The Traitor's Game Quotes

“Life doesn’t give us what we want. It gives us what we need and asks what we will do with it.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“You are playing the traitor’s game, and no matter how well one wins, even the winner loses in the end.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“I don’t know your future, or mine. But I know who you are today, and how I feel about you. Whatever your name, or your past, or whoever you will be tomorrow, I still want to be … yours.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“In a traitor’s game, there are no winners. Only those left standing at the end. Cheat or be cheated. Crush or be crushed. Play … or be killed. The next move is mine.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“I motioned Kestra over to the table. “Come eat.” “After Trina has breathed on it? I’d rather eat off the floor.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“One to Vanquish One to Rule One to Fall But All to Fool”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“This wasn’t a good idea. Which was the very reason to do it.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“All right,” I said. “We’ll agree to trust each other.” It was a lie.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“My lady, you are the only one who can play the traitor’s game, and win.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“If this was a sample of what it would be like to work with Trina, I would soon die from prolonged exposure to idiocy.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“Celia had served me well, but not always with the full function of her brain.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“I had plenty of money in a satchel inside my trunk, but if they were going to kidnap me, then they could do it with their own coins.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“My attention had already turned to Simon. When I knelt beside him, he mumbled, “You … are frightening.” “You have no idea.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“I’d always looked down on the world through diamond-studded windows. She’d looked up at the world through salt glass. Despite those differences, we were both looking in from the outside.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“I forced a smile to my face and lifted my chin. He pressed his lips to mine with all the romance of kissing a clam.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“Everything you say is a lie! Do you think I’m stupid?” She smirked. “Stupid is the least of your problems.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“Basil whispered, “May I kiss you, Kestra?” He was still here? And he wanted to kiss me?”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“I'm sorry to hear it," he said, looking almost sincere. "Perhaps one day."
Perhaps when it rained oxen. Not a moment before.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“Healing pools are not as common as you seem to think, the way you go around getting yourself kicked.” “Nor are physicians common enough for you to go around stabbing everyone who crosses you.” She smiled. “Remember that, next time you think of crossing me. Are you all right?” “I’m fine. They just knocked the wind out of me.” “Yes, and probably took a few of your ribs with it.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“My feelings for him weren’t so much anger as they were a single-minded desire to introduce him to Antora’s largest catapult.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“You are playing it already! Making guesses of who to trust, and who trusts you. Who knows what? Who is hiding behind which mask? You are playing the traitor's game, and no matter how well one wins, even the winner loses in the end."
-Gerald”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“You are ripping at my heart, Kes. Every time I reach out and you pull back. Every time you offer a smile to someone who's not me. When you doubt me, or mistrust me, or hide your secrets away, it's like a claw that shreds me from within. When we're together, I forget how to breathe, but when we're apart, I realize you've become my air. I want you to take a risk, but take it with me. Risk yourself with me...
If you can't cross this bridge between us, or you won't, then tell me now and let me tear you from my soul. But don't hold me in this awful middle place where I can't get closer and I can't get away from you.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game

“The Endreans were few in number but had something that would change the course of the war: magic. Most powerful among them was Endrick, who, unbeknownst to everyone, planned to do more than help the Dallisors win the war. By the time the war ended, he intended to rule all of Antora, my family included.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Traitor's Game