of the lines I had highlighted in the first book because I loved them so much were mentioned throughout this book. The Voyages of Trueblood Cay is probably my favorite book I've read this year and I would recommend it to literally anyone and everyone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canoe Tree Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canoe Tree Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
gabi90's review
5.0
“We can’t sit around and wait for the world to be made beautiful for us. We must find beauty in a troubled world.“
Through the eyes and heart and especial penmanship of Pelippé Trueblood, I found tremendous beauty. Beauty in Gemelos and Gelangos. I learned what it means to be together with someone, and to belong. I learned what it means to be Da and what it means to be Kepten, and what it means to be Valentos.
I haven't read the other books in the Venery series, and I can assure you, legantos, this one is 100% standalone. Though at certain points I couldn't help but feel "okay, this moment is significant, this sentence right here is meaningful, and I'm sure it has a connection to the other books, it represents something that happened there." Then again, it might be just my sentimental mind imagining things. :)
“As soon as you go, I’m coming after you. There’s no place you can hide where I won’t find you. Not in this life or the next.”
Sure, this book will make you weep, but it will also make you laugh too. For many chapters we see Pé as a kid, how he lives his life on the ship, with his father as Kepten, his two adopted brothers and all the crew members. We get to know each and everyone, what's their role on the ship and what they mean to each other.
So it's a while when Pé finally gets to meet Fen and it's as memorable as you think. :D They went from hating each other to almost becoming friends, but everything should be as written, because we all know "once you write a thing down, it becomes real."
“What do you see? Fen thought, which left his mouth as, “What the fuck are you staring at?”
“You,” Trueblood said. “All day long, all I do is stare at you.“
Never was there a more heartbreaking and beautiful story in the history of the world, anywhere, ever.
“You found me. You looked for me and you found me and you called me by name. Brought me back home, brought me to your bed and called me by name. Because I am yours and there is no place on this ship or in this world I can hide that you won’t find me.“
Now be good, legantos and listen to this tale. Listen to learn it. Learn it to tell it. Tell it to teach it.
xiaxia's review
5.0
2nd reread finished: 1st of May, 2019
Thanks for the BR Gabi!
*****Infinite stars*****
“A love like that? You only read it in stories.”
This story was incredible.
I will climb the giant masts of the Cay, the Kaleuche and the Khollima and shout it at the sky, calling for the pegasos to spread my words into the world:
THIS STORY WAS INCREDIBLE!
I have been a reader of fantasy all my life. I may turn to contemporary fiction every leap year or so, but where I truly feel at home is here, in stories like [b:The Voyages of Trueblood Cay|43594543|The Voyages of Trueblood Cay (Venery, #2.75)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1548306717s/43594543.jpg|64321192]. It stands with the best of them, not from the MM genre, but with the best the entire fantasy genre can offer.
“Wealth has no scent,” Kepten True always said.
The wealth of this book comes from the incredible worldbuilding and outstanding character development. Wealth may not have any scent, but it has a taste. It was the salty taste of my tears around the wealth of emotions I experienced while reading this book.
“I’m not going to dwell on the horrible because I think you have that covered. You’re with me now and it’s my job to point out the excellent things you did.”
If you experience this book the right way, it will teach you how to bring out the best in you. It is a cornucopia of lessons on how to be, how to act, how to live.
“Everything has a price, Trueblood. Something as priceless as love is worth fighting for.”
A love like in the stories.
It really was.
Down to the last moment this love was surreal but felt so true.
You don't need to read [b:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128|An Exaltation of Larks (Venery, #1)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475940614s/29637128.jpg|49995616] and [b:A Charm of Finches|33299920|A Charm of Finches (Venery, #2)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1506265362s/33299920.jpg|54032397] to start The Voyages of Trueblood Cay. The book stands by itself anchored to the sky by nine brilliant stars. They are Kepten Trueblood and his father, Lejo and Raj, a beautiful white haired Kheiron with sorrow in his heart, a queen and a courtesan and Horselord and his immortal sister.
But if you already read [b:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128|An Exaltation of Larks (Venery, #1)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475940614s/29637128.jpg|49995616] and [b:A Charm of Finches|33299920|A Charm of Finches (Venery, #2)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1506265362s/33299920.jpg|54032397], or chose to read them before, well done! You're in for the Egg Hunt of the Century.
Suanne, I offer you gelango. You are among the best I ever read! You are valentos.
Read it, people! Highly recommended.
Thanks to the best buddy read in the whole history of the world, anywhere, ever. With Moony and Shile, and our guest buddy readers Hollis and Suanne herself.
