When the credits roll, Ollie gets a standing ovation from most of the student body. Harlowe sulks in a corner, and a smattering of students seem skeptical, others bored. But the majority of the kids at our school, including Ivy and Graham, jump to their feet, full of admiration. Especially for Ollie, who showed them the truth.

We sit together for the very first time. All of us. Me, the Similars—and their originals. Tessa and Madison, who seem to be on campus a lot these days. It’s almost like they’re looking for an excuse to hang out with us. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that. Archer’s eating with us too, here during NYU’s spring break. He’s never looked happier to be back at school. And, of course, Ollie and Pru, who sit on either side of me, with Levi across the table. I catch Levi’s eyes as we stand, clapping, supporting Ollie in this moment that feels big, bigger than any of us. I smile, because I think I finally know who I am now, or who I might become, anyway. I think I might like her.

Acknowledgments

A giant, over-the-top, group hug thank-you to everyone at Sourcebooks who has supported this series from day one. I can’t thank you enough for your enthusiasm for Emma, Levi, Ollie, and the Similars. Annie Berger, I am so lucky to have gotten the chance to collaborate with you on this book—your insights have been so sharp and spot-on, and I could not have made it to the finish line without you. (Thank you for talking me down off the overplotting ledge!)

To the Sourcebooks team: Beth Oleniczak, Mallory Hyde, Valerie Pierce, Ashlyn Keil, Heidi Weiland, Steve Geck, Cassie Gutman, Michelle Lecuyer, and Sarah Kasman—thank you. You are superstars at what you do, and just in case I haven’t said it enough already, I appreciate it all. To Nicole Hower, who designed the most dark and deliciously twisty cover imaginable for this book and The Similars paperback: thank you! And huge thanks to Robin Macmillan for an image that so perfectly encapsulates the Darkwood vibe.

Thank you, thank you, to my agent, Sasha Raskin, whose dedication and early support made this series a reality when it was just a fever dream in my head. You’re the best.

Stephen Breimer, Leigh Brecheen, Matt Sadeghian, Chloe Pisello, David Martin, Jazmine Hill, Alexandra Kundrat, and everyone on Team Similars at Avalon: you know how amazing you are. Thank you.

Barry and Felicia Ptolemy, thank you for the book trailer that launched a thousand ships. You are both visionaries.

Gretchen Koss, thank you for your belief in me and my books!

Ansley Fones, you are my web diva/genius—what would I do without you?!