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The Legend of Gentleman John
A Story from the Warmest Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar
Banyn, a fae, escorts the souls of children to Magh Meall, but one Christmas, he comes for a lad who isn’t quite dead, and he breaks a rule rather than wait while John fights a battle he’ll ultimately lose. So begins a long-running affair that crosses the border between life and death, the human and fae realms, and even oceans to strange countries with different gods and rules.
John Rourke renounced a religion that had no place for him and returned to the old ways. Convicted of theft, he is sentenced to transportation and suffers brutal punishment—until he escapes to live on his own terms as a bushranger. When vengeance against his tormentor consumes him and threatens his life, John finds he has only one holiday wish—to see his fae lover one last time.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2018
7 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Nichols
89 books347 followersTJ Nichols (they/them) is the author of the Studies in Demonology and Familiar Mates series. They write mostly gay fantasy and paranormal romance, but sometimes gay action/horror as Toby J. Nichols.
After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Free gay shifter novella when you join TJ's newsletter: http://tjnichols-author.com/lp/
You can find TJ on
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TJNichols
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJNichols.au...
follow me on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/tjnichols or Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tj-ni...
After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Free gay shifter novella when you join TJ's newsletter: http://tjnichols-author.com/lp/
You can find TJ on
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TJNichols
Ream: https://reamstories.com/tjnichols
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJNichols.au...
follow me on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/tjnichols or Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tj-ni...
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 18, 2018
4.3 Stars
Oh wow. That was just...so good. So completely wonderful.
(Again, I'm glad I can get these on Hoopla.)
Oh wow. That was just...so good. So completely wonderful.
(Again, I'm glad I can get these on Hoopla.)
December 28, 2018
I seem to be in the minority with my assessment of this story. I liked it well enough, I suppose, and I was impressed with the author creating a trans (F2M) character in a historical setting. I liked the inclusion of a fantasy element with Banyn, a fae, and his backstory.
I think this book would have worked better for me if it had been a longer story. While the author created a nice timeline, there seemed to be big jumps in time, that especially in the later years of John's story would have perhaps rounded his character out a bit more. We're told of his struggles, the binding of his chest, the monthly bleeding, and the constant fears of being found out, but we're not shown much of it. The story is written with flashback scenes, while John is on the run, bleeding from a wound, and we get to see the beginning of his relationship with Banyn, the progression of their love, and how he ended up in a penal colony on an island off Australia.
There's a melancholy undertone to the book, befitting the story, and I thought it was perhaps a bit too depressing to be a Christmas story, even if John gets his wish and his HEA.
I also quite liked the epilogue - that was a fitting ending to this story.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
I think this book would have worked better for me if it had been a longer story. While the author created a nice timeline, there seemed to be big jumps in time, that especially in the later years of John's story would have perhaps rounded his character out a bit more. We're told of his struggles, the binding of his chest, the monthly bleeding, and the constant fears of being found out, but we're not shown much of it. The story is written with flashback scenes, while John is on the run, bleeding from a wound, and we get to see the beginning of his relationship with Banyn, the progression of their love, and how he ended up in a penal colony on an island off Australia.
There's a melancholy undertone to the book, befitting the story, and I thought it was perhaps a bit too depressing to be a Christmas story, even if John gets his wish and his HEA.
I also quite liked the epilogue - that was a fitting ending to this story.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
December 7, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
As someone who loves long stories, I am always amazed by those talented enough to write a complete, engaging short story and The Legend of Gentleman John manages to tell an emotional and compelling tale in 40 pages. The story begins with John on the run, having sought vengeance against the sadistic head officer of the penal colony who had been brutalizing John since he was transported to Australia, and goes back and forth between the year he met his fae lover, Banyn, and his present situation.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
As someone who loves long stories, I am always amazed by those talented enough to write a complete, engaging short story and The Legend of Gentleman John manages to tell an emotional and compelling tale in 40 pages. The story begins with John on the run, having sought vengeance against the sadistic head officer of the penal colony who had been brutalizing John since he was transported to Australia, and goes back and forth between the year he met his fae lover, Banyn, and his present situation.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
December 26, 2018
Review at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.
ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2018
This short story is about the somewhat crap life of John Rourke. John has been a thief, a convict, and an outcast. Born in Ireland, and shipped to one of the Australian penal colonies, during the early 1800s, John has lived a life outside the bounds of law and society. Not so much because he wants to, but because it is the only way he knows he will ever be able to be John. But the price of his identity could very well end up being his life, unless a little bit of faery magic from his homeland finds him on the other side of the world.
