Thank you to the team at McElderry for all their work and advocacy, including Justin Chanda and Natascha Morris, and particularly my editor Ruta Rimas, whose thoughtful questioning about arc and character somehow pushes me miles down the road every single time. A huge thank you also goes to Zlatina Zareva who captured all of Ansa, both warrior and Valtia, with one powerful image and design, and to Leo Hartas for designing the map of the wider world of the Krigere, Kupari, and Vasterutians, and to Debra Sfetsios-Conover for the beautiful overall book design.
To my agent, Kathleen Ortiz, what to say? This is book number fifteen and we’re still going strong. Thank you for everything. And my gratitude also goes to the team at New Leaf Literary for all manner of assistance, organization, and support. In addition, thank you to Gaby Salpeter for marshaling the online charge—I am so happy you tolerate me.
I’m grateful for my friends—Lydia, Brigid, Amber, Sue, Claudine, Jackie, Paul, and Jim—in different ways, each of you lifts me up and guides me closer to being my best self. Without you I’d be lost. To my parents and my sisters, thank you for your unconditional love. To my children . . . Asher, thank you for your enthusiasm and critique as I read this book aloud to you. Alma, you are my inspiration, warrior girl.
And to my readers, thank you for caring about my characters and worlds. Thank you for telling others about my books. Thank you for reaching out. Thank you for existing in the world.