Emily R. King > Quotes

“What is courage without fear?”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“But what is freedom without peace of mind?”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“Anything can be changed by those who have the courage to blaze their own path.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“Let the sky lead me, the land ground me, the fire cleanse me, and the water feed me.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“Sometimes it takes more strength to step back than forward.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“I do not understand why the gods have made it so that every woman’s lot in life is to owe her security to a man. Maybe if it were otherwise, we would not put up with them.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“I would rather stay in Samiya and serve the gods than leave and serve a man.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“The rajah draws the attention of every woman in the hall, but he comes to me. “You’re more beautiful every day, love.” He kisses my cheek, souring my stomach. Even at this early hour, he smells of apong and another woman’s perfume. Tarek rubs a circle on my hip. “I’m a patient man, but I don’t know if I can wait until our wedding night.” I lower my eyes in disgust. I can wait a thousand lives.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“Sky in our lungs, land beneath our feet, fire in our soul, and water in our blood.”
― Emily R. King, The Fire Queen

“Humility is the most undervalued godly virtue.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“Before I take a step, someone starts to clap. Without a word, every person in the courtyard gazes up at the north tower scraping the gray sky. The applause stops, and a deep, firm voice shouts from above, “Let her stay.” Barbs of terror dig under my skin. The courtyard goes as still as a sky burial. This is the first time many of these girls have heard a man speak.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“Everley, this hunger for vengeance will rot you. Could you do it? Could you become a monster to destroy one?”
― Emily R. King, Before the Broken Star

“Don’t be so distracted with what keeps you alive that you neglect to live.”
― Emily R. King, Before the Broken Star

“Sky in our lungs, land beneath our feet, fire in our souls, and water in our blood.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“His use of “must” tugs my chin sideways.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“I believe in monsters. I have seen them take and destroy, suffocate and shred, every sliver of light in the world.”
― Emily R. King, Before the Broken Star

“Thank the gods for crunchy food. “I don’t see how we are expected to be confined in this . . .” Chew. Chew. Chew. “The blanket is hardly big enough to cover my . . .” Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“When the day was made, so was the night. When man was made, so was his shadow. The Void dwells in darkness, and life dwells in light. The Voider cannot cross over to where light reigns unless he’s invited. But once welcomed, everything the gods created would be consumed by evernight.”
― Emily R. King, The Fire Queen

“His regret humbles me to a place of reflection.”
― Emily R. King, The Fire Queen

“Where is the line between the gods' will and ours?”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“Although I believe death is not the end and our spirits live on, I am never fully prepared for life to dry up.”
― Emily R. King, The Rogue Queen

“Snowy mountains tear into the ashen sky, their jagged peaks pearly, like wolverine fangs. Cold winds sting my bare cheeks and exposed hands. The frosty temple courtyard is barren of the other daughters and sisters who reside here. Only my best friend is with me.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“We must stop shrinking ourselves to accommodate them.”
― Emily R. King, Wings of Fury

“Could you become a monster to destroy one?”
― Emily R. King, Before the Broken Star

“The sun may not be shining yet, but dawn’s first ray is coming.”
― Emily R. King, The Fire Queen

“am the stream in both its forms: calm on the exterior, raging inside.”
― Emily R. King, The Fire Queen

“Snowflakes stick to his sooty eyelashes, his eyes warm brown. I am no more afraid of him than I was in the lower level of the temple. He radiates warmth and safety, riveting me with the trust he engenders. I want to tuck myself against his tall, muscled form and curl into his body heat, like a rabbit in a burrow. My cheeks flame in embarrassment. I should not feel this way. I did not react so favorably to the rajah. His touch, his voice, and his smell were repulsive. But every nerve ending in my body comes alive near Captain Naik. Beside him, my slenderness feels delicate, curvy, and even womanly.”
― Emily R. King, The Hundredth Queen

“I can rise despite them, despite what you and they would have me believe about myself. I used to think the world didn’t belong to women. We were spectators, disciples, slaves. But this world is ours.”
― Emily R. King, Wings of Fury

“We do not choose the circumstances we are born into or the gods’ will for us, but which shapes us the most? Do our parents’ choices bind us to an inescapable fate or do our own?”
― Emily R. King, The Fire Queen

“Girls with clock hearts aren’t made for falling in love.”
― Emily R. King, Before the Broken Star