As always, I could not make this dream of mine a reality without the tireless support of my brilliant agent, Barbara Poelle. B, only Cookie could begin to compare. Also—good luck, stupid.
To my editor, Stacey Barney: thank you for always, always challenging me and never allowing me to settle for anything less than excellence. Working with you is one of the greatest gifts this amazing career has afforded me. Thank you for loving these books and these characters as I have—from the beginning to the end.
To all the fantastic people at Penguin: there are no words to express how much your support and enthusiasm mean to me. Special thanks to the indomitable Kate Meltzer and my wonderful publicist Marisa Russell—thank you for never shying away from my endless questions and forever having my back. Also huge thank-yous to Carmela Iaria, Alexis Watts, Doni Kay, Anna Jarzab, Chandra Wohleber, Theresa Evangelista, Marikka Tamura, Jen Besser, Catherine Hayden, Lisa Kelly, Lindsay Boggs, Sheila Hennessey, Shanta Newlin, Mia García, Erin Berger, Amanda Mustafic, Colleen Conway, Judy Parks Samuels, Tara Shanahan, and Bri Lockhart.
To the 2015 Bat Cavers: here’s to many, many more shared critiques and even more shared laughter in our near future. Thank you to Alan and Wendy Gratz for making this magic possible. Gwenda Bond, your voice narrates my life.
To all the wonderful bloggers, librarians, YouTubers, and book lovers who champion books everywhere—I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
To my writing sisters—Joy Callaway, JJ, Traci Chee, Sarah Lemon, Ricki Schultz, and Sarah Henning—thank you for being there every step of the way.
To Marie Lu: there are not enough thank-yous in the world. I am so grateful to call you my friend. There will be many more pots of tea in our near future, and I look forward to them all.
To Beth Revis and Lauren DeStefano: never, ever stop being the wondrous souls you both are. It is glorious thing to witness, and I am beyond thankful to have each of you in my life. Lauren, there are no emojis left. We’ve used them all. Also Eva says hi. Revis, that liner is on fleek.
To Carrie Ryan: thank you so much for every lunch, every text, every laugh, every tear. I don’t know who first said it, but when you find someone who hates the same things you do, cling to them; therefore, I shall cling to you. Always.
To Marie Rutkoski: for the beautiful critique of Rose, for the advice, for the emails, for everything. But mostly just for being you, wonderful you.
To all the amazing friends I made my debut year—to Sona Charaipotra, to Dhonielle Clayton, to Victoria Aveyard, to Adam Silvera, to David Arnold, to Becky Albertalli, to Valerie Tejeda, to Nicki Yoon, to Melissa Grey, to Virginia Boecker—it was such an honor to go through that maelstrom with you.
To Brendan Reichs because I promised. And also because he rocks a tangerine suit like no other.
To Sabaa Tahir: you are my rock, and I have no idea how I would have written this book without you. None. I thank every seven for bringing us together.
To Heather Baror-Shapiro and the entire team at IGLA: every time I see a foreign cover, I have to pinch myself. Thank you, a thousand times over.
To Elaine: for understanding me as no one else does. Also for putting up with me after the fact. Thank you, thank you, thank you. To infinity.
To Erica: being your sister is one of the best things about being me. Also there’s a hole in your jeans. You should probably look into that. To my brothers, Ian and Chris—I am certain you both will read this book. There are characters in it inspired by each of you. Mwahahaha. To Izzy: thank you for being so awesome and supportive. To my dad: thank you for instilling in me the love of the written word. To my umma—thank you for telling people in the grocery line to buy my book. Never, ever stop doing that. Also thank you for being so proud. To Mama Joon and Baba Joon: I hope when you read this book, you feel what I feel when I’m around you—deep and abiding love. To Omid, Julie, Navid, Jinda, Evelyn, Isabelle, Andrew, Lily, and Ella: thank you for the rich gift that is our family. And for always being there, no matter what.
And to Vic—
To not belonging to anyone. But belonging together.