David Owen

David Owen started out writing stupid stories about cybernetic carrots with machine guns. This might be a result of watching Terminator at the age of nine. This love of over-the-top action stayed with him through his Bachelors and Masters degrees in creative writing, and is most commonly channelled into edgy young adult fiction, where the action is tempered by exploration into the difficulties of growing up in the modern world. David has also been published as a poet and music reviewer, and currently teaches on the creative writing programme at The University of Winchester in the United Kingdom. He also keeps a blog, I Was Stupid, a frank and funny sporadic memoir about his past and his general inability to fit into society. His favourite biscuit is the Bourbon.

Music or Death

Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

London in the near future. Music has been outlawed in all its forms as part of anti-terrorism measures. The people have been emptied of emotion and are kept in line by The Anthem, a soulless mockery of music that hooks society like a drug. The people are addicted to government control.

Cain is accidentally recruited into the terrorist cell Music or Death when he is caught up in a bomb attack. It’s dedication to bringing down the government and returning music to the people draws Cain deeper into their world of violence. As MOD’s actions spiral out of control, culminating in a chemical attack on the London Underground, Cain’s dedication to the cause is confused by a budding romance with Sarah, girlfriend to MOD’s leader and believer that violence doesn’t have to be the only way.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Xementhis, head of elite police division Soundcrime, exercises all his powers to find and destroy the terrorist cell. As his actions become increasingly violent, it becomes apparent that his anti-terrorist fervour may be more personal than professional, culminating in a fatal clash deep in the tunnels beneath the city.