“Its against the rules of humanity to believe there is nothing we can do.”

“Sir Topher finally looked up. Because any hope beyond that, my boy, would be too much. I feared we would drown in it."Then I choose to drown, Finnikin said. In hope. Rather than float into nothing.”

“Then I choose to drown. In hope. Rather than float into nothing.”

“He hesitated, remembering something Finnikin had said to him on their journey. That somehow, even in the worst of times, the tiniest fragments of good survive. It was the grip in which one held tho...”

“How unladylike of you to mention such a thing.”

“Today this courtyard was filled with great warriors. What is more? But it was not filled with great men who have the heart to rule a kingdom. Any man can kill, Finnikin. It is a stroke, an action w...”

“This was about more than semantics; it represented a dangerous shift in perspective.Rio was not at war, I pointed out; and even if it were, wars have rules.”

“Rules are for people with the luxury of time.”

“Rules are for those who can't think of a better way.”