A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)

by V.E. Schwab

A respectable prison is still a prison,

The people fed on the magic and the magic fed on them until it ate their bodies and their minds and then their souls.”

men who waded into waters claiming they could swim should not need a raft.

Lila Bard lived by a simple rule: if a thing was worth having, it was worth taking.

“The earth beneath your feet does not care you will be king. Nor the water in your cup. Nor the air you breathe. You must speak to them as equal, or even better, as supplicant.”

A life worth having is a life worth taking.

“The world sits in balance,” said Kell, “humanity in one hand, magic in the other.

Are you afraid of dying? Holland had asked him in the alley. And Kell was. Had always been, ever since he could remember. He feared not living, feared ceasing to exist.

“Death comes for everyone,” she said simply. “I’m not afraid of dying. But I am afraid

of dying here.” She swept her hand over the room, the tavern, the city. “I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”

“I’m not going to die,” she said. “Not till I’ve seen it.” “Seen what?” Her smile widened. “Everything.”

“Love doesn’t keep us from freezing to death, Kell,” she continued, “or starving, or being knifed for the coins in our pocket. Love doesn’t buy us anything, so be glad for what you have and who you have because you may want for things but you need for nothing.”

If they’re not in it for the money, they’re in it for control. The act of taking, of breaking the rules, makes them feel powerful.

Battles may be fought from the outside in, but wars are won from the inside out.”

“Magic does not make people strong, Rhy. Trust me. And you have something better. You have the people’s love.”