Woman?” She chuckled. “Is that meant to insult me? I would return the slap, if I took you for a man.” Dany met his stare. “I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the Unburnt, Mother of Dragons, khaleesi to Drogo’s riders, and queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.

I will teach them what it means to put a lion in a cage, Cersei thought.

And I tell you truly, Danaerys, there is no man in all the world who will ever be half so true to you as me.

The distinction between literary and genre fiction is stupid and pernicious. It dates back to a feud between Robert Louis Stevenson and Henry James. James won, and it split literature into two streams. But it's a totally false dichotomy.

Now I understand why King Stannis let the wildlings through the Wall. He means for us to eat them.

I'm fond of all my characters so every time one doesn't make the cut I'm a little disappointed although I understand it.

A craven can be as brave as any man, when there is nothing to fear. And we all do our duty, when there is no cost to it. How easy it seems then, to walk the path of honor. Yet soon or late in every man's life comes a day when it is not easy, a day when he must choose. (Maester Aemon)