Strange Liberty: Dark Fantasy Novella with M/M Romance

by Johannes T. Evans

Salvo Caine, a young man cursed with a magically sapping touch, is convicted of manslaughter and dispatched to an island prison. Once there, he’s offered limited freedom — and affection — by the cold and manipulative prison warden, Guillaume Villiers.

Rated M, 27.5k, dark fantasy with some M/M dark romance on the side. Good bit of age gap sexiness, and some medical and care-giving kink as well.

97 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2024

About the author

Johannes T. Evans is a gay trans man from the South of Wales, now living in Yorkshire, and predominantly crafts fantasy, romance, and erotic works featuring complex and layered characters, especially those who are queer and trans, and he has a particular affection for writing disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent characters like himself.

When not writing, he spends his time absorbing queer period works & history, petting cats, taking photographs of native insects, or lusting over fictional pirates and non-fictional bearish men.

He began the transition to publishing original work officially with the publication of his first novel, Heart of Stone in July of 2020.

Reviews

[Lyn Solomon-Linville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of Johannes T. Evans wonderful and strange tales. This one from prison, a magical prison keeping mages, fae, and vampires imprisoned of their own volition for their crimes." 'You can't win every chess game dear, ' from the warden to Salvo. I was sad at this turn of events but it was consistent with the theme of the story. Warmth is very tempting.

[River Cooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's finally happened, a story by Johannes I couldn't really get into. This is a fantasy story about a magic-sapping youth turned convict who has just accidentally killed someone by making the fatal mistake of touching them, and it could have worked.

There was a good bit going for it. The elements about Salvo's experience (or lack thereof) of being touched and how he relates to the ways in which this sensation is opened up for him as the story progresses and he connects with the other inmates. It's a fun idea that we've seen before, how a supposed underclass can be a truer place of belonging than proper society. I enjoyed the way the more fantastical elements were described. I do think there is a good story here.

However, I didn't feel like there was enough meat on these bones structurally. There was a broad enough cast of characters and direction to the plot, but the scene to scene direction and attention to the state of play wasn't attentively detailed as I'd have preferred. A lot is staked in atmospheric conversations and mundane moments, which Johannes has been excellent at, but the short runway means I can't get into it as much as I might for a story where I've sat with these characters for eighty thousand words. I appreciate that it's not meant to be a plot-heavy, intricately structured thing, which is why I say and believe there are and will be people who enjoy this, it's just unfortunate I'm not one of them.

[Armi Hux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Johannes has written something wonderful and entirely unique. I loved the premise of this story and felt very connected to the characters. I was saddened by the ending because I really liked Red, but I also think it was exceptional.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a bit to get into this. There is a lot of implied world building and it takes a moment to unravel some of it. Once you get past that there is some wonderful character work and a darkness that is both thrilling and a little sad.

[juli✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite outing from JTE unfortunately. I think I vibe a bit more with Evans' lighter toned novellas.