The Monster in the Hollows Quotes

“He wanted to be alone, and he wanted to be found.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Gnag bends things for breaking, and the Maker makes a flourish! Evil digs a pit, and the Maker makes a well! That is his way.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Kalmar nodded. "I'm sorry, Papa. I wasn't strong enough."
"None of us are, lad. Me least of all." Esben smiled and took a rattling breath. "But it's weakness that the Maker turns to strength. Your fur is why you alone loved a dying cloven. You alone in all the world knew my need and ministered to my wounds." Esben pulled Kalmar closer and kissed him on the head. "And in my weakness, I alone know your need. Hear me, son. I loved you when you were born. I loved you when I wept in the Deeps of Throg. I loved you even as you sang the song that broke you. And I love you now in the glory of your humility. You're more fit to be the king than I ever was. Do you understand?"
Kalmar shook his head.
Esben smiled and shuddered with pain. "A good answer, my boy. Then do you believe that I love you?"
"Yes, sir. I believe you." Kalmar buried his face in his father's fur.
"Remember that in the days to come. Nia, Janner, Leeli - help him to remember.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“He means to make his subjects merciful and wise; sorrow and struggle bringeth both. We will, he tells me, grow by grieving, live by dying, love by losing. The heart itself is the field of battle and the garden green.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“She turned around and said, "Is there anything I can do?"

It was the only thing she could have said that he couldn't answer with anger, which frustrated Janner even more. If she had asked what was wrong, he would have hurled a perfectly sassy reply right back at her. If she had told him to cheer up, he would have grouched something about how cheery he'd be if he had played with puppies all day. If she had tried to be silly to cheer him up, he would have barked that he was sorry he wasn't in the mood for games.

But "Is there anything I can do?" poured cool water on his fire. It told him that she cared. It told him that she saw he needed something, even if she didn't know what. It told him that she hurt with him.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Everywhere Janner looked, there were ropes, poles, platforms, and a thousand other ways to break an arm or a leg. It was beautiful.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“But I don't want to be the Throne Warden," Janner said with all the bitterness he could muster.
"I understand," Nia said. Janner had planned to send her over the edge with that comment, but she didn't seem surprised.
"Sometimes I don't want to be queen. But what I want doesn't change what I am.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Who you are runs deeper than your skin. A man may be handsome in aspect but black as death in his heart, you know.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Lad, I think we've got what we need for this page. Why don't you go have a look around? And keep out of trouble, or that Madam Sidler will scare you silly." Oskar put a hand to the side of his mouth and lowered his voice. "She's everywhere."

"Can I help you?" said Madam Sidler from the corner of the room. Oskar jumped with such violence that his spectacles clattered to the floor. "I heard you mention my name and thought I might be of assistance."

"Good heavens, woman!" Oskar exclaimed. "We're fine!”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“I'll put her in charge of the puppies. I've twelve this week that need tending. How does that suit you?"

Leeli's mouth hung open. She tried to say something but instead crumpled to the floor. She had fainted with joy.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Sorry, lass. Ye have to seize the teachable moments, you know. Carry on.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“He knew better than to pray that the cloven would transform in a whirl of light into Esben Wingfeather, young and handsome and whole. Those things only happened in stories. So Janner pleaded simply for each beat of the beast's heart.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Who you are runs deeper than your skin. A man may be handsome in aspect but black as death in his heart,”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“I’m the Throne Warden of Anniera, and Kalmar is my charge. Do you hear me? I’ve battled Fangs and trolls! I’ve walked the Stony Mountains and sailed the Dark Sea! I’ve stood in Yurgen’s shadow and looked the dragon in the eye!” Lightning scraped the clouds as Janner stood in the rain and screamed. He flung a finger in Grigory’s terrified face. “The Maker has brought us safely this far, Grigory Bunge, and I will fear no guildling of the Green Hollows. If you insult the High King or the Song Maiden, you will reckon with the Throne Warden. Do you understand?”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“leaned”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“When it rages enough, hate doesn't need a reason. It burns for the sake of its own heat and devours whatever, or whomever, is set before it.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“He’s asked me to marry him.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Let blood seal the freedom of the captive!”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“In death, my love, I loved you best.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“My love has gone across the sea
To find a country far and fair
He sailed into the gilded west
And lo, my heart will never rest
Until my love returns to me
Or I set out to find him there.

