Quotes from Cinda Williams Chima

Take charge of the horse you're riding before you try to rein in someone else's, Elena Demonai always said. And make sure you have a good seat before you do.

in the outer city, the northern accents clamoring around

Demons!' someone shouted in the common speech. 'Sorcerers! Blasphemers!' Han looked up in surprise to see the black-robed priest charging down the steps, swinging the broom over his head like a weapon, his face contorted with rage.

The winner of the tournaments takes control of the Wizard Council, which governs the guilds. Those who have come to power through the system are unlikely to change it. Our family is an aristocracy: privileged and idle, with little to do but spin intrigue.

on rooftops like some kind of manic digital maestro in a Wi-Fi headset, waving his arms and crying, "More power! Need more power!

How dare you?' Bayar began, but his voice had lost some of its force. 'How dare you come into this sacred hall, flinging accusations?' 'I have not yet made any accusations,' Willo said. 'Perhaps it is your own guilt clamoring in your ears.

I like to think there's a little bit of me in you:a love for music and a stubborn streak a mile wide. But we're different, you and me, and I don't forget it. You're strong and you're tough and you tell the truth. You're a good person, Emma. I'm none of those things. I used to think I was tough, but now I know I'm the biggest coward that ever lived.

Han was thinking he was just as likely to shoot flames from his rear end.

I'm thinking that there are other reasons not to murder people beyond the fact that there's no

Was death the price of freedom?

Was he ill? Or was the anger he carried around burning away his flesh?

Ask them. But you're not a soldier, I'm not sure what you are, but you're not that.

I'm no healer," Han growled, thinking he seemed to be better at causing pain than relieving it.

Lucius had told him word was out that he was dead. Han decided that being dead made travel much easier.

I could turn you over to the bluejackets, you know. It's in your best interest to come to terms." Han shrugged and ran his hand over the interior wall. "This place could burn down, you know. Maybe even with you inside. That'd be a shame.

Why did he deserve to live when everyone around him died?

Why me?" Han said. "Why not Dancer? He's not likely to go mad on you." Just then he was rather taken with the notion of going mad, of breaking things. It seemed like a good out.

The pressure of past tragedies drove him forward - the need to escape reminders of his losses, and the desire to be somewhere other than where he'd been. That, and a smoldering desire for revenge.

Allison was at full strength when it came to one thing:attitude.

Mellon is thirteen," Raisa said. "I hope you have experience babysitting, Micah, because you're going to need it. Assuming the Demonai don't assassinate you first. Married at thirteen, widowed at fourteen. Poor Mellony.

If a lady should do this, Raisa wondered, should a man do the same? Is he required to?

Whatever faults he had, stupidity wasn't one of them.

You can't always pick where you fight, or who you fight...or even...how you fight. But do the picking...whenever you can.

Han knew from experience that there was nobody more furious than a cheat cheated.