OK," Josh said evenly, "I've seen men made of mud, I guess I can accept spying rats. Do they talk?" he wondered aloud. Don't be ridiculous," Flamel snapped, "They're rats." Josh really didn't think it was a ridiculous suggestion.

And in their rush to create wonders, they have ignored the wonders all around them, ignored the mysteries, the beauty.

The research. It is always the best part of writing. And, of course, it is the great excuse to travel.

Dee's search for knowledge was always his greatest strength... and his weakness.

There are some adventures not worth having.

Knowledge itself is never dangerous, it is how that knowledge is used that is dangerous

Magic is really only the utilization of the entire spectrum of the senses. Humans have cut themselves off from their senses. Now they see only a tiny portion of the visible spectrum, hear only the loudest of sounds, their sense of smell is shockingly poor and they can only distinguish the sweetest and sourest of tastes.