Slava Pilotoff > Quotes

“Life’s a no-rules cage fight.” That’s what Alex used to say—back when he still had fire in his eyes, when it sounded like a creed. Now Lena repeated the words to herself and they echoed hollow.”
― Slava Pilotoff, The Russian Gladiator: A Psychological Dystopian Thriller Set in Modern Russia

“People always think the best is still ahead.”
― Slava Pilotoff, The Russian Gladiator: A Psychological Dystopian Thriller Set in Modern Russia

“This was what they’d been told all along in the army: “It’s us or them. War’s coming. No way around it.” And now the day had come, and in Alex’s eyes it felt not just inevitable but right.”
― Slava Pilotoff, The Russian Gladiator: A Psychological Dystopian Thriller Set in Modern Russia

“In her phone, his number was saved as “Gladiator”—not his real name. That way, it wouldn’t hurt as much to delete it later.”
― Slava Pilotoff, The Russian Gladiator: A Psychological Dystopian Thriller Set in Modern Russia

“You don’t get it, babe,” he said, still looking at the sky. “World War III already started.”
― Slava Pilotoff

“Being with him was like smashing against a stone wall—shattering into pieces on impact. He stood unshakable, all steel and rage, hearing nothing but the roar of war inside his head.”
― Slava Pilotoff, The Russian Gladiator: A Psychological Dystopian Thriller Set in Modern Russia

“The war didn’t break everything. It just kept unraveling afterward. The men dragged it back home with them...”
― Slava Pilotoff, The Russian Gladiator: A Psychological Dystopian Thriller Set in Modern Russia

“You don’t get it, babe,” he said, still looking at the sky. “World War III already started.” She propped herself up on one elbow, confused. Around them families picnicked, kids ran on the playground—what war? But Alex wasn’t kidding.”
― Slava Pilotoff, The Russian Gladiator: A Psychological Dystopian Thriller Set in Modern Russia

“Lena squeezed her eyes shut until white flashes popped. And in that moment she knew: nothing would ever be the same again. Childhood was over, and the world would never go back to what it was.”
― Slava Pilotoff, The Russian Gladiator: A Psychological Dystopian Thriller Set in Modern Russia

“Husband . . . Father . . .” her mom mocked. “You think it’s the same man. But war slices people open. You married one man. The one crawling back from war? That’s a zombie. Same face, but inside—just rot.”
― Slava Pilotoff, The Russian Gladiator: A Psychological Dystopian Thriller Set in Modern Russia