Of course I have to start by thanking Adam Glendon Sidwell, my coauthor, mentor, and friend. He took a chance on letting me help with this project, both in regards to drafting out the series, and in letting me help write this final manuscript. It was and is always a pleasure and an honor to collaborate with him.
Next, I want to thank Deke Stella, who let me play around in his world and forgave me when I got all the details wrong in my first couple of drafts, both in regards to my series pitch, and in subsequent drafts of this manuscript. I hope we get a chance to work together again in the future.
I also must thank Emma Hoggan, my favorite editor, and my good friend. She was instrumental in improving my initial drafts of the manuscript, and in improving upon my initial concepts and designs for the series as a whole. Without her improving my notes, concepts, and story beats, this book would have been much weaker overall.
A special word goes out to my wife Kirsta, who supported me in writing this book even when I took time away from her to do it.
Finally, I want to thank you, the reader, who spent time reading not only this book, but also these acknowledgements. I mean, who even does that? Someone pretty awesome is who.
Zachary James Strickland.