Quotes from Genevieve Cogman

they never tell you when you're younger how much you're going to ache once you get older

It's the logical consequence of removing valuable artefacts from native cultures. This sort of pandering to American greed, at the expense of the dignity and self-determination of the cultures concerned, is certain to cause long-term results—

No language that I knew had any words to describe him.

If New York was a piece of music, then this was the ominous pause leading up to an intense climax.

was the fear of death and everything that went with it in this place:

Panic is the antithesis to good organization. Panic is messy. I am against panic on a point of principle.

My life isn't all running around and screaming, you know.

He was swearing in what Irene assumed were words well-brought-up dragons used when they didn't want to shock lesser creatures.

There is no such thing as genuine truth, only received truth. The winners write the history books in all cultures, as it serves their advantage. Parents tell their children the stories which paint them as heroes. Enlightened self-interest is the best that anyone can hope for.

She wasn't quite at the point of stepping out onto the motorway to play with the oncoming traffic, but it was close.

But that was one of the perks of being higher-ranking: you could tell your juniors to cut back on the courtesy, while simultaneously being offended if you felt they were being too rude. A win-win situation, for the people on top.

What Vale didn't know, he had absolutely no idea about, but what he did know was usually fascinating.

The atmosphere of the place soothed her automatically; the rich lantern-lights, the sheer scent of paper and leather, and the fact that everywhere she looked, there were books, books, beautiful books.

How far could a person change and still remain human?

Nothing went boom or splat. Irene was still alive and moving freely. She decided to call her mission a total success so far.