Crystal Keepers (40 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I ended up with a tight deadline for this book. A special thanks to my wife and family, who put up with me pretty much disappearing for the last month and writing nonstop. Also, the publishing team had to work fast and be flexible, so thanks to Liesa, Mara, Mary, Lauren, Julie, and everyone else at Simon & Schuster who helped this book release on time. Even with the aggressive schedule, I believe the book reached its full potential!

This book involves some magical technologies, blending science fiction and fantasy in a way I've never attempted before. I appreciate the friends who helped me think through some of the technology I could include or create for this story—Adam (who talked to me about AI and computers, among other things), Paul, Jason, and Tuck.

My amazing agent, Simon, and my fabulous editor, Liesa, gave me early feedback that led to significant improvements in the story, so thanks for making me look good, guys. I owe my gratitude to the other early readers who gave me suggestions, including my indispensable wife, Mary, along with my mom and uncle Tuck. Cherie and Liz lent some aid as well. It's a shorter list of readers than usual, because everyone who helped did so on a speedy schedule.

Thanks as always to the terrific team at Simon & Schuster who help get my stories out of my head and into the hands of readers. This includes Liesa, Mara, Mary, Christina, Carolyn, Jodie, Lauren, Jessica, Mike, Brian, Jeannie, Julie, and many more. Thanks also to Owen for another awesome cover.

And of course I owe my thanks to you, the reader. Thank you for going on this adventure with Cole, Mira, Jace, Dalton, and all the other characters. I'll talk to you more in my Reader's Note. You can find out more about my future books at
brandonmull.com
, like me on
Facebook
, or follow me on Twitter
@brandonmull
.

NOTE TO READERS

Three down, two to go! I hope you liked this one. We've really got the story going now, but just wait—I think I saved the most interesting kingdoms for last. Thanks so much for your interest. Without you, this wouldn't be my job, and these stories would not exist.

Every time an author writes a new series, it's kind of like starting over. Even if people liked some of my other books, they may not be sure about the new ones. Plus, plenty of people have never tried any of my books. If you find this series worth reading, please let others know. That will enable me to keep new books coming. I still have a lot of stories I hope to tell!

The first three Five Kingdoms books came out roughly six months apart. The last two will be released one per year. This is partly because I'm also starting on Dragonwatch, the sequel series to Fablehaven. It will continue the main Fablehaven storyline with the same main characters. If you haven't tried Fablehaven yet, now might be a good time to give it a try.

Also, those who have read Beyonders have already noticed that Five Kingdoms contains some references to Lyrian (the world in Beyonders). The biggest references are coming in
book four. It is absolutely not necessary to read Beyonders to enjoy any of the Five Kingdoms books. I deliberately wrote Five Kingdoms so it would be self-contained. But if you like a big, epic adventure, the three Beyonders books will take you on a fun ride, and you'll of course enjoy the crossover references more.

For me, the near future will involve finishing Five Kingdoms and starting on Dragonwatch. For updates on my projects or to connect with me online, visit
brandonmull.com
, like my page on
Facebook
, or follow me on Twitter
@brandonmull
. Keep on reading!

Laura Hanifin

Brandon Mull is the author of the
New York Times
,
USA TODAY
, and
Wall Street Journal
bestselling Beyonders and Fablehaven series, as well as the Candy Shop Wars series. He resides in Utah, in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife and four children. Brandon's greatest regret is that he has but one life to give for Gondor.

Also by Brandon Mull

Five Kingdoms

Sky Raiders

Rogue Knight

Beyonders

A World Without Heroes

Seeds of Rebellion

Chasing the Prophecy

Fablehaven

Fablehaven

Rise of the Evening Star

Grip of the Shadow Plague

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Keys to the Demon Prison

The Candy Shop War

The Candy Shop War

Arcade Catastrophe

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

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First Aladdin hardcover edition March 2015

Text copyright © 2015 by Brandon Mull

Cover illustration © 2015 by Owen Richardson

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

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Cover designed by Jessica Handelman

This book has been cataloged with the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-4424-9706-1 (hc)

ISBN 978-1-4424-9708-5 (eBook)