Shadow And Bone Trilogy Quotes

When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.

The less you say, the more weight your words will carry.

What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.

Of course not," said Sturmhond. "Anything worth doing always starts as a bad idea.

Watch yourself, Nikolai,” Mal said softly. “Princes bleed just like other men.” Nikolai plucked an invisible piece of dust from his sleeve. “Yes,” he said. “They just do it in better clothes.

I took a breath. “Your highness—” “Nikolai,” he corrected. “But I’ve also been known to answer to ‘sweetheart’ or ‘handsome.

I've seen what you truly are," said the Darkling, "and I've never turned away. I never will. Can he say the same?

I want to kiss you,” Nikolai said. “But I won’t. Not until you’re thinking of me instead of trying to forget him.

Weakness is a guise. Wear it when they need to know you're human, but never when you feel it.

You know the problem with heroes and saints, Nikolai?” I asked as I closed the book’s cover and headed for the door. “They always end up dead.

I have loved you all my life, Mal,” I whispered through my tears. “There is no end to our story.

Oh, and the easiest way to make someone furious is to tell her to calm down.

Sturmhond had a way of talking that made me want to shoot someone. Preferably him.

Do you answer a question directly?" "Hard to say. Ah, there, I've done it again

I like to have powerful enemies. Makes me feel important.

I'm perfectly capable of being stupid on my own.

We are alike,” he said, “as no one else is, as no one else will ever be.” The truth of it rang through me. Like calls to like.

Why won’t you leave me alone?” I whispered one night as he hovered behind me while I tried to work at my desk. Long minutes passed. I didn’t think he would answer. I even had time to hope he might have gone, until I felt his hand on my shoulder. “Then I’d be alone, too," he said, and he stayed the whole night through, till the lamps burned down to nothing.

Anything worth doing always starts as a bad idea.

You two have a bad habit of acting like fools and calling it heroic.

I can’t decide if you’re a fearmonger or a coward.” “And I can’t decide if you’re an idiot or an idiot.

I thought you wanted to go." "I wanted you to ask me to stay.

He tapped the sun over his heart. "I came here for you. You're my flag. You're my nation.

You heard Prince Perfect," Mal said, and joined us at the table. Nikolai grinned. "I've had a lot of nicknames, but that one is easily the most accurate.

The ox feels the yoke, but does the bird feel the weight of its wings?

Scars made good reminders.

My mother was an oyster,” he said with a wink. “And I’m the pearl.

It’s a vow that if I can’t be anything else to you, at least I can be a weapon in your hand.

You’re mad,” I said. “You know what he can do. No prize is worth that.” Sturmhond grinned. “That remains to be seen.” “The Darkling will hunt you for the rest of your days.” “Then you and I will have something in common, won’t we? Besides, I like to have powerful enemies. Makes me feel important.” Mal crossed his arms and considered the privateer. “I can’t decide if you’re crazy or stupid.” “I have so many good qualities,” Sturmhond said. “It can be hard to choose.

You were meant for more than me, and I'll die fighting to give it to you. But please don't ask me to pretend it's easy.

And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.” “So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?” “I don’t even trust myself. I’ve never seen anyone work a crowd the way he does. I’m pretty sure the rocks and trees are getting ready to swear fealty to him.

I may not have been completely honest about that." "You? Less than truthful? I'm shocked, Nikolai. Shocked and horrified.

I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan to dress up as a volcra and jump out of a cake." "Well, now you've ruined the surprise.

I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya. Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a taste for you, once.” His head snapped up. He hadn’t expected that. Saints, it was satisfying.

Do you take anything seriously?” “Not if I can help it. Makes life so tedious.

We all die. Not everyone dies for a reason.

Mal snickered. "What's so funny?" "I just pictured the Darkling being cornered by a sweaty duchess trying to have her way with him.

Don’t worry, tracker. You’ll know when our deal is up...I’ll be certain you hear it when I make her scream.

What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.

Don't argue. Never deign to deny. Meet insults with laughter.

You want a love story too? There's none to be had.

Have you looked in a mirror lately?" "I think you do that enough for the both of us.

Don't feel too bad, tracker," said the Darkling. "All men can be made fools.