While I was initially a bit turned off when I realized that this story was going to be half-told in flashbacks, it didn’t take long for John to win me over. It may not have been told in my favorite of narrative structures, but the story itself was very engaging and packed quite a bit of feeling into its barely 35 pages of length. And the way it switched back and forth between the “present” and the “past” actually did a great job of making you care for John’s dire situation.
I also really adored the “twist” in this story. Not going to spoil it for you, because it was when I realized where the story was going that I went from “this is ok, I guess” to “oh, yeah, I’m so here for this,” and I would hate to deprive others of that experience.
This may be one of the shorter stories this year from Dreamspinner’s Advent collection, but it was a short story well told and well worth reading.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
While I was initially a bit turned off when I realized that this story was going to be half-told in flashbacks, it didn’t take long for John to win me over. It may not have been told in my favorite of narrative structures, but the story itself was very engaging and packed quite a bit of feeling into its barely 35 pages of length. And the way it switched back and forth between the “present” and the “past” actually did a great job of making you care for John’s dire situation.
I also really adored the “twist” in this story. Not going to spoil it for you, because it was when I realized where the story was going that I went from “this is ok, I guess” to “oh, yeah, I’m so here for this,” and I would hate to deprive others of that experience.
This may be one of the shorter stories this year from Dreamspinner’s Advent collection, but it was a short story well told and well worth reading.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
December 22, 2018
Take a chance on this one- I'm sure it will wow you
I’m not sure what it is exactly, but this author always manages to make reading outside my preferred tropes a fantastic experience. While I have read historical romances in the past, they’re not the type of story I typically seek out these days, but I’m so glad I didn’t pass this one up. The Legend of Gentleman John was incredibly unique and enjoyable. The blend of historical and fantasy was unexpected but executed incredibly well in this short. It’s always a pleasant surprise when a short story includes enough details to carve out a world in a little time so that I feel completely transported to a new place and transfixed by the characters, but the author manages that in spades here. John’s character was especially vibrant and not what I foresaw when I first read the blurb, ensuring that though it was short, it’s a story that will certainly stick in my head. I loved the pure romance between John and Banyn, flirting but deep enough make an impact. To top it off, the ending was superb, giving me a nice solid resolution I hadn’t anticipated at all that left my heart full. The Legend of Gentleman John is definitely worth picking up, even if this isn’t your usual trope of choice.
Reviewed by Annie from Alpha Book Club
I’m not sure what it is exactly, but this author always manages to make reading outside my preferred tropes a fantastic experience. While I have read historical romances in the past, they’re not the type of story I typically seek out these days, but I’m so glad I didn’t pass this one up. The Legend of Gentleman John was incredibly unique and enjoyable. The blend of historical and fantasy was unexpected but executed incredibly well in this short. It’s always a pleasant surprise when a short story includes enough details to carve out a world in a little time so that I feel completely transported to a new place and transfixed by the characters, but the author manages that in spades here. John’s character was especially vibrant and not what I foresaw when I first read the blurb, ensuring that though it was short, it’s a story that will certainly stick in my head. I loved the pure romance between John and Banyn, flirting but deep enough make an impact. To top it off, the ending was superb, giving me a nice solid resolution I hadn’t anticipated at all that left my heart full. The Legend of Gentleman John is definitely worth picking up, even if this isn’t your usual trope of choice.
Reviewed by Annie from Alpha Book Club
January 16, 2019
Lovely melancholy story--4.5 stars.
The time jumps work well, the historical settings are fleshed out enough to give context without any information dumping, and John is a sympathetic and compelling character. We learn exactly enough about him to make the story work, which isn't always easy for authors to pull off in short works. I really liked the way magic complements the trans character without seeming artificial or gimmicky.
There were a few bits that could have used a tiny bit more fleshing out, and I'd have preferred to know a bit more about why Banyn is so drawn to John. But those are minor issues. Overall, I very much enjoyed.
The time jumps work well, the historical settings are fleshed out enough to give context without any information dumping, and John is a sympathetic and compelling character. We learn exactly enough about him to make the story work, which isn't always easy for authors to pull off in short works. I really liked the way magic complements the trans character without seeming artificial or gimmicky.
