Ruby

“I'm not going to wear a red dress," she said.
"It would look stunning, My Lady," she called.
She spoke to the bubbles gathered on the surface of the water. "If there's anyone I wish to stun at dinner, I'll hit him in the face.”
― Kristin Cashore, Graceling

“All right, but you’re jumping ahead to the worst possible outcome.”
“As I must! What’s gotten into to? Since when are you an optimist?”
“I’m just being contrary,” I said, “as usual.”
― Kristin Cashore, Seasparrow

“Any zoo reflects its country's cultural beliefs about the true value of animals as well as that country's lifestyle and societal trends.”
― Else Poulsen, Smiling Bears: A Zookeeper Explores the Behaviour and Emotional Life of Bears

“ You wouldn’t believe the things I survived. You taught me to last. But I don’t feel strong, like stone. I feel stuck, like stone. Like a thing that barely changes, no matter what it bumps against. I’m so, so angry.”
― Kristin Cashore, Seasparrow