Shurric—Short for Sonic Hurricaner, more powerful version of the Sound Slicer. Shoots out a heavily concentrated force of sound waves almost too low for the human ear to register but powerful enough to destroy just about anything in its direct path.
Slinkbeast—A vicious creature that lives in the Mountains of Sorrow in the Twelfth Reality.
Snooper Bug—A hideous crossbreed of birds and insects created by the mutated power of the Chi’karda in the Thirteenth Reality. Can detect any known weapon or poison and can kill with one quick strike of its needle-nosed beak. Pets of Mistress Jane.
Sofia Pacini—A Realitant from Italy in Reality Prime.
Soulikens—A mystery of the Realities that Master George has yet to explain.
Sound Slicer—A small weapon outdated by the much more powerful Shurric.
Spinner—A special device that shoots out a circular plane of laser, displaying video images on its surface.
Tick—Nickname for Atticus Higginbottom.
Tingle Wraith—A collection of microscopic animals from the Second Reality, called spilphens, that can form together into a cloud while rubbing against each other to make a horrible sound called the Death Siren.
William Schmidt—A Realitant from the Third Reality.
Windbike—An invention of Chu Industries, this vehicle is a motorcycle that can fly, consuming hydrogen out of the air for its fuel. Based on an extremely complex gravity-manipulation theorem first proposed by Reginald Chu.
Winking—The act of traveling between or within Realities by use of a Barrier Wand. Causes a slight tingle to the skin on one’s shoulders and back.
Acknowledgments
Somehow we made it to Book 2, so there must be a lot
of people to thank.
I’m extremely grateful to my agent, Michael Bourret. He has single-handedly taken my career to an entirely new level. If it weren’t for him, I’d never be doing what I love for a living. Thanks, Michael, and I look forward to more great things to come.
Just like last time, I owe a lot to Chris Schoebinger, Lisa Mangum, and everyone else at Shadow Mountain. It just baffles me how much hard work goes into getting a book in the hands of readers. Thank you all very, very much.
Thanks to Bryan Beus for his awesome artwork. You are one talented dude, and I’m honored to be partnered with you.
Thanks to those who read the manuscript and provided valuable feedback: My wife, Lynette, of course—she’s always first. J. Scott Savage, friend, fellow author, and constant lunch partner. LuAnn Staheli and her incredible middle school class. Danyelle Ferguson, a very talented and up-and-coming writer. Heather Moore, good friend and brilliant editor, and her son, Kaelin. And probably others. If I forgot you, please forgive me and call me for a free dinner.
Thanks to Lisa Guerrero, a cancer research scientist from Chicago, for her services as a consultant and science genius. She’s way smart, yo. Like, really, really smart.
Once again, thanks to the dude who invented football. I could never thank you enough. Oh, and I also really appreciate the guy who invented Tiger Woods.
Thanks to the cow that provided a very juicy steak at Hamilton’s in Logan, Utah, in February of 2008. You will be missed.
Thanks to the mother of Christopher Nolan for going through the pain of birthing him. I never thought I would say this, but Christopher is now tied with Peter Jackson as my favorite directors. You are both geniuses.
Last but never least, thank you to my readers. You’re what it’s all about. I look forward to sharing stories with you for a very long time.