There were a few bits that could have used a tiny bit more fleshing out, and I'd have preferred to know a bit more about why Banyn is so drawn to John. But those are minor issues. Overall, I very much enjoyed.
April 5, 2019
A trans trying to cope. But hunger, and other stuff is stopping him. He's even caught at some point. After being the whipping boy for so long, he's had enough and shoots the bad guy. Abd got shot himself. But his fae finds him and makes it better and made me smile. Good book
September 6, 2021
"The Legend of Gentleman John" is an unexpected little jewel of a story, encompassing ancient Irish myth and turn-of-the-century Australia hard reality and featuring a transgender main character. The story is told in a non-linear manner, and we get bits and pieces of John's heart-breaking past, a brutal exportation to Australia and a fae love that transcends time and place. There are no explicit sex scenes here, and the romance reminds me of Austin Chant's excellent "Peter Darling" in the way Banyn sees John's true nature rather than his gender. At only 36 pages, this unusual tale feels complete and I love the way TJ Nichols ends this story. 4 strong stars for "The Legend of Gentleman John.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
March 5, 2020
As a mix between the reality of a harsh past and the mystical truth of the fae realm, this story offers an interesting look at the possibilities of a “meeting of hearts” belonging to men from very different backgrounds. The story has a fairy tale like quality and weaves known legends into what might very well be a true story about a historical hero. The result is a touching love story that crosses dimensions.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 1, 2018
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
The Legend of Gentleman John
T.J. Nichols
★★★★★
36 Pages
I'm a big fan of T.J. Nichols, ever since starting the Studies in Demonology series, and this short was no different. It was amazing.
From the world building of an urban fantasy style – historically accurate about life in the 1800's, detailing the life of a child thief, a trans FTM person and all they endured during those days, as well as the realities of penal colonies, mixed with a fae world – to the historical detail, the characterisation, and the chemistry between the couple, there wasn't anything I didn't love.
Gentleman John was a great character. As a trans man, locked in a world that didn't understand or accept him, he tried everything he could to be himself. His journey was long, sad, beautiful, and heartbreaking all at once. The way Banyn helped him endure it was beautiful. Their chemistry with each other was lovely, real, palpable and sweet.
I really appreciated the very clear timeline, with each section marked by the date and location. This is a story that jumps about in time, quite a bit, mostly past then present, and it was great to be able to follow along without feeling out of time or place.
The Legend of Gentleman John is a short story with heart, and meaning. It deals with some tough stuff (implied assault, beatings, “correcting” trans people) but it does so with sensitivity and an honesty that doesn't sugar-coat a terrible historical period or what it might have been like to be a trans-person in that era. Through characterisation, and John's relationship with Banyn, I got sucked into a beautiful story from page one, that didn't let up on the emotional heart-tugging until the very end. I cared, I hoped, I cried, and I ended this beautiful story with a heartwarming feeling that *finally*, in the end, everything had turned out as it was meant to.
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
The Legend of Gentleman John
T.J. Nichols
★★★★★
36 Pages
I'm a big fan of T.J. Nichols, ever since starting the Studies in Demonology series, and this short was no different. It was amazing.
From the world building of an urban fantasy style – historically accurate about life in the 1800's, detailing the life of a child thief, a trans FTM person and all they endured during those days, as well as the realities of penal colonies, mixed with a fae world – to the historical detail, the characterisation, and the chemistry between the couple, there wasn't anything I didn't love.
Gentleman John was a great character. As a trans man, locked in a world that didn't understand or accept him, he tried everything he could to be himself. His journey was long, sad, beautiful, and heartbreaking all at once. The way Banyn helped him endure it was beautiful. Their chemistry with each other was lovely, real, palpable and sweet.
I really appreciated the very clear timeline, with each section marked by the date and location. This is a story that jumps about in time, quite a bit, mostly past then present, and it was great to be able to follow along without feeling out of time or place.
The Legend of Gentleman John is a short story with heart, and meaning. It deals with some tough stuff (implied assault, beatings, “correcting” trans people) but it does so with sensitivity and an honesty that doesn't sugar-coat a terrible historical period or what it might have been like to be a trans-person in that era. Through characterisation, and John's relationship with Banyn, I got sucked into a beautiful story from page one, that didn't let up on the emotional heart-tugging until the very end. I cared, I hoped, I cried, and I ended this beautiful story with a heartwarming feeling that *finally*, in the end, everything had turned out as it was meant to.