Come home, come home! I sing to thee
My love, come home and rest thy head
I'll watch for you the winter long
And sing for you a summer song
And if you can't return to me
Then I will sail to you instead

Through tow'ring wave and shriek of gale
I'll aim my vessel ever west
And steer it by the cord that bound
My heart to yours, until you're found
And should you find my body pale
And wrecked upon the loamy shale
Rejoice, my love, and call me blessed!
In death, my love, I loved you best”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Hear me, son. I loved you when you were born. I loved you when I wept in the Deeps of Throg. I loved you even as you sang the song that broke you. And I love you now in the glory of your humility. You're more fit to be the king than I ever was. Do you understand?”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Queen Nia,” Rudric said. He stood, and his voice boomed through the hall like a rolling boulder. “It is time to discuss the Fang.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Kalmar nodded. "I'm sorry, Papa. I wasn't strong enough."
"None of us are, lad. Me least of all." Esben smiled and took a rattling breath. "But it's weakness that the Maker turns to strength. Your fur is why you alone loved a dying cloven. You alone in all the world knew my need and ministered to my wounds." Esben pulled Kalmar closer and kissed him on the head. "And in my weakness, I alone know your need. Hear me, son. I loved you when you were born. I loved you when I wept in the Deeps of Throg. I loved you even as you sang the song that broke you. And I love you now in the glory of your humility. You're more fit to be the king than I ever was. Do you understand?"
Kalmar shook his head.
Esben smiled and shuddered with pain. "A good answer, my boy. Then do you believe that I love you?"
"Yes, sir. I believe you." Kalmar buried his face in his father's fur.
"Remember that in the days to come. Nia, Janner, Leeli - help him to remember.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“You should tell Grandpa," Janner said. "I'm sure he and Uncle Artham would want to know how many we're up against. And, Kal? I'm sorry."
"Sorry what?"
"Your new sense of smell," Janner said gravely. "It must be awful. I'm so sorry."
"What do you mean?" Kalmar asked.
"Grandpa's toots must be unbearable."
They exploded with laughter.
"I know!" Kalmar said. "I didn't want to say anything, but I can hardly breathe! And not just Grandpa-it's everybody!' Kalmar lowered his voice. "Especially Leeli!”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“But it’s weakness that the Maker turns to strength. Your fur is why you alone loved a dying cloven. You alone in all the world knew my need and ministered to my wounds.” Esben pulled Kalmar closer and kissed him on the head. “And in my weakness, I alone know your need. Hear me, son. I loved you when you were born. I loved you when I wept in the Deeps of Throg. I loved you even as you sang the song that broke you. And I love you now in the glory of your humility. You’re more fit to be the king than I ever was. Do you understand?”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“Oy.” O’Sally smiled at Leeli. “It’ll be good to have a girl around. I’ll put her in charge of the puppies. I’ve twelve this week that need tending. How does that suit you?” Leeli’s mouth hung open. She tried to say something but instead crumpled to the floor. She had fainted with joy.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“But the more I think about it, the more certain I am that I had eight hogpiglets yesterday. And the day before I had one more than that. Ten!"
'That’s not right," Lennry said.
"Eh?" Paddy counted on his fingers and moved his lips.
"You said you had eight yesterday, and the day before you had one more than that. That makes nine, not ten."
"Not true," said Paddy. "Look at my fingers. One, two, three." He counted to eight, then held out one more finger. "Eight plus one. That's ten. Ten hogpigs."
"You forgot nine," Lennry said.
"What's nine?" Paddy asked.
"It's between eight and ten."
Paddy furrowed his brow and nodded slowly. "Nine. You’re right. Plumb forgot about that one.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“But the more I think about it, the more certain I am that I had eight hogpiglets yesterday. And the day before I had one more than that. Ten!"
'That’s not right," Lennry said.
"Eh?" Paddy counted on his fingers and moved his lips.
"You said you had eight yesterday, and the day before you had one more than that. That makes nine, not ten."
"Not true," said Paddy. "Look at my fingers. One, two, three." He counted to eight, then held out one more finger. "Eight plus one. That's ten. Ten hogpigs."
"You forgot nine," Lennry said.
"What's nine?" Paddy asked.
It's between eight and ten.
Paddy furrowed his brow and nodded slowly. "Nine. You’re right. Plumb forgot about that one.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“think he’s going to Kimera first, to see if he can help Gammon fight the Fangs. And I asked him to do something about the Fork Factory in Dugtown. Sara Cobbler is still there—” Kalmar snickered. “Sara Cobbler, with the bright diamond eyes?” “What?” Janner said, blushing. “You talked about her in your sleep,” Podo said. “Almost every night,” Kalmar said. “ ‘Sara! Your eyes are so pretty! I’ll come back for you, Sara!’ ” He howled with laughter till Janner punched him in the shoulder. “Boys!” Nia glared at them. “Behave yourselves at the table. Kalmar, leave your brother alone. He can’t help it if he’s in love.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows

“We bear the guilt, Hollows- folk. It is we who have hidden behind the Watercraw these nine years while Gnag the Nameless has ravaged the breadth of Aerwiar. It is we who let fear speak louder than courage." Rudric stepped onto a crate so he could see the whole crowd. His face was fierce in the firelight. "We have abandoned the Shining Isle. We have betrayed its king and forsaken a long alliance. Our cowardice in this matter is made the more shameful by our great strength. No more.”
― Andrew Peterson, The Monster in the Hollows