I got used to seeing him waiting for me at the end of corridors, or sitting at the edge of my bed when I fell asleep at night. When he didn’t appear, I sometimes found myself looking for him or wondering why he hadn’t come, and that frightened me most of all.

Promise not to kick me again, and I'll promise not to kiss you again," he said. "I only kicked you because you kissed me!

You can’t be serious,” I said. “Not on a regular basis, no.

So many men had tried to make her a queen. Now she understood that she was meant for something more. The Darkling had told her he was destined to rule. He had claimed his throne, and a part of her too. He was welcome to it. For the living and the dead, she would make herself a reckoning. She would rise.

You were an odd little girl." "You have no idea. What did you and Toyla play with?" "The skulls of our enemies.

The Darkling just stared out into the waves. I considered shoving him over the railing. Sure, he was hundreds of years old, but could he swim?

In the end, maybe love just meant longing for something impossibly bright and forever out of reach.

You sound just like the Darkling." "If you ever have trouble telling us apart, look for the person who isn't torturing you or trying to kill Mal. That will be me.

I wanted to believe anything so that I wouldn’t have to face the future alone. The problem with wanting is that it makes us weak.

I can’t decide if you’re crazy or stupid.” “I have so many good qualities,” Sturmhond said. “It can be hard to choose.

You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.” I shook out my sore hand. My knuckles smarted. “First of all, are we so sure he really is a prince? And second, you’re just jealous.” “Of course I’m jealous. I thought I was going to get to punch him. That isn’t the point.

That's a good fellow,' Sturmhond said to Ivan. 'Now, I'll take the prisoner back to her quarters, and you can run off and do . . . whatever it is you do when everyone else is working.' Ivan scowled. 'I don't think—' 'Clearly. Why start now?

I shook my head in wonder. "How does he do it?" "Want to know my secret?" Nikolai asked from behind us. We both jumped. He leaned in, looked from left to right, and whispered loudly. "I have a lot of money." I rolled my eyes. "No, really," he protested. "A lot of money.

You were like a stranger, Alina. Beautiful," he said. "Terrible.

I will tell you a story, one I used to tell to a little boy with dark hair. A silent boy who rarely laughs, who listened more closely than I realized. A boy who had a name and not a title

You will always be one of us.

Can we get to the cuddling later? I want us ashore before dawn." Mal sighed. "Eventually, I'm going to punch him." "I will support you in that endeavor.

It's still the same heart, Mal. It's still yours.

The names they gave were false ones, though the vows they made were true.

Great,” I said. “Now get out.” “It’s my coach.” “The deal was only for kicking. It did not prohibit slapping, punching, biting or cutting you in half.

Do good works or commission an opera house or just take it out and gaze at it longingly when you think of the handsome prince you might have made your own. For the record, I favor the latter option, preferably paired with copious tears and the recitation of bad poetry.

Just… be careful.’ I stared at her, baffled. 'Of what?’ 'Of powerful men.

I knew there was no bottom to the Darkling's pain. He would just keep falling and falling.

If it works, it will be plenty dramatic. And I suppose that if it doesn't work, it will be even more dramatic, what with the blast." "David, I think you just made a joke." He frowned, utterly perplexed. "Did I?

Do I get to wear a fancy hat?" "The fanciest," I said. "And possibly a cape." "Will there be plumes?" "Oh, yes. Several." "Then I'm in.

He studied me for a long moment. He had always watched me this way, as if I were an equation that didn't quite tally.

Nikolai laughed. "Next time, bring a flask. Every time he changes his mind, take a sip." I groaned. "I'd be passed out on the floor before the hour was up.

When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable." With the moonlight gleaming off the lenses of his goggles and with his greatcoat billowing around him, he looked like a complete madman.

Not bad looking? He’s damnably handsome. Brave in battle, smart as a whip. An excellent dancer, oh, and an even better shot.

I seem to be immune," I replied. "And luckily, I know what a real kiss should feel like." I left him standing in the middle of the square. I could get used to making Mal blush.

