The Black Lung Captain

Tales of the Ketty Jay, Book 2

By: Chris Wooding

Narrated by: Rupert Degas

Darian Frey is down on his luck. He can barely keep his squabbling crew fed and his rickety aircraft in the sky. Even the simplest robberies seem to go wrong. It's getting so a man can't make a dishonest living any more.

Enter Captain Grist. He's heard about a crashed aircraft laden with the treasures of a lost civilisation, and he needs Frey's help to get it. There's only one problem. The craft is lying in the trackless heart of a remote island, populated by giant beasts and subhuman monsters.

Dangerous, yes. Suicidal, perhaps. Still, Frey's never let common sense get in the way of a fortune before. But there's something other than treasure on board that aircraft. Something that a lot of important people would kill for. And it's going to take all of Frey's considerable skill at lying, cheating and stealing if he wants to get his hands on it....

Strap yourself in for another tale of adventure and debauchery, pilots and pirates, golems and daemons, double-crosses and double-double-crosses. The crew of the Ketty Jay are back!

©2019 Chris Wooding (P)2019 Orion Publishing Group

A unique experience

A fun, adventure filled story not derived from stand fantasy/sci-fi tropes. Steampunk firefly with a distinctly British flare.

A wonderfully functioning dysfunctional team

Chris Wooding and Rupert Degas have brought the Ketty Jays crew to life. It’s great to see writer and narrator work so well together. As the listener I’ve become fully invested in the lives and fortunes of these people. Hope this series continues on.

A Fun Romp

A new adventure for the Ketty Jay and crew that further develops the back story of the crew in variant degrees, making the listener care more about some and dislike others – however the contrast adds to the storyline and demonstrates the challenge of getting a rag tag group to work together. Good production quality and excellent narration. Story is complex enough to be mysterious and exciting, without being too hard to follow. A fun romp.

Outstanding vocal work, satisfying story

Wooding’s second offering, like his first, jumps all over the steampunk-punkish world from rain forests to the North Pole- relatable characters told in excellent character voices- the plotting turns and twists and covers more ground than you would expect in a mid-length story. Imaginative and humane. Likeable villains, flawed heroes, hopeful romance - hopeless quests - good stuff!

So happy for the next three books!!

The narration was excellent, writing was perfect, and the story progressed perfectly. A seamless transition from book one that is so hard to do well. The vivid descriptions of another world and another time are splendid. I'm an endurance biker and listen while I ride for hours. When I get off my bike it takes me a minute or two to readjust this world.

Thanks Chris and Rupert for a magnificent and immersive listening experience!