It was just that she had the need to tell him something honest, something honest and unhappy, because cheerful lies tonight were too depressing and too sharp, turning in on her like pins

Ivan had contrived somehow in the dark of night to replace every watermelon in the watermelon patch with a gravestone, and every gravestone in the engraver's lot with a watermelon

A book that bores me to tears is a book that neglects character building and quality of prose.

It seems better to me for a child to have these skills and never use them, than not have them and one day need them," she said.

Things don't ever stay the same. Natural beginnings come to natural or unnatural ends.

Something caught in her throat at this second thanks, when she'd threatened him so brutally. When you're a monster, she thought, you are thanked and praised for not behaving like a monster. She would like to restrain from cruelty and receive no admiration for it.

I push everyone I love away." He shrugged. "I don't mind you pushing me away if it means you love me, little sister.