Libba Bray, The Sweet Far Thing
17 quotes
"War." Gorgon spits the word. "That is what they call it to give the illusion of honor and law. It is chaos. Madness and blood and the hunger to win. It has always been thus and shall always be so."
"And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time."
"When she can't bring me to heal with scolding, she bends me to shape with guilt."
"Our mouths and bodies speak for us in a new language as the trees shake loose a rain of petals that stick to our slickness like skins we will wear forever. And just like that, I am changed."
"I know it. I know I shall make beastly mistakes, Father-""The world does not forgive mistakes so quickly, my girl." He sounds bitter and sad."If the world will not forgive me," I say softly, "I shall have to learn to forgive myself."He nods in understanding."And how will you marry? Or do you intend to marry?"I think of Kartik, and tears threaten. "I shall meet someone one day, as Mother found you."
"Power changes everything till it is difficult to say who are the heroes and who the villains."
"Centuries of fighting, and for what? I say. "Today it ends. I can't live in fear any longer. I've cursed this power. I've both enjoyed and misused it. And I've hidden it away. Now I must try to wield it correctly, to marry it to a purpose and hope that is enough."
"You must remember, my dear lady, the most important rule of any successful illusion: First, the people must want to believe in it."
"I stare at the pile of discarded remnants and think of my mother. Did she touch that pillar there? Does her scent still linger in a fragment of glass or a splinter of wood? A terrible emptiness settles into my chest. No matter how much I go about living, there are always small reminders that make the loss fresh again."
"He smiles sadly. "Now I know my destiny.""What is it?""This."He draws me in to him in a kiss. His lips are warm. He pulls me tighter in his embrace. The roots sigh and release their hold on my waist and the wound in my side is healed. "Kartik," I cry, kissing his cheeks. "It's let me go.""That's good," he says. He makes a small cry. His back arches, and every muscle in his body tightens."
"To each his own magic."
"If you would understand the present, you must come to know the past."
"But if we are to remain a great empire, we must have a greater understanding of the hearts and minds of others."
"I have done what they expected of me. I have curtsied for my Queen and made my debut. This is what I have anticipated eagerly for years. So why do I feel so unsatisfied? Everyone is merry. They haven't a care in the world. And perhaps that is it. How terrible it is to have no cares, no longings. I do not fit. I feel too deeply and want too much."
"There is a time in every life when paths are chosen, character is forged. I could have chosen a different path. But I didn’t. I failed myself."
"She shrieks above the din. "If you wish a battle, I shall give it. I am the last of my kind. I shall not lie down without a fight."
"And please, stay away from those books you devour. They are putting the most fantastical tales into your head."