My mom, Persi Rosa, who quotes lines of my books to her coworkers. And my brother, Andrew Silvera, who doesn’t read any of them but champions me anyway.
My friends: Luis “12-20” Rivera and Jordin Rivera for never-ending calls of laughter and tears and love. Elliot “Chapter Two: Ness” Knight, who was physically with me when I began this book and mentally with me when I finished. Becky Albertalli, who listened to hours and hours of voice notes containing my highs and lows throughout the entire process. David Arnold and Jasmine Warga and Nicola Yoon and David Yoon for always cheering me on in every corner of life. Sabaa Tahir and Victoria Aveyard for being real fantasy queens I can always turn to. Angie Thomas for the greatest hype song to get me past the finish line. Arvin Ahmadi for Mexico—enough said. Dhonielle Clayton, Patrice Caldwell, and Mark Oshiro for a group chat of brightness and shade. And huge thanks to Marie Lu, who kindly gave me her blessing to open this book with the perfect quote from The Rose Society.
My Epic Reads tour sisters, Farah Naz Rishi and Abigail Hing Wen, for all the adventures at arcades and bookstores.
My therapist, who literally keeps me alive.
Booksellers and librarians, who give so much and don’t get enough in return. Thank you for everything you’ve done, and I hope to everything that you’re around forever.
Lastly, my readers who have followed me into my first series—I hope you love the rest of the Infinity Cycle.