The Shattering (34 page)

Tofa:
Goodbye.

Tofa soifua:
Goodbye — a more respectful term, usually used to elders.

MAORI

Cape Reinga
:
The tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, in the far north of the North Island. The traditional spot for spirits of the dead to enter the afterlife.

Kai Tahu, also Ngai Tahu:
The principal South Island tribe.

Karakia:
A sacred chant or prayer.

Koha:
A gift, oft en of money. Mourners at tangi commonly give koha to the immediate family of the dead in order to help cover tangi expenses.

Marae:
A meeting place, central to community life and identity. Various protocols surround the proper use of the marae complex.

Mokopuna:
Grandchild or grandchildren.

Pakeha:
Usually refers to New Zealanders of predominantly white European ancesty.

Tangi, also tangihanga:
A grieving method somewhat analogous to the Western
funeral
. Various tribes have different protocols and ceremonies. Typically, tangi take place over several days, from the person's death until after the burial. Traditionally they took place in marae, but are now also common in private homes and funeral parlours.

Wharenui:
A meeting house, the central building of the marae complex.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to thank all my first readers and advisers for their able
assistance.
In particular, Lauana, Willow, and Erica were helpful on ethnicity and cultural matters; Gina was helpful on rugby matters; Erinna was helpful on magical matters; Matt was helpful on musical matters; and Robyn was helpful on mental-health matters. My mother, Mary, (and Gina again) drove me along the West Coast so I could remind myself how gorgeous it was, and Carla overhauled Keri's entire character with one question. All remaining errors are mine alone.

I remain eternally grateful to my lovely agent, Barry Goldblatt, and to the excellent editors, publicists, and designers on both sides of the Pacific: Susannah Chambers, Alvina Ling, Eva Mills, Connie Hsu, Bethany Strout, Christine Ma, Emmeline Goodchild, Ames O'Neill, Abba Renshaw, Bruno Herfst and Ben Mautner.

A number of more experienced and extremely awesome fellow ya authors gave me great advice on the advent of my first novel and beyond. I am especially indebted to Lili Wilkinson, Sarah Rees Brennan, Penni Russon, and Justine Larbalestier for explanations and encouragement and to Scott Westerfeld for the gin and tonics.

Thanks to the Karen Healey Support Club, who gave up many an hour listening to me babble about my work: Belinda, Claire, Emily, Mary, Deborah, Tessa, and Foz (Melbourne division); Jeff and Matt (Christchurch division); Jameson and Kristen (North American division); and the wonderful ladies in the Interrobangers writing group.

Finally, my thanks go to Dave the osteopath, and Melinda the myotherapist, who made it physically possible for me to write, and probably thought I was joking about putting them in the acknowledgments.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K
AREN
H
EALEY
, a New Zealander living in Australia, is the
author of the critically acclaimed
Guardian of the Dead
.
She likes sundresses, researching world-ending apocalyptic scenarios, and books about lady spies. She doesn't like library fines.

ALSO BY KAREN HEALEY