Like calls to like. I'd sense it when the Hummingbird entered the Unsea, but I'd been too afraid to embrace it. This time, I didn't fight. I let go of my fear, my guilt, my shame. There was darkness inside me. He had put it there, and I would no longer deny it. The volcra, the nichevo'ya, they were my monsters, all of them. And he was my monster too. "My power is yours", I repeated. His arms tightened around me. "And yours is mine," I whispered against his lips.

They do love their pretty colors," grumbled Tolya. "Don't give me any ideas," I whispered. "Maybe I'll decide my personal guard should wear bright yellow pantaloons." For the first time, I saw an expression very much like fear cross his face.

Fear is a powerful ally, but feed it too often, make it too strong, and it will turn on you.

No matter what I said, we both knew the hard truth. We do our best. We try. And usually, it makes no difference at all.

We're giving them hope. That's better than nothing.' 'Spoken like a man who's never had nothing,' I said, and wheeled my horse away.

I might not be a threat, but I could become one.

It’s always been this way. There were rumors about me even before I was born. It’s why my mother never calls me Sobachka. She says it makes me sound like a mongrel.” My heart gave a little pang at that. I’d been called plenty of names growing up. “I like mongrels,” I said. “They have cute floppy ears.” “My ears are very dignified.

Don't wish for bricks when you can build from stone.

I didn't have to stand here in the darkling arms. I could vanish from his grip, slide back into consciousness and the safety of a stone room hidden in the mountaintop. But I didn't want to go. Despite, everything, I wanted this whispered confidence. "Yes." I breathed.

If you ever get tired of skin and bones," she called to Mal, "I've got something to tempt you." I stiffened. Mal glanced over his shoulder. Slowly, he looked her up and down. "No," he said flatly. "You don't.

There's not much to do underground besides train." "I can think of a few more interesting ways to spend one's time." "Is that supposed to be innuendo?" "What a filthy mind you have. I was referring to puzzles and the perusal of edifying texts.

The darkling gently folded me in his arms. He pressed a kiss to the top of my hair 'I will strip away all that you know, all that you love, until you have no shelter but mine

- I have principles. - That means "If i can be difficult, I will".

Zoya and I gaped at him. Then she scowled. "You know, if you turned a bit of that poetry on me, I might consider giving you a change." "Who says I want one?" "I want one!" called Harshaw. Zoya blew a damp curl from her forehead. "Oncat as a better chance than you." Harshaw held the little tabby above him. "Why, Oncat," he said. "You rogue.

Toss him over,” Zoya said. “Break his heart cruelly. I will gladly give our poor prince comfort, and I would make a magnificent queen.” I laughed. “You actually might, Zoya. If you could stop being horrible for a minute.” “With that kind of incentive, I can manage a minute. Possibly two.

I don't care if you think I'm a Saint or a fool or the Darkling's whore. If you want to remain at the Little Palace you will follow me. And if you don't like it, you will be gone by tonight, or I will have you in chains. I am a solider. I am the Sun Summoners. And I'm the only chance you have.

After a long moment, he said, "Aleksander." A little laugh escaped me. He arched a brow, a smile tugging at his lips. "What?" "It's just so... common." Such an ordinary name, held by kings and peasants alike. His smile deepened and he cocked his head to the side. It almost hurt to see him this way. "Will you say it?" he asked. "Aleksander," I whispered.

I'll get them out and come back. I promise." "On your word as a cutthroat and a pirate?" He touched my cheek once, briefly. "Privateer." Another explosion rocked the grounds. "Let's go!" shouted Mal. As we sprinted into the tunnel, I glanced back and saw Nikolai silhouetted against the purple twilight. I wondered if I'd ever see him again.

Being around Nikolai was always like this, watching him shift and change, revealing secrets as he went. He reminded me of the wooden nesting dolls I'd played with as a child. Except instead of getting smaller, he just kept getting grander and more mysterious.

I never wanted him to feel the way I had as a child," said Baghra. "So I taught him that he had no equal, that he was destined to bow to no man. I wanted him to be hard, to be strong. I taught him the lesson my mother and father taught me: to rely on no one. That love - fragile and fickle and raw - was nothing compared to power. He was a brilliant boy. He learned too well.

