“Yes, of course I will,” she heard herself say as she stared into the empty eyes of Ace Anarchy’s helmet, glinting at her from the shadows.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ONE OF THE THEMES that really started to emerge in this book as I was revising it through multiple drafts is that most things in life are made better when you can enjoy them in the company of people you love. Writing a book is no different. Just like there is no I in hero, there is no I in book! I am eternally grateful to have so many people in my life who have helped guide and support me during this journey.
The first person I must thank is my editor, Liz Szabla, who saw the possibilities in Nova and Adrian’s story even before I did, and pushed me to delve deeper into this world and its characters. This book and trilogy are so much more now thanks to your encouragement and vision. (Literally … it is, like, hundreds of pages more!) And of course, I appreciate all the hard work of everyone on Team Meyer at Macmillan Children’s: Jean, Mary, Jo, Mariel, Allison, Rich, Caitlin, as well as my wonderful copyeditor, Anne Heausler, and so many others who work behind the scenes to help bring this and countless other books into the world. I am so lucky to have you all in my court.
To my fabulous agency team—Jill, Cheryl, Katelyn, and Denise—who are not only advocates, counselors, and cheerleaders, but also really great friends. I can’t begin to express how happy I am to know and work with you.
Thank you to my intrepid beta reader, Tamara Moss, whose thoughtful critiques are appreciated almost as much as nearly twenty years of friendship and camaraderie. You make me a better writer, and for that, I cannot say thank you enough.
Thank you to Joanne Levy, my professional assistant, for a million different things. I don’t know how I ever made my deadlines without you!
I owe a very special thank-you to Laurel Harnish, whose character design during a Renegades contest served as the inspiration for Callum Treadwell (Wonder). I completely fell in love with Callum and his awe-inspiring power, and I hope you did too!
A humongous thank-you goes to Dr. Tyler DeWitt for being gracious enough to review Chapter 23 and offer insight into the process of electrolysis and metal plating. (Nova would have been mortified if I’d gotten it wrong!) Tyler’s science-based videos are as entertaining as they are informative and I highly recommend checking them out on YouTube or at https://www.tdwscience.com/.
And, of course, to my husband, Jesse, our two vivacious daughters, Sloane and Delaney, and to all my family and friends for their tireless support, encouragement, and love.
PRAISE FOR
RENEGADES
BOOK 1 IN THE RENEGADES TRILOGY
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
A Kids’ Indie Next List Selection
“In a vividly dark and fully imagined universe where special abilities are feared unless they can be strictly controlled and labeled, Meyer celebrates and subverts popular superhero tropes while mining the gray area between malevolence and virtue. Third-person narration builds suspense as it shifts between Nova and Adrian, a Renegade with his own secrets; the world-building details and many combat sequences will captivate devotees of superhero comics. Beyond the capes and masks is a strikingly grounded story of star-crossed would-be lovers, deception, and the recognition that most of humanity exists between the extremes of good and evil.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Tackles a familiar genre in a brand-new way.”
—Hypable.com
“A fully realized new world with compelling characters and just enough edge-of-your-seat action to rival the biggest on-screen adaptations.”
—Bustle
“Meyer delivers a balance between intricate world-building and fast-paced action sequences. Nova’s childhood tragedy will draw sympathy from readers as they watch her integrate into the group of Renegades in order to seek vengeance. Backstabbing, plot twists, and hidden agendas will have readers turning pages in an attempt to discover the truth.”
—School Library Journal
“Exciting … perfect for your Fall #TBR list.”
—PopSugar.com
“Even reluctant fans of hero fantasies will fall for the smart plot and wonderful world-building. Prepare to fangirl.”
—Justine Magazine
“The world is exceptionally well crafted, particularly the complex backstory of the rise of prodigies among humans, and the secondary cast of villains and heroes could give Marvel and DC a run for their money.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Recommended
Praise for
The Lunar Chronicles
#1 New York Times–Bestselling Series
USA Today Bestseller
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
“A mash-up of fairy tales and science fiction … a cross between Cinderella, Terminator, and Star Wars.”
—Entertainment Weekly
“Prince Charming among the cyborgs.”
—The Wall Street Journal
“Terrific.”
—Los Angeles Times
“Marissa Meyer rocks the fractured fairy tale genre.”
—The Seattle Times
“Epic awesome.”
—Bustle
“A binge-reading treat.”
—MTV
“Takes the classic to a whole new level.”
—NPR
DON’T MISS THE GRAPHIC NOVELS!
WIRES AND NERVE
VOLUME 1
A BOSTON GLOBE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
“The Lunar Chronicles continue in this entertaining graphic novel sequel to the existing volumes.… Newcomers will be helped by a prologue that introduces all of the main characters and flashbacks that are sprinkled throughout.… The diverse cast, the charming dialogue, and the clean design make this sci-fi fantasy sequel a must-have.”
—School Library Journal
“Meyer focuses on Iko, Cinder’s cheeky sidekick and an assassin agent sent to hunt down the wolf-soldier hybrids that are plaguing Earth. Unlike some of the previous novels, this story doesn’t require preexisting knowledge of the series, easily catching up fans and new readers alike with capsule introductions to Cress and other members of the Rampion crew.… Holgate’s dynamic, stylized artwork handily balances the story’s action and humor while bringing Meyer’s world to vivid life.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Fans of the Lunar Chronicles and new readers alike will be delighted.… Beloved worlds and characters have smoothly transitioned into graphic format, and a thorough character introduction and quick recap will help new readers feel right at home.”
—VOYA, starred review
WIRES AND NERVE
VOLUME 2: GONE ROGUE
“Cinder’s friends are in danger at the hands of Alpha Lysander Steele and his pack of Lunar wolf-soldiers, out for revenge against the queen for not reversing their genetic deformations.… Builds to a satisfying ending for all characters involved.”
—VOYA, starred review
“Android Iko is still hunting down rogue wolf-soldier Steele, but her quest takes on a new urgency after he convinces Iko’s friend Wolf to join his renegade cause. Now Iko and the frustrating (but handsome!) guard Liam Kinney must scramble to prevent a massacre during Cinder’s visit to Earth for the annual Peace Festival.… Fans will be delighted to revisit Meyer’s futuristic Earth and her young saviors.”
—Booklist
“In HEARTLESS, the nonsense that is Wonderland gets a reverential makeover, full of heart and its own idiosyncratic character.”
—GREGORY MAGUIRE, AUTHOR OF Wicked AND After Alice
Praise for
HEARTLESS
#1 New York Times Bestseller
“The Must List,” Entertainment Weekly
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
“What Gregory Maguire did for the Wicked Witch, Meyer does for Lewis Carroll’s Queen of Hearts, tracing her arc from a teen with dreams of owning a bakery into a murderous madwoman.”
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— People magazine
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OUR BOOKS ARE FRIENDS FOR LIFE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marissa Meyer’s first book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder, debuted on the New York Times bestseller list. Marissa lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and their three cats. You can sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Cast of Characters
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
A FEIWEL AND FRIENDS BOOK
An imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
ARCHENEMIES. Text copyright © 2018 by Rampion Books. All rights reserved.
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN 978-1-250-07830-8 (hardcover) / ISBN 978-1-250-31144-3(ebook)
ISBN 978-1-250-31742-1(international)
Feiwel and Friends logo designed by Filomena Tuosto
First Edition, 2018
eISBN 9781250311443
Archenemies Page 41
