Acknowledgements

First of all, my thanks to Slavik Dyak, who pushed me into this adventure. To my family, who supported me. To the lecturers at Ryba, Litosvita, and the Vlad Storyteller YouTube channel. To the illustrators Michael Yevtushenko and Baracuda, and for advice on illustrations—Andy Ivanov, Serhii Chudakorov, Ross Sokolovski. To MOCmaster and Wynd for brick models of Star Arrow. To Viacheslav Zamashniuk and Yevhenii Mykhailyna for help with the 3D model of robot Bo.

To the experts who answered dozens of my questions: Liubko Deresh, Valentyna Vzdulska, Tania Stus, Tais Zolotkovska, Oksana Lushchevska, Yaroslav Zadorovskyy. And for the superb audiobook narration—Roman Kulish and Kateryna Avramchuk for help with publishing.

To the beta readers: Stasya Poltavets, Yarus and Bohus, Roman Kushnir, Roman Makarchuk, Mariia Diachyshyn, Taras Teslya, Natalya Hrabovska, Olesia Kharchyshyn, Igor Matrofailo, Taras Stadnytskyy, Taras Ivasyk, Olesia Stepanyshyn, Liudmyla Timchenko, Halyna Mamchuk and Lyubov Kovalyshyn.

And for the wonderful English translation—Marta Gosovska.

And to everyone who supported me—and criticized me—throughout this time.