First, thank you, reader. I hope this book brings you dreams.
Thanks to Rick Bleiweiss, Deirdre Curley-Waldern, Isabella Bedoya, Isabella Nugent, Sarah Bonamino, Josie Woodbridge, and everyone at Blackstone for making this lifetime dream come true.
Lesley Sabga for being the most amazing agent.
Nicole Resciniti, for telling me to dream bigger and convincing me to listen.
Sarah Riedlinger, who brought everything to life in a cover and interior art that made me feel exactly the way I’d always hoped to when I saw it.
Jake Shandy, who made the perfect map for this dark and twisty world.
Kendra Merritt, who helped intensely with a sensitivity read.
Veronica R. Calisto, who always helps me get some details right.
Brian McNees, Jo Dunn, and Neva Murphy for being the family I chose and for choosing me back.
Thank you to the ones who never said I couldn’t: Brian Staley, Liz Freed, David Myer, Erin Kennemer, Anitra Van Prooyen, Kyle Freeman, Aaron Wood, Nikki Cimino, Kim Lajevardi, and Nikki VanRy.
To Barbara Ann Wright, Helen Corcoran, Sara J. Henry, Alex Jay Lore, and Cecy Robson.
Thank you to some of the authors who showed me the road and left a trail I could follow: Shaun David Hutchinson, Cale Dietrich, Trip Galey, David Mack, K. D. Edwards, Jennifer Estep, Jonathan Maberry, Gregory Ashe, Lynn Flewelling, C. S. Poe, Darynda Jones, James Persichetti, Lisa Brown Roberts, Shiri W. Sondheimer, Gail Carriger, and Jenna Lincoln.
A special thank you to all the readers, artists, booksellers, and librarians who’ve read my work and supported me.