Dorodad: desert expanse in the far west

Dredger: result of prolonged Rail usage

Kalafran Ocean: giant body of water separating Kardisa from the continent

Kardisa: island chain off the eastern coast of Yem

Kaskatian Mountain Range: range of mountains bisecting the northern territory

Kiva: largest settlement between Kaskatians and Tideron; known for flour exports, textiles, and medicine

Linura: capital city of Yem; home to Anji, Kit, and Rolandrian; seat of House Demuratia, Senate, and Sun Wardens; port city

Makona: continent

Olangar: small village in the northern territory

Order of Inheritance: centuries-old religion emphasizing gratitude for the Nine Gods and the world they left to mortals

Peak: leader of a Spur

Rail: powder made from refined coal coral; amplifies strength, increases awareness and reaction time; causes sickness of the lungs and transmogrification after prolonged use

Rhoda: large denomination of currency; paper bills; 100 Celdia = 1 Rhoda

Sheertop Cathedral: ruined cathedral and small town; deserted; prior seat of the Order of Inheritance

Silverton: last town before Kaskatian mountain range; known for its silver mines

Spur: name for any drug gang operating in Makona

The One Path: new state religion

Tideron: port city north of Linura; destination for Kit and Anji; major port

Tumbledown Pass: mountain pass known for frequent avalanches

Yem: largest country on the continent of Makona; borders the entire coast and much of the north of the continent

Acknowledgments

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book would not exist without the following people. It is to you I owe everything.

To my agent, Seth Fishman: you pulled me out of a livestream, and look what we’ve built together. Thank you for believing in a random nerd on the internet. You’re my goddamned anchor.

To my editor, Stephanie Stein: thank you for seeing what this book could be, for giving me a chance, and for never holding back. You challenged me to dig deeper, to pull out everything I had to make this what it is. Your honesty, attention to detail, and passion for stories carried Anji farther than I ever thought she could go.

To my brother Vaughn: I don’t think a day has passed where we haven’t talked. You read this in its early stages and told me you liked it. That’s all the motivation I’ll ever need. You always had better taste than me.

To my dad: I called you a few years ago to tell you I quit my job to write books, and you didn’t bat an eye (even though that plan ended up being a little shakier than we thought). What a blessing it is to feel your father’s pride and reassurance.

To my sister, Sarah, my other brother, David, and my nephew, Jameson: even from across the country, I can feel your love and joy. You’re three of the most beautiful people I have the pleasure of knowing.