Saint Brendan and the Brotherhood of Virile Serenity

by Yanko Tsvetkov, Giovanni Dionisi (Illustrator)

In this surreal psycho-sexual odyssey, a brave sailor-cum-saint and his cohort of concupiscent companions roam a mythical ocean in search of existential validation. Guided by a shapeshifting bird named Moan and a quartet of misanthropic jinns, they eventually reach a primordial hole whose pull can’t be easily resisted.
Illustrated by visual artist Giovanni Dionisi and written by Yanko Tsvetkov as part of his bestselling Apophenia series, this story cycle effortlessly bridges the sacred and the profane with its philosophical ruminations and defiantly unapologetic eroticism.

Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Erotica, Fairy Tales, Short Stories

76 pages, Hardcover

Published February 28, 2026

About the author

Yanko Tsvetkov is a Bulgarian-born interdisciplinary artist who lives in Spain, writes in English, and publishes books in France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Turkey, China, and South Korea. He has visited several continents, traversed thick jungles, picnicked in scorching deserts, and booked a few taxis in crowded metropolises. He leads a second life as a caped superhero who fights prejudice with his giant laser.

Reviews

[Jays · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially a much, MUCH gayer take on The Odyssey with a hefty dose of surrealism and esoteric theory mixed in. A bold adventurer sets sail with a band of sailors through a series of mysterious islands and encounters with strange beasts, foreign lands, and unknowable powers in a quest to find his lost father. Also, everyone on the ship is a man, they're all extremely sexy, and no one can stop finding each other irresistible both in terms of brotherhood and sexual desire. Also there's a talking bird. So, yeah, a lot.

I did enjoy reading it and it's not a heavy lift of a book, so it goes down easy (in a manner of speaking). The illustrations are gorgeous, surreal, and highly erotic. I wouldn't recommend it to a casual reader, but those who are interested in queerer takes on classic literature might find it amusing. It's got some of the same DNA as books like "Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions" and other 1960s and 70s-era allegorical queer works.

[Salim Almaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story and the illustrations are beautiful and very very naughty. But my favorite part is the double page map that outlines the journey. It hints at the journey ahead without spoiling anything for the reader. It just immediately immerses you into the story and then you watch it unfold page by page. Reading this was a great experience! Hands down the best book from the series so far!

[Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Odyssey but much weirder and crazier. Centered around a character who grows up alienated and leaves home in search for something that isn't clearly defined (which is what happens in real life to most adventurers). The journey is full of strange twists and dream-like experiences that occasionally become full blown sexual fantasies (or actually happen?). A really original take on the human condition and what drives people's obsession with impossible things.