by Adalyn Grace
First, do what’s best for Visidia. Tell them the truth. Free soul magic for yourself and everyone.
Second, be happy. Even if it’s with that blasted pirate. Go on all the adventures I wasn’t able to.
And come to think of it, I’m adding a third clause—I’m not breaking your curses so that you can get yourself killed, all right? I won’t be around to heal you anymore, so think before you dive in. And can you at least try to trust others more? I know it’s hard, but you’ve got an incredible crew. I would know.
Now get out there and go see your kingdom. I can only pray that, one day, we’ll see each other again.
Until then, happy sailing.
F
Pain grips me tight, cleaving my lungs and gutting through my chest. My tears fall freely, so many I can’t see straight, though I can’t say why they come.
I rack my memory, but try as I might, I don’t recognize who could have written this letter. Even so, there’s something familiar about it. Something that causes me to clutch it tight to my chest, careful not to let my tears ruin the ink.
“Amora?”
I startle at Bastian’s voice, straightening my spine. Perhaps it’s nothing more than this past year catching up with me—why else would I be crying for someone I do not know? It must be a prank—a strange goodbye joke from Casem.
But I don’t toss the letter. Carefully, I fold it back and tuck it into my pocket for safekeeping, drawing a breath to steady myself. When I turn to Bastian, it’s not with tears, but with a smile.
Whoever this letter is from, if what they said is true then they gave me a gift. And for them, I’ll make the most of it.
“How about to Zudoh?” I ask.
Bastian tenses, and it’s a sharp and strange reminder that I can no longer tell what he’s feeling. But I don’t need to feel his soul; I can see it, now. Blazing and beautiful and bright as the stars. He clears his throat, trying so hard not to let tears come that I stand and take one of his hands in my own. I set my other beside his, fingers wrapping around the sea-slickened helm.
“To Zudoh,” he repeats, the stars in his eyes burning with pride.
“And to a thousand more adventures.”
The sea draws us into its waiting arms—just a girl and a pirate, ready to take our world by storm.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Everyone warned me that writing Book 2 was going to be hard, but I feel betrayed that no one told me writing the acknowledgments was even harder! Where do I even begin?
First, I’m grateful to God for helping me survive the Book 2 Curse, and for putting amazing people and an incredible team into my life. This business has been so much more challenging than I ever anticipated, but being surrounded by such great people makes it so much better.
Mom and Dad, I’ve already thanked you for your love and support, so for this book I’ll thank you for hand selling copies to strangers everywhere you go and embarrassing me. Please don’t read past chapter thirty-two, love you.
Josh, for not thinking I had total delusions of grandeur five years ago when I said that I was going to build a franchise like Patrick Rothfuss. Thank you for always listening and trying to make sense of the wild world of publishing with me, even when it very rarely makes any sense.
Tomi, I can’t imagine this process without you in it. Thank you for the calls, the late nights, the KBBQ and Thai food, the YouTube videos, all of it. There’s no one else I’d rather build empires with. *Insert that unofficial Azula quote here.*
Shea, I’m writing this while in quarantine and I miss you so much! I am eternally grateful that we all just happened to live in the same city and bonded over Thai food, and that I get to have you as a friend.
Haley Marshall, I will never not be sorry for the amount of times I ask you to read things. Thank you for always being there—for your eyes, your ears, brain, heart, and most importantly, Peter pictures.
Kristin Dwyer, my younger twin, where to even begin. Thank you for being one of the most magnificent people I’ve ever met, for just being you, and for demanding I let K-Drama into my life. I have been forever changed (and also cry way more, thanks). I wonder if I should thank Lee Min-ho in these …
Rachel Griffin, this world is not pure enough for you. Thank you for just being a wonderful human who I’m lucky enough to know. I’m very happy to get to be a Winter Witch.
Shelby RapMonster Mahurin, I wish I was half as chill as you, with maybe a quarter of your rap skills. Thanks for not running away when I kidnapped you. #BunkBuddies4Life
Adrienne Young, for a healthy dose of realness and perspective. I respect and admire the heck out of you and your incredible work ethic.
To my agent, Peter Knapp, you have my eternal thanks for stepping in and supporting me and this book. I’m incredibly grateful to be working with such an incredible advocate!
At Imprint, all the thank-yous to my two editors, Nicole Otto and Erin Stein. Nicole, I’m not sure there’s anyone who understands this world and these characters as much as you do. I’m so grateful to have worked with you on Amora’s story, and now you will never escape me. Huzzah!:) And Erin, your general badassery and editorial prowess are inspiring. Thank you for putting together such an incredible team at Imprint. I’m fortunate to get to “make my mark” with you all.
Natalie Sousa, design god, imagine me bowing down before you right now. Going into this whole process, I was terrified about my cover and whether I’d love it or be able to give any input. Working with you, though, that was all so silly. These books are stunning, thank you thank you.
John Morgan, Jessica Chung, and Camille Kellogg, for what I’m sure was an endless amount of work helping to get this book ready for the public eye.
Morgan Rath, I mentally refer to you as my Publicist Wizard every time I get an email from you. But that title isn’t quite good enough. Grand Master Publicist, maybe? All-Powerful Wizard Publicist? I’ll keep working on it to figure out something fitting that’s as wonderful as you are!
