Dear Michael Grant,
First off , your books are absolutely incredible. I am completely and totally obsessed with them and am counting down until Lies. Thank you for writing them.
What I really wanted to thank you for is making Astrid a Catholic. I know that you don't consider yourself religious at all, but I really appreciate you making an effort to include characters of different social/religious groups. I myself am Catholic and am constantly annoyed by the absolutely atrocious reputation that the media gives my religion. Everyone always goes on and on about scandals in the Church, but never includes the fact that there are both good and bad people in EVERY religion or lack thereof. It just really means a lot to me to see a Catholic character portrayed in a positive light particularly by someone who does not consider himself religious . Thank you again and I can't wait for Lies!
Sincerely,
Fearless Leader

Yeah what she/he said!

I'm Christian as well (Methodist), and I totally agree. It's so unusual and refreshing to see a Christian character portrayed positively by an author who's not religious, especially in the fantasy genre. Thanks, Michael Grant!

Well I go to Catholic school so I don't really hear people in person talking about that kind of stuff... I just see people online making fun of Catholicism or making jokes about it. And it's not like bad stuff is reserved to one religion. But anyways I also like how Michael Grant made Astrid a religious person. ^_^

I'm a Pentecostal Christian but still think it is good that she is a catholic

I'm a chatolic too, and I think it's good to have a chatolic character, but it's not only good though. Because Astrid isn't only a chatolic, she's a really conservative one. Sometimes almost fundamentalistic, I would say. And I think it's so that it's mostly fundamentalists who set religion in a bad position. But of course, when it comes to the Gone-series, other charcters, such as Mary, is also catholic without being conservative. So I'll also like to thank Michael Grant. Not only for having chatolics in the story, but all kinds of religions and believes. Because people are different and believes in diefferent things.


Oh, and sorry if it seemed like I blamed Michael Grant for having a character with conservative/fundamentalistic views in the books. I actually think it's good too, because it shows even more different kinds of believes people can have. So, thank you Michael Grant!

I took the position from the start that I wanted my characters to be real. If there are more than 300 kids in the FAYZ obviously they will represent all races, all religions, all national origins, sexual preferences and philosophies. Astrid is a devout Catholic, Edilio a less involved Catholic, Brittney is an evangelical Christian, Duck is a Buddhist (although I don't know if I ever mentioned that,) Sanjit (from LIES) is a Hindu, and Sam is a sort of uninvolved Jew.

I have my own opinions but I work hard never to make the books about my opinions. I am pretty sure I'm not the final word on God, morality or anything else. It's not my job to tell readers what to believe, it's my job to entertain readers. You guys give me $18 or whatever for the book, and I don't think you do that so I can lecture you. You have parents, friends, pastors, teachers and so on to lecture you. You want to get serious about the big issue? Read Aristotle, the Bible, the Koran, Kant, Nietzsche, Aquinas, Kierkegaard, Russell. I hope you will read those guys.

Me? I stick to telling stories.

Of course in the process of me telling stories of course I am going to raise questions. About good and evil, right and wrong, all of that. But I try hard to raise those questions and let you answer them. That's my own little moral code as it relates to writing for yound adults. I absolutely hope to challenge you. And then I trust you to figure out the answers.

In later books you'll see believers doubt and non-believers seek. The one thing I'd ask is this: know that I'm not pushing an agenda, I'm just letting the characters work things out.

i really like it how you have such a variety, Mr. Grant, it really makes the whole books all the more realistic, and speaking as a Catholic as well i have to say that it is refreshing for Astrid to be Catholic.But i love your books and i would like to say thank you for answering all of our questions on here; its not very often that an author posts on his/her own fan site!

Three cheers for the best author EVER!!!

HIP HIP HURRRAAYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DITTO!
HIP HIP HORAY!

just making the people more real

*cheers*

same here xD thank you for the best series ever MG.

Would have never guessed that! thanks you MG for all the great work and effort you put into your books!