Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen Quotes

“Jack’s voice is soft as moonlight, deep as the darkest cavern. He tips up my chin, getting black paint all over the both of us, but I couldn’t possibly care less. “You know, with you in this costume, you might be in danger of making me fall in love with you all over again.”
Our lips come together, slow and sweet, like we’ve captured the spark of a star between us. His hands cradle my face. For a moment, the wind in the trees and the owls overhead fall quiet— it’s just us and our love knitted over time.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“One thing I’ve learned is that people change. I’ve changed—especially when I met Sally. She might have been made of cloth, but she showed me that patience is strength.”
I smile up at him with love bright in my eyes. “I agree. The world is changing, and some of us will adapt faster than others. As rulers, we need to show compassion.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“A needle?" Dorian drawls with the hint of a smirk. "Are you going to darn me, Rag Queen?"
I focus on his sunken eyes, my sword lifted high as Jack taught me in our sparring sessions. "We don't need to fight, Dorian. Don't make me leave you in need of stitches.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“Your parents told me about the impossible tasks— I told them nothing was impossible for my beautiful wife. And sure enough, here you are, like a fairy tale knight.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“We’ve managed not only to create a star— a real, stable star— but to catch it in my cauldron. The wonder of it dances in my chest like fireflies in a jar.
The laboratory clock dings. It’s eight o’clock.
Moonrise.
I don't know how long I kneel on the laboratory floor, marveling at how such a harsh place has now been transformed by beautiful, warm starlight. At once, I’m a little girl again, so lonely that she tried to make her own star to wish upon. To have a family again. My parents. Dr. Finkelstein’s first children.
Now, here it is.
My own wishing star.
My guiding light.
My way back to Jack.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“A friend doubles your luck and halves your troubles.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“Nothing’s ever lost. There are echoes from every note ever played. You just have to close your eyes and listen.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“I feel the weight of the impossible tasks settling on my shoulders, pressing me down, but I refuse to break. Rag dolls weren’t made to shatter, after all. We aren’t bone china, easily broken— I was made to be tossed, thrown, cuddled, played with. I was made to be loved. And love doesn’t come without tatters and tears.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“In the never nowhere,'" I read, "'there lived a horse called the Night Mare. Her black coat was sleek as oil, her hooves forged from obsidian. No one knew from what realm she came— or if she came from a realm at all. It was rumored she belonged only to the night, which spans all realms, linking them all yet belonging to none. In this in-between existence, the Night Mare alone had the ability to harness Night Magic, the strongest magic of all.'"
Out of the corner of my eye, the room's light takes on a rich golden hue, growing so intense that I have to squeeze my eyes shut against the brilliance.
Luna gasps softly. My father murmurs something under his breath, full of awe. The golden light warms my fabric skin, and I dare to open my eyes.
When I do, I feel the world shift.
A creature stands in my house, straight out of the Grimoriel's ruffled pages. A black horse— no, not just black. Her coat is the deep velvet of a moonless night sky, yet golden strands wink and glow softly. Her mane flows as if caught in an invisible breeze. Her dark eyes are large, deep, ancient. And somehow gentle.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“Once upon a time, a rag doll girl was locked in a scientist’s tower…
The story I tell myself is an old one, as familiar to me as my painted nails. It begins with a girl stolen away from where she belonged, raised among monsters, who fell in love with the Pumpkin King. His love mended her broken soul, piece by jagged piece until she was someone new— someone stronger than before.
I tell myself that story, I think, because I need to believe it’s true.
But love? Love isn’t always gentle in real life. It’s more than butterfly kisses and pumpkin pancakes. Sometimes, love is sharp-edged and terrifying, standing on the edge of a thousand-foot fall. I think about that night I nearly lost Jack, deep in the depths of Oogie Boogie’s lair, the sounds of their confrontation echoing in my cloth ears. I remember how my hands shook. How helpless I felt, bound and trapped. That fear could have paralyzed me. Instead, it stoked my determination. Made me strong enough to endure.
Not because I was fearless— because I was afraid. Just like I was on our adventure to Fable Town, Time Town, and Tooth Town. I can use this fear again to make me strong.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“The moment I step into Dream Town’s Lullaby Library, I’m greeted by an oversized teddy bear clutching an open storybook. Its plush fur is worn thin in places, rubbed nearly bald by generations of sleepy children who’ve curled up beside it. The scent of warm vanilla lingers in the air—like sugar cookies fresh from the oven— and it tugs at something tender in my chest.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“As I blink up at the building, it’s hard to believe the basement was once a spotless, sterile morgue. Since Scorch moved in, the basement has been full of quaint dragon signs instead: Platter-sized pawprints. Shiny shed scales. A few sneaky bites missing from the roast turkey in the icebox.
Through the cobweb-covered windows, I spot Scorch now curled on a rug by the fireplace, snoring softly. Luna’s favorite book of bedtime stories rests beside him, waiting for her next visit.
Warmth spreads from my cotton heart at the sight. I’m thrilled that he has a home now— here, with us.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“After you, my patchwork princess.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen

“Now, I feel as if I’ve lived lifetimes since I was that timid girl marrying Jack atop Spiral Hill. I’ve traveled to wondrously new realms: towns where the rivers flow with melted chocolate and forests with sly foxes offering pie. I’ve even seen the ocean in all its beautiful, terrifying vastness.
And I’ve been tested.”
― Megan Shepherd, Shadow over the Pumpkin Queen