Marianne

“I don’t understand why we couldn’t have taken this beautiful, giant fleet and blasted the shit out of the Autumn Palace.”
“Because we were attempting a bloodless coup,” Nezha said. “Father wanted to avoid a war if he could. Sending a massive fleet up to Lusan might have given the wrong message.”
“So what I’m hearing is that it’s all Rin’s fault,” said Ramsa. “Classic.”
― R.F. Kuang, The Dragon Republic

“They're not the strongest force in the world," Rin said. She felt the god's presence in the back of her mind—eager, delighted, and at last perfectly aligned with her intentions.
Together, spoke the Phoenix, we will burn down this world.
She slammed her fist against the table. "I am.”
― R.F. Kuang, The Dragon Republic

“I think we’re about to be handed off,” Baji said. “It was nice knowing you all. Except you, Chaghan. You’re weird.”
― R.F. Kuang, The Dragon Republic

“Problem?” Nezha asked.
“No, just a question. Have you ever considered being less of a pretentious fuck?”
― R.F. Kuang, The Dragon Republic