A Little Hatred (The Age of Madness, #1)

by Joe Abercrombie

‘War?’ ‘It’s when a fight gets so big almost no one comes out of it well.’

‘My da used to say times of peace are when the wise prepare for violence.’

Battles may sometimes be won by the brave, but wars are always won by the clever.

‘Guilt is a luxury reserved for those still breathing and with no unbearable pain, cold or hunger demanding all their fickle attention. Long as guilt’s your big problem, girl …’ Rikke saw the faint gleam of Isern’s teeth in the gathering darkness. ‘Things can’t be that bad.’

But that’s what growing up is, maybe. Realising what a fucking arse you’ve been.

‘Progress just means bad things happen faster.’ Terry Pratchett

Killed by her own clothes fleeing a textile mill. There was a joke there somewhere.

‘The rumour is she lies with women.’ Rikke had never been able to understand why you’d care a shit who someone you’d never even met lay with. How few problems do you need to have before you count that among ’em? ‘Would’ve

like fucks and funerals, her first time was something of a let-down.

Knowledge isn’t always a gift, d’you see? Sometimes it’s better we be swaddled in the comforting darkness of ignorance.’

What a waste. Waste of people, waste of things, waste of effort. But that was war for you.

‘Good and bad aren’t as easy to tell apart as you’d think,’ said Vick. ‘Mostly it’s a matter of where you look at ’em from.’

If you build your boat from cheese, d’you see, you can’t wail at the heavens when it sinks, for cheese is known to be a poor material for boat-building.’

‘You know I never turn down a drink before lunch.’ Her mother flicked open the cabinet and began to pour. ‘Lubricates the rough road through to afternoon.’

But things are always going to be better, or were better long ago. No politician ever got anywhere by telling people things are just right as they are.