In the end, my reasons for moving down the timeline and introducing a new cast have more to do with keeping myself entertained, on the assumption that if I get bored, my readers are going to be even more bored.

You can only have one first born child. You may love all your children deeply and with passion, but there is something unique about the first born.

Old habits are hard to forget, and old fears are habits.

I don't write fantasy; I write historical novels about an imaginary place.

The saddest part of a broken heart Isn't the ending so much as the start The tragedy starts from the very first spark Losing your mind for the sake of your heart

The issue of the Betrayal was so central to that, I felt the need to comment upon it. My choices were to ignore the games and put them 'outside' of continuity or to integrate them. I chose the latter.

More men have been defeated by reports than all the steel of all the swords in history.