The Mortal Word Quotes

“I think he and the Princess are engaged in an unofficial game of Who Can Show They're More Important by Arriving Last, not that either of them would admit it.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“Write down the problem.
Think very hard.
Write down the answer.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“My life is painfully full of learning experiences where I’ve had to be an expert at short notice,”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“But the good thing about subtle hints was that one could ignore them as long as the actual work got done.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“Irene had no objection to stealing a good strategy, any more than to stealing a good book.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“All right,” Irene said in the sudden pause. “Everyone stay back, or the cat’s going to regret it.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“What is written can be erased, alas.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“What were the requirements for using the Language? That the Librarian using it should be able to name and describe what they wanted to happen, and that the Librarian should have the strength to compel reality to change itself. And that the universe could hear her words.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“Practicality is a great help when it comes to getting things achieved,” Irene retorted. “If I were going on a heroic quest, I’d probably start off by making a list of things I’d need on the journey. Including some books to read during the dull bits.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“Have you ever had to share a hotel with a dragon king for a few days? No? Then don’t criticise me.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“they never tell you when you’re younger how much you’re going to ache once you get older”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“With all due respect, sir”—the traditional signal that one was about to be very disrespectful—”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“Never trust any ruler, Librarian. They’re all untrustworthy.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“It may be true that organizations give individuals their power,’ she answered, ‘but it’s what those individuals do that makes the organizations strong.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“How far could a person change and still remain human?”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“Practicality is a great help when it comes to getting things achieved,”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“Paris had a sort of agelessness, even if parts of its architecture might date it to within certain decades or centuries, such as the wide Napoleonic boulevards. But without actual humans filling the streets, it could be the Paris of any timeline. It could be immortal.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“An answer, certainly,’ Vale agreed. ‘But the truth? That might be a very dangerous commodity.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“know anything about Minister Zhao’s murder, apart from the fact that it happened. But two murders in such a short period of time? Coincidence, or could they be linked? Ya Yu has an interest in this peace treaty – Mei Feng’s here, and I think she’s the Queen’s most trusted servant.’ Irene thought about the timing of her recent mission, rescuing another Librarian who’d been dragged into a contest for power in the dragon courts. ‘And Ya Yu was very eager to fill the assassinated Minister Zhao’s post before this peace conference took place. Is it possible that the minister’s death was also someone’s attempt”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“Genetics were not important. Affection and protection were the truly important things.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“I work in situations where random events happen. I can't forbid them to happen. I can only make allowances for them and deal with them when they occur.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“I prefer a more stable game." He tapped the chess-board meaningfully. "Games of strategy which rely on agreed rules and which avoid all semblance of luck are far more to my taste than cards or dice. I like to know where all the pieces are. I like to know what's possible in a game. I don't appreciate being surprised. Would you agree, Miss Winters?”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“The world is changing," Irene said quietly. "We're working to make that chang ehappen - so perhaps someday you can trust a Fae. I'm aware of what's at stake, but if we succeed, then we're going to have to change as well. If you want to actually create peace, then we have to trust each other. No magical bindings, no blackmail, no family authority, just each other's given word. I'm not saying that we have to trust blindly. But automatic mistrust is a luxury we can no longer afford.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“She spat out snow. 'Vale, you're not carrying a gun, are you?'

'Absolutely not,' Vale answered. 'Do your worst, Winters.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word

“Much as I usually like opera,' Irene said through gritted teeth, 'at the moment, I'd only take interest if a masked maniac was about to drop a chandelier on the heads of the audience. Which I hope is not going to happen.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Mortal Word