King of Scars (King of Scars, #1)

by Leigh Bardugo

Each spine had been an open doorway whispering, Come in, come in. Here is a land you’ve never seen before. Here is a place to hide when you’re frightened, to play when you’re bored, to rest when the world seems unkind.

“It’s fear that makes your father act as he does, that makes men write foolish rules that say you can’t travel alone or ride as you wish to.” The other girl bit back a laugh. “Why should they be afraid? The world belongs to them.” “But think of all the things we might achieve if we were allowed to do the things that they do.”

Hope was the wind that came from nowhere to fill your sails and carry you home.

“Most of us can hide our greatest hurts and longings. It’s how we survive each day. We pretend the pain isn’t there, that we are made of scars instead of wounds.

“Stop punishing yourself for being someone with a heart. You cannot protect yourself from suffering. To live is to grieve. You are not protecting yourself by shutting yourself off from the world. You are limiting yourself, just as you did with your training.”