Fan fiction has its place, even if it’s not taken seriously by people outside of the world of the subject at hand. But what if said fan fiction took a unique turn, offering up something unique that’s both fictional and engaging? That’s when things get interesting, and author Mark Swartz has definitely produced something interesting with his newest novel, The Music Never Dies: Tales From The Flipside.

The premise of The Music Never Died is that lives of musicians continued after they died, or that their lives didn’t end when they did and continued on. The ideas Swartz pursues are definitely original. A music venue that features famous airplane crash victims as the entertainers? Notorious B.I.G. surviving being shot and being rehabilitated for a comeback by Yoko Ono? Sure, why not? Angelic voiced Jeff Buckley being reincarnated as a popular Black Metal singer?  All original ideas, all unique scenarios—and all entertaining. 

It’s to Swartz’s credit that he ignores plausibility and simply goes for it when he tells his stories. Sure, they’re fictitious, but who cares? He sees this not as a drawback but as liberating; thus, he can tell fantastical stories about real characters that makes you smile if you know who he’s talking about, while retaining interest in the stories of those names you might not know. The Music Never Died is a fun, enjoyable, and quick read that easily is one of the best things you’ll read all year. 

Purchase: Amazon

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