That first winter, when it was time for her friends to leave, the girl ventured out into the show to say goodbye, and the stunning raven-haired Squaller handed her another gift. "A blue kefta," said the math teacher, shaking her head. "What would she do with that?" "Maybe she knew a Grisha who died," replied the cook, taking note of the tears that filled the girl's eyes. They did not see the note that read, You will always be one of us.

What do you want, Mal?" The room seemed very quiet. "Don't ask me that." "Why not?" "Because it can't be." "I want to hear it anyway." He blew out a long breath. "Say goodnight. Tell me to leave, Alina." "No." "You need an army. You need a crown." "I do." He laughed then. "I know I'm supposed to say something noble--I want a united Ravka free from the Fold. I want the Darkling in the ground, where he can never hurt you or anyone else again." He gave a rueful shake of his head. "But I guess I'm the same selfish ass I've always been. For all my talk of vows and honor, what I really want is to put you up against that wall and kiss you until you forget you ever knew another man's name. So tell me to go, Alina. Because I can't give you a title or an army or any of the things you need.

Again, the Darkling shook his head. “You two make it so easy. I prick him, you bleed.” “And you can’t begin to understand that, can you?” He reached out and tapped Morozova’s collar, letting his fingers graze the skin of my throat. Even that faint touch opened the connection between us, and a rush of power vibrated through me like a bell being struck. “I understand enough,” he said softly.

If this stains my teeth orange—” said Zoya. “It will,” interrupted Genya, “but I promise to put your teeth back whiter than they were before. I may even fix those weird incisors of yours.” “There is nothing wrong with my teeth.” “Not at all,” said Genya soothingly. “You’re the prettiest walrus I know. I’m just amazed you haven’t sawed through your lower lip.” “Keep your hands off me, Tailor,” Zoya grumbled, “or I’ll poke your other eye out.

I shouldn't have lost my temper that way. It just pricks his pride, makes him dig in his heels." "So why did you?" I asked, genuinely curious. It was rare for Nikolai's emotions to get the best of him. "I don't know," he said, shredding the leaf. "You got angry. I got angry. The room was too damn hot." "I don't think that's it." "Indigestion?" he offered. "It's because you actually care about what happens to this country," I said. "The throne is just a prize to Vasily, something he wants to squabble over like a favorite toy, You're not like that. You'll make a good king." Nikolai froze. "I…" For once, words seemed to have deserted him. Then a crooked, embarrassed smile crept across his face. It was a far cry from his usual self-assured grin. "Thank you," he said. I sighed as we resumed our pace. "You're going to be insufferable now, aren't you?" Nikolai laughed. "I'm already insufferable.

The less you say, the more weight your words will carry. Don’t argue. Never deign to deny. Meet insults with laughter. “You didn’t laugh at the Fjerdan captain,” I observed. “That wasn’t an insult. It was a challenge,” he said. “Know the difference.” Weakness is a guise. Wear it when they need to know you’re human, but never when you feel it. Don’t wish for bricks when you can build from stone. Use whatever or whoever is in front of you. Being a leader means someone is always watching you. Get them to follow the little orders, and they’ll follow the big ones. It’s okay to flout expectations, but never disappoint them.

Keep your elbows in!" Sturmhond berated Mal. "Stop flapping them like some kind of chicken." Mal let out a disturbingly convincing cluck. Tamar raised a brow. "Your friend seems to be enjoying himself." I shrugged. "Mal's always been like that. You could drop him in a camp full of Fjerdan assassins, and he'd come out carried on their shoulders. He just blooms wherever he's planted." "And you?" "I'm more of a weed," I said drily. Tamar grinned. In combat, she was cold and silent fire, but when she wasn't fighting, her smiles came easily. "I like weeds," said said, pushing herself off from the railing and gathering her scattered lengths of rope. "They're survivors." I caught myself returning her smile and quickly went back to working on the knot that I was trying to tie. The problem was that I liked being aboard Sturmhond's ship. I liked Tolya and Tamar and the rest of the crew. I like sitting at meals with them, and the sound of Privyet's lilting tenor. I liked the afternoon when we took target practice, lining up empty wine bottles to shoot off the fantail and making harmless wagers.