Gina Rae Mitchell

The Raven and the Pig (Celwyn #3) by Lou Kemp | Review – Excerpt – Author Guest Post

Book Details

The Raven and the Pig by Lou Kemp
Series: Celwyn #3
Published by 4 Horsemen Publications on 11/12/2021
Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Magical Realism, Mystery, Myths & Legends, Steampunk
Format: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 339

As the music dies, the magician Celwyn is mortally wounded. His darker, immortal brother Pelaez brings him back, barely, with his magic and the party of protagonists travel on the Nautilus to the Cape Verde Islands and the healer of immortals.

During the journey, Professor Kang and Bartholomew cannot tell if Pelaez will keep his brother alive. Captain Nemo is ready to evict Pelaez forcibly, but keeping Celwyn alive is the only thing that restrains him. After Celwyn is saved, the healer requests payment for his services.

This sends the adventurers to the catacombs in Capuchin, going underground with ancient and fresh corpses, and an experience they will not forget. If it hadn't been for Captain Nemo's foresight, they would have been lost.

Before it is over, several of the protagonists question why it seems everyone from warlocks and vampires to witches, seem to be congregating in their world. Through it all, some of them become surprising allies, and a few of their allies turn against them.

In part II, work on the new flying machine begins in earnest bringing attention from the Mafioso and a cherub-like warlock called Duncan.

Source: Received from the author or publisher for review.

 

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Excerpt from The Raven and the Pig

Captain Nemo had joined them, watching the undersea scene as they passed by dozens more buildings. The glow of the Nautilus’ lamps illuminated the ruins, then dissipated and the inky water enveloped everything. They slowed in front of a procession of grand marble stairs leading upward and a mirroring set of steps led downward to an abyss below.

“The main temple,” Captain Nemo told them as an enormous ivory building materialized out of the dark water. “I’m not sure what that is.”

Kang tried his best to see further into the water, but failed. “I would love to use your diving apparatus to explore this, Captain.”

From beside him, Verne licked his lips and said, “What is all of this?”

Nemo hesitated and looked at the author as though deciding if he should tell him.

Pelaez had joined them, without using the door or walking across the room. He just appeared. After enjoying Bartholomew’s gasp, he had no reservations in describing the scene. “It has to be Atlantis. Nothing else would be this big, or advanced.” He leaned toward the glass. “My, my. Just as I imagined it.” He examined the landscape another moment. “Though, I do not see a great deal of destruction, considering.”

The Professor stared. He didn’t see any bones from human corpses, just from animals. How odd. Pelaez had referred to the sudden disappearance of Atlantis, one minute a thriving metropolis of culture and wonderment, the next, gone, as if it never existed. Where were the people?

Thousands of bubbles erupted from under the ship as they passed over another underground steam vent, this one much larger than the others. As the shadow of the submarine covered the vent, Bartholomew stared into the roiling water and said, “No destruction at all. Do you know what happened here, Captain?”

Nemo’s glance at the author probably included a wish that Celwyn was healthy enough to put a block on what Verne saw and heard. Pelaez might be able to do something similar, but he couldn’t be trusted.

With a shrug, Nemo said, “There are many theories. Plato wrote a great deal about Atlantis, as did Mikonisis.”

“Yet, this looks like neither one,” Bartholomew speculated. “There are differences in what we see here compared to the long-standing descriptions from Plato and others.” He pointed to the building in front of them. “Such as the sculptures depicted on the buildings. I wonder …. that last steam vent was huge. As wide as this ship. I … I think we’re passing over an active volcanic cap ….”

“Perhaps. The field of ruins here is enormous. Doesn’t it seem like this city just sank beneath the waves?” the Professor asked. “However, I see no volcanic ash or sludge on the buildings. Why? The lava would have hardened when it met the water.”

As they talked, the Nautilus had gradually ascended as the seafloor rose, and the reflection from streaks of brighter water painted their faces. Bartholomew pointed to the buildings. “Is it simple? That the sea levels rose, and covered everything?”

Pelaez had watched the last of the buildings and houses go by with a special kind of light behind his disturbing eyes. He asked a question intended to make things even more puzzling.

“Gentlemen, what if they built the city under water in the first place?”

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Purchase Links for The Raven and the Pig

Amazon-One Link for all countries   

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My thoughts on The Raven and the Pig

The Raven and the Pig by Lou Kemp is a continuation of the Celwyn series. The prequel is The Violins Played Before Junstan and Music Shall Untune the Sky is book one. While it’s not actually required to read the books in order, I always recommend that if possible you read a series in the author’s preferred order. I think this provides a nuance to the characters and storyline that the reader might otherwise miss.

Book two continues the adventures of Celwyn, Professor Kang, Bartholomew, Captain Nemo, Jules Verne, and a host of other characters we’ve previously met.

The author’s descriptive writing style places the reader deep in the story. You can see the exotic fish through the aquatic window of the submarine, Nautilus. You’ll marvel at the sight of Atlantis. But, most importantly, the reader feels intimately acquainted with the cast of characters.

I think Steampunk is a unique fantasy genre. With flying machines, mechanical birds, and automats you know you are in the midst of steampunk genius while reading this book.

I highly recommend The Raven and the Pig to all readers who enjoy a technology inspired steampunk tale with relatable characters and a superb storyline.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

You can read my reviews of more Lou Kemp books HERE!

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

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A Note from Author, Lou Kemp

The host of this blog kindly left it up to me as to what I would say and considering who that is—the subject is easy.

I went into the indie publishing world about six months ago, and I’ve discovered a handful of people who’ve really helped me. Gina is one of them. It isn’t just her being available for questions or writing a review, she does a lot more. Her love of books comes through upfront, and her commitment to helping indie authors. I don’t know how many are in her crew, but I would like to thank them, too.

What is my series about?

It is 1865 and an immortal magician, an automat, and a widower from the Sudan travel the globe with the same camaraderie of the team in Caleb Carr’s Alienist series. As they journey around the world, they encounter many things that cannot be explained. When they join Captain Nemo and Jules Verne in their adventures, they find there are many things that will never be explained.
The series is steampunk strongly driven by magic and the lure of the Nautilus. Celwyn, the peyote-eating immortal magician attracts enemies like a dog with fleas, as does Bartholomew and Professor Kang.

(Note from Gina: Aww, that is so sweet of you. This ship flies solo, although most days, a crew would be helpful.)

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