All the Stars and Teeth(111)
If there’s one truth I know, it’s that I will make things right for my kingdom. That is my fate, and I will do whatever I must to see it through.
“Bow,” Mother says in a voice that booms across the too-small crowd. “Bow to High Animancer Amora, your new Queen of Visidia!”
And everyone does.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Holy crud, I can’t believe we’re here and that I finally get to write this. It’s an official Book!
I’ve been blessed throughout this process to work with the most incredible people. As someone who believes everything happens for a reason, I first have to thank God for paving this path for me and putting those people in my life. Publishing is no easy feat, and looking back, it’s clear that every hardship I faced was to get me to these incredible people.
First and foremost, Mom and Dad. Thank you for always supporting and believing in me, and for telling me I could accomplish whatever preposterous dream I had. You’re definitely responsible for my overconfidence, but hey, look, it worked! Because of you, I was never afraid to put myself out there and try. I know there’s a lot of blood and stabbing in this book, but please don’t lock your doors when I come visit. And I really hope you skimmed over the kissing scenes, let’s never ever talk about them. I love you!
Josh, my wonderful boyfriend. Thank you for telling me to write this book, for helping me be able to do so after the accident, and for all your love and support. I’m glad you looked past the purple lipstick.
To all my siblings—Steven, Stefanie, Spencer, Bryan, Maryanna, CJ, Kristin, Sarah, and Rich—because I know I’d never hear the end of it if I didn’t put your names in the book.
Hillary Jacobson, literary agent extraordinaire, for always believing in me and this book. Thank you for all the calls, the emails, the weekends, and the million hours you put into reading and supporting this book so that it could be the best possible version of itself. This story would not be the same without you.
Jenny Simpson and Tamara Kawar over at ICM, who offered excellent notes and early first reads.
Roxane Edouard, foreign rights wizard, for your work to get this book shared all over the world.
Josie Freedman, for handling the film rights for this book, and for reading and providing wonderful notes back in its early query form.
Everyone at Macmillan, you’re the greatest publishing team an author could ask for. Thank you, Dawn Ryan, Melinda Ackell, Lois Evans, Raymond Ernesto Colón, Kristin Dulaney, Jordan Winch Molly Brouillette, Kathryn Little, Mariel Dawson, Lucy Del Priore, and Allison Verost for all your wonderful work.
Morgan Rath, fellow Sun Devil, for being an amazing publicist. I have no idea how you all keep up with your emails and schedule. You’re a total wizard.
Allegra Green, Olivia Oleck, Melissa Croce, and Julia Gardiner for all your amazing work on the marketing and promo for this book.
At Imprint, thank you first and foremost to Nicole Otto, genius editor extraordinaire, for taking a chance on Amora and her story. I could travel all the way to Mordor and back (with hobbit-size feet, even!) and still not find an editor who just gets this story like you do. I’m eternally grateful to have you on my team, and for all of your support.
Erin Stein, thank you for being an all-around fabulous publisher, and for being the one who brought that still of Jacob into existence. My teenage self appreciated it.
Natalie Sousa, for bringing the world of this book to life with your incredible designs. John Morgan and Jessica Chung for all your work and support.
Linda Minton and Ilana Worrell, for helping get this book polished and ready to be read!
Gemma O’Brien, for a beautiful cover even better than the ones I’ve spent years dreaming about. It’s absolutely spectacular.
Dave Stevenson, for bringing Visidia to life in the most gorgeous map l’ve ever seen.
The incredible sensitivity readers who read this book, for your invaluable notes and feedback on this story.
I also couldn’t have written this book without my incredible friends and support system.
First … TOMI ADEYEMI AND SHEA STANDEFER!!! AHHHH!! I will forever be grateful to Pitch Wars for bringing you two into my life. Sometimes I think back to that first day we all met, where we were dreaming of agents and book deals over Thai food. I appreciate the two of you so so much, and am eternally grateful that writing brought me two of the greatest friends I could have asked for. Shea, thank you for being my friend without constraints. Tomi, thank you for eventually deciding it was okay to be my friend, even though you initially hated me because I reminded you of Azula. I appreciate you.
Haley Marshall, for still being an amazing friend despite how many times I’ve made you read this book. For helping me with a million rounds of edits, and for all the adventures and great times. I lucked out getting you as a friend, Rita Skeeter.
Megan McGrath, for being a huge part of why I fell in love with writing. For your years of support, your friendship, the stories, and for Kion, Couper, Izen, and Lierre. <3
Isabel Iba?ez, for sliding into my DMs and demanding that I be your friend. I know I’m very stubborn, so I’m very glad your tactic worked (even if you do make me watch a bunch of “old” movies!). Thank you for feeding me arroz con pollo when I visit, and for being one of the most fabulous, sweetest humans I’ve ever met. Glad we get to go through this debut year side by side.
The Angelz—Sabina, Astrid, Mel, and Tomi. I look forward to screaming with one another and freaking out about exciting things for years to come. I’m so glad to have you all to navigate this weird industry with. Thank you to Mel Howard especially, for your invaluable thoughts and notes on multiple drafts of this book.