Island Queen Quotes

“Broken glass still sparkles when the light hits it. It might even look like diamonds or chandeliers’ jewels. It’s still ruined and in need of repair. Time will fix it, if you live free.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“The white man wants to blame his sins on colored women. His depravity is our fault.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“It’s better inside.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“My Thomas used to call me that. I take him with me on this journey. I always will. I take Cells and Prince William, too. They each shaped and reshaped my heart with fire.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“What was the use of building a legacy if the ones who deserved the fruit never lived long enough for the harvest?”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“distinction of respectability seemed hollow, hollow like bamboo.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“My fault that you married at twelve? That your husband overspent? That he’s bankrupt? That he didn’t figure out how many people were against him and his faith before it was too late? I bear mistakes, but none of those are mine. They aren’t your pa’s, either.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“They were free. They wouldn’t settle for anything less than a fully committed partner. We called it husband, official with papers. The men in charge only called our contracts common-law marriages when they wanted our assets.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Except for Kitty Clarke and my family, I hadn’t seen many friendly women who knew smart things. I had to admire women helping women. It felt right.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Had I passed the curse of growing up too fast to Catharina? She launched into my arms.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“They want to humiliate them for the wealth women like you’ve earned. They’re sending messages to men like me, too, the ones who don’t care a whit about race. They want us to know we’ve no power, either. If the Fédons don’t win, Charlotte will be killed. All our children are targets because of our connections to the leaders of the rebellion.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Once I was talked about in such a manner. I want to encourage you. Don’t miss life because of loose talk. Come. Lift the prince’s spirits.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Someone needs to enlighten you. White men are not prizes, they’re scourges. They rape our women. They steal from our continents then mock our treasures and identity. Why do you wish to deal with the swine and take it to your bed?”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Oh, yes it is. Leaving an unhappy, wealthy Dolly alone is stupid. Very stupid.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“The birthing sadness had me. I couldn’t get out of this hole. I was trapped in the cobbled well in the square.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“She needs to tell me her heart. Then, I can be a rock for her, a safe place to gather and restore her strength. Women need to do that for other women, not torment them for mistakes.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“I’m a solicitor, a want-to-be merchant, and a part-time sailor. You have ambitions for more. I’m not sure I can give you more.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“don’t know you, Mother. You chose to be away. You look like you’ve done well. Me and Grandma were left to famine and hardship. I don’t want to stay with you now.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Cooler heads? My brother had violent lust for me. He tried to sell off my sister. How could anything be calm?”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Her voice had bitterness, but she had fifteen years of Nicholas’s poison to sour her.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“You bastard. You think business comes before my children? You think my being sad means I don’t want my child?”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“What was this? Jealousy over the captain or my thoughts of starting a business again? Or was this something worse, a rejection of our dark-skinned son. My heart hurt.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Girlie. If the widow or one of those planters’ daughters gets a hold of him, do you think there will be dancing out back of the kitchen? Or cotton not just osnaburg for the folks in the field? One of those society women will take him and make him cruel. They care nothing for us. Black and brown bodies are nothing but to be broken for profits.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“wanted to be her. I wanted Cells to look at me like that. But he wouldn’t, not to an enslaved woman with no power or money.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Cells was a good owner, if there was ever a thing such as a good owner of men.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“His name has to be on her records. It’s the only way to ensure that your pa frees her, too. You’re working hard to earn our ransoms. You don’t want that baby to grow up left on this plantation.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“I’m speaking the truth. You’re a harlot ball girl. An old Black woman who’s let a little money go to her head. Even if you did dance with a prince, you’re tired and used up now.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Miss Doll Kirwan. My father calls you Dolly. He says that’s the name you used when you were a prostitute, when you seduced your own brother and had his baby.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Creole lover don’t love no tar. White man, he’ll never take you this far.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“That’s when I smiled at my brother. His hate came from fear, fear of me, fear of me having what was his. I just had to figure out how to prove him right.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen