Baduk—Korean term for the ancient Chinese board game Weiqi and the Japanese game Go Chollima—winged horses that can fly Daegam—Your Eminence or Your Excellency; term of respect used for high-ranking officials Daimyo—powerful Japanese feudal lord Dokkaebi—goblinlike creatures made from inanimate objects; always carry cudgels, which is where their magic comes from Dongji—winter solstice; usually falls on December 22 of the solar calendar Gisaeng—female entertainers
Haetae—mythical fire-eating dog Hanbok—traditional Korean dress Hanja—Korean name for Chinese characters used to write the Korean language Hyun—boy’s honorific term for an older brother Imoogi—half-dragon, half-snake mythical creature Jangseung—totem poles made of wood or stone traditionally used to ward off evil spirits; also used as village boundary markers Jesa—memorial service
Ki—life-force energy
Kumiho—nine-tailed fox demon
Li—Korean measurement unit; 1 li is equivalent to 500 meters, 0.5 kilometers, or 0.31 miles.
Makkoli—milky rice wine drink
Manse—ten thousand years
Musado—warrior
Nambawi—traditional winter hat Noona—boy’s honorific term for an older sister Ondol—a floor heating system unique to Korea Oppa—girl’s honorific term for an older brother Sang gum hyung—double-sword form Saulabi—soldier
Suchae—untouchables, the lowest members of the caste system, including actors, butchers, hunters, and prostitutes Sunim—honorific term used for monks Taekkyon—the original martial art form of ancient Korea that has evolved into what is referred to as tae kwon do Ungnyeo—name of woman who used to be a bear and was turned into a woman by the Hwanung, a son of the Heavenly Father Ya—hey; can also mean “you”
Acknowledgments
So this is the end. Bittersweet is really the perfect word to describe how I feel now that the Prophecy series is finished. I’m sad to be leaving Kira and her friends behind. But I’m also really proud to have completed the story the way I had always envisioned it, so many years ago. And all along the way, I was helped by a small army of people, who I will always be grateful to.
My eternal gratitude to:
Alyson Day, who I believe is the most awesome and coolest editor in all of NYC and whose sharp editorial eye and deep empathy for the characters and story helped push me to develop a richer, more layered story. Thank you for helping me grow as a writer.
The entire HarperTeen team who worked on the Prophecy series, for always giving me the best support and always encouraging me. Special shout-out to Alana Whitman, my selfie buddy, for always answering even the dumbest of questions. And Joel Tippie and Amy Ryan for making an author’s dream come true with three of the most gorgeous covers ever published.
My amazing agent, Barry Goldblatt, and Tricia Ready for knowing exactly how to soothe a neurotic writer.
Caroline Richmond, Mike Jung, and Martha White, who are always there to read the best and worst of drafts. And my writing friends, who I seriously couldn’t do without—Cindy Pon, Lamar Giles, Joe Monti, Marie Lu, Elsie Chapman, Juliet Grames, Robin LaFevers, and the incredibly talented illustrator Virginia Allyn.
John and Virginia Rah for always being there for me. I’m so blessed to have you in my life. Sylvia and Stu Lara, Anna Kim, and Jennifer Um, thanks for always having my back.
My sister, Janet, and my brother-in-law, Laurent, for being the most enthusiastic supporters of my books and who own more copies of my books than even I do. You guys are the best. To Mom and Dad for always being so supportive and proud.
To Summer, Skye, and Gracie, I’m your number one fan for always. And to my husband, Sonny, you always believed in me. This is one “I told you so” that I’ll let you hold over my head forever.
And to all my readers everywhere—thanks for being a part of Kira’s journey.