Thanks for the BR Gabi!
*****Infinite stars*****
“A love like that? You only read it in stories.”
This story was incredible.
I will climb the giant masts of the Cay, the Kaleuche and the Khollima and shout it at the sky, calling for the pegasos to spread my words into the world:
THIS STORY WAS INCREDIBLE!
I have been a reader of fantasy all my life. I may turn to contemporary fiction every leap year or so, but where I truly feel at home is here, in stories like [b:The Voyages of Trueblood Cay|43594543|The Voyages of Trueblood Cay (Venery, #2.75)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1548306717s/43594543.jpg|64321192]. It stands with the best of them, not from the MM genre, but with the best the entire fantasy genre can offer.
“Wealth has no scent,” Kepten True always said.
The wealth of this book comes from the incredible worldbuilding and outstanding character development. Wealth may not have any scent, but it has a taste. It was the salty taste of my tears around the wealth of emotions I experienced while reading this book.
“I’m not going to dwell on the horrible because I think you have that covered. You’re with me now and it’s my job to point out the excellent things you did.”
If you experience this book the right way, it will teach you how to bring out the best in you. It is a cornucopia of lessons on how to be, how to act, how to live.
“Everything has a price, Trueblood. Something as priceless as love is worth fighting for.”
A love like in the stories.
It really was.
Down to the last moment this love was surreal but felt so true.
You don't need to read [b:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128|An Exaltation of Larks (Venery, #1)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475940614s/29637128.jpg|49995616] and [b:A Charm of Finches|33299920|A Charm of Finches (Venery, #2)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1506265362s/33299920.jpg|54032397] to start The Voyages of Trueblood Cay. The book stands by itself anchored to the sky by nine brilliant stars. They are Kepten Trueblood and his father, Lejo and Raj, a beautiful white haired Kheiron with sorrow in his heart, a queen and a courtesan and Horselord and his immortal sister.
But if you already read [b:An Exaltation of Larks|29637128|An Exaltation of Larks (Venery, #1)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475940614s/29637128.jpg|49995616] and [b:A Charm of Finches|33299920|A Charm of Finches (Venery, #2)|Suanne Laqueur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1506265362s/33299920.jpg|54032397], or chose to read them before, well done! You're in for the Egg Hunt of the Century.
Suanne, I offer you gelango. You are among the best I ever read! You are valentos.
Read it, people! Highly recommended.
Thanks to the best buddy read in the whole history of the world, anywhere, ever. With Moony and Shile, and our guest buddy readers Hollis and Suanne herself.
ammalek's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Wow, I don’t have the words yet.
I love all Suanne’s books but this was unlike any other she’s written because of the fantasy genre. That said it still had the heartbreaking, emotional, unique and powerful storyline that’s the essence of Suanne’s writing.
I will agree with others saying the first 15-17% was a bit tough to get through. It was all back story told through legends and world building which was an essential part of this incredible storyline but I was slightly confused a time or two. But taking it all in slowly helped and once I better understood this world and it’s legends I was sucked in.
Just like her world building, her character development was phenomenal. So many great characters. Pelippé and Fen, Lejo and Raj, Kepten True, Abrakam. This wasn’t just a story about romance and finding that one great love. It was about friendship and family, the family you’re born with and the family you choose and what that family will sacrifice for each other.
Of course Suanne’s stories are never easy. The pain and loss and abuse always is heavy. My heart never survives and there was no shortage of tears from me. But the love and laughter was these as well, mending it back together.
I love all Suanne’s books but this was unlike any other she’s written because of the fantasy genre. That said it still had the heartbreaking, emotional, unique and powerful storyline that’s the essence of Suanne’s writing.
I will agree with others saying the first 15-17% was a bit tough to get through. It was all back story told through legends and world building which was an essential part of this incredible storyline but I was slightly confused a time or two. But taking it all in slowly helped and once I better understood this world and it’s legends I was sucked in.
Just like her world building, her character development was phenomenal. So many great characters. Pelippé and Fen, Lejo and Raj, Kepten True, Abrakam. This wasn’t just a story about romance and finding that one great love. It was about friendship and family, the family you’re born with and the family you choose and what that family will sacrifice for each other.
