ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In The Fiend and the Forge, Max McDaniels explores a strange new world while confronting demons without and within. The same might be said about writing. But while heroes often face such dangers alone, authors can usually count on help.

This book was more ambitious than its predecessors and I would never have been able to complete it without the unflagging support and encouragement of my wonderful family and close friends. Throughout the process, there were many occasions when I needed to indulge my creative angst and howl at the moon. Their collective willingness to listen, soothe, and provide perspective is a testament to their tolerance and sense of humor. These indulgent souls include my mother, Terry Zimmerman; my siblings, John and Victoria; friends who have known me since I had hair; and my former colleagues and students.

While my friends and family provided invaluable support, many others played a more direct role in bringing the final product into being. The original draft was a monster, some 250,000 words of unfiltered ideas and innumerable plot threads. After all, there was a new world to create, and I was eager to explore every aspect of various cultures, kingdoms, economies, and secondary characters. My editors at Random House, Nick Eliopulos and Schuyler Hooke, did a masterful job of taming this beast, divining my best intentions and shaping the story to match. Nicole de las Heras is the visionary behind the book’s beautiful design, while the heroic efforts of Carrie Andrews, Diane João, and Alison Kolani ensured clarity and consistency in the text. As always, Josh and Tracey Adams of Adams Literary provided sound counsel, while Jocelyn Lange ensured that many readers around the world could share Max’s adventures in their native languages. As deadlines loomed, these individuals went above and beyond the call of duty, and I’m eternally grateful for their commitment and professionalism.

The final acknowledgment goes to my wife, Danielle Raymond Neff. The Hound of Rowan might have sparked our first date, but The Fiend and the Forge sparked a marriage. This is my final wedding present, and Danielle has earned it tenfold. If authors are notoriously difficult partners, authors past deadline are insufferable. I have trespassed upon the poor woman’s sanity in every conceivable way—keeping inhuman hours, scattering drafts and drawings, raiding her snacks, and subjecting her to every creative impulse, no matter how unformed or silly. She has endured all with saintly patience while contributing many crucial insights regarding the story and characters. She makes me a better man, and she has made this a better book. I am eternally grateful.