In the Veins of the Drowning(103)
To my mom, Lynn Quinones. Thank you for your unwavering support. For happily watching my children so I could steal some writing time. You have always made me feel like my wildest dreams were not so wild, after all. In large part, it’s because of you that I’ve reached them.
To my agent, Sheyla Knigge. You are a brilliant partner, and I am grateful every day for your keen story sense, for your passion, and for your reminders to get off Goodreads. How thankful I am that you saw the potential in me and this book. It’s been a hell of a year and a half. So happy to have shared it with you.
To my editor, Julia DeVarti. You understood my story from the start. I don’t think there’s a better feeling in the world than having a creative partner who loves your work for the same reasons you do. Thank you for your generosity, and your sharp feedback.
To the rest of my team at Little, Brown and Company. I am overwhelmed by all the support, excitement, and expertise that every one of you poured into this book. Sally Kim, Gabby Leporati, Danielle Finnegan, Kirin Diemont, Linda Arends, and Amy J. Schneider, thank you, thank you. And huge thanks to my team at Gollancz and my editor, Millie Prestidge.
To my writing wife, Rachel Gillig. I am convinced there is no surviving this job without you. And if I could, I wouldn’t want to. Thank you for your heart, your wit, your Greg-like sensibilities, your understanding, your commiseration. Your friendship is one of the greatest parts of this journey and I am so much better in every way for it.
To Caitlin Poole and Ginger Swan Lindsey. For years, you have gotten your hands dirty with me. You have combed through ideas and plot holes with me. You have celebrated successes and mourned losses with me. I feel eternally lucky that I found you both.
To Nirmaliz Colon Acosta, April Chandler, Marissa Young, Ellie Burke, and all the other writing friends who read, gave feedback, cheered me, and guided me. In some way, at some time, you impacted this story’s path, and mine, and I’m so grateful.
To Allison Saft. Thank you for your truly endless generosity and insight on this book. Your constant belief and feedback helped grow this story, and me, in so many ways. I’m forever thankful to call you a friend.
To Hannah Teachout. Thank you for your expertise and steady support. To Skyler Wry, thank you for believing in me and telling me to just start when I said I wanted to write a book all those years ago.
To my family and friends, near and far, your love, enthusiasm, and support have meant the world to me. To every reader who picks up this book, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kalie Cassidy was born and raised in Southern California and spent over a decade working in Los Angeles as a professional theater actor, coach, and acting teacher. She now lives in the Midwest with her family and rambunctious golden retriever.
Praise for Kalie Cassidy’s
IN THE VEINS OF THE DROWNING
“A provocative dark fantasy with all the alluring qualities of siren song. Sensuous and lushly romantic, In the Veins of the Drowning ensorcelled me from the very first page.”
—Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
“An absolute riptide of a book. It draws you in, pulls you under. Atmospheric and evocative, Cassidy’s writing sews adventure, romance, and political intrigue together while maintaining its ominous tenor. Monsters lurk, and danger knows your name. I was completely swept away.”
—Rachel Gillig, New York Times bestselling author of One Dark Window
“Cassidy has written your new favorite romantasy couple: a king tormented by his honor and a siren grappling with her monstrosity, each of them walking the knife’s edge of duty and desire. Sensual, gripping, and resonant as siren song, In the Veins of the Drowning will sink its lure into you and leave you breathless.”
—Allison Saft, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Dark and Drowning Tide
“Perilous stakes underscore a defiant, hate-to-love affair that’s as vulnerable as it is sexy. In the Veins of the Drowning is a sprawling, incandescent debut that emerges with talons and teeth.”
—Isa Agajanian, author of Modern Divination
“As glittering as the sea and lush as its foamy waves, In the Veins of the Drowning will lure you in like a siren’s call with its mysterious lore and fierce, yet tender romance. Imogen and Theo are perfect reflections of each other and I have no doubt they will ensnare the hearts of readers the way they’ve ensnared mine. Devastatingly atmospheric and utterly captivating.”
—Maddie Martinez, author of The Maiden and Her Monster
“Rich with atmosphere and lore, this lush fantasy is like the sea that roars at its heart: fierce and dangerous; darkly glittering. The ferocious tide of Imogen and Theo’s irresistible romance will sweep you off your feet, but it is Imogen herself—grappling with her power and what it means to be a monster—who will steal your heart. A gorgeous, spellbinding debut.”
—Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn
“In the Veins of the Drowning is a seductive study of the monstrous, weaving a rich tapestry of prose and emotion in which beauty has talons, memories hold magic, and blood runs deep.”
—Maggie Rapier, author of Soulgazer
“Consider me drowning and gasping for air. In the Veins of the Drowning is as seductive as a siren’s song and as haunting as the sea itself. Don’t miss sinking into this gorgeous debut!”