Let the Wind Rise by Shannon Messenger
Thank you, Kari Olson, for enduring hours and hours of brainstorming (Vane would also like me to thank you for constantly advocating All the Kissing!) And thank you, C. J. Redwine, for braving the deadline trenches with me. I’m not sure I would’ve made it through without our check-in chats. Thank you, Victoria Morris, for being an awesome cheerleader (and an absurdly fast reader). And Sara McClung and Sarah Wylie—no matter how far I drop off the radar, I’m so thankful to know you’re both always there when I need you.
Thank you, lovely writer friends, for letting me lean on you (and hanging with me at events), especially Erin Bowman, Zac Brewer, MG Buerhlen, Lisa Cannon, Christa Desir, Debra Driza, Nikki Katz, Lisa Mantchev, Lisa McMann, Ellen Oh, Andrea Ortega, Cindy Pon, James Riley, Amy Tintera, Kasie West, Natalie Whipple, and Suzanne Young. And thank you to the brilliant teachers, librarians, bloggers, and booksellers who help readers discover my books, especially Mel Barnes, Alyson Beecher, Katie Bartow, Jo Gray, Maryelizabeth Hart, Jillian Heise, Faith Hochhalter, Heather Laird, Katie Laird, Kim Laird, Barbara Mena, Brandi Stewart, Kristin Trevino, Andrea Vuleta, and so many others. (If I’ve forgotten you, you officially have my permission to yell at me!)
To my parents, thank you for never letting me give up or doubt myself, and for not judging me (too much) when I find it far too easy to think like my villains.
To my long-suffering husband, Miles, thank you for helping me turn my office into the perfect writing space, and for not complaining when I still set up camp in your man cave during the endless deadline days.
Finally, I have to thank Vane and Audra. Yes, I’m aware that you’re fictional (really, Mom—I am!) but in some ways you feel very real. You were there when I needed to fall back in love with writing, and again when I needed a boost of hope and faith. And even though I’m done telling your story, you’ll still be with me. I’ll think of you every time I look at the sky or feel the wind on my face. But I’m done tormenting you now—I promise! Go forth and enjoy your happy ending!
SHANNON MESSENGER grew up among the sandstorms and giant bugs of the desert and was not sad at all when her family finally escaped the heat. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and television production, but realized her real passion is writing for kids and teens. The Sky Fall trilogy is her first young adult series. She is also the author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities bestselling middle-grade series. She lives in Southern California with her wonderful husband and far too many cats and believes In-N-Out cheeseburgers are the perfect food. Find her online at shannonmessenger.com.
SIMON PULSE
Simon & Schuster, New York
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Also by Shannon Messenger
The SKY FALL Series
Let the Sky Fall
Let the Storm Break
The KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES Series
Keeper of the Lost Cities
Exile
Everblaze
Neverseen
Coming Soon
Lodestar
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.
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First Simon Pulse hardcover edition April 2016
Text copyright © 2016 by Shannon Messenger
Jacket illustration copyright © 2016 by Shane Rebenschied
Author photograph copyright © 2012 by DeVende Photography
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Jacket designed by Regina Flath
Interior designed by Mike Rosamilia
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This book has been cataloged with the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-1-4814-4654-9 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-4814-4656-3 (eBook)
Shannon Messenger, Let the Wind Rise