Ravenous (31 page)

Authors: MarcyKate Connolly

EPILOGUE

THE KING WEEPS OVER THE BODY OF HIS WIFE AND THAT OF THE DAUGHTER
he can no longer find. A sealed letter and a few drops of blood are all that remain where she stood. A bitter end to a vile promise finally fulfilled. Darkness creeps around him, haunting and hollow, filling him up with every sob.

Outside the city walls, the raging forest calms. Saplings and ancient trees alike shamble back to their resting places, where the magic that animated them will return to the one they obey.

In the garden behind the palace stubborn seeds sprout to life. The roots swell below the earth, taking hold of the stones in the foundations, reaching, grasping, ever so slowly. Shoots of black and green pierce the earth, coaxed from
their long rest by a sacrifice. Some dark things can only be baptized in blood.

These black, coiling twigs twine around the garden, snaking toward the palace walls, ready to claim what their master truly desires: utter revenge.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Second books are strange beasts. In some ways they're easier, because you know what to expect, and in other ways they're even trickier. Fortunately, I've had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of peopleâat HarperCollins, New Leaf Literary, online, and at homeâwho've supported me and this book the whole way through. My particular, infinite thanks to those noted below:

Ravenous
would not exist without the brilliant advice of my editors, Rosemary Brosnan and Annie Berger. I can't thank them enough for the tough editing love and for shepherding this book to publication. It's a privilege and a joy to work with them and the entire marvelous, talented staff at HarperCollins Children's Books. Everyone from editorial to design to marketing and publicity put a lot of time, love,
and hard work into this book. Truly, I consider myself the luckiest author in publishing!

My agent, Suzie Townsend, for being smart and savvy, and for doing so much more than just selling books. Her insight, advice, and assistance on all aspects of the publication process have proven invaluable. Suzie and the rest of the New Leaf Literary & Media staff are rock stars at everything they do, and I'm so glad to have them in my corner.

Illustrator extraordinaire Skottie Young, for bringing my characters to life on the gorgeous covers for both
Ravenous
and
Monstrous
and in the delightful chapter-heading illustrations inside. His work is incredible, and I can hardly believe how perfectly he captured the mood and feel of both books. My stories could not possibly be better dressed.

My excellent critique partners Mindy McGinnis, R. C. Lewis, Riley Redgate, and Derrick Carmado, who speedily read
Ravenous
and always challenge me to make my books better than I could envision on my own. Also, my critique group and beta readers: Sakura Q. Eries, Amy Trueblood, Michelle Hauck, Christina Busby, Eric J., and Chris Shaw. They may not have all read this particular book, but they have helped make my writing stronger and have been wonderfully supportive along the way.

Speaking of support, there are so many ups and downs and sideways detours on the route to publication, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to be part of not one but two debut author groups. To all the members of the Class of 2K15 and the Fearless Fifteeners, thank you for the commiseration, for the book love, and for generally being all
kinds of awesome. I'm glad we got to share our debut year together!

My local Boston Writers Meetup group, which is also a great source of support and friendship and excellent for ensuring I leave the revision cave at least once a month. Crepes and commiseration go a long way to keeping me grounded.

It would be remiss of me not to include the very kind authors who took the time to read my first book and provide blurbs: Anne Ursu, Natalie Lloyd, Claire Legrand, Rebecca Behrens, and Emma Trevayne. So many thanks for making this newbie author feel like part of the “club” and for taking the time away from their own wonderful books to do so!

My best friends, Trish Ellis and Chandra Reber, for being two of my biggest cheerleaders and always patiently listening as I babble about my adventures in publishing. And, of course, Trish's mom, Diane, for foisting my first book,
Monstrous
, on strangers at every possible occasion.
Ravenous
will no doubt owe more than a few readers to her efforts as well!

My family, for always being excited to hear about this book's progress no matter how many times I talked about it. Also, my extended familyâa veritable army of in-laws who came out to many events in support of me and my book.

My husband, Jason, and our pugs, Tootsie and Milo. The pugs for being my foot warmers and plot sounding boards through the months I spent writing this book. And Jason for many, many things, but here notably for naming the Sonzeeki and being the most supportive husband a
writer could ask for. You're always my favorites.

And last, but anything but least, all the readers, and the booksellers, librarians, and teachers who've put
Monstrous
and
Ravenous
in their hands. There is nothing better than knowing there are people who love these books and love sharing them. Thank you.

BACK AD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo by Cheryl Colombo Photography

MARCYKATE CONNOLLY
is a writer and arts administrator living in New England with her husband and pugs. She's a coffee addict and voracious reader. She is also the author of
Monstrous
. You can visit her online at
www.marcykate.com
.

Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at
hc.com
.

BOOKS BY MARCYKATE CONNOLLY

Monstrous

CREDITS

COPYRIGHT

RAVENOUS
. Text copyright Â© 2016 by MarcyKate Connolly. Illustrations copyright Â© 2016 by Skottie Young. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

www.harpercollinschildrens.com

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015940703

ISBN 978-0-06-227274-4(trade bdg.)

EPub Edition Â© January 2016 ISBN 9780062272768

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