Allegra Green and Olivia Oleck, I am so happy to get to work with you both on marketing. You are just so clever, so wonderful, your emails always make me happy, and GAH. I just have such an amazing team!
Linda Minton and Ilana Worrell, thank you for your expert eyes and your help getting this book ready (and for catching all the times I randomly changed someone’s eye color halfway through the book).
And to so many others at Macmillan, the list is long but mighty—Melissa Croce, Julia Gardiner, Allison Verost, Molly Brouillette, Kathryn Little, Mariel Dawson, Lucy Del Priore, Jordan Winch, Kristin Dulaney, Raymond Ernesto Colón, Dawn Ryan, Hayley Jozwiak, and Lois Evans, thank you for being part of this wonderful team.
Roxane Edouard, Ema Barnes, and Abigail Koons, thank you for your amazing work helping to get this book into the hands of readers everywhere. It’s a dream to see it reaching readers in different countries.
Gemma O’Brien, Queen of Art, thank you for bringing this world to life right there on the cover. It’s everything I hoped for and more, and I am just so in love.
Keel Haul’s Sea Crew, thank you all for your early support and enthusiasm for this series. It meant the world, and I’m thrilled to get to share this world with you all. Special thanks to members Madison Nankervis, Nicole Faerber, Bianca Visagie, Brithanie Faith Richards, Jennifer Doehler, Brie Chelton Wood, Holly Hughes, Claire Eva Leyton, Bre Lynn R., Nikole Clow, Deidreanna Isak, Chantel Pereira, Mara Hubl, Jessica Olson, Dana Nuenighoff, and Lily A.!
And to all the readers who have come this far—to anyone who has supported me and these books along the way—thank you. Your letters, messages, art, and enthusiasm have all meant more to me than you will ever know. Thank you all for stepping aboard Keel Haul and taking this journey with me. We did it!
Praise for All the Stars and Teeth
“Adalyn Grace’s captivating magic and lush world-building brings All the Stars and Teeth to life. You’ll fall in love with her cast of FIERCE and UNRELENTING characters, and the
ir thrilling sea adventure will keep your heart pounding until the very last page. Do yourself a favor and get lost in this beautiful book!”
—TOMI ADEYEMI, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Children of Blood and Bone
“Adalyn Grace has delivered a PHENOMENAL debut, filled with unexpected magic and a fiery female protagonist. READERS WILL FALL HARD for this high-seas adventure.”
—ADRIENNE YOUNG, New York Times–bestselling author of Sky in the Deep and The Girl the Sea Gave Back
“VICIOUS and ALLURING, All the Stars and Teeth is a force to be reckoned with.”
—HAFSAH FAIZAL, New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame
“BEAUTIFUL and BLOODY. Vicious and charming. Dark and romantic. Let All the Stars and Teeth ensnare your heart and soul.”
—ASTRID SCHOLTE, author of Four Dead Queens
“All the Stars and Teeth is a debut jam-packed with swashbuckling adventure, SWOON-WORTHY romance, and dark, lush magic. Amora Montara and the crew of Keel Haul will drop anchor in your heart and refuse to leave until you’ve turned the last page.”
—CHRISTINE LYNN HERMAN, New York Times–bestselling author of The Devouring Gray
“All the Stars and Teeth is a DELICIOUSLY TWISTED fantasy that keeps your heart jumping from page to page. Grace’s epic storytelling is a blend of fantastically creepy blood magic and lush island world-building, and brings an exciting new voice to the YA scene. RICHLY IMAGINATIVE and full of political intrigue. I loved every moment of this fast-paced adventure!”
—AKEMI DAWN BOWMAN, author of Starfish and the upcoming The Infinity Courts
“Grace crafts a romantic and bloody nautical adventure featuring a fierce, but deeply flawed heroine governed by loyalty and justice for her people. This book is a THRILLING, MAGICAL WORLD I didn’t want to leave.”
—ISABEL IBAÑEZ, author of Woven in Moonlight
About the Author
Adalyn Grace graduated from Arizona State University when she was nineteen years old. She spent four years working in live theater and acted as the managing editor of a nonprofit newspaper before studying storytelling as an intern on Nickelodeon Animation's popular series The Legend of Korra. Adalyn splits time between San Diego and Arizona with her bossy cat and two dorky dogs, and spends her days writing full-time while trying to find the best burrito around. All the Stars and Teeth is her debut novel. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Map
The Kingdom of Visidia
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Praise for All the Stars and Teeth
About the Author
Copyright
A part of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
ALL THE TIDES OF FATE. Copyright © 2021 by Adalyn Grace, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020912054
ISBN 978-1-250-30781-1 (hardcover) / ISBN 978-1-250-30780-4 (ebook)
Our ebooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact your local bookseller or the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by email at [email protected].
Map art by Dave Stevenson
Imprint logo designed by Amanda Spielman
First edition, 2021
eISBN 9781250307804
fiercereads.com
Deep within the seas of Visidia lurks a beast known as the Lusca. Little is known about this mysterious legend, though there are whispers about it—ones that say you’ll know the Lusca is coming from the whirlpools it creates, savage enough to sink a ship. Others claim that each of its eight tentacles have barbed hooks that contain enough poison to kill someone with a single prick.
But the beast is no legend. This book is protected by a starving, vengeful Lusca. Steal it, and you best never step foot near the tides.