It's funny, because in deference to conventional wisdom, I spent my struggling writer years trying to suppress my naturally baroque literary voice and write clean, spare prose. I finally gave up and embraced my baroque tendencies when I wrote the Kushiel series.

I wish sometimes that the gods would either choose better, or make their wishes clearer

Some chains are forged for us - those are the hardest to bear.

What's the point of being a grown-up if you can't indulge the kid inside you every now and then?

A little truth seasons a lie like salt.

When Love cast me out, it was Cruelty who took pity upon me

And Kushiel sends no punishment that we are not fit to bear.