Page 40 "Serving on the Council is a tremendous honor," Fallon told her. "But it shouldn't be your life. I gave the same advice to another, once. Sadly, I don't believe she listened either." He could've been referring to anyone, of course, but… Councillor Oralie's cheeks had turned the same shade of pink as the tourmalines on her throne. Her azure eyes also looked glassy with unshed tears—which broke Sophie's heart. She'd long suspected that Oralie had resisted her feelings for Kenric in order to remain on the Council. And now Kenric was gone.
Page 124 Instead, it was Magnate Leto—which was the same thing, of course. But his heavily gelled black hair and sharper features always made him seem more intimidating than his pudgy alter ego.
Page 144 Ro rumpled his hair. "Listen to my little elf boy, sounding all knowledgeable about microbiology and stuff! I've never been so proud."
Page 206 He turned, staring at the shimmering walls and trailing a hand over his greasy hair. "I have no idea."
Page 312 "Uh… you've seen how cute she is, right?" Keefe asked. Sophie flung a pillow at his head. Or, she tried to. Throwing with her left arm was much harder than she'd expected, and… She ended up nailing Magnate Leto in the face.
Page 321 I do. But my advice is rather brief, since Tiergan will cover all of the specifics. I simply want to make sure that you realize the dynamic between you, Mr. Vacker, and Mr. Sencen is… complicated.
Page 321 What does that mean?
Page 321 That's up to you to figure out. "Why did he wink at you before he left?" Fitz asked as soon as Magnate Leto was gone.
Page 427 "Back to your Forkle disguise?" she asked, sitting up to study the bloated, wrinkled figure sitting on the cot across from her. The ruckleberries he must've consumed had made his body swell, stretch, and crinkle, until he looked much more like an elderly human than an elf. And no matter how hard she squinted, she couldn't see any trace of Magnate Leto.
Page 428 His voice was back to its familiar raspy wheeze, and Sophie knew how silly it was to feel her heart swell at the sound. The elf sitting across from her was technically no different than her slicked-haired principal. But this was the voice—and the face—she'd known all her life. The annoying next-door neighbor who asked too many questions but had turned out to be her protector and creator.
Page 431 Shockingly enough, he wove her hair into the most intricate braid she'd ever seen. "Do I want to know why you know how to do this?" she asked. "Of course—but that's a story for another day. For now, we should get that arm back into a sling."
Page 434 "No, it means I wasn't the one to recruit her. Wraith discovered her, but she was reluctant to join our cause without knowing more about us. So she asked him to keep her identity secret and set up a meeting with the rest of the Collective—and she showed up to that meeting in the same disguise she'll be wearing today."
Page 450 "And the thing is, they enjoy hurting and killing. They're never going to stop—not until they've destroyed everything and taken over. And people like that… you can't beat them by playing it safe."
Page 471 "That's why long ago one of our empresses chose to partner with an elf she trusted instead—someone with the power, intelligence, and determination to stand up for what was right, even when it meant stepping outside the law and forging brave new ground."
Page 473 "And while you're clearly young and inexperienced, she also found you to be someone who will never stop fighting for what you believe in, regardless of the sacrifices involved or the rules you might have to cast aside, which is the making of an excellent ally."
Page 474 "Because you're far more powerful than you realize, both in your talents and in your ability to inspire. The fact that I'm here in a private section of your world, along with an ogre, a goblin, a dwarf, and a gnome—all of whom have sworn to protect you with their lives—proves your value beyond anything you might argue."
Page 481 "I'm not saying you're wrong," Mr. Forkle said, reaching up to rub one of his temples. "Or that we shouldn't continue to ponder these questions. But as you said, you do not know the Neverseen. If you did, you'd know that they feed off attention and spectacle to a degree where it truly can be their own folly. For instance: Fintan successfully faked his death. None of us had the slightest suspicion that he was still alive. And his order already relied on cloaks to hide their identities. So he had absolutely no reason to show his face the day he threatened the Council in Eternalia—other than his own vanity. He wanted credit for the feats he'd pulled off."
Page 608 "No, I'm asking you to promise you'll be there for my people should we ever need your help—like you were there for the gnomes when the ogres and Neverseen came after them."
Page 615 "The only way to help you means… revealing the identity of our other elvin ally since the hive is at their property."
Page 640 "Just remember that sharing this planet with other intelligent species means that everything is far more complicated than it seems. And while I'm counting on you to keep your word and not let anyone know of my involvement… if you find yourself in a bind, you know where to find me."
Page 701 Sweat was dripping down his face—probably from the thick tunic he was wearing, along with two layers of capes. But it might've also been a hint of nerves. His hand even trembled as Sophie reached for it, and she realized… This would be the first time he'd face one of his brother's killers.
Page 716 Luzia rolled her eyes. "I have told you the truth—just like I told your puffy leader the truth when he showed up at my house and asked me about things you weren't authorized to share."
Page 717 "How am I supposed to know?" Luzia argued. "A legacy is rarely one thing. And it's generally defined by those outside looking in, rather than those living it. That's like me asking you what the moonlark's legacy is."
Page 721 Honestly, it was pretty amazing watching the Black Swan and the Council work so closely together. Sophie hoped it was proof that this time they'd get it right. Otherwise…
Page 790 "Ugh, you really are worthless," Umber said.
Page 842 "I never realized there were this many matchmakers," Sophie said, mostly to break the awkward silence. "There aren't." Ceri led Sophie to the very last door and pressed her palm on a black panel in the center, triggering a soft beep before the door slid open, revealing a small, square room with mirrored walls.
Next, I give my thoughts about what some of this might mean. Stop reading NOW if you have not read through at least the first 8 books.
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Many of the passages appear to be foreshadowing. What will the trolls expect from Sophie? Why does Ruy Ignis not want anyone to know what he looks like? Hmm.
Magnate Leto's gelled and greasy hair continues to be mentioned.
Why and how does Forkle have the ability to weave an intricate braid?
Ceri's answer to Sophie saying that they aren't all matchmakers really makes me wonder. Remarks like that aren't in the book for no reason. Who is behind all the doors if they aren't matchmakers?
Forkle points out that Fintan faked his death. I contend that Fintan wasn't the only one who faked his death in the Everblaze... Forkle knows this.
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