Of course Suanne’s stories are never easy. The pain and loss and abuse always is heavy. My heart never survives and there was no shortage of tears from me. But the love and laughter was these as well, mending it back together.
bookphenomena_micky's review
4.0
THE VOYAGES OF TRUEBLOOD CAY was a rather overwhelming read in many ways but mostly emotionally and if you’ve read Suanne Laqueur before, you’ll appreciate the phenomena. There’s a definite familiarity that hits once you meet the crop of main characters, it’s not out-right Stef and Jav but Pe and Fen, Raj and Lejos are parts of the Venery journey and you’ll feel a sense of home.
I’ve never felt at ease reading one of Suanne Laqueur’s books because the subject matter always challenges you and I didn’t feel at ease in the Trueblood Cay world. This is a story of family, friendship, there are dark moments and there is a beautiful unfurling of a grudging friendship into everything.
“The khieron is beautiful to me. His face and body and eyes, his story in my heart-these are beautiful things.”
So far, my review could make this sound like a contemporary read, but this is a fantastical conception in a clever but complex world. I had signigificant difficulty getting to and past the first 20% of the book. It was complicated, with heavy world building and I did not feel connected to any character to anchor me to the story in that first part. I felt confused but I had a buddy I was reading this with and we were able to talk out aspects of my confusion. Once I got past 20%, I connected, I settled, I lived in the story. My rating would probably be divided up as 3 stars for that first struggle and 4.5 stars for the rest.
Once I understood the world that this adventure was placed in, I began to appreciate the view, the creatures, the boats, the land and most of all, the characters. The connections, platonic and more are written most beautifully, in a way that your heart literally aches with warmth or hurt...and when it hurt, it really hurt. I needed that buddy of mine to process the beauty, the horror and the devastation.
This story is a vivid, technicolour tale. If you read it, you’ll remember it, I would probably find it difficult to explain the story to you, but that is not necessary in this review. I am glad I read it, I am glad I got to experience the Venery world through this fantasy lens. I remain a fierce fan of this writer’s talent.
“Here. Take it. You’re free. You always were.”
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
I’ve never felt at ease reading one of Suanne Laqueur’s books because the subject matter always challenges you and I didn’t feel at ease in the Trueblood Cay world. This is a story of family, friendship, there are dark moments and there is a beautiful unfurling of a grudging friendship into everything.
“The khieron is beautiful to me. His face and body and eyes, his story in my heart-these are beautiful things.”
So far, my review could make this sound like a contemporary read, but this is a fantastical conception in a clever but complex world. I had signigificant difficulty getting to and past the first 20% of the book. It was complicated, with heavy world building and I did not feel connected to any character to anchor me to the story in that first part. I felt confused but I had a buddy I was reading this with and we were able to talk out aspects of my confusion. Once I got past 20%, I connected, I settled, I lived in the story. My rating would probably be divided up as 3 stars for that first struggle and 4.5 stars for the rest.
Once I understood the world that this adventure was placed in, I began to appreciate the view, the creatures, the boats, the land and most of all, the characters. The connections, platonic and more are written most beautifully, in a way that your heart literally aches with warmth or hurt...and when it hurt, it really hurt. I needed that buddy of mine to process the beauty, the horror and the devastation.
This story is a vivid, technicolour tale. If you read it, you’ll remember it, I would probably find it difficult to explain the story to you, but that is not necessary in this review. I am glad I read it, I am glad I got to experience the Venery world through this fantasy lens. I remain a fierce fan of this writer’s talent.
“Here. Take it. You’re free. You always were.”
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
jlinhart's review
5.0
What do you do when you are not a fantasy reader but you find out an author who is fantastic puts out a fantasy book? Well by gods, you put your trust in said author to take you on a journey you wouldn’t normally allow yourself to take. And what a journey Voyages was. I don’t care if fantasy is your thing or not you have to give Suanne’s words a try.
What to even say about this book. For a girl who says she doesn’t read fantasy I was pulled into this story. I cried my little eyes out in every touching moment. I rooted for people. I held my breath a few times and I got entirely sucked in.
The mind of this author is something to be in awe of. Give Voyages of Trueblood Cay a try it is really especial. Listen to tell it, Tell it to learn it. Learn it to teach it.
(All typos are on purpose which you’ll know if you read the book)
What to even say about this book. For a girl who says she doesn’t read fantasy I was pulled into this story. I cried my little eyes out in every touching moment. I rooted for people. I held my breath a few times and I got entirely sucked in.
The mind of this author is something to be in awe of. Give Voyages of Trueblood Cay a try it is really especial. Listen to tell it, Tell it to learn it. Learn it to teach it.
(All typos are on purpose which you’ll know if you read the book)
hellcatdreaming's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
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