Hello everyone.
It’s that time again. Time to find a gate, leap into the flume, and travel through the next chapter in the saga of Bobby Pendragon. For those of you who have been following the adventure, you know that Saint Dane’s plan for the ultimate conquest of Halla is beginning to take shape. For those of you who are new, well, umm, Saint Dane’s plan for the ultimate conquest of Halla is beginning to take shape. Duh. Of course since you’re new, you have no idea what that means so I’d strongly recommend that you get with the program and start reading from the beginning! C’mon! I’ll wait. (Taps toes, whistles, plays solitaire)
Sorry, can’t wait. Gotta go.
As always, before we jump into the flume I want to take a little time to thank some of the many people who help me bring Bobby’s story to you. For many years now, the great folks at Simon & Schuster have been incredible supporters of the Pendragon books. Julia Richardson’s guidance has once again proved invaluable. Rick Richter, Rubin Pfeffer, Ellen Krieger, Elizabeth Law, Paul Crichton, the folks in design and promotion and marketing and sales and and and…the list would add another chapter to this book. I’d like them all to know how grateful I am for their support, talent, and wisdom.
I’d also like to thank the many editors and publishers of all the foreign language editions who have helped turn Pendragon into an international presence. The number of non-English publishers is ever growing. I’m thrilled and grateful for that.
Heidi Hellmich has once again done a masterful job of copyediting. I’m beginning to think she knows more about Bobby than I do. Strange. Thanks, Heidi.
My personal team of acolytes always has my undying gratitude. Without Richard Curtis, Danny Baror and Peter Nelson I might still be writing these words, but I’m not sure how many people would be reading them. Thanks guys.
Though there are many Pendragon readers around the world, I sometimes feel as if I’m writing for an audience of one. My wife, Evangeline. She is always the first to learn of each new danger and dilemma facing the Travelers. Her opinion means the world to me. As long as she’s happy, I’m happy. And I’m thinking you will be too. It’s worked so far!
I look forward to the day when my daughter, Keaton, will be able to read my stories. I think. I often wonder how she’ll react when she figures out that the guy who gives her a bath, gets her dressed, plays hide and seek and reads books to her is actually some nutjob who is able to concoct stories about the potential destruction of all that exists. Until that day, I’ll just have to thank her for not running into my office too often to disturb my plotting of inter-dimensional strife.
While traveling (the nonflume kind) to talk about the books, I’ve had the good fortune to meet many terrific booksellers, teachers and librarians from all over who have played a huge role in bringing Bobby’s story to you. Parents fall into that category, too. I owe them all a great debt of gratitude.
Finally, without readers like you, there would be no Pendragon. As many of you know, I love getting letters and e-mails hearing of your experiences and thoughts while reading my books. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that my words can mean so much to you. I’m honored. Thank you.
I think that covers most everybody. Now let’s get to the good stuff. The last time we were all together, Bobby returned home to discover that Second Earth had changed. New and impossible technology had suddenly appeared, not the least of which was a talking, mechanical cat that was manufactured by the Dimond Alpha Digital Corporation. Yeah, Dimond. That Dimond. Mark was gone. He no longer wanted to be an acolyte and jumped into the flume. But to go where? He left Courtney with the responsibility of the ring and the mystery of what he was planning to do. Bobby’s task was clear. He had to find Mark and figure out what he might do that would put Halla square into the sights of Saint Dane.
If you haven’t been reading these books, aren’t you a little bit interested in what the heck I’m talking about? C’mon, admit it. Go on back. Pick up The Merchant of Death. Get up to speed and then come here to find out how Bobby and the Travelers are about to go to the wall in a desperate attempt to stop the destruction of all that ever was, or will be.
For everybody else…hobey ho, let’s go.
D. J. MacHale