Silver in the Bone (Silver in the Bone #1)(126)
Author: Alexandra Bracken

 

First and foremost, I’d like to thank the readers who have come along on this publishing journey with me over the years, gamely venturing into one new world after the next. If this is the first book of mine you’ve read, hello! I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate you, and that, when confronted with the choice of so many remarkable books out there, you selected this one to read next.

 

It only feels right to start by thanking Melanie Nolan, who took a chance on me and this story, and welcomed me back into the fold of Random House Children’s Books. This has been such an incredible homecoming for me, and I truly can’t believe my good fortune to be on the Knopf Books for Young Readers list.

 

Katherine Harrison, your editorial guidance has utterly transformed this book. Your feedback amazed me with its depth and thoughtfulness, and I knew from the start that my characters and I were in the best hands imaginable. I’m also indebted to Gianna Lakenauth for her truly priceless support through the publication pipeline, as well as the time and energy she spent reading various drafts and offering important—and dead-on!—insight. A huge thanks to my UK editors, Rachel Boden and Harriet Wilson, who gave fabulous notes and helped usher this book into the world.

 

There are so many incredible people at RHCB to thank. I hope you’ll take a moment to turn to the full credits page to help me recognize everyone for all the passion and dedication they poured into Silver in the Bone! This credits page was inspired by one created by Kristin Cashore, and I’m excited to add them to my books moving forward. I’d also like to thank Barbara Marcus, Judith Haut, John Adamo, Dominique Cimina, Adrienne Waintraub, Elizabeth Ward, Kelly McGauley, Becky Green, Joe English, and Emily Bruce for their enthusiasm and incomparable leadership. You are truly an author’s dream team!

 

Likewise, I’d like to thank Jasmine Walls for her willingness to delve deep into this world and the characters and offer authenticity notes.

 

I’m so lucky to have friends in my life like Anna Jarzab, Valia Lind, Susan Dennard, and Isabel Ibañez, who were kind enough to not only read this story at various stages of its life but also pick me up and dust me off when I was feeling low and unsure about it. Marissa Grossman, your feedback helped me bring this story back to what it needed to be before I went down the wrong road. Merci! Huge, huge thanks to Leigh Bardugo, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, J. Elle, Stephanie Garber, and Elizabeth Lim for reading and offering such kind words about the book. Queens, the lot of you!

 

I absolutely need to thank my wonderful agent, Merrilee Heifetz, for being such an unwavering support to me throughout the years and always being the much-needed voice of reason. Rebecca Eskildsen, I just genuinely do not know how you do it—thank you for always being so on top of things, and helping me, a child of chaos, keep my head on straight. Alessandra Birch, thank you for going above and beyond for me, even when some of that planning ultimately got derailed by my rogue eyeball. Cecilia de la Campa, it can’t be said enough that you are a superstar.

 

Thank you to my incomparable film agent, Dana Spector at CAA, for working so hard to find the best Hollywood homes for my books. You are an utter joy to work with!

 

Last but never least, I’d like to thank my family and friends for all of the love and support you continue to send my way, especially as I was going through the real ups and downs of multiple eye surgeries and each subsequent recovery. The brightest moment of the year was the birth of my adorable nephew, aka the other LD, Little Dan. Welcome to the world! We all love you more than words can say.

 

I jokingly said I should dedicate the sequel to my right eyeball, which never failed me throughout 2022, but . . . it’s really not a joke. Thank you as well, right eyeball, for allowing me to keep working on this book and its sequel, which kept me sane. This book, however, is dedicated to my sister, Stephanie, who is truly hilarious, fearless, and so giving. It was a joy to write a book so centered on sisterhood and be able to reflect on the way our relationship has grown over the years. Thank you for always going out of your way to look out for me. Here’s to many more sister adventures in our future!

 

 

 

 

 

Dramatis Personae

 

 

 

Silver in the Bone

 

 

HOLLOWERS

 

Emrys Dye—The latest scion of the Dye dynasty, whose ancestors founded the North American guild. Unimaginably wealthy, annoyingly charming, and a Cunningfolk Greenworker, he is Tamsin’s main rival within the guild and enjoys provoking and flirting with her.

 

Endymion Dye—Emrys’s cold and imperious father, who rules his family and the guild with an iron fist.

 

Cabell Lark—Tamsin’s brother, who is suffering a curse that turns him into a monstrous hound. He is an Expeller, an extremely rare type of Cunningfolk with the ability to break or deflect most enchantments using only his mind.

 

Nashbury Lark—Tamsin and Cabell’s guardian. A notorious figure among Hollowers and sorceresses alike, known for his roguish ways and elaborate storytelling. He disappeared from Tintagel seven years ago and is believed dead.

 

Tamsin Lark—Thrust into the world of Hollowers as a child, she possesses no innate magical ability, but does have a photographic memory and a keen business sense. Wants nothing to do with most of the guild after they turned their backs on her and Cabell as children.

 

Hector Leer—A crony of Septimus and Endymion.

 

Phineas Primm—An old, scarred Hollower who is tasked with watching Tamsin by Septimus Yarrow.

 

Woodrow—A Hollower found encased in ice in the Sorceress Edda’s vault.

 

Septimus Yarrow—An infamous Hollower best known for recovering Herakles’s club; in league with Endymion Dye for reasons unknown.

 

 

SORCERESSES

 

Ardith—An unremarkable sorceress who was slowly poisoned by her sister, who desired her venom collection. Her Immortality resides in the guild library.

 

Callwen—An early sorceress who created one of the oldest Immortalities, recovered by Endymion Dye.

 

Edda—A crone sorceress whose icy vault the Larks open to retrieve Arthur’s dagger.

 

Grinda—A crone sorceress who hires Tamsin and Cabell to retrieve a locket.

 

Hesperia—A sorceress who received the rank of mother, who had many dark adventures and took yet more lovers. Her Immortality is popular with members of the guild.

 

Madrigal—A mysterious crone sorceress known for her deadly dinner parties. Hires Emrys and Tamsin to find the Ring of Dispel.

 

Morgan—Leader of the priestesses who rose against the Druids and were later exiled for it. Half sister to King Arthur, as well as Viviane’s lover.