Clariel is of course Chlorr of the Mask, who appears at the beginning of Lirael, having been drawn south by the reawakened powers of Orannis. As to what she did in the intervening years between the events of this book and those in Lirael, who can say?

The next Old Kingdom novel, which I am currently working on, jumps forward again and continues the story of Nicholas Sayre (and Lirael), picking up their story after the novella The Creature in the Case.

I would like to thank the many patient readers who have waited a long time for this book. I am also very grateful for the expertise, advice and hard work of my publishing partners around the world: my literary agents Jill Grinberg, Fiona Inglis and Antony Harwood; my editors Katherine Tegen, Eva Mills and Emma Matthewson; and everyone at HarperCollins USA, Allen & Unwin, Hot Key Books and my various publishers in translation.

Finally I would like to thank my wife, Anna, and my two sons, who have had to be the most patient of all: not waiting for this book, but for me to stop writing it.

Garth Nix

Sydney, 22 November 2013

ALSO BY GARTH NIX

THE OLD KINGDOM SERIES:

Sabriel

Lirael

Abhorsen

For younger readers:

THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM SERIES:

Mister Monday

Grim Tuesday

Drowned Wednesday

Sir Thursday

Lady Friday

Superior Saturday

Lord Sunday