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

by Joe Abercrombie

The sad truth is that pretty people can slide through all kinds of scrapes that’d end very badly for the ugly.

“We all do, Your Highness, but he who tries to please everyone pleases no one at all.”

“All the effort it takes to make a person but it’s the killers they sing about. When did you last hear a man sing a woman’s name?

“Promises are like flowers,” said Isern, stretching her arms wide. “Often given, rarely kept.”

“The figurehead goes at the front of the ship. Braves the terror of wind and waves, takes the risks and reaps the glory. But it’s an unnoticed fellow hidden away near the back who does the steering.”

There was warlike enthusiasm, mostly from those who’d never drawn a sword in their lives, since those used to swinging them tend to know better.