Fire

by Kristin Cashore

  A special thanks to Jen Haller, Sarah Shealy, Barbara Fisch, Laura Sinton, Paul von Drasek, Michael Hill, Andy Snyder, Lisa DiSarro, Linda Magram, Karen Walsh, and Adah Nuchi, all of whose faith, kindness, affection, and humor sustained me as I wrote this book. A million thanks also to Lauri Hornik and Don Weisberg. I am overwhelmed by your support.

  Close to last, but far from least, I send thanks to my editor, Kathy Dawson, and my agent, Faye Bender. Ladies, words fail me; I could not possibly come up with adjectives that would do you justice. I was born under a lucky star.

  Finally, speaking of being born under a lucky star, a message to my family: I could not have done this without you.

  KRISTIN CASHORE grew up in the northeast Pennsylvania countryside as the second of four daughters. She received a bachelor’s degree from Williams College and a master’s from the Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at Simmons College, and she has worked as a dog runner, a packer in a candy factory, an editorial assistant, a legal assistant, and a freelance writer. She has lived in many places (including Sydney, New York City, Boston, London, Austin, and Jacksonville, Florida), and she currently lives in the Boston area. Graceling, her first book, was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Fire is her second book.