“My father has returned to that island many times since then. But he’s never
seen another siren.”
Riden doesn’t say anything more. He’s too lost in thought, trying to take it all
in. Eventually, his eyes close, and I assume he’s asleep. I stare at his closed eyelids. His deep, even breaths. His full lips. He’s a strange man. Strange for having saved me. Strange for fighting so hard to save his awful brother. Strange
for not fighting for what he wants—whatever that may be.
I suppose I will have plenty of time to better figure him out in the future.
There’s still one-third of a map that needs finding.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This novel wouldn’t have made it to publication without the help of many people. First I want to thank my agent, Rachel Brooks, who took a chance on me, found a home for Daughter of the Pirate King, and continues to work to ensure its success. You're a superhero and fairy godmother all rolled into one, Rachel. Thanks for being awesome.
Huge thanks to the team at Feiwel and Friends, especially Holly West, my amazing editor. Your insights into plot and character are invaluable. You’ve really helped me get into Alosa’s head and make this novel shine. I also appreciate the efforts of Starr Baer and Kaitlin Severini, who worked as production editor and copy editor, respectively.
Anyone else behind the scenes who I didn’t work with directly but who still
helped with DotPK—I was once one of those people and know you exist—thank you.
Alek Rose, as my college roommate, you suffered through my alarm going off an hour early so I could write and edit. You let me yak at you about new book ideas and never stopped cheering me on. Thank you, Eerpud.
Sarah Talley, Megan Gadd, and Taralyn Johnson, you are the best friends and
critique partners a writer could ask for. Never change.
I’m so grateful to my beta readers: Gwen Cole, Kyra Nelson, Shanna Sexton,
Jennifer Jamieson, Elizabeth Anne Taggart, Juliet Safier, Tyler Wolf, Samantha
Lee, Erica Bell, Kyra Pierce, Grace Talley, and Candace Hooper.
I need to give a quick shout-out to the Swanky Seventeens, especially my agent sister Gwen Cole, for keeping me sane and sharing this crazy ride with me.
Thanks need to go to Elana Johnson, who was invaluable during the querying
process for DotPK; to Brandon Sanderson, whose creative writing class taught me so much about successful magic systems; to Rick Walton, who taught me more than I ever could have hoped to learn about publishing; and to Kathleen Strasser, without whose help, I may have never started writing in the first place.
I also need to thank my aunt Krista and uncle Tim. I did the majority of the
work on this book while I was finishing my last term of college and living with
you. Thank you for opening your home to me. Thank you, Audrey, for helping
me brainstorm character names. Thank you, Emmy, for letting me steal your room and read to you. Nathan and Jared, thanks for making sure I was never bored.
And, of course, I am forever grateful to my family, who supported me every
step of the way. Thank you, Mom, Dad, Jacob, Becki, Alisa, and Johnny for your encouragement and long-suffering as you listened to me talk about the long
road to publication.