Welcome, my friends.
We’re about to begin a new adventure together. This is always a fun time for me because I know exactly what’s in store for you, and you have no idea of what’s coming. Mwahahahaha! Once you’ve read Curse of the Boggin, you’ll have a pretty good sense of what to expect from future books in The Library series. But as of right now it’s a clean page, a blank slate, an empty screen.
A mystery.
If you’ve read my books, you know I like mysteries. Whether they’re fantasy, science fiction, or thrillers, I like to keep you guessing. And, oh yes—I like spooky.
The Library is spooky.
I’m not sure why I often write about supernatural doings. I suppose you could ask my therapist. But seeing as I don’t have a therapist, don’t bother trying.
If I were to analyze it myself, I’d have to say it’s because I like possibilities. When authors write stories about situations where the rules of science and nature don’t necessarily apply, it creates a slew of opportunities to concoct imaginative scenarios and crazy challenges for characters to deal with. I guess that’s the villain in me coming out. I like to make my characters sweat a little.
And my readers too.
Speaking of possibilities, The Library is going to be a bit different from my other series. If you’ve read Pendragon or Morpheus Road or The SYLO Chronicles, you know that all those stories build toward a conclusion. Whether it’s one of three volumes or ten, each book is the next chapter in a grand overall story that has a definitive climax. Not so with The Library. Once you’ve read the first book (the one you’re holding, duh), you can read the rest in any order. Each will hold a unique tale that doesn’t necessarily rely on any of the others. (Except for the first. It’s the setup. You’ve gotta start with number one. I said that, right?) There will be a continuing cast of characters you’ll get to know, but they will find themselves in entirely different situations and confronted by uniquely weird dilemmas every time.
My plan is to explore all sorts of supernatural puzzles. The common thread will be the characters you are about to meet. They’ll be going along on these adventures with you. And, believe me, I’m going to make them sweat. A lot. It’s what I do.
Before you open the door to these odd archives, I’d like to offer some thanks to the people who helped bring this book to you.
Michelle Nagler, my editor at Random House Children’s Books, was the first who dared to enter The Library. Michelle, Mallory Loehr, and Diane Landolf have thoughtfully guided its creation. To them and to all the good folks at RHCB, I thank you.
My support teams headed by Richard Curtis and Peter Nelson have had my back since The Merchant of Death. (And with Peter, since Are You Afraid of the Dark?) As always, thanks for taking care of business.
The solid encouragement and support of my wife, Evangeline, is, as always, invaluable, while the merciless criticism from my daughter, Keaton, is, as always, totally annoying. But it’s also spot-on accurate. It’s a double-edged sword there. Heck, Keaton wasn’t even born until after The Never War was published. How can it be possible that she is able to figure out my plot twists? Smart kid, I guess. Or my kid. I love you both.
I am truly grateful to the hundreds of booksellers, librarians, and teachers I’ve had the good fortune to meet over the years. Whether you represent a big-box store, local indie, school, or massive district, you do such a wonderful job of promoting literacy by getting books into the hands of kids. Thank you.
And, of course, the biggest thanks must go to you, dear reader. One of the wonderful perks of writing my books for young people is that every year there are new readers who discover them, as well as loyal readers who have been with me for years. It’s great to hear, “I grew up with your stories!” Though it does make me feel kind of ancient. But that’s okay; it’s worth it. Sort of. Seriously, I can’t tell you how much I enjoy hearing from you all so that I can answer your questions and discuss the stories…even if you enjoyed them way back when you were a kid.
Okay now. Back to the main reason we’re here.
This series is about books. Scary books. If you’re reading this foreword, it means I’m speaking your language. You’re just as interested in dark mysteries as I am, aren’t you? Well, my friend, you’ve come to the right place. Settle in. Get comfortable. We’re setting out on a journey together. It’s one of those trips where you won’t be quite sure what you’re going to find behind the next closed door or what you’ll run into when you round a corner. Things won’t always be what they seem. Did that shadow move, or was it a trick of the flickering light? Who can I trust? Who should I fear?
Am I going to be able to get to sleep tonight?
No promises about that last one.
It’s all there waiting for you. So let’s turn the page, open the door, and step into…
The Library.
—D. J. MacHale, 2016