The Saucy Wenches Book Club

The Witcher on Netflix “He knows this law [of Surprise] better than anyone else,” Mousesack said in a hoarse voice, “because it applied to him once. He was taken from his home because he was what his father hadn’t expected to find on his return. Because he was destined for other things. And by the power of destiny he became what he is.” “And what is he?” “A witcher.” ~ Andrzej Sapkowski, The Last Wish   ( The Witcher #0.5)

Many odes have been composed to Queen Orlagh’s beauty, although, if she’s anything like her daughter, not to her personality. ~ Holly Black, The Cruel Prince

“What do you want?” “You,” he said, his voice lowering an octave. “I want you, Dutch, body and soul. I want you in my bed every night. I want you there when I wake up in the morning. I want your clothes strung across my apartment and your scent on my skin.” ~ Darynda Jones, Fifth Grave Past the Light

And if it happened to be a Christmas-night when the great bell seemed to rattle in its throat as it called the faithful to the midnight mass, there was such an indescribable air of life spread over the sombre facade that the great door-way looked as if it were swallowing the entire crowd, and the rose-window staring at them. —Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

With a certain amount of forethought, Mrs. Bug, Brianna, Marsali, Lizzie, and I had made up an enormous quantity of molasses toffee, which we had distributed as a Christmas treat to all the children within earshot. Whatever it might do to their teeth, it had the beneficial effect of gluing their mouths shut for long periods, and in consequence, the adults had enjoyed a peaceful Christmas. ~ Diana Gabaldon, The Fiery Cross

“People”—Geralt turned his head—“like to invent monsters and monstrosities. Then they seem less monstrous themselves.” ~ Andrzej Sapkowski, The Last Wish ( The Witcher #0.5)

“I fell so fast, so hard, and so completely. Not because love is blind, but because . . . it’s not. Love isn’t blind, it’s blinding. Glaring. I looked at you, and from the very first day, I knew you.” Amy Harmon, What the Wind Knows

“We did not ask for this room or this music. We were invited in. Therefore, because the dark surrounds us, let us turn our faces to the light. Let us endure hardship to be grateful for plenty. We have been given pain to be astounded by joy. We have been given life to deny death. We did not ask for this room or this music. But because we are here, let us dance.” ― Stephen King, 11/22/63

This city sometimes made one feel as if an endlessly full mug of coffee were being held to one’s lips, and could not be pushed away. ~ Dexter Palmer, Mary Toft; or, The Rabbit Queen: A Novel

“My greatest wish for humanity is not for peace or comfort or joy. It is that we all still die a little inside every time we witness the death of another. For only the pain of empathy will keep us human. There’s no version of God that can help us if we ever lose that.” ~ Neal Shusterman, Scythe

“But minds find ways to protect themselves, build fortifications, and some of those walls become traps.” ― Jeff VanderMeer, Borne

How fitting, that the most terrifying time in my life should require me to do what I do best: escape into a book. ~ Alix E. Harrow, The Ten Thousand Doors of January

“Being a professional hockey player in Chicago is like being Britney Spears in Vegas.” A Lie for a Lie , Helena Hunting

The way things were—the comfort of the addiction of modern, normal life—had drastically fucked off to places unknown. It would, Pete suspected, never return. ~ Chuck Wendig, Wanderers

“With her dying breath, she restored the joy of a dragon and, in doing so, restored the world. Is there a more honorable thing to do with a life?” ~ Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

King Jaehaerys once told me that madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born, he said, the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land. A Dance With Dragons , George R. R. Martin