June C.L. Tan > Quotes

“You may not be able to change the past, but with each action, you can change the future.”
― June C.L. Tan, Jade Fire Gold

“Children are not born with the fear of falling. It is life that conditions them to be afraid.”
― June C.L. Tan, Jade Fire Gold

“But even in the deepest night, the stars continue to shine.”
― June C.L. Tan, Jade Fire Gold

“You want to save the world and the innumerable fools in it, whether they deserve a chance or not. But I would give up this entire world for a single breath to leave your lips again.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“A word of advice for a person who seeks what you do: always remember, the heart is not a weakness.”
― June C.L. Tan, Jade Fire Gold

“It is all right to feel fear. There is a duality to nature, a balance. Water gives life, but it can pierce through stone and carve mountains. The wind ushers your sails, but it can destroy the boats in your harbor. Earth is the foundation for growth but when it is corrupted, life cannot find a way. Fire may kill, yet, in destruction, there is rebirth and a new beginning. You can choose to protect.”
― June C.L. Tan, Jade Fire Gold

“It sounds absurd, like a fairy tale to remind children of their parents' love. But Shifu always says that there is truth woven into our stories, passed down from fathers to sons, mothers to daughters. One only needs to believe that a truth does exist.”
― June C.L. Tan, Jade Fire Gold

“We all carry the burdens and joys of our past. Only those who choose to be blind to themselves forget what once existed and what continues to exist inside.”
― June C.L. Tan, Jade Fire Gold

“You think your life is hard? Shout it out in the streets and see if anyone cares.”
― June C.L. Tan, Jade Fire Gold

“Life is but a dream, and death is returning home.”
― June C.L. Tan, Jade Fire Gold

“We’re only trying to survive, like all other living organisms. What makes it wrong? Aren’t you doing the same? Aren’t you training to survive? It’s the law of nature—eat or be eaten.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“Yiran wrinkled his nose. “Absolutely no on the ice cream. I don’t want to eat toothpaste.” “Mint-chocolate ice cream does not taste like toothpaste,” Rui protested. “We can agree to disagree. A flavor of ice cream shouldn’t be a friendship breaker,” he said solemnly, but his eyes were crinkling.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“True revenge is surviving. Remember that.” Ash gave her a nod. “I’m glad you’re alive, Rui.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“She smiled, even as she felt a part of her die. He pressed his lips to her forehead for the last time. And then, he let her go.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“Because this is how it feels when your elders turn their backs, when institutions fall from grace, when the world moves on even as you’re standing still, when something you believe in turns out to be a lie. Because you’re no longer a child, and you’re realizing the world you live in operates in shades of gray. Sometimes, there isn’t a right or a wrong—there’s only doing the best you can in spite of the odds stacked up against you and forgiving yourself when you fall short.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“Time is a construct.” Zizi tried to stand straight, clearing his throat like he was an orator giving a grand speech. “Haven’t you heard the saying? A day feels like three autumns when one is missing one’s beloved.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“anyway, the gods were afraid the humans would challenge them and defeat them. So the gods struck the humans with lightning, splitting each in half. Not only were their physical bodies separated, but their souls were also cleaved into two. From that day on, each human felt the loss of their matching half. They would weep and bleed from the wound, and they spent the rest of their lives doomed to search eternally for the other half who would make them whole again.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“You’re ruining my shoes, Aloysius. It’s going to be a pain to remove all that blood from leather.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“and Yiran knew immediately that this boy would go to the ends of the earth for the injured girl.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“Your Majesty, it was the boy who killed the Revenant. What’s more, he is a human without magic.” “Why did you not start with that? I adore plot twists.” Ten clasped his hands in delight.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“No, I mean, what are you doing in a karaoke club?” “What do most people do at a karaoke club?” “Do you even sing?” “Like an angel. I’d offer to serenade you right now, but my bladder protests.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“His friends, on the other hand, had no issue sharing their exploits openly, but Yiran couldn’t grasp the concept of treating another human being as a trophy.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“I understand,” she said, brushing her fingers across his lips. “Can I?” “Always.” He smiled and dipped his head.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“Yiran closed his eyes … and the hollowness seeped into him again.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“But I—I would give up this entire world for a single breath to leave your lips again. And I don’t need you to feel the same way about me to do it. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“From that day on, each human felt the loss of their matching half. They would weep and bleed from the wound, and they spent the rest of their lives doomed to search eternally for the other half who would make them whole again.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“But Rui kept her hand on his chest. “You fool. To hell with fate.” There was only silence as they stared at each other. Then, Zizi grinned. “To hell with fate.” It sounded like a promise.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“She had thought kissing him would be familiar, like returning home after a long absence. But it was that—and more. It was being one with the world, and the world was just the two of them, and they were one, the missing pieces of one soul filled by the other. It was magic.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“Zizi cast her one last desperate look, and she heard his words from the night before echoing in her head. I would give up this entire world for a single breath to leave your lips again. And then she watched the boy she loved doom the world she had sworn to protect.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four

“She means a lot to you, doesn’t she?” “She means everything.” Zizi had spoken so bluntly it could only be the truth. It was a useful piece of information.”
― June C.L. Tan, Darker by Four