December 12, 2018
This is one of those tales that starts near the end and then sequentially goes back to describe how it got there. The historical setting is interesting and certainly adds to the atmosphere of the story. The fae aspect is touched upon frequently but it always seems to be just out of reach, as it is assumed was the author’s intent. The focus is on the central character and the supporting role the fae character plays. There is clearly a contextual set of activities but these and the other characters involved are marginalised. This is a shame because there is an obvious opportunity to develop this into a full novel.
The central character is transgender with the romantic interest being male. The romantic focus is on male-to-male liaison as well as human to fae. There is implied rather than explicit sexual contact. This is frustrated by the time jumps because everything is episodic.
As this is a short story, there is a lot of hopping around. In general, this is well flagged so the reader is not confused. However, it does affect the flow of the story.
The ending if the story is interesting as it makes sense of the book title. In all it was a very interesting concept, but the reader can feel short-changed because there is so much more that could have been said in all areas of the story.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
The central character is transgender with the romantic interest being male. The romantic focus is on male-to-male liaison as well as human to fae. There is implied rather than explicit sexual contact. This is frustrated by the time jumps because everything is episodic.
As this is a short story, there is a lot of hopping around. In general, this is well flagged so the reader is not confused. However, it does affect the flow of the story.
The ending if the story is interesting as it makes sense of the book title. In all it was a very interesting concept, but the reader can feel short-changed because there is so much more that could have been said in all areas of the story.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
November 16, 2023
M/M paranormal dark romance short story.
Although this is not exactly my cup of tea as the main character John is , a twist that wasn’t evident immediately.
The story is told exclusively from John’s point of view and it jumps between the present and the past to when John first met the Bayn and their relationship in the years in between.
It is a rather sad story despite the HEA. The writer is really skilled that in a very short number of pages was able to spin a rich in details world for a unique character like John’s and his fundamental struggles as a desperate early nineteenth century youth turned outlaw and bushranger.
The epilogue was quite nice as the but it was hard to shake the melancholy left by the story overall.
Although this is not exactly my cup of tea as the main character John is , a twist that wasn’t evident immediately.
The story is told exclusively from John’s point of view and it jumps between the present and the past to when John first met the Bayn and their relationship in the years in between.
It is a rather sad story despite the HEA. The writer is really skilled that in a very short number of pages was able to spin a rich in details world for a unique character like John’s and his fundamental struggles as a desperate early nineteenth century youth turned outlaw and bushranger.
The epilogue was quite nice as the but it was hard to shake the melancholy left by the story overall.
April 16, 2019
I wasn’t expecting much from this tbh - fae’s and the cover not enticing me. But it surprised me a lot!
It is historical, told in alternating chapters one in flashback.
John is deported but we find bits of his life in Dublin - though a lot we have to piece together. Why he is on his own, what happens to get him deported, what happens on the journey, what happens in the camp - all have to be filled in by imagination from the few clues and I think this was a great way of doing this.
Through it all, John’s irish fae guardian Banyn has looked after him and loved him though again, an interesting take on folklore is the difficulty he had ‘getting’ to Van Dieman’s land.
The non flashback story is actually sad and poignant as John has taken his revenge but also taken a bullet and is dying. Banyn arrives timely and John gets all his wishes!
And the last little chapter - fab!
It is historical, told in alternating chapters one in flashback.
John is deported but we find bits of his life in Dublin - though a lot we have to piece together. Why he is on his own, what happens to get him deported, what happens on the journey, what happens in the camp - all have to be filled in by imagination from the few clues and I think this was a great way of doing this.
Through it all, John’s irish fae guardian Banyn has looked after him and loved him though again, an interesting take on folklore is the difficulty he had ‘getting’ to Van Dieman’s land.
The non flashback story is actually sad and poignant as John has taken his revenge but also taken a bullet and is dying. Banyn arrives timely and John gets all his wishes!
And the last little chapter - fab!
March 5, 2020
As a mix between the reality of a harsh past and the mystical truth of the fae realm, this story offers an interesting look at the possibilities of a “meeting of hearts” belonging to men from very different backgrounds. The story has a fairy tale like quality and weaves known legends into what might very well be a true story about a historical hero. The result is a touching love story that crosses dimensions.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 31, 2018
This story is full of twists and turns. It has heartache and abuse. It is a harsh look at the horrors of the early 1800's for anyone who was "different". And yet there is love and caring. There is hope and a sort of HEA.
