“That’s a coincidence,” Cole said. “Today is my birthday.”
“No kidding? Happy birthday.”
Cole smiled. “You have a big imagination. I bet we would have been friends as kids.”
Mira released his hand. “You have no idea.” She backed away.
“Do you have to go?”
“I should.”
“See you next time.”
“Count on it.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My third major series is now complete! So many people made this book and this series possible. I fell behind schedule writing this final book and am so grateful to the readers and publishing people who have been patient with me.
Liesa Abrams was my editor for this entire series, and once again she elevated the quality of the story and the storytelling with her sharp insights. My agent, Simon Lipskar, offered some keen reactions from his formidable mind as well. I’m so lucky to have them in my corner.
The whole team at Simon & Schuster has my gratitude. Owen Richardson executed another terrific cover image. Thanks go to Mara Anastas, Chriscynethia Floyd, Caitlin Sweeny, Jon Anderson, Jodie Hockensmith, Brian Luster, Chelsea Morgan, Mike Rosamilia, Jeannie Ng, Rebecca Vitkus, Amy Bartram, Jessica Handelman, Julie Doebler, Ian Reilly, Jennifer Rothkin, Gary Urda, Christina Pecorale, and so many others.
Family and friends helped again as well. Thanks go to Tucker Davis, Pamela Mull, Jason Conforto, and Cherie Mull for some early feedback. As always, Mary and my beloved kids were supportive of the time required to write the book and to connect with readers.
Thank you to the teachers, booksellers, and librarians who help bring readers to my work. Without you I would probably end up unemployed!
Finally, I give my thanks to you, the reader. Thanks for bringing this story to life in your imagination. I hope you enjoyed this final volume. Thanks for sharing the story with others. Having readers lets me keep writing stories. I appreciate the opportunity and hope to create a bunch of cool stories in the coming years. More on that in the Note to Readers.
NOTE TO READERS
Five Kingdoms is now complete. Since the Candy Shop War books are not finished and Spirit Animals was a shared project, I consider this the end of my third major series, after Fablehaven and Beyonders. Thank you to all who have waited for this book. It took a little longer than intended, largely because I wanted to get it right. I hope it satisfies.
Now I will return to writing Dragonwatch, the direct sequel series to Fablehaven, featuring the same main characters. Dragonwatch will be a five-book series, and I have a really great story to tell about a worldwide dragon uprising. I also hope to write a third Candy Shop War book before long, as well as begin some brand-new projects.
If you like these books and haven’t tried Fablehaven, it is worth a look. The series deals with secret wildlife parks for magical creatures. Beyonders is perhaps my most epic series, about a couple kids who cross to another world and try to help the broken heroes they find there.
To connect with me, look me up by name on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and check out my Instagram account, @writerbrandon. My website is brandonmull.com. Basically, if you remember my name, you can find me online. Thank you for your interest!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author photograph by Laura Hanifin
Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. He is excited to return to Kendra, Seth, and the world of Fablehaven in the Dragonwatch series. Brandon lives in Utah with his four kids and a dog called Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
EntertheFiveKingdoms.com
Aladdin
Simon & Schuster, New York
Visit us at
simonandschuster.com/kids
Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Brandon-Mull
Also by Brandon Mull
Dragonwatch
Dragonwatch
Five Kingdoms
Sky Raiders
Rogue Knight
Death Weavers
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
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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www.SimonandSchuster.com
First Aladdin hardcover edition March 2018
Text copyright © 2018 by Brandon Mull
Jacket illustration copyright © 2018 by Owen Richardson
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Jacket designed by Jessica Handelman
Interior designed by Mike Rosamilia
This book has been cataloged with the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-1-4424-9712-2 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-4424-9714-6 (eBook)