Everyone told me that writing your second book is harder than writing your first. They weren’t lying. Thank you to my family for giving me endless, unflinching support despite the fact that I spent the better part of the year as a hissing gremlin hidden behind a laptop. Special thanks goes to my mum and to Carly, who had to suffer through living with me. I love you both. Also, thank you to my cat, Asami, who slept curled up next to me on the sofa every night that I stayed up late writing. When cats finally learn to read, I’m sure you’ll find this and appreciate the sentiment.
To my agent, Laura Crockett: thank you for being such a champion. You’re the absolute best. Thank you also to Uwe Stender, the entire team at Triada US, and also to Tori Bovalino, my agency sister, who read an early draft of this book and helped me find my way through.
Sarah Guan, my editor—thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making this book shine. Thank you also to the wonderful team at Orbit: Tim Holman and Anne Clarke; Paola Crespo, Laura Fitzgerald, Stephanie Hess, and Ellen Wright for all their work on publicity and marketing; Kelley Frodel and Bryn A. McDonald for their fantastic editorial insight; and Lauren Panepinto for another stunning cover. Big hugs to the glamorous UK Orbit team, too—my UK editor Jenni Hill, and publicist Nazia Khatun.
And finally, my warmest gratitude goes to the readers and bloggers who supported my first book and this one. I literally wouldn’t be writing this without your generosity, enthusiasm, and support. If I could hug you, I would, and if we’ve met in person, I probably have.