February 28, 2019
That story was so off the beaten track and I loved every word out of it.
Author always pushes the boundaries and has highly unusual twists in all of the works I've read so far.
Wish it was longer though.
Author always pushes the boundaries and has highly unusual twists in all of the works I've read so far.
Wish it was longer though.
December 26, 2018
Review to be posted.
December 27, 2018
Wow! Incredibly well done to get a trans historical holiday tale so complete. Definitely recommended.
December 28, 2018
Packed a lot of punch into such a short story.
December 13, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review
4.75
1813 Ireland – 1818 Australia
As someone who loves long stories, I am always amazed by those talented enough to write a complete, engaging short story and "The Legend of Gentleman John" manages to tell an emotional and compelling tale in 40 pages. The story begins with John on the run, having sought vengeance against the sadistic head officer of the penal colony who had been brutalizing John since he was transported to Australia, and goes back and forth between the year he met his fae lover, Banyn, and his present situation.
Born into the wrong body, John O’Rourke is a 16-year-old runaway, starving to death in a church cemetery, when he sees Banyn through the mist. Unable to watch and wait for John to die and having been seen, Banyn offers him the choice between living or dying. Having learned from Banyn that he has to take what he wants in order to survive on the streets, John falls into the life of a pickpocket.
Disguised as a young boy and living in constant fear of discovery, John treasures the stolen moments and interludes he has with Banyn because Banyn sees him for who he is on the inside. When transported to Australia, the vast distance from the land of his power and the presence of supernatural beings inherent to Australia force John and Banyn apart, but with their love and John’s resilience and determination, Banyn is able to grant John his heart’s greatest wish in the end. For those looking for a story that centers Christmas and the holiday season, "The Legend of Gentleman John" does not give you that, but it does give you a well-written, magical story of love that knows no boundaries.
4.75
1813 Ireland – 1818 Australia
As someone who loves long stories, I am always amazed by those talented enough to write a complete, engaging short story and "The Legend of Gentleman John" manages to tell an emotional and compelling tale in 40 pages. The story begins with John on the run, having sought vengeance against the sadistic head officer of the penal colony who had been brutalizing John since he was transported to Australia, and goes back and forth between the year he met his fae lover, Banyn, and his present situation.
Born into the wrong body, John O’Rourke is a 16-year-old runaway, starving to death in a church cemetery, when he sees Banyn through the mist. Unable to watch and wait for John to die and having been seen, Banyn offers him the choice between living or dying. Having learned from Banyn that he has to take what he wants in order to survive on the streets, John falls into the life of a pickpocket.
Disguised as a young boy and living in constant fear of discovery, John treasures the stolen moments and interludes he has with Banyn because Banyn sees him for who he is on the inside. When transported to Australia, the vast distance from the land of his power and the presence of supernatural beings inherent to Australia force John and Banyn apart, but with their love and John’s resilience and determination, Banyn is able to grant John his heart’s greatest wish in the end. For those looking for a story that centers Christmas and the holiday season, "The Legend of Gentleman John" does not give you that, but it does give you a well-written, magical story of love that knows no boundaries.
March 10, 2020
The Legend of Gentleman John is a bleak and harsh story on the surface, but the depth the author achieved in this short tale is really amazing. The non-linear story telling reveals John’s backstory in pieces that paint a picture that is hard to read and even harder to realize the truth that is John’s life and its representation of trans life in history. It’s heartbreaking and the paranormal element turned The Legend of Gentleman John into a fairytale of the highest caliber.
True fairytales often start as horror stories and what John lived through qualifies as horrific in my estimate and the appearances of Banyn throughout his life offered that little light that kept John going. The glimpses back in time that tell John’s story and his interactions with Banyn were bittersweet and their conversations were poetic.
The inevitable ending that John met was also a sweet release and I absolutely loved how the author ended this story. It’s truly worth a read and a reread.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
True fairytales often start as horror stories and what John lived through qualifies as horrific in my estimate and the appearances of Banyn throughout his life offered that little light that kept John going. The glimpses back in time that tell John’s story and his interactions with Banyn were bittersweet and their conversations were poetic.
The inevitable ending that John met was also a sweet release and I absolutely loved how the author ended this story. It’s truly worth a read and a reread.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews