To my agent, Danielle Burby, thank you for taking a risk based on a few sample pages I scrounged together on an airplane. You jumped straight into the deep end with me, adopting an author with so much baggage that I’m still surprised you didn’t run screaming for the hills. You are a wonder, and I’m forever grateful for your hard work, understanding, and general kickass-edness. Thanks also to Kristin Nelson for reading those rough early pages and knowing Danielle and I would be the perfect match—I’m so grateful that you’ve been on this adventure with us right from the very beginning.

To my wonderful editors, Emilia Rhodes and Zoe Walton—you guys are brilliant. Thank you for your clever insight and thoughtful guidance in transforming this book into something beyond what I could have ever imagined on my own. I’m so thrilled with how it evolved under your care, and more excited than ever for everything that’s coming next.

Big thanks to all the insanely talented people who worked on this manuscript editorially to shine it to perfection, in particular my copyeditor, Ana Deboo, and my proofreader, Ellen Fast—you’re both amazing! Thanks also to Jim Tierney for the stunning cover art (and the fantabulous code design), and to Francesca Baerald for the oh-my-gosh-I-can’t-stop-staring-at-them fantasy maps. *Heart eyes*

To the rest of the teams at HMH Teen (USA) and Penguin Random House (ANZ), thank you so much for embracing me and this series right from the very beginning. Squishy hugs and virtual cake to every single person who has had a hand in this process!

A huge amount of gratitude goes to my foreign rights agent, Jenny Meyer, for selling this series into numerous territories around the globe. I’m pretty sure you’re a genie who grants wishes, since, as far as I’m concerned, you’ve made magic happen. I’m also insanely grateful to my film agent, Mary Pender, and so looking forward to everything that’s ahead!

To my author friends who offer me advice, encouragement, and comradeship in this Scary Publishing World, thank youuuuu! There are too many of you to name, but special mention goes to Sarah J. Maas for putting up with my stalkerish texting at ridiculous hours of the day and night (hey, it’s not my fault we’re on opposites sides of the world!), and to Jessica Townsend for the let’s-be-quick-because-we’re-both-on-deadline breakfasts (which always end up lasting hours anyway—oops).