Dogs of the Deadlands by Anthony McGowan - the bond between humans and animals
Chernobyl, 1986. Natasha's world is coming to an end. Forced to evacuate her home in the middle of the night, she must leave her puppy behind and has no idea if she'll ever return. Some time later, growing up in the shadow of the ruined nuclear power plant, pups Misha and Bratan have to learn how to live in the wild-and fast.
Creatures with sharp teeth, claws, and yellow eyes lurk in the overgrown woods. And they're watching the brothers' every move...
But will the dogs survive without humans? And can humans live without them?
Anthony McGowan
Anthony Mcgowan was born in Manchester and was the second of what were to be five children. He now lives in London with his wife, author and fashion designer Rebecca Campbell, and their two young children.
Both Anthony's parents were nurses and hoped that he would become a doctor. However, he dropped his science 'A' Levels to study the Arts, and went on to do Philosophy and Politics at Manchester University. It was during his college years that Anthony decided he wanted to be a writer, and he started by writing articles for the student newspaper.
In 1989 he moved to London and worked as a civil servant and freelance journalist. Anthony almost ended up becoming a rock star instead when he joined his friend Tim's band, Dandelion Wine, in 1996. Their first album, Model Village, was critically well received and they were then offered a tour of Japan. Unfortunately Tim was afraid of flying, thus ending Anthony's music career. In 1999, Anthony and Rebecca had their first child, Gabriel. Anthony then left his job at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to become a full time parent.
He also found time to finish his first novel, which although was not immediately published, did gain him an agent, Stephanie Cabot of William Morris, who is also his wife's agent. After advice from his agent, Anthony reworked his first novel which was entitled Abandon Hope, a black comedy modelled on Dante's Inferno aimed at teenagers and young adults.
In January 2003, Anthony's second child, Rose, was born, and later that year Stephanie went out with the revised version of Abandon Hope, now called Hellbent. It was accepted by Random House and was published by Doubleday in February 2005.
