An appreciative nod to early readers Cyn and Todd, for their insight and suggestions, and also to Andrew “Yoda” Karre, for showing me how to write what I wanted to write.
Andrew, I wish you many Luke Skywalkers in your career.
And finally, I have to thank my family, without whom I would be a drooling, incoherent person unable to do anything but watch Top Chef reruns. Especially my father, who while he worked, fielded endless phone calls to the ER in order to discuss ailments that made you run a fever, and my sister Kate—Kate, I rely on your advice more than you know.
And last of all, Ed. You’re my best friend and the reason why the love stories in my novels ring true at all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maggie Stiefvater is the author of Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception and a sequel, Ballad: The Gathering of Faerie. Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of Tantalize, called Maggie’s writing “musical, magical, and practically radiating romance…perfect for engaging sharp minds and poetic hearts.” Maggie lives in rural Virginia with her husband and their two children. You can visit her online at www.maggiestiefvater.com.