THE HEIR OF NIGHT by Helen Lowe is a richly told tale of strange magic, dark treachery and conflicting loyalties, set in a well realized world.

We are as we are. How can you claim to know what life I was meant to lead, let alone threaten to force me into it? All your quibbling is nonsense. As well forbid your nose to snuff, or your ears to hear. We are as we do.

My blood will only buy you that fool's regard. I will pay a high price for you to be respected by a churl. Nothing bought with blood is worth having, young man.

When you spring to an idea, and decide it is truth, without evidence, you blind yourself to other possibilities.

Men of passion and vision are often seen as mad.

One can only walk so far from one's true self before the bond either snaps, or pulls one back.

What a man can take with a sword, a woman can give by her flesh alone. Life.