Samantha

“I was too young to know the truth then. That victory meant another’s defeat, and sometimes our own defeat. That winning meant sacrifices, and sometimes ones that even our own people were not willing to make. That in war, someone always paid.”
― Carissa Broadbent, Daughter of No Worlds

“Why does everyone hate change so much?" I demanded.
"Because things could get worse."
"Maybe. But do you know what I think?"
My chest throbbed. "I think deep down, we're afraid that things could get better. Afraid to ding out that all the evil—all the suffering we ignore—could have been prevented. If only we had cared enough to try.”
― Jordan Ifueko, Raybearer

“The way I look at it", he said, very solemnly, so quietly that his words slipped into the air like steam, "you didn't forget what you were. I think you remembered. And I hope no one ever again has the fucking audacity to tell you otherwise.”
― Carissa Broadbent, Daughter of No Worlds

“I figured you should have something both beautiful and functional, like you."
He said it so quickly that it almost didn't register. I whipped my head around to look at him. "Max," I breathed, touching my heart with exaggerated awe, "you think I'm functional?"
A dancing smile glinted in his eyes. "I think," he said, "that you are breathtakingly functional.”
― Carissa Broadbent, Daughter of No Worlds