“What are we all chasing? Nella wonders. To live, of course. To be unbound from the invisible ropes that Johannes spoke of in his study. Or to be happy in them, at least.”

“You are a stone, thrown upon a lake. But the ripples you create will never make you still.”

“This city is like no other city in the world. It is brilliant but it is bloated, and I've never called it home”

“The turnip cannot thrive in the tulips patch of soil.”

“The rules of this house are written in water. I must either sink or swim.”

“Because, Petronella - it's something in his soul. It's something in his soul and you can't get it out.”

“The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.”

“Its bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boys games and work and manners!”

“Only time can heal your broken heart. Just as only time can heal his broken arms and legs.”

“I'm a geeky toy collector, and to have toys of your own characters is unbelievably cool.”