Ascendant Acknowledgments

Here I am with egg on my face.

Due to a printer error, the acknowledgments were not printed in the pages of Ascendant. I have been assured that this mistake will be rectified in future printings as well as in the paperback. I am most disappointed, because a book like this, in particular, required a vast amount of research and assistance from those much more knowledgable than me in the fields of zoology, medicine, and — heck — French.

Until such time as you can see their names in the proper place, I offer them here:

———————————

ASCENDANT ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A sequel can sometimes be as elusive a quarry as any unicorn. I have many to thank for their help capturing this creature creation:

Kristin Daly, for her endless patience, excellent advice and unwavering enthusiasm for Astrid’s story. Talking books and craft with you is one of my favorite parts of this job.

The entire team at Harper Teen and Balzer & Bray: Alessandra Balzer, Donna Bray, Sara Sargent, Laura Kaplan, Laura Lutz, Erin Gallagher, and all the others who have given my killer unicorns so much TLC.

Deidre Knight, as always, for her keen agenting derring-do, as well as the whole staff at the Knight Agency.

Carrie Ryan, a font of insight and a shoulder to cry on when Astrid’s going got particularly rough. Special thanks for letting me put a zombie in this one.

Justine Larbalestier, for overcoming her unicorn aversion to be Rampant’s greatest champion throughout this country and even overseas, as well as for constantly pushing me to do the really bad thing.

The members of Team Castle: Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Holly Black, Ally Carter, Cassandra Clare, Sarah Cross, Maureen Johnson, Sarah Rees Brennan, Carrie Ryan (again), and Robin Wasserman, for staying up until the wee hours and talking about the nature of romance and the advisability of unicorn boyfriends (not to mention hoflowers).

Lavinia Kent, my mate in the deadline trenches, C.L. Wilson, fantasist extraordinaire, and my mentor Julie Leto. All the fine writers in TARA, WRW, and NINC – friends and colleagues to a one.

Tamora Pierce, a hero to all of us who write warrior heroines, and Scott Westerfeld (ditto), for sharing their regard for Rampant.

My dear friends and family, who were at their best when Astrid was at her worst – especially my mother, who endures the bad mothers in my books (I know, mom, I need to write you a great one!) My husband, who helped me with my Latin, ate takeout for a month and only occasionally teased me for turning our living-room couch into my de facto office, and Rio, who didn’t begrudge me morning walks in our woods. Thank you also to Matthew Blong and Lindsay and Olivier Arnoult for their language assistance.

My father, who ties with Justine for most ardent supporter of Rampant. His medical advice, supplemented by that of Janet Black, was much appreciated. I hope these two excellent doctors forgive my liberal application of literary license. It was all in the service of unicorn magic.

And last, but certainly not least, I thank you, the readers. Your emails have meant the world to me, your unicorn-themed presents and shout-outs have made countless days. Go, Team Unicorn!