A Darkness at the Door Quotes

“Sometimes justice is stopping oppression any way you can, rather than taking out the criminals at the top.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“His fingers brush over the letters of his name, as hers must have a hundred times before, and then he bends his head and weeps for the childhood he lost, for the mother who never stopped loving him, who kept what she could of him no matter what. This is what she had to her name when she died: a tin cup, a kerchief, and her son’s name written in his book.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“I don’t want to be what Winterfrost saw in me: deciding people’s fates on my own—judge, jury, and executioner. Because one day, I will be wrong.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“It is unfortunate,” Niya agrees, with all the optimism of a little sister. “But he’s done the kingdom a great service, which means he’ll never have a better opportunity to, um, shift his occupational ventures.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“I’m upset with him,” I say coolly, “because I believed him when he lied to me. He laughed off my questions, and I took his mockery to heart and ignored my own instincts.” “So . . . you’re actually angry at yourself?”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“He laughs. “I would send my sister alone with a dragon grown; she’d cut up anyone who looked at her the wrong way.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“Rae. Sweet, prickly Rae. No.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“Mama looks down at her hands. "I don't know if this will help, my love, but it's the best advice I can give. I've come to believe there are three things a couple needs to make a future together: mutual respect, shared values, and the ability to enjoy each other's company.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“You are telling us this because you have suddenly found a well-spring of love for us where before you were nothing more than a rude peasant?” “No,” I agree. “I have only the greatest disgust for you. But I do have a deep and abiding love for my sister. Perhaps, if you decide she has something of value to you, you’ll be kinder to her.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“The Circle. They’re the ones behind the snatchers; they profit from every child sold into slavery. The Darkness is something they created, and the children that can’t be found are only lost to us because of the wards the Circle gives the snatchers.” “You’re sure of all of this? You have evidence?” “I have, and I can show Alyrra when we meet. She already knows some of it.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“A fierce anger rises up inside me. Not only do they take hidden Talents as slaves, but they’ve consigned thousands of children to abduction and slavery over the last few decades. I may have despised them before, but now? Now I will stop at nothing”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“I am no more than a thing to be used, a pawn in the games he plays. He will use me and toss me away as he has countless other bodies. In that way, he’s the same as Garrin and the Circle, profiting from lives they consider disposable.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“Not for aid,” I say, sickeningly aware of my arrogance in thinking I could question someone as powerful and dangerous as the sorceress before me.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“It’s a great deal to take in.” He laughs, but there’s no humor in the sound. “When I first met you, I thought you were escaping an abusive husband or the like. Instead, you’ve uncovered a magical conspiracy that I’ve unknowingly supported.” He looks at me curiously. “Why did you trust me enough to tell me all this?”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“He needed to punch something. Men are allowed to do that, while we women are supposed to just hold it all inside us. But I’m game to hold a cushion for you to punch, or even spar with you, if you like.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“I’m not sure what it says about my time working with thieves and courtiers that I know he’s planning to line his own pocket with the remaining twenty coins, no matter how concerned and sympathetic he seems.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“Sometimes justice is stopping oppression any way you can, rather than
taking out the criminals at the top.”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door

“Buckets? Against armed men? Doesn’t he understand these sailors are used to the desperation of the children they transport?”
― Intisar Khanani, A Darkness at the Door