Gina Rae Mitchell

Review: Music Shall Untune the Sky plus a Guest Post from Lou Kemp on Foreshadowing

Today, I’m featuring Music Shall Untune the Sky (the Celwyn Series Book Two). You can read my thoughts on this book in an earlier review. I’ve also recently reviewed The Violins Played Before Junstan (The Celwyn Series Book 1). Publisher 4Horsemen is re-releasing The Celwyn Series by Lou Kemp. I will be sharing the updated books with new covers. You don’t want to miss this incredibly unique tale.

A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.

Book Details

Music Shall Untune the Sky by Lou Kemp
Series: Celwyn #2
Published by 4 Horsemen Publications on 12/20/2022
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Steampunk
Format: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 409

A magician, a widower from the Sudan, and an automat travel the world.

It’s 1865 and three close friends; the immortal magician Celwyn, the automat Professor Xiau Kang, and Bartholomew, a scientist and widower from Sudan, set out on another adventure as they travel to Singapore to fetch the professor’s wife. Prepare to explore a world reminiscent of our own yet filled with magic and steampunk!

Their private, magically enhanced train, the Elizabeth, is carrying them through the countryside when they witness the purposeful crash of a hot air balloon next to them. Jules Verne emerges from it and joins their party. As they continue east, the danger following the author shadows their train, and the murders begin. When they arrive in Singapore, Captain Nemo uses a unique method to trick Professor Kang into climbing aboard the Nautilus.

Music Shall Untune the Sky is a steampunk fantasy filled with murder, magic, and adventure.

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions, Personal Copy

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Excerpt from Music Shall Untune the Sky

With a sigh, Elizabeth put down her tea. “If I may? I suggest we stay together.” She gestured at the corner of the room. “There is a water closet there. We could all stay in this room.”

“That would be very helpful.” Bartholomew gazed around them. “Jonas could provide food and drink as needed.”

“And blankets.” Kang regarded the sofas they sat on. “These would do as beds. And two of us awake and on guard at all times.”

It appeared they’d formed a plan.

“I need rest now.” The magician felt even more tired because the tension of the moment had eased.

“You look like it,” the automat told him.

A knock sounded, and Captain Nemo preceded Verne into the room.

Kang and the others exchanged a swift look that said, we were listened to.

Celwyn inserted himself in front of the others and faced Captain Nemo.

“Professor Kang would be honored to view your ‘project.’ We prefer to remain here until that occurs.”

Captain Nemo smiled without humor. “For your safety, as you perceive it.”

“Yes,” Kang told him.

Nemo pivoted on his heel with military precision.

“Enjoy my study, as my guests.” He started for the door. “We will arrive at the Nicobar Islands soon.”

“Jules, feel free to remain,” Celwyn purred. “We have questions for you.”

Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.

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Purchase Links for Music Shall Untune the Sky

Amazon – OneLink for every country   

Bookshop

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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!

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Guest Post

Foreshadowing by Lou Kemp 

            Long ago, as a reader I enjoyed thrillers, mysteries, a bit of horror, and the occasional cozy. During that time, I penned short stories that I occasionally sold to small presses, and had not thought of writing a full length book.

            In the I read, I’d occasionally see confirmation of something the author hinted at early in the book, or in previous books. It was interesting to discover these mysterious gems. Other times, I’d discover a slew of them, all building tension, and more questions, and a few of them would put the hero of the book at risk. They created as much nervousness and as curiosity.

            This is foreshadowing. If done with the right frequency, placement, and wording, foreshadowing can really propel a plot and at the same time grab a reader by the ears and not let go.

            Master Class defines five types of foreshadowing:

• Concrete (Chekhov’s Gun) Concrete foreshadowing is the deliberate introduction of details that help develop the narrative plot. …
• Prominent (Prophecy) …
• Evocative (Flashback) …
• Abstract (Symbolic) …
• Fallacy (Red Herring)

I would maintain there is a sixth type, the plot-propeller. All of the five types listed above can push a plot forward, but they may only be doing that, nothing more. The only purpose of the plot-propeller is to direct the plot.

In book 3 of the Celwyn series, I had to introduce a villain that would test the mortality of all the adventurers. Everything this villain did was designed to that end. His purpose was not to misdirect, represent a theme, or foretell an event: he was there to kill off as much of Celwyn’s party as he could.

Foreshadowing can be done in dialog. Example: “I have a bad feeling about this.” Although nearly a cliché, the line can’t help but make a reader stop and at least turn on a light or twitch.

Foreshadowing can be obvious. Scene settings like a graveyard do not indicate everyone is arriving for a picnic. How many B movies have you seen where a damsel in distress, and wearing a flowing white nightgown, runs outside in a storm and into a graveyard? Black alleyways … I wonder what will happen?

The obvious answer can be reversed, and tension heightened several ways. Example: the heroine or hero can escape the alleyway and when they reach the safety of their car, the killer attacks.

Have you ever wondered about Harry’s scar in the Harry Potter series? How it is painful to him? It is a foreshadowing of what occurs in the later books. An author must decide how often to remind the reader of it, and how frequently.

Foreshadowing can be fun, it can be a pain, but it is always necessary to keep the reader interested. In one of the later books in the series, Celwyn asks Kang what to do about Bartholomew’s mortality. They are immortal, but Bartholomew isn’t. As a foreshadowing, the magician Celwyn asks Kang’s opinion about possibly making Bartholomew into a vampire. Just a suggestion….

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Purchase Music Shall Untune the Sky online from a local bookstore.

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My Thoughts on Music Shall Untune the Sky

Music Shall Untune the Sky is book 1 in the Celwyn series. The prequel is The Violins Played Before Junstan. While it isn’t necessary to read the prequel first, I believe it will be of benefit.

Book 1 picks up in Prague, with the protagonists heading to Singapore by train. The adventures are many along the way, with Jules Verne crashing his balloon and joining the journey. They even meet up with Captain Nemo later in the tale. The story is full of vampires, witches, magic, Autobots, and so much more. The humor surprised me, as the dialogue had me chuckling many times.

The lively pace keeps the reader entertained and turning the pages until the end. The settings are richly described. At times, the book played like a movie in my mind.

I most identified with Bartholomew as I am a worrier too, but every character plays their role quite well. The book is a fantastic mash-up of genres that works very well to entertain the reader.

Fans of fantasy, history, paranormal, and action will love this tale.

I am a little surprised that the book blurb rather gives away the cliffhanger. Now, if you plan to read the next book, this isn’t a problem. But it is unusual.

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Amazon – OneLink for every country   

If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:

Amazon – Canada

Amazon – France

Amazon – Germany

Amazon – United Kingdom

Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share. 

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Giveaway!

Lou Kemp will award a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!

Official Tour Page for Music Shall Untune the Sky

Full Tour Schedule:

January 17: Hope. Dreams. Life… Love
January 17: Long and Short Reviews
January 24: Rogue’s Angels
January 24: The Avid Reader
January 31: Gina Rae Mitchell
February 7: All the Ups and Downs
February 14: Westveil Publishing
February 21: Literary Gold
February 21: Straight From the Library
February 28: Kit ‘N Kabookle
March 7: Sybrina’s Book Blog

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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