N. K. Jemisin Quotes
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I had never been able to truly hate anyone who’d suffered, no matter what evils they’d done in the aftermath.
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In the 'Dreamblood' books, I'm focusing more on what I like about epic fantasy: the layering and depth of tension; the chance to really delve into the minutia of an alternate society and its politics; a large cast of characters to love and hate.
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There is no greater warrior than a mother protecting her child.
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'They follow the creed of the Bright: that which disturbs the order of society must be eliminated, regardless of whether it caused the disturbance.' She rolled her eyes. 'You’d think they’d get tired of parroting Itempas and start thinking for themselves after two thousand years.'
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But love like that doesn’t just disappear, does it? No matter how powerful the hate, there’s always a little love left, underneath.Yes. Horrible, isn’t it?
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As a black woman, I have no particular interest in maintaining the status quo. Why would I? The status quo is harmful; the status quo is significantly racist and sexist and a whole bunch of other things that I think need to change.
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'I'm tired of being what everyone else has made me,' I said. 'I want to be myself.''Don’t be a child.'I looked up, startled and angry, though of course there was nothing to see. 'What?''You are what your creators and experiences have made you, like every other being in this universe. Accept that and be done; I’m tired of your whining.'
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I understand that mutual dissatisfaction is a factor in their collaboration. I imagine it isn’t a far step from mutual goals to mutual respect, and from there to love.
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But perhaps that was just the way of power: no such thing as too much.
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'I keep hoping you’ll tell me. You’re the god, after all. If I prayed to you for guidance, and you decided to answer, what would you tell me?''I wouldn’t answer.''Because you don’t care? Or because you wouldn’t know what to say?'More silence.
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'I will not beg your forgiveness,' she said. Only her voice betrayed her fear; it was not its usual strong, clear tone. 'I did what I felt was right.''Of course you did,' I said. 'It was the wise thing to do.'
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Love betrayed has an entirely different sound from hatred outright.
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I was beginning to understand, a little. 'Is that why you’re a usurer?'Madding chuckled. 'I prefer the term investor. And my rates are perfectly fair, thank you.''Drug dealer, then.''I prefer the term independent apothecary-'
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What happened when people who’d once possessed absolute power suddenly lost it?
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It is important to appreciate beauty, even when it is evil.
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There’s not such thing as magic that does no harm.
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When people questioned this, the priests simply said, The world has changed. We must change with it.You can imagine how well that went over.
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Good intentions are pointless without the will to implement them.
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I am not as I once was. They have done this to me, broken me open and torn out my heart. I do not know who I am anymore. I must try to remember.
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I knew what it was at last-the visible manifestation of my will. My power, inherited from my god ancestors and distilled through generations of humanity, given shape and energy and potential. That was all magic was, really, in the end. Possibility. With it I could create anything, provided I believed.
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...and when I lift my head to scream out my fury, a million stars turn black and die. No one can see them, but they are my tears.
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Once upon a time there was a Once upon a time there was a Once upon a time there was a Stop this. It's undignified.
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It’s all right to need help. All of us have things we can’t do alone.
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The Cloud Roads has wildly original worldbuilding, diverse and engaging characters, and a thrilling adventure plot. It's that rarest of fantasies: fresh and surprising, with a story that doesn't go where ten thousand others have gone before. I can't wait for my next chance to visit the Three Worlds!