When we emerge from the trees, a light snow is falling. Ronan wraps one arm around me, and I let him. Beck stands on my other side, with Mari beside him. Our long shadows blend into one.
Together the four of us walk home.
Acknowledgments
I am tremendously grateful to the many people who helped bring this book to life:
To my editor, Alyson Heller, who knew exactly how to shape my early drafts and make Alli’s story shine; to Tricia Lin, for her editorial insight; to Eric Deschamps, who created the gorgeous cover art; and to the entire team at Aladdin for all their hard work.
To my agent, Victoria Doherty Munro, whose wisdom and guidance aided me every step of the way.
To Alexandrina Brant, Rachel Done, and Allison Pauli, who critiqued this book in its early stages and provided much-needed feedback.
To Kate Brauning, Bethany Robison, and all the members of Team Brauning, from whom I learn so much every day.
To the librarians, booksellers, and educators who have so graciously supported me and my books.
To all of the friends and fellow writers who cheered me on along the way.
To my extended family, for their support and encouragement.
And to Mom, Dad, and Katie, my most enthusiastic champions. I love you.
About the Author
Author photograph by D. Young
Alexandra Ott holds a BA in English from the University of Tulsa. She lives in Oklahoma with her tiny canine overlord. Visit her online at alexandraott.com and on Twitter @Alexandra_Ott.
Aladdin
Simon & Schuster, New York
Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids
Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Alexandra-Ott
Also by Alexandra Ott
Rules for Thieves
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
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
First Aladdin hardcover edition June 2018
Text copyright © 2018 by Alexandra Ott
Jacket illustration copyright © 2018 by Eric Deschamps
Silver flap illustration copyright © 2018 by Thinkstock
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
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Jacket designed by Jessica Handelman
Interior designed by Greg Stadnyk
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Ott, Alexandra, author.
Title: The shadow thieves / by Alexandra Ott.
Description: First Aladdin hardcover edition. | New York : Aladdin, 2018. | Series: Rules for thieves ; 2 | Summary: “Alli must risk everything to save her new family from a rogue organization that is threatening the Thieves Guild’s existence—and the lives of all its members”—Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017040906 | ISBN 9781481472777 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781481472791 (eBook)
Subjects: | CYAC: Orphans—Fiction. | Brothers and sisters—Fiction. | Loyalty—Fiction. | Stealing—Fiction. | Magic—Fiction. | Fantasy. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / New Experience. | JUVENILE FICTION / Girls & Women.
Classification: LCC PZ7.1.O88 Sh 2018 | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017040906
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