All writers believe in the magic of books; Jim Hines has created a system where that magic becomes real, usable, and very definitely not always safe.

Bards were terrible at keeping secrets. They insisted on putting them to music.

Empty words show an empty mind, and silence speaks most eloquently of all.

What goes on between a man and his missus is nobody's business; especially where desert toppin's involved.

Dexter thrust a pamphlet into Samuel's hand. "Greenstreet Mission. We're doing a Christmas dinner. You can get a meal and hear the word of God." Samuel smiled in relief. This, finally, he understood. "Which word?" "What?" "Well, God's said a lot of words, you know, and a word like 'it' or 'the' wouldn't be worth hearing again but its always fun listening to Him try and say aluminum.

I tell you what I won't put up with. You chose how to behave.

Better the comfort of a lie than the absurdity of the truth.