ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
No SF novel is written in a vacuum, and the following people helped fill my vacuum with better prose:
My Beta-Reading group, who vigilantly pounced on any errors or questions and forced me to back up and reconsider when I went haring off in the wrong direction. And while everyone contributed, I want to specifically thank Charles Crapuchettes and Kengr for their attention to my physics. Any errors are due to me, not them.
Stephanie Osborn also provided insight into key events toward the end of the novel.
And as always, my wife Kathleen, for giving me the time amidst an always-hectic household!
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my
daughters Victoria and Domenica,
who inspired the characters of
the four Kimei daughters.
Love to you both!
—R.S.
I’m not sure if this is an acknowledgment or a dedication or just a tip of the hat, but I need to express my gratitude to many horrible, slavering monsters who have eased my way and lightened my task over the past many years and volumes, starting with the great river kraken slain by Guo in my first novel Mother of Demons. I’d bestow upon each and every one of them the Vulcan blessing May you live long and prosper except for the awkwardness that I’m even now plotting to bring down the next one. That aside, many thanks!
—E.F.