Quotes from Shannon Hale

The girls were offered bone cups filled with wiggly white stuff

Some voices get hard and tight with age, some rough like broken glass.

It was creamy," said Maya.

Jane looked at everything, smiling at the amusement park novelty of it all. She looked at Mr. Nobley. He was beaming at her. At last. "You are stunning," he said, and every inch of him seemed to swear that it was true. "Oh," she said. He kissed her gloved fingers. He was still smiling. There was something different about him tonight, and she couldn't place what it was.

But Princess Magnolia wore glass slippers on weekdays. Princess Magnolia was afraid of snails. Sunlight made Princess Magnolia sneeze. And at the moment, the Princess in Black was hog-tying a monster.

Apple's MirrorPhone played a measure of One Reflection's single "You Don't Know You're Charming" to announce she'd received another hext message. This one was from Briar Beauty. Apple typed with one hand while brushing her blond curls with the other. Her hair never seemed to need

What a noise we'll make among the drab and dull, how we'll...wait, I want more green. I hope I did not imply I only wanted your colors. We can't turn a cold shoulder to green, and blue, and purple, for the sake of all ordered things, hour can you dismiss purple? Call [him] back and tell him off my need of purple!

So here it is. Figure out what is real for you. No use leaning on someone else's story all your life.

What a noise we'll make among the drab and dull, how we'll...wait, I want more green. I hope I did not imply I only wanted your colors. We can't turn a cold shoulder to green, and blue, and purple, for the sake of all ordered things, how can you dismiss purple? Call [him] back and tell him of my need of purple!

And when you get tired of worrying and mourning your horse and trying not to be afraid, tell me and I'll do it for you a while so you can shut your eyes and sleep peaceful.

there was a bed left in the palace that hadn't been stripped. "Mom!

Never fear, protecting my womb from Gothic novels is my first priority.

Thank you, sir. Thus far the highlight of my stay has been making love to you." Mr. Nobley bowed in acknowledgment. The conversation completely quieted.

Another universal truth is that endings trump beginnings. Charlotte's memories of James began to warp and darken, like photographs held too close to heat, till all his past kindnesses were tainted by how he'd ultimately hurt her. James had been sweet at first only to make her ache all the more when he wasn't.

How's your love life?" "I'm on the wagon.

Lord Bentley seemed to have given up conversation in favor of smoldering looks. After having been professionally smoldered by Mallery, she found Lord Bentley's attempt to be just sad.

I'm old and rich, and people let me say whatever I want.

A honey bee, a funny flea, a pitter patter sunny sea A breezy snow, a wheezy crow, a bitter batter easy dough A teary hymn, a weary limb, a titter tatter cheery swim A cozy yawn, a nosy fawn, a chitter chatter rosy dawn

Why was it that when she was aching for a man, everyone was married, but when she was giving them up, so many men were so awkwardly single?

Get that thing out of my chair," said the king. Two soldiers removed Ungolad's body from the throne

Then came the fateful day Mrs. Davis went through her class list, letting each boy pick his folk dance partner for the upcoming "Hooray for Culture!" assembly. Mrs. Davis called Justin's name. Jane sat up. Justin said, "Hattie Spinwell." Hattie flipped her hair. For years after, there were few things Jane distrusted so much as the words "guy's choice."

I think it's lovely. I mean..." I returned my gaze to the fire, because it was easier to talk to him that way. "What I mean to say is, it's lovely to think of your mother holding her first baby, and looking at your fingers and toes, your eyes, your lips, and saying, 'Perfect. He's perfect. My Tegus.' -Dashti

and thought how her chest felt like a gutted walnut shell, and wondered if that sensation might last forever.

and she rarely went on holiday. (note: she used the British word for "vacation" in her thoughts, an early sign that she'd already decided to go.)