It's strange how a person can have a distinct distaste for herself, but still she clutches on to life.

I've confessed to everything and I's liked to be hanged. Now, if you please

You don’t mind when he stares at you.” Cecil jerked his head toward Eldric. "He doesn’t stare,” I said. “He looks.

Life and stories are alike in one way: They are full of hollows. The king and queen have no children: They have a child hollow. The girl has a wicked stepmother: She has a mother hollow. In a story, a baby comes along to fill the child hollow. But in life, the hollows continue empty.

I might be a wicked girl who'd think nothing of eating a baby for breakfast, but I'd never allow myself to get expelled. It's far too public.

You mind your tongue!” “Oh, I do,” I said. “I sharpen it every evening on your name.

Eavesdropping is such a regular-person activity.