
Gone by Michael Grant with Fiona Fenn
From Drinks in the Library by Gigi Howard
March 17, 2026 · Episode 102
About this episode
The episode discusses the dystopian novel 'Gone' by Michael Grant and features guest author Fiona Fenn.
Gone by Michael Grant is a gripping dystopian novel in which everyone over the age of fifteen suddenly disappears from a small California town, leaving the kids to survive on their own inside a mysterious barrier. As food runs out and strange powers begin to emerge, the remaining children must confront fear, chaos, and the struggle for control in a world with no adults. Fiona Fenn is an author of fantasy novels that put complicated “heroes” front and center. A fan of villains, redemption arcs, and intense explorations of healing in all its forms, her debut novel, The Crack at the Heart of Everything, is a love letter to every villain who wanted to do better but never got the chance. The City that Shattered the World is the second book in the series and will be coming out in October 2026! Drink Blackberry Survival Smash Ingredients 2 oz bourbon or dark rum ¾ oz fresh lemon juice ½ oz honey syrup 4–5 blackberries (muddled) 2–3 mint leaves Splash of soda water Instructions Muddle blackberries, mint, and honey syrup in a shaker. Add bourbon and lemon juice with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Top with a splash of soda and garnish with a blackberry. In…
People in this episode
Host: Gigi Howard
Guests: Michael Grant, Fiona Fenn
Topics covered
- dystopian fiction
- survival
- young adult literature
- fantasy novels
- character exploration
Keywords
- Gone
- Michael Grant
- Fiona Fenn
- dystopian novel
- young adult
- fantasy
- survival
- characters
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Sarah J. Maas, The Spoken World Podcast, Sweet Valley High, Heated Rivalry, Our Rogue Fates by Sarah Glenn Marsh, Style Weekly, Best of Richmond
Books & works: Gone, The Crack at the Heart of Everything, The City that Shattered the World
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