The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (Inheritance Trilogy, #1)

by N.K. Jemisin

“We don’t call them gods.” Viraine smiled faintly. “That would be an offense to the Skyfather, our only true god, and those of the Skyfather’s children who stayed loyal. But we can’t call them slaves, either. After all, we outlawed slavery centuries ago.” This was the sort of thing that made people hate the Arameri—truly hate them, not just resent their power or their willingness to use it. They found so many ways to lie about the things they did. It mocked the suffering of their victims.

It is blasphemy to separate oneself from the earth and look down on it like a god. It is more than blasphemy; it is dangerous. We can never be gods, after all—but we can become something less than human with frightening ease.

Still… I could not help drinking in the view. It is important to appreciate beauty, even when it is evil.

In a child’s eyes, a mother is a goddess. She can be glorious or terrible, benevolent or filled with wrath, but she commands love either way. I am convinced that this is the greatest power in the universe.

They would keep what they had stolen, because making them give it back was too messy.

“I’m tired of being what everyone else has made me,” I said. “I want to be myself.” “Don’t be a child.”

“You are what your creators and experiences have made you, like every other being in this universe. Accept that and be done; I tire of your whining.”