Across a Star-Swept Sea

book—thank you for putting up with me. And yes: Batman. My long-suffering parents finally have fictional counterparts on the good side of the equation . . . though we all know that even the Blakes can’t throw dinner parties like you.

A short and no doubt insufficient list of fellow writers who kept me sane during the composition of this caper, by giving advice, reading drafts, and just listening: Carrie Ryan (my rock), Julie Leto (my hard place), Lavinia Kent, Justine Larbalestier, Jo Treggiari, Jon Skovron, Jessica Spotswood, Sarah Brand, Erica Ridley, Marianne Mancusi, E. C. Meyers, Holly Black, Sarah Rees Brennan, Robin Wasserman, Michelle Hodkin, R. J. Anderson, Franny Billingsley, and Maureen McGowan. Special shout out to Vania Stoyanova, who is just as clever and cunning and talented—and, okay, a good bit less evil—than her namesake.

Gratitude (and a few regrets) to Baroness Orczy; her creations Sir Percy Blakeney, his lady Marguerite, and the villainous Chauvelin; and their legions of fans. I also owe a debt to anyone and everyone who ever tackled their own adaptation or reinterpretation of the sprawling stories Orczy spun about the Scarlet Pimpernel, especially the 1980s version featuring Anthony Andrews/Jane Seymour/Ian McKellan (my personal first).

And as always, thank you to you, dear reader, who makes it all worthwhile. 

About the Author

DIANA PETERFREUND is the author of nine books for adults and teens and over half a dozen critically acclaimed short stories. Though she loves the frocks and lush climate of New Pacifica, for now she lives in the far more prosaic Washington, DC, with her husband, her daughter, and her dog, Rio. You can find out more at www.dianapeterfreund.com.

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Praise for For Darkness Shows the Stars

“This novel is a postapocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion that will be a hit with fans of sci-fi romances. . . . Readers will keep turning the pages right up to the end.”

—School Library Journal (starred review)

“A richly envisioned portrait of a society in flux, a steely yet vulnerable heroine, and a young man who does some growing up.”

—Publishers Weekly

“A smart and sexy tale of star-crossed love that’s as thought-provoking as it is heartbreaking.”

—Robin Wasserman, author of The Book of Blood and Shadow

“Don’t you love it when a brilliant idea meets with brilliant execution? Thank you, Diana Peterfreund, for giving us a postapocalyptic Persuasion. This book is meltingly good.”

—Laini Taylor, National Book Award finalist for Lips Touch: Three Times

“Diana Peterfreund’s For Darkness Shows the Stars is an impassioned ode to Jane Austen, love, and the hope found in stars.”

—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Across the Universe and A Million Suns

“A beautiful, epic love story you won’t be able to put down!”

—Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series

“ Scores high for ingenuity.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Will appeal to science fiction and romance fans alike.”

—VOYA 

Books by Diana Peterfreund

FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS

RAMPANT

